In a somewhat understated way, the AV market in both the residential and commercial sectors is moving beyond the limitations of traditional matrix switchers. Quickly top manufacturers are developing systems that deliver AV over IP distributed media with capabilities that surpass typical matrix switch products.

The latest company to do this is WyreStorm with its new NetworkHD 100 and 200 series single screen and video wall AV over IP systems. 

In a move that supports its NetworkHD line of AV over IP solutions, WyreStorm has announced its NetworkHD Touch iPad control app for the Apple iPad to enable users to control their AV over IP systems. 

“The first-hand feedback we received from the hospitality and retail projects suggested that although installers loved how NetworkHD integrated with third-party control systems, hospitality and retail clients noticed the control systems themselves were not being used properly by their staffs,” notes James Meredith, product manager, NetworkHD, WyreStorm. “This was largely due to staff difficulty fully understanding what sources were showing what content and what displays they were switching content to. Consequently, the often very expensive control system wasn't used to its full potential and the customer experience suffered as a result.”

WyreStorm's solution to this was to develop its NetworkHD Touch iPad control app, which was released for free download on July 13. The signal management company says the app provides control of an entire NetworkHD AV over IP network, and it includes features such as live video previews of sources and displays, and drag-and-drop selection of content onto displays within a system. 

From the installer perspective WyreStorm says the app is simple to set up through its automatic configuration downloads from the central NetworkHD system that are engineered to ensure clients have access to their content within minutes. 

The company adds that users can group displays into rooms, areas or video walls, and they can save specific configurations as favorites. WyreStorm also says users can switch all displays to a single source to address scenarios such as bars, restaurants and stores to show clients specific content such as sporting events and marketing messages.