Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1255991
26 I ICT TODAY Configuration/Programming At this stage, AV equipment to be controlled and physical interfaces and protocols are known. User interaction with controllable features is firmly defined, and IP addresses are assigned. Using the approved interconnect drawings, create a testbed by connecting all components as they would be in the final installation. The testbed must be the full AV system with all video and audio signal paths functional. If a signal is blocked due to non-control sys- tem issues (e.g., balky HDCP on an HDMI signal path), this needs to be fixed before control system configura- tion begins. Audiovisual control system suppliers pro- vide the configuration and programming software tools that will be used. Depending on the size and complexity of the system, control system configuration could be accomplished by non-programmers using drag-and-drop tools or an AV programming specialist may be needed to perform detailed coding. In any case, the key to suc- cess is to test thoroughly all control system functions under every foreseeable condition. Testing should be done incrementally as each device is brought under control, then as a complete system so that anomalies get caught early to ensure functions in a full system do not behave erratically (Figure 11). Installation From a control system perspective, installation of the AV system will be straightforward if the system was previously assembled in a testbed and all control functions under- went a thorough dry run. Physical installation should not FIGURE 11: Programmer testing AV system control functions; AV devices being controlled are to the left and touchpanel user interface is to the right. FIGURE 12: Typical installation tasks and tools of the trade that are familiar to ICT installers: cable pulling and termination and securing projector mounts to ceiling structures. encounter too many surprises if the initial site survey or construction drawing review was performed rigorously and was well documented. That is not to say that there will not be some unforseen physical installation chal- lenges, but a well trained installation crew should know how to deal with those challenges. Since most AV control systems now require at least some network connectivity, AV installers need to coordinate closely with the client's IT department to ensure that IT personnel are aware at all times of ongoing work that affects the network (Figure 12). Even if the control system was wrung out in the testbed, the AV installation crew should include at least one per- son with training and experience to perform control system configuration and basic network diagnostics.