Masters Training and New Innovation

The following blog post is part of our guest blogger series.

Powerful New Technology Brings the Future of Control System Programming to the Present
By Steve Greenblatt, CTS; President, Control Concepts, Inc.

My recent experience at Crestron Master’s training left me with an “ah hah” moment that innovations in Crestron technology will cause a shift in the fundamental approach to programming in a positive way. 

No longer will there be a one-to-one ratio between processors and systems or control ports and programs.  Nor will we be limited to a simple, straightforward approach when designing a program for a system.  Leveraging the power of the new 3 Series processors will prompt programmers to plan how to design and develop code to manage resources and control devices in a system to maximize efficiency, operability, and maintenance.  With the new processors, the emphasis for future projects becomes architecting a program and crafting control systems that take advantage of the power of the technology.

Simply put, the ability to store multiple programs in a single processor (10 are currently supported), will allow one processor to run multiple systems.  The technological power comes in when the processor is used to run multiple programs that become sub-systems of a project.  Each sub-system can be a complete program that runs different applications in a room, in cases like support for room combining scenarios or for multi-purpose room applications.  Sub-systems also can be centered on functionality and mode of operation such as presentation, video conference, audio conference, or remote management. 

Breaking a system into components makes it easier to upgrade, add and modify sections without interrupting other areas of operation.  Technological power and efficiency come into play when changes are made such as life cycle replacements, added features or device changes.  New 3 Series technology allows optimized code writing, providing easier implementation, debugging, and maintenance.

The Core 3 UI marks another advancement.  Now that we live in the touchscreen age, in which everyone is “pinching,” “dragging,” and “swiping” on devices that they carry with them every day, our industry is challenged to provide a user interface that is just as technologically savvy and easy to use.  Crestron has equipped us to do so with the Core 3 technology supported in their new touchpanels. 

These tools allow the AV industry to be accepted as serious technology leaders.  The key here is that Core 3 supports Flash widgets to allow a more interactive user experience and the touchpanel “wow” factor, satisfying the techy user looking for a dynamic interface and the non-technical user who is looking for an easy-to- use experience.  The new Crestron Core 3 UI provides added tools that make programming more efficient and less time consuming, a win-win for programmers and their clients!

Master’s training left me with a head full of knowledge and ideas and a thirst for how we can put powerful new technology to good use. 

Opportunities abound.  What opportunities do you see?

Steve Greenblatt, CTS is President of Control Concepts, Inc. (CCI) is a leading independent provider of audiovisual control system solutions.  The CCI team of experienced professionals creates high quality, intuitive control programming designs for complex AV systems.  CCI combines thorough, proven design and development process with audiovisual science to make AV systems easy to use in boardrooms, classrooms, and entertainment venues.  CCI’s solutions help consultants, integrators, manufacturers and end user technology managers reduce the business risks associated with complex projects through services that include control system programming, touchpanel design, custom software solutions, mobile applications, consulting and needs analysis, documentation, system staging, testing and commissioning, and technical support.

Richard Branson's Crestron-controlled Private Island

The life of a celebrity billionaire is complicated enough, but when Sir Richard Branson is ready to relax in his home, he wants things simple.

Branson, owner of Virgin Atlantic Airlines, Virgin Records and 400 other companies, is a soft-spoken, unassuming man in private, says Rusty Henderson, partner in electronics integration company, Think Simple Limited.

Branson’s home is simple as well. His main residence, located on Necker Island, the 74-acre private paradise he owns in the Caribbean, is just three rooms (or rather three small buildings): a bedroom, kitchen and living/entertaining space called the Temple Room, with adjoining spa and swimming pool.

It’s true that the setting is extraordinary. Branson can watch the sun rise over the Atlantic and the sun set into the Caribbean from the Temple Room. Though roofed, the space is open to sea breezes and provides almost 360-degree views of the island.

Just over a year ago, Henderson installed new audio/video systems in the residence. “Our main concern was making sure everything was incredibly easy to use,” he explains.

Though Branson’s entertainment systems are simple, making them work was anything but. “The Caribbean environment is very harsh,” Henderson explains. Because the island’s salty air is highly corrosive, exposed surfaces and all connections had to be marinised, a process where a barrier material is applied to keep out the salt air.

The second problem was absorbing power variations and possible power interruptions. Necker Island produces its own electricity through two large generators. When power is switched from one source to another, or if the generators have any problem, the resulting sags, spikes and surges can have a very damaging effect on electronics. For that reason, Think Simple deployed a series of uninterruptible power supplies, which use batteries to filter the power and make sure it’s perfectly consistent. These intelligent devices are also able to shut down when not in use, reducing power consumption and utility costs.

The biggest challenge was lightning, a recognized danger in the Caribbean. Because of the concern with lightning, Henderson says Think Simple avoided the use of copper cable whenever possible in Branson’s private house, transporting audio, video and Internet signals via non-conducive fiber optics.

The key to Branson’s entertainment system, according to Henderson, is the use of a control system from Crestron. Think Simple installed two Crestron control processors and tied them into a movie player, DVD player, two LED displays (one in the bedroom and one in the kitchen), a multi-zone sound system with three iPod® docks and a 55” SunBrite® weather-proof TV for the Temple Room.

Branson can choose a movie or TV station, queue up music from his iPod or play a DVD. He also has Internet connections in each living area. “Mr. Branson uses the TV the most and lives off the news and world events,” Henderson adds.

The movie player stores Branson’s entire movie collection in a single device, with a very easy-to-use interface accessed through the Crestron processor. Branson is able to operate the movie player and the other components using a remote control, which Henderson chose for its extreme simplicity and reliability. Think Simple also installed Crestron Cameo® Keypads in each room as an alternative, in-wall control for the music system.

Crestron components were also helpful in the harsh Caribbean environment. Henderson says he chose them because of the extreme reliability of the company’s products.

Since Branson likes his electronics out of sight when not in use, Think Simple hid loudspeakers in-wall or in discrete locations in the ceilings. They installed subwoofers under the floors, with the sound rising from grills not unlike air- conditioning vents. Think Simple also installed the TV in the bedroom in a teak cabinet, from which it rises and swivels to an ideal viewing position at the touch of a button on the remote control. The pool, too, includes underwater speakers, so Branson and his guests can listen to music or the TV when swimming or relaxing.

Henderson says it took an eight-man crew 28 days to install all the wiring and components, traveling from a temporary base on the nearby island of Virgin Gorda. “We hired two transport vessels to get the team to and from the island every day. The boats had to be pretty large as we had over 20 waterproof crates full of the equipment and tools required to implement the installation.”

Branson, however, appreciated the effort. His short but sweet comment, “This is absurdly good!”

Crestron says "Cheese"!

When Beecher’s Handmade Cheese’s new store in Manhattan was being planned, there were two things that were deemed a necessity: ample space to handcraft delicious cheese and ample tunes to keep the cheese makers (and customers) energized. Using Crestron-controlled distributed audio and security, Ultimate Sound & Installations was able to integrate “new world” technology into an “old world” fromagerie.

The store features multiple zones of audio – controlled either by a Crestron TPS-4L wall mounted touch screen or several discreet Crestron keypads – allowing customers in the main retail area, mezzanine, and cellar to enjoy one of three custom streamed internet radio stations.

In addition, a separate audio zone was created for the store’s cheese production area. Framed completely in glass and containing high-tech steel machinery that aids in the cheese-making process, the production area presented an interesting challenge due to the high temperatures and nightly hose-down. Regardless of the challenges, music plays a significant role in the cheese making process of this Seattle-based company; providing the Beecher’s cheese makers with energy and entertainment during the long process of cheese making.

Crestron Lights Iconic Flagstaff Hotel's Famous Pinecone

For more than 100 years, the Weatherford Hotel has been the most prominent hotel in Flagstaff, AZ, enduring many changes and historical milestones.

The Weatherford Hotel is famous for dropping a six-foot-tall, 70-pound pinecone in celebration of the New Year each year. What began as a 100-year birthday party for the historic hotel ten years ago has become a highly anticipated holiday tradition drawing thousands of revelers to downtown Flagstaff.

Looking to bring a modern element to the historic downtown hotel, The Weatherford owners and system integrator, AVDomotics turned to Crestron to add new life to their famous pinecone. Using Crestron as a control system, AVDomotics outfitted the pinecone with Color Kinetics LED lighting to create a little bit of Times Square in the middle of the Wild West.

A Class Like No Other…the Masters

The past few weeks have been busy ones at the Crestron Technical Institute as we opened our doors for this year’s invitation-only Masters Classes. Now in it’s 10^th year, the Masters Class brings some of the best Crestron partners from around the globe back to our Rockleigh, NJ headquarters for 3 days of advanced instruction, product and technology previews, and discussions with Crestron executives about hot topics in the industry.

This year, 120 students converged on our campus to brush up on their programming and learn some new tricks and tips. A big part of this year’s class was an in-depth look at Core 3, our new UI builder. With Core 3, programmers can leverage technologies such as flash, h.264, and HTML5 to create a more engaging user interface to Crestron touch screens.

The three-day immersion course begins with 2 full days of smaller classes on various AV/lighting-related topics. On the third day, Crestron engineers, executives and instructors conduct presentations for the larger class on interesting topics and technologies.

Masters Classes are for an elite group of valued Crestron integrators and partners who have spent years perfecting their craft. These individuals understand that technology is ever-changing. Masters students take the time out of their busy schedules to come back to NJ for continued education so they can be at the forefront of new technology and products.

Masters Classes isn’t all about work though. Following their daily coursework, students enjoy group dinners and outings, forming long-lasting friendships. One event that always scores with students is the bowling trip to Lucky Strike.

All in all, it was a great 3 days and we look forward to welcoming more students!

For more information on the Crestron Technical Institute, click here.