High-level Objectives:
A short and non-exhaustive list of reasons to use an integrated control system include:
- simple, consistent user experience for operation of AV systems and their individual components
- achieving cohesion by integrating disparate AV devices so they perform effectively as a unified system operated by a single user interface
- integration with building management systems (BMS)
- integration with Emergency Warning and Intercommunication System (EWIS)
- achieving energy-saving goals by switching devices off or into standby mode through scheduling and automated processing
A control systems may also be utilised for advanced applications:
- reporting and analytics for asset management
- system faults and warning notifications (e.g. text message, email, or log file)
- integration with room booking system (e.g. session start/end notifications)
- dynamic and contextual user guide integrated into graphical user interfaces
- enterprise-grade control processing server software as a centralised ICT architecture alternative to traditional appliance-based control processing solutions
Specific Room Functionality:
Common examples of AV system control found in an educational space:
- switching a source device to one or many output destinations
- control of individual source devices, e.g. pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) cameras, visualisers
- volume and mute control of audio sources (including microphones) and destinations
- automatic startup or shutdown of systems based on occupancy and/or schedule
- lecture recording control and system feedback
- automated and manual control of lighting and motorised blind systems
- control of mains power delivery to meet energy-saving goals (eg. by turning off 240-Volt power to amplifiers at midnight, and restoring power at 7am)