Will iOS 8.0 cause any problems for your AV system?

Last week Apple released the latest update of the operating system iOS 8. With that update as well as other updates in the past, there may be potential issues for your AV system. More and more it seems AV technology depends on network connectivity for both delivering music and video content as well as for control of the entire AV system. Each update or even the neglect of doing updates has the possibility to affect your experience. 

We've noticed that when we are called to a client for a service call they are often 2-3 updates behind.  Sometimes they have updated the operating system but not the apps or vice versa. Because of this we occasionally find that the gear in the system is not playing nicely together. Sometimes a service call is as easy go to the site resetting the device and updating everything. Then there are the other times where a client's updating of everything, has now caused a problem because there is a problem with the latest software.

I wish I could tell you there is an exact length of time or number of upgrade releases at which point to do your updates but there just isn't. The good news is with apps updating all the time small issues are usually fixed quickly with minimal down time while drivers and software are updated. Therefore our advice to our clients is generally, keep up to date with the latest releases.

This discussion of updates segues into another interesting topic. Is it worth considering a proprietary touch panel for your remote control system? With all three of the current control systems we use, (Crestron, RTI - Remote Technologies Incorporated, URC - Universal Remote Control) a client has the option of using an iPad as the user interface. There are good things and bad things this brings about. One of the good things is that a client is typically used to the iPad or Android tablet so it doesn't seem unfamiliar or intimidating to them. Using their tablet with the associated control system app is usually a pretty fast learning curve. Another thing on the plus side is the low cost. Typically a $299 iPad mini will do the trick for any of the control systems we use. Compare that to several hundred or a few thousand for a proprietary remote or panel from the control system manufacturer. It is easy to can see why this would be enticing to the end user.

Which leads us to the bad side. These tablet devices require that you have bullet proof Wi-Fi. However most residential customers are using the equipment that their service provider gives them.  In our area that is typically Bright House or Verizon. We have noticed that these companies often reset your device and any changes that we made to them to allow our equipment to work is wiped out.  So if they do a random update or you call with an issue and they reset the device you are going to be stuck having us back out for a service call.   

Therefore the cost of a proprietary panel can actually be less expensive and less problematic in the long run.  These remotes and panels designed by the manufacturer tends to be more reliable. Meaning, if the system was working when it was installed it likely won't need an update unless you are looking for new features. This is typically the type of reliability required by high profile businesses. In my own home I have redundancy with both an iPad and a handheld remote for better reliability. Larger corporate businesses often have us use both a wireless and wired control panel so that they have additional reliability for important meetings.    

Crestron, RTI, URC devices	iPad or Android devices
Higher initial cost	Lower initial cost
Can communicate directly without Wi-Fi	Rely on locations Wi-Fi
Unlikely to be stolen or misplaced	Often disappear or stolen
Usually don't require updates to stay reliable	Can be troublesome based on updates
Better reliability	Reliability dependent of many uncontrollable items (software, network, etc.)