An expandable multimedia control system, comprising: a programmable multimedia controller that includes a general purpose computer for executing one or more applications, and being configured for controlling, switching data among and interoperating with associated components, including one or more of audio, video, telephony, data, security, motor-driven, or relay driven components, so as to provide one or more programmable services; a portable control device having a touch sensitive user interface configured with configuration information for allowing a user to make selections regarding settings for said components associated with said programmable multimedia controller that are converted into control requests representing said user selections, said portable control device including a connector for sending the control requests via wired communication and having wireless capabilities for transmitting said control requests with a wireless connection; a docking station configured to couple said portable control device to said programmable multimedia controller, said docking station further being configured to connect to said connector of said portable control device, receive said control requests from said portable control device, convert said control requests into messages for wired transmission to said programmable multimedia controller, receive messages including state information and meta data regarding implementations of said user selections from said programmable multimedia controller, and convert said state information and meta data into updates readable by said portable control device; and a wired redundant communication path extending between said docking station and said programmable multimedia controller, and being configured to transmit messages bidirectionally between the docking station and said programmable multimedia controller, wherein the control requests are transmitted both with said wireless connection, and in the messages over said wired redundant communication path, to said programmable multimedia controller. a programmable multimedia controller that includes a general purpose computer for executing one or more applications, and being configured for controlling, switching data among and interoperating with associated components, including one or more of audio, video, telephony, data, security, motor-driven, or relay driven components, so as to provide one or more programmable services; a portable control device having a touch sensitive user interface configured with configuration information for allowing a user to make selections regarding settings for said components associated with said programmable multimedia controller that are converted into control requests representing said user selections, said portable control device including a connector for sending the control requests via wired communication and having wireless capabilities for transmitting said control requests with a wireless connection; a docking station configured to couple said portable control device to said programmable multimedia controller, said docking station further being configured to connect to said connector of said portable control device, receive said control requests from said portable control device, convert said control requests into messages for wired transmission to said programmable multimedia controller, receive messages including state information and meta data regarding implementations of said user selections from said programmable multimedia controller, and convert said state information and meta data into updates readable by said portable control device; and a wired redundant communication path extending between said docking station and said programmable multimedia controller, and being configured to transmit messages bidirectionally between the docking station and said programmable multimedia controller, wherein the control requests are transmitted both with said wireless connection, and in the messages over said wired redundant communication path, to said programmable multimedia controller.