Audio Visual over IP (or AV/IP) is a method of transmitting audio and video data over a network such as the Internet. This is the same technology that enables “streaming” video services like Netflix and YouTube.
How does it work?
In traditional AV framework, each function per device had to be connected through a dedicated cable.
For example, you used to need at least three cables if you wanted to control a display and also connect it to audio and visual signals. Technicians used time-consuming and expensive fittings to patch together all of these sources, and the number of switches possible was functionally limited.
VA over IP solutions instead connect all devices using a single Ethernet cable. That single cable powers devices, controls them, and transmits audio and visual signals all in one.
Why is this important?
AV over IP offers a number of benefits over traditional AV systems, including:
1. Cost effectiveness & Scalability
IP-based solutions reduce the number of cables required, producing both equipment and labor cost savings.
They are also easily scalable. The number of inputs and outputs in an Audio Visual over IP system is limited by bandwidth, not hardware. As your organization’s AV needs change over time, you can keep adding sources and destinations without totally redoing the main infrastructure.
2. Reach
AV over IP is no longer confined to a single room – decoders can be controlled to stream displays from any encoder, wherever they are, depending on the network configuration.
Where traditional AV is limited by distance (it’s costly to wire any distances over a few meters), AV over IP is transmitted over a single fiber optic cable, which can inexpensively cover great distances.
3. Security
As Audio Visual over IP technology improves, so do the encryption technologies which keep entire AV systems secure and encrypted. Many products provide completely encrypted video streams, ensuring that even if a video stream can be intercepted, a hacker could not decode it and view it.
4. Quality
Because Ethernet cables carry higher amounts of data than traditional wires, AV over IP solutions bring the added benefit of higher quality video and reduced lag, or latency. Audio Visual over IP products scale conveniently and inexpensively and often offer higher quality AV solutions.
Is an AV/IP Solution Right for My Business?
AV/IP has dramatically expanded the options available for AV technicians over the past decade. Though it’s a great solution for many enterprises, there are still considerations to remember when comparing options.
One is bandwidth – when comparing solutions, it’s important to keep IT concerns like the bandwidth available in mind.
Another is interoperability – different vendors provide varying levels of compatibility. Encoders and decoders from one manufacturer might or might not work with hardware and software from another provider.
Vendors also vary widely in terms of picture quality, bandwidth requirements, and cost.
Finally, audio visual solutions are very flexible, so it’s important to design a solution which will work well with your existing infrastructure and meet your needs. However, we’ve found that transitioning to AV over IP equipment makes a great deal of economic and practical sense for many businesses.
If you’d like to speak more with us about how we can design a solution tailored to your organization’s needs, get in touch here.
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