Device Discovery
Takes Over InfoComm!
AMX Device Discovery proudly stood up and took notice this year at InfoComm to show attendees that Device Discovery technology is real, it's here and most importantly - it works great.
AMX felt so strongly about getting the word out and sharing the benefits of Device Discovery that we commissioned a second booth at InfoComm. It was solely dedicated to explaining and demonstrating just exactly what Device Discovery is, how it works and why it is the future of plug and play integration - drastically reducing installation time and programming costs.
There are now over 80 Device Discovery manufacturing partners, 42 of which have Device Discovery-enabled products on the market today. Thirty of these were at the show demonstrating those products at their own booths.
What is it and how does it work?
Undoubtedly, these were the top two questions from visitors to the Device Discovery Booth.
What Is It?
AMX Device Discovery is a technology integrated into manufacturers’ products to make integration easy and operation with an AMX control system effortless. By embedding this AMX exclusively designed technology into their products, industry-leading manufacturers are improving the way A/V installations are programmed, managed and operated.How Does It Work?
When integrating a serial or IP device that supports Device Discovery, the AMX Controller (which is always at the heart of the control system) recognizes the device, loads the appropriate communications module or driver and the new third party device is automatically installed. The AMX Controller can find and install the device module either from a library on the Controller, or from AMX’s Web site. Device Discovery also allows for device swapping so that programming changes are not required when devices are removed or replaced.
The Benefits of Using Device Discovery
Manufacturer Benefits
- Access to top control system dealers, who are more likely to choose manufacturers using AMX Device Discovery in their products because installation is easier
- Firmware upgrades are trouble-free
- Removes the technology burden of programming different products
- Quickly and easily offer new AMX compatible products to the control system market
- Included in AMX VisualArchitect system design software, for even easier integration
- Marketing and exposure through AMX
Dealer Benefits
- Devices can be swapped out and replaced simply, with no additional programming
required thus reducing the cost of room maintenance and room downtime - Installation and firmware upgrades are much easier
- Can choose from top list of industry leading manufacturers
- Immediately offer new products from these manufacturers to customers
End User / Consumer Benefits
- Devices can be swapped out and replaced simply, with no additional programming required thus reducing the cost of room maintenance and room downtime
- Lower cost of installation and maintenance
- Select the newest, most technologically advanced products for their systems
Real Time Demonstrations: You Be the Judge!
The Device Discovery Booth included four demonstration kiosks and a main presentation stage that were all designed to show visitors in real time and visually onscreen exactly how the technology works.
Each demonstration area included a fully-functioning 
AMX system, complete with five to seven third-party devices of differing device types from various AMX Device Discovery partner manufacturers.
These presentations allowed visitors to see that Device Discovery breaks down the technology language barriers between AMX masters and system devices no matter what the device type, brand or protocol.
During each demonstration, visitors were shown onscreen an AMX master with no devices connected to it. Then, visitors were invited to plug each device in, (IP and Serial connections) and watch as the master utilizes Device Discovery to connect to the devices.
This entire process reduces programming time from hours to minutes - freeing dealers, integrators and programmers to spend more time designing and selling great systems and less time installing and programming them.
Device Discovery has offically been unleashed and there's no turning back now. As more and more manufacturers and devices come online, Device Discovery will continue to simplify life throughout the world of integration.
