By definition, a system should integrate different devices from different manufacturers and automate presentation functions of the equipment. Different devices can be controlled with a variety of methods. To illustrate, showing video on a worship presentation system involves several steps that can be condensed into one push of a button. An integrated control system, on the other hand, should be able to automate these tasks into one macro command. The basic components of any audiovisual control system are the controller and the user interface .
Integrated controllers are stand-alone units with a fixed number of inputs and outputs.
They are also generally compatible with any control panel, touch panel, wireless transmitter, network device or equipment interface made by the same vendor. These controllers provide more flexibility and options and can be upgraded easily by adding another card, which makes them adequate in large or complex installations. They do, however, tend to cost more than integrated controllers. Now that systems can be tied into networks, controllers are either network-ready or not. If not, they require extra equipment to link up.