Welcome to AV over IP

Audio/visual (AV) over internet protocol (IP) is the routing of high definition video, audio and control signals to various destinations using standard Ethernet network cabling (CAT5e or above). Adoption of this technology is increasing rapidly within the AV and IT industry. With the advancement in AV hardware, sending AV streams over IP switches is now easier than ever.

(A typical AV over IP topography – multiple sources to multiple displays over LAN)

When distributing AV over IP, there are many advantages: switching configurations are not confined to standard port limitations making systems much more scalable and flexible. With IP switches, this allows for longer cabling lengths to be run using standard Cate5e cable — this has potential to provide tremendous cost savings versus traditional AV switchers in larger deployments. Integrating an appropriate AV over IP system into an AV environment will ensure that future scalability and flexibility will be a priority for the end user and the integrator.

(HDBaseT versus AV over IP overview)

Key Advantages with AV Over IP

AV Over IP presents several key advantages compared to non-networked point to-point or point-to-multi-point solutions, including full HD capabilities with near zero latency and the ability to introduce dynamically changing content. Modern AV-over-IP solutions enable easy management of multi-point installations that can be controlled via browser. Some key advantages of implementing an AV Over IP solution includes:

• Point-to-Multipoint content distribution  
  
• Enhanced resolution and image quality  
  
• High Quality, low bandwidth
  
• Reduced implementation costs
  
• Scalability and Flexibility
  
• Long-Term cost effectiveness
  

For robust AV Over IP, it’s vital to choose a solution that can manage content in multiple formats. Low latency is vital for content that needs to be as close to real-time as possible. The best AV Over IP solutions are easily integrated within existing systems and won’t pull too many IT resources away from other critical projects. Choose the best product that can offer an end-to-end system ensures an integrated solution that offers cost savings while providing the best low-latency AV signal using minimal bandwidth.

(Muxlab HDMI OVER IP EXTENDER WITH POE 500752-RX, 500752-TX)

For a simple configuration you must have a Source, Encoder, LAN Switch, Decoder and display.

The scalability of AV over IP for educational, commercial and industrial applications is where this technology really shines.

For a classroom like this:

(HEC Montreal – Utilizing Muxlab AV over IP products)

Topography would look something like this:

(HEC Montreal AV topography)

For large video applications a controller makes management easy.

(Cage Aux Sports – Montreal, QC)

A Digital Network Controller is a Linux-based PC that allows users to control hub-installed MuxLab products. When installed on a local area network (LAN), the MuxLab Pro Digital Network Controller can scan the LAN for MuxLab products and allows the user to auto discover, configure and control these products through an Ethernet Web interface.

(Muxlab PRODIGITAL NETWORK CONTROLLER 500811)

To integrate the controller into an existing system, simply add the hardware to your network:

MUXLAB Recommends using  LUXUL and  NETGEAR switches for your configuration.

(LUXUL  26 PORT/24 POE+ GIGABIT MANAGED SWITCH XMS-2624P) 

(NETGEAR ProSAFE Layer 2 Managed Gigabit Ethernet Switch M4100-D12G-POE+ (GSM5212P)