LIVE Autumn 2024 – Web

ROUND TABLE

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We’re seeing big, complex events adopt SMPTE 2110 as a way of bringing the same flexibility and redundancy to deployments”

C an you offer a brief overview of AV over IP’s growth over the years? Reed Erickson It feels like this evolution really started with the wide adoption of Dante in the world of audio. Audio deployments that at one time required a host of specialised cabling embraced network topology as the backbone of moving signals around complex installed venues – and then eventually from stage to front of house. In live events, as video technology improves and high-throughput network equipment falls in price, video is catching up to Dante. We’re seeing big, complex events adopt SMPTE 2110 as a way of bringing the same flexibility and redundancy to deployments.

Marc Wilson In a nutshell, AV over IP has significantly advanced to facilitate the transmission of multiple channels of uncompressed audio over standard network cables or fibre using regular network switches, even across distances of hundreds of kilometres. This technology simplifies installation since it is much easier to run data cables compared to traditional audio cables. In many smaller set-ups, audio can be transmitted over existing network infrastructure, reducing the need for additional wiring. Each network device in an AV over IP system is equipped with multiple inputs and outputs, and Dante network audio technology supports instant point-to-point or point-to- multipoint connections across the network. These connections can be adjusted remotely with ease, offering great flexibility. Additionally, network switches often provide Power over Ethernet (PoE) to connected devices, requiring only a single network cable connection per device. Additionally, Dante/AES67 systems offer broad cross-compatibility with numerous manufacturers that have adopted these standards. This

The emergence of AV over IP technology has dramatically transformed this landscape. This technology employs standard IP networks to transmit audio and video signals as data packets, making use of existing network infrastructure. As a result, AV over IP offers several crucial advantages over traditional methods – namely scalability, flexibility, cost-effectiveness and high- quality transmission. Lightware Visual Engineering is a leader in this evolving market, providing state-of-the-art AV over IP solutions. The newly launched Gemini GVN product promises 4K60 4:4:4 image quality over 1G networks, setting new performance standards. For even higher bandwidth requirements, Lightware’s UBEX and HDMI-TPN series harness 10G Ethernet networks, and are capable of delivering ultra-high-definition 4K video with low latency and advanced features like Dolby Atmos and HDR. Next-generation Taurus TPN devices, equipped with SDVoE technology and USB-C connectivity, are made to support the most demanding AV applications in deployments such as larger conference rooms and boardrooms.

Gergely Vida Traditionally, the AV distribution market relied heavily on dedicated cables like HDMI and VGA, as well as specialised hardware like matrix switchers to transmit signals. These set-ups were often complex, expensive and limited in scalability. Large-scale installations required lots of cabling and hardware, making them cumbersome and costly.

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