A State of Control

This is a new kind of A State of Control. But if we're going to do things right, we have to start all the way at the beginning. Join us for a journey in control programming, from humble starts to multi-million dollar corporations. Dive into the history of control. The video version of this podcast can be found here. Host: Steve Greenblatt & Rich Fregosa Guests: Dan Feldstein – Crestron Mike Le...

As more devices and solutions get connected to the network, security is more important than ever. What was once 'nice to have' is essential if you want to keep your systems running. On this episode we look at securing the network and ensuring that you and your clients data are safe. The video version of this podcast can be found here. Every month, A State of Control dives into a specific topic as...

Code ownership has been a discussion between programmers and clients since we've been typing things into terminals. But today, we will most definitely pin down the eternal question: Who owns the code? Is it the modules themselves, the UI or just the uncompiled spaghetti left on floor? The video version of this podcast can be found here. Every month we dive deep into a topic surrounding the AV prog...

Every year, Crestron holds their Masters event for certified professionals in the AV industry. Programmers and designers come together for three days to educate themselves on the latests technology and work with peers in the business. This year the show was held in Madrid, May 13-15. Our guests talk about their experiences at the show, and what this event means on a larger scale for the control sp...

Artificial Intelligence is less of a sci-fi concept these days. Unfortunately, it's instead just become more of a buzzword. Not to mention the defining lines between what consists of machine learning and generative computations. Rather than dig into that, we're here to discuss the programming side of things. Control programming is already a kind of setup to turn complex machinations into easily un...

To be honest, automation is kind of AV's thing. We program devices of all kinds to serve functions in a simple way. But how does automation come down to the actual programming part? Do we insist on custom code or look for configuration-based programming tools for assistance? Does AI even get a say in this matter? One this episode of a State of control, we'll break the advantages and drawbacks to b...

The video version of this podcast can be found here. Many years ago, students were told that "they wouldn't have a calculator in their pocket" at all time. Not only do we have calculators in our pockets, we have vast amounts of information and technology right at our fingertips. Tech evolves at a considerable rate, and the same applies to the programming side of things. What does the future hold f...

How does one become an AV programmer? It's not as easy an answer as you think. There are multiple facets to consider from manufacturer training to specific languages and more. To have this in-depth conversation, we are joined by Rich Fregosa from Fregosa Design, Erica Carroll of Charbett Strategies and Britt Yenser from Northampton Community College to talk about the journey to AV programming. Hos...

One of the best parts about technology, especially software, is adaptability. Thanks to the internet we can run upgrade and modify systems to suit the needs of clients and customers on the fly. But updates aren't the be-all end-all. After all, one of the biggest shutdowns we saw from last year, CrowdStrike, came from a faulty update. On this episode, we talk to Brian Magrogan from Verrex and Raj S...

Integration is the foundation of the AV industry. Connecting different solutions and systems to make one cohesive unit is what makes AV so important for any space. Application Programming Interfaces, or APIs are one of those building blocks to exchange data and collaborate actions between devices, and the power of those APIs are only more important as technology evolves. On this episode we talk to...

Out of the many things that the internet and networking in general has brought to AV, it's remote monitoring and support. No longer do you need to send out a team to diagnose a problem- Integrators can quickly respond and sort out the problem from afar. It's become so useful that it's considered a necessity rather than a luxury. We discuss critical features and factors to consider when preparing a...

As technology and networks expand, we are relying more on software solutions for control in AV systems. But what's the impact of moving to these systems for programmers? We look at what AV professionals should understand about virtual control and its use for networked AV. On this episode of A State of Control, we are joined by Brian Magrogan from Verrex and Mike Krejci from CTI to discuss the role...

In July, CrowdStrike systems went down, causing over 8 millions systems to crash. It turns out the error was not caused by a virus, international attack or otherwise- Just a faulty update being pushed out. For a programmer, that is the number one nightmare. We sort out just what happened and what it takes to keep your systems going even in the event of imminent peril. On this episode of A State of...

Adapting to evolving technologies is one of the greatest assets a programmer can have. Not just for business sake, but platforms as well. Making informed decisions about control programming platforms and what integrators need to know for their projects. On this month's A State of Control, Steve Greenblatt and Rich Fregosa are joined by Neil Silver & Tony Howard of Centro. They discuss what int...

It may shock you, but just writing code isn't all that programmers have to do. If they run a business around that programming, then there is much more that needs to be done that simply coding. There's coordination between your team and the client to make a project successful. So what are those unsung traits? We join co-host Rich Fregosa alongside Marc LaVecchia from BMA Software Solutions and Bria...

We had so much to talk about what happened at Crestron Masters 2024, that we had to break it into two parts. And even then, we still had a good discussion. We are joined once more by Diamond-level programmers Dave Hatz from CTI and Russ Noble from ClearAlan about how to bring in new programmers, how programmers can apply artificial intelligence systems as a tool and more. See Privacy Policy at htt...

This time of year, programmers in the AV field come together at Crestron Masters for a selection of courses and seminars. Not only does it bolster professional development, those with Crestron certification can maintain that level and even achieve higher ones like Platinum and Diamond. Today we're joined by two Platinum-certified programmers, Dave Hatz from CTI and Russ Noble of ClearAlan. We disc...

Independent programming has been around for nearly three decades, and a discussion surrounding them has existed just as long. Opinion is split between outsourcing programming and doing the job in-house. What's the best model for integrators? On this episode we are joined by Co-host Rich Fregosa, Alex Fortin from NDS Integration and Ben Dandola-Grubb from Verrex to discuss operations on the project...

Normally our show looks at the finer details of programming, especially in the AV space. But we're taking a little turn to discuss the business side of programming! After all, programming is a marketable skill almost like an art form in itself. But is technical skill enough to make it as a programmer in this space? What does it take for a programmer to be successful from a business standpoint? To...

Control capabilities in third-party solutions have evolved in priority. It used be just a neat bonus, before becoming necessary and even a selling point. They are a critical feature for programmers. So what do manufacturers making these products need to consider to make their systems programmer-friendly? This month we are joined by Rich Fregosa of Fregosa Design, Tim Troast from Legrand and Cody H...

Our show usually covers topics in an evergreen context. At least, as enduring as discussions in a constantly evolving space in technology can be. One such step in the control programming space has been the recent announcement of AMX MUSE, capable of supporting multiple mainstream programming languages. We aren't here to judge the systems against one another but rather look at this particular point...

It might be a stereotype, but most programmers by nature are soft-spoken and blend into the background. But their work is integral to a successful project. How do they get the credit so rightly deserved? We are joined by Principal of Fregosa Design Rich Fregosa, UX Engineering Manager for Root Integrated Systems Kate Adkins and IT Manager of Classroom Technology for Johns Hopkins University Erin M...

There are some roles that when done correctly, you wouldn't realize anything had been done at all. But because of the nature of those jobs, it's hard to find appreciation for them. This month, we look at the role of the programmer within control systems and the AV space and how to give them the recognition and resources they need to succeed. We are joined by co-host Rich Fregosa, President & L...

An Application Programming Interface, or API, is sometimes a term that gets misconstrued in technology spaces. They used to simply be a control protocol, but have since evolved to more robust features and functions. On this month's episode we look at what makes a good API, how it can satisfy the needs of a client, and how manufacturers can assist in providing protocols to best suit programmers' ca...

If AV is an afterthought in projects, then programming is the afterthought of the afterthought. Programming has historically been looked at as a simple line item on the bill of a project, causing programmers to make a project work with a tight schedule and paltry budget. Our technology dependent world is changing this notion, but very slowly. Where is the progress being made to provide programmers...