In recent years, the audiovisual (AV) industry has been undergoing a significant shift towards virtual control systems. As software-based solutions gain prominence over traditional hardware-centric approaches, AV professionals are grappling with both the opportunities and challenges presented by this new paradigm.
Listen to the conversation on A State of Control Episode 121
Virtual AV control refers to software-based control systems that can be run on standard servers or cloud infrastructure, rather than proprietary hardware controllers installed in each room. This approach offers several key advantages:
- Scalability and centralized management: A single virtual control system can manage multiple rooms or even entire buildings, allowing for easier updates and maintenance.
- Cost-effectiveness: By leveraging standard IT infrastructure, virtual systems can reduce hardware costs and simplify deployment.
- Flexibility: Software-based systems are more easily customized and updated to meet changing needs.
- Integration with IT systems: Virtual AV control aligns more closely with broader IT infrastructure, enabling better interoperability.
Moving to Virtual
The transition to virtual control is not without its challenges. AV professionals need to develop new skill sets, particularly around server management and networking. As Mike Krejci from CTI, notes: “We’re setting up Linux servers… If you set it up wrong, nothing’s going to talk. And then you’re now troubleshooting servers and not troubleshooting code.”
This shift requires a more collaborative approach with IT departments. Brian Magrogan of Verrex emphasizes the importance of early stakeholder engagement: “You get the right people involved too, right? And you get their buy-in.” This often means working closely with CTOs and IT directors from the outset of a project.
For AV programmers, virtual control systems present both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, they enable more efficient and scalable programming approaches. Krejci explains: “We now have the ability where we don’t have to write 10 programs for 10 rooms… Can I program them with one program and just have a config file that changes?”
New Tool New Skills
On the other hand, programmers need to develop new skills around server administration and scalable software design. Tools and frameworks that facilitate configuration-based programming are becoming increasingly important.
The industry is still in a transition phase, with virtual control being more suitable for certain scenarios than others. As Rich Fregosa of Fregosa Design points out: “I think that it’s going to be client-driven more than anything else.” Large enterprises and campuses with many similar rooms are likely to see the most benefit, while smaller installations may still be better served by traditional hardware controllers.
Virtual Reliability
There are also considerations around reliability and redundancy. While virtual systems offer powerful centralized management, they also create potential single points of failure that need to be carefully managed. Magrogan advises: “Snapshots, making sure you have redundancy… those things, too, can also then help show your service team, help show your executives how valuable it is.”
As the AV industry continues to evolve, professionals will need to embrace ongoing learning and adaptation. Rich emphasizes the importance of proactive skill development: “The time to learn virtual controls is not on your first job where it got sold.” Instead, he recommends investing in virtual platforms for training and experimentation before they become critical to client projects.
Future of AV Control
Virtual AV control systems represent both a challenge and an opportunity for the industry. By developing new skills, fostering closer IT collaboration, and reimagining system design approaches, AV professionals can leverage virtual control to deliver more flexible, scalable, and cost-effective solutions. As the technology matures and best practices emerge, virtual control is likely to become an increasingly central part of the AV landscape.
Tim Albright is the founder of AVNation and is the driving force behind the AVNation network. He carries the InfoComm CTS, a B.S. from Greenville College and is pursuing an M.S. in Mass Communications from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. When not steering the AVNation ship, Tim has spent his career designing systems for churches both large and small, Fortune 500 companies, and education facilities.