Re: Crestron/AMX Installers
Since this thread has come back to life, since my previous post I had a chance to see the new AMX Rapid Project Maker, which is a very slick piece of software that makes it possible for someone with a basic understanding of AV systems to create a project file including the control code for many common AV systems. But that presentation also brought up the other side to that where many 'programmers' can program within the limitations but don't necessarily understand the full potential of the underlying code. I've had a number of programmers tell me you can't do what I asked when I know you can and that what they are really saying is not that it can't be done but rather that they don't know how to do it or it isn't possible with the software they use to create the programs.
An example, years ago I found out that with some source devices that if you push Play with no media inserted they will not go into play and will return an error code to say there is no media. Few packaged control code blocks address that but it is possible to use that to program the system such that if someone pushes Play on a touchpanel without any media inserted it not only will not show the device in play mode but provides a text message on the panel that there is no media. I had one programmer do this with no trouble but another later told me it could not be done - after I had already seen it work with the same devices. The reality was that it couldn't be done with the standard code block the manufacturer provided for the device but it could be done if you knew how to program at a deeper level.
Unfortunately, I am seeing fewer and fewer programmers who can work at that level and hearing more "it's not in the standard code the manufacturer provides" arguments.
It is truly sad in our industry. More and more people are knowing less and less. I see systems all the time in which the audio installer simply puts in the manufacturers "presets" and walks away. There is no adjustment for the "system"-as long as each box is correct-WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have even seen systems with NO processing-even on the subs-and the installer thinks it sounds "just fine". DO WHAT????????
I guess as long as it "makes sound" they are happy. I guess they are happy they could get it to "make sound".
If one truly understands what all the pieces do, and how to use them, then can do some pretty amazing stuff-with sound systems-control programming etc.
But if you just want to take the easy way out-then there will be all kinds of things you can't do.
WAY to many people are simply looking for the easy way out and the simple to understand WRONG answers.
It is no wonder that the overall quality is getting lower-despite have much better tools than we used to have.
But of course in the 'ol days-you had to know what was going on and understand things to get them to work. Now any idiot can go to GC and get a decent sound system-and go and install it wrong-and everybody is "happy" because it sounds like the other crap systems that people are putting in.
Sorry to rant-but there are simply to many people in our industry that don't have a clue-AND DON'T WANT TO-that is the truly sad part.
