PepperDash News - A higher level of control
May 2009
The Software Side of Convergence

There has long been debate about the meaning of AV/IT convergence and what the true impact on AV might be.  One great example is the use of Internet streaming media to deliver educational content, enabling the presentation of reasonable-quality audio and video to a web browser.

professor lecturing in front of classLive or near-real-time events can be delivered globally, using inexpensive IT infrastructure and the latest in AV capture technology.  This has proved remarkably valuable for distributed educational models, as students no longer have to travel to class rooms.  Suddenly, colleges can dramatically increase their enrollment, without expanding the capacity of their physical plant.  Students can attend classes hundreds or even thousands of miles away.

However, it's not enough to stream classes live.  The YouTube generation wants lectures to be recorded,  archived, and made easily available immediately after class!  Imagine a professor walking into a classroom and pressing a touch panel button that says "Begin". The AV system starts recording the lecture audio, camera video and presentation content.  The professor presses "Stop", and the system immediately archives the recording, along with searchable "meta-data" such as the lecture title, professor's name, date, time, building name, and room number. The file is then archived and made accessible via the Internet.

Sure sounds easy, right?  But where does all that meta-data come from?  We could require professors to arduously type in all the details prior to starting the class, but accuracy and compliance likely would be problematic.  The better way is to program the AV system to reach out over the network, connect to the class scheduling database, query it for what class should be running at that given moment, capture the information, parse it and append it to the stream file.

Convergence means more than just living on the IT department's network.  It means taking advantage of resources not previously available to AV systems, like scheduling systems, HR directories, and ERP systems.  Advanced control system programming in coordination with IT enterprise data sources is at the core of AV/IT convergence, and is a big value-add in the face of increasing commoditization.

-Howard

As always, I welcome your comments and perspectives.
hnunes@pepperdash.com


PepperDash Profile: Jason DeVito 
Jason DevitoTitle:Control Systems Programmer at Reston, VA office

Tell us about your job:

It's my responsibility to review client provided drawings, requirements, and device protocols, turn them into a functioning program that affords the customer a simple and intuitive user experience controlling a complex mix of A/V equipment.

What aspect of your job interests you the most? Why?
The continuous challenge of each project and fitting all the pieces of the puzzle together to meet the expectations of our customers.

How did you get started in the AV industry/control systems programming?
I first started in the A/V industry working as a Technician for the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, which provided me the technical base to move into Residential control programming.  From there, I moved into Department of Defense programming.

What's the most high tech gadget that you own?
My NI-700 even though it's currently used more for testing than running my system.

Favorite Bar:
I haven't found a new favorite in the D.C. area yet, if anyone has any suggestions let me know.

3 Songs currently on your playlist:
Pat Green's 'If I Had A Million'
Radiohead 'Fake Plastic Trees'
The Atari's 'Angry Nerd Rock'

Best Advice: We can only be as effective as the information that has been provided, keeping us up to date with project requirements, drawings, and information is the key to success and on time completion.


You can reach Jason by email: jdevito@pepperdash.com or
his direct line: 617.206.9802.


Quick Contacts
Quotes and change requests:
Myles O'Brien, Sales Engineer
mobrien@pepperdash.com | 617.206.9814


Project scheduling:
Christina Friskey, Project Coordinator
cfriskey@pepperdash.com | 617.206.9805


Not sure? info@pepperdash.com | 800.377.9112

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