Miri Technologies recently introduced its V410 live 4K video encoder/decoder for streaming, IP-based production workflows, and AV over IP distribution. Winner of a 2026 NAB Show TV Tech Best of Show Award, the V410 combines ease of use with rich functionality, robust connectivity, innovative features, and flexible format support.

[The SCN Integration Guide to AVoIP]

The versatile Miri V410 is user-configurable either as an encoder or as a decoder. It can encode one live 4K Ultra HD output at 60 frames per second or two simultaneous 2K QHD (2560x1440) channels. As a decoder, the device can decode two streams concurrently from most supported source formats. Video input and output connections include HDMI, 3G-SDI and USB interfaces with embedded audio support.

The Miri V410 is designed for easy operation, even by less-experienced streamers and volunteers, while providing deep enough controls and advanced capabilities to meet the needs of expert producers and media engineers. Its intuitive web interface is complemented by a front-panel LCD screen and configurable buttons for easy on-device control and monitoring. A large, customizable tally light ring around the top of the unit and front-panel VU meters further enhance operator convenience, while two-factor authentication bolsters security against malicious attempts to access and disrupt media infrastructure.

For live streaming, the V410 can encode or decode H.264 or H.265 in a wide range of protocols including SRT, RTMP, RTMPS, HLS, TS over UDP, and RTSP. For video-over-IP workflows, the V410 can encode NDI HX2 or NDI HX3, and can decode both of those formats as well as NDI High Bandwidth and the emerging OMT (Open Media Transport) open-source technology. In encode mode, the V410 can even transcode from NDI High Bandwidth, NDI HX2, NDI HX3, or OMT inputs to streaming formats and protocols. Content can also be recorded to files on a microSD card or external USB drive.

The V410's robust network connectivity includes built-in Wi-Fi 7 to maximize wireless performance even in crowded environments, while dual Gigabit Ethernet connections, one with PoE support, provide multi-LAN connectivity or redundancy. For maximum internet resilience and performance, the V410 can also be paired with Miri's X510 dual-cellular bonding router.

Located in Kansas City, Tap Ins is a unique entertainment concept combining mini golf with a full-scale sports bar experience. Spanning an impressive 3.5-acre complex, the venue features 18 outdoor holes and 18 indoor holes housed within a greenhouse environment, alongside a vibrant sports bar, beer garden, and yard games area.

At the heart of the experience is a visually immersive environment, with a total of 105 displays deployed across the venue, including large-format 220-inch direct-view LED video walls on each course. The project was delivered by integrator ICTEK, who designed and implemented a robust AV infrastructure to match the scale and ambition of the space.

From the outset, this was a highly demanding, large-scale AV deployment. The system needed to distribute content from 20 different sources across the 105 screens, ensuring perfectly synchronized playback throughout the entire venue.

Given the size of the site, the AV infrastructure had to span across two separate equipment racks, connected via fiber, while maintaining signal integrity and low latency. In addition, the system needed to support both large-format video walls and multi-view configurations, allowing flexible content layouts across different zones.

Beyond Performance

Beyond performance, the integrator also required a solution that would remain cost-effective and supported by a responsive technical team, critical factors in winning and delivering the project successfully.

To meet the demands of this large-scale venue, ICTEK deployed a WyreStorm AV-over-IP solution built around 16 NHD-120, two NHD-150, and six SW48-410 network switches, creating a powerful and dependable foundation for content distribution across the entire site.

The NHD-120 units formed the core of the video distribution system, helping deliver high-quality content across the venue’s many displays with the flexibility needed in a fast-moving sports and entertainment environment. To add another layer of versatility, the NHD-150 units brought in the multi-view functionality required for more dynamic content presentation, allowing multiple sources to be shown simultaneously across video walls and key zones. This gave the venue greater freedom to tailor what guests saw in each space, whether that meant live sports, entertainment content, or custom layouts designed to match the energy of the moment.

Supporting it all, the SW48-410 network switches provided the high-bandwidth backbone needed to carry AV traffic reliably across the 3.5-acre site. With fiber links connecting the two equipment racks, the system was able to maintain stable long-distance transmission and consistent performance throughout the venue.

Together, these WyreStorm solutions helped deliver an AV environment that feels as flexible as the venue itself, scalable, synchronized, and ready to support a wide variety of experiences across all displays.

“WyreStorm is our go-to for video distribution, and this project reinforced why,” Tim Owens from ICTEK explained. “It was our first time working with multi-view at this scale, and integrating it with a third-party control system required some support. The WyreStorm team was responsive, knowledgeable, and helped us get everything running exactly as needed.”

The result is a fully synchronized, highly flexible AV system that enhances the customer experience across every part of the venue, supporting everything from live sports broadcasting to dynamic, multi-zone entertainment.

Sponsored Content

As we consider the future of AI in AV, DVIGear brings you the first in a monthly series. of articles that look at the rapidly emerging, very real-world case for AI in AV. This first installment looks at how SDVoE and DVIGear have implemented AI Agents for speeding familiar AV workflows.

The SDVoE Alliance and its member companies are establishing SDVoE as the AV over IP platform of choice for AI-assisted design, deployment, and support workflows. As corporate IT departments rapidly adopt agent-based tools across their technology stacks, the open, standardized nature of the SDVoE platform makes it uniquely suited to integration with these emerging workflows.

[Subscribe to the SDVoE Alliance Newsletter]

DVIGear is providing the first visible implementation of this direction with the release of DisplayNet Connect for AI Agents. The product enables AI assistants and agent frameworks to configure, control, and troubleshoot DisplayNet systems through natural language, leveraging SDVoE with the DisplayNet API. DisplayNet Connect for AI Agents is built on Model Context Protocol (MCP) for broad compatibility with leading agent platforms, while the underlying integration approach is protocol-agnostic and can be extended to other agent interfaces as the ecosystem evolves.

A Platform Built for Open Integration

Unlike closed AV over IP architectures, the SDVoE platform was designed from the outset around an open, standardized API and a multi-vendor hardware ecosystem. This architectural openness, long a foundation of SDVoE interoperability, now provides a direct path for integration with the rapidly maturing landscape of AI agents and enterprise automation tools.

“The same characteristics that made SDVoE the right answer for AV/IT convergence make it the right answer for the agent-driven workflows that enterprise IT is adopting now,” said DVIGear president Steven Barlow. “An open API is a precondition for AI assistance. SDVoE has had one for years. DisplayNet Connect for AI Agents is the first product to make that architectural advantage tangible for our customers.”

Lower Barrier to Entry

Designing, deploying, and maintaining an AV over IP system has historically required deep familiarity with platform-specific control languages and APIs. With AI-assisted workflows layered over the SDVoE API, technology teams can express intent in natural language and let the agent translate that intent into valid system configurations. This significantly broadens the population of practitioners who can productively work with the SDVoE platform.

Faster System Creation

Configurations that previously required hours or days of programming work can now be generated in minutes. Natural-language inputs can be translated directly into working SDVoE system configurations through the agent layer (e.g. create a four-source video wall feeding the conference room and the lobby, with the lobby muted by default). Multiple custom front ends, role-specific control panels, and one-off integrations become economically viable in environments where they previously were not.

Faster Troubleshooting and Support

System diagnostics represent some of the most time-consuming work in AV-over-IP support. AI agents are well-suited to this category of pattern-recognition work and can dramatically compress the time required to identify and resolve issues, particularly when paired with the rich diagnostic outputs already available in the SDVoE platform. Complex problems like multicast, IGMP behavior, and HDCP handshake issues, can be understood and resolved in a matter of minutes with agentic log analysis.

A Platform-Wide Direction

While DVIGear’s DisplayNet Connect for AI Agents is the first publicly available implementation, the SDVoE Alliance is actively encouraging member companies to develop equivalent integrations across their own product lines. The goal is not a single-vendor solution, but a platform-wide standard for AI-assisted AV-over-IP workflows, consistent with the SDVoE Alliance’s founding mission of standardization, interoperability, and ecosystem development.

Bell Bank is one of the largest family-owned banks in the United States, built on a culture of connection and community. Bell Tower, the company’s Fargo, North Dakota headquarters, is a 14-story, 105,000-square-foot facility that serves as the hub for the institution. As such, the Town Hall section of the corporate headquarters needed to reflect that central focus with a space that went beyond the traditional corporate model of a boardroom or meeting room.

Bell Bank envisioned a dynamic, multi-functional environment serving as a collaborative center for meetings and training sessions that can then transition seamlessly into a professional production space for high-level events such as receptions, presentations, and more.

To bring this vision to life, Bell Bank turned to FARBER Sound – Venue Transformation, leveraging a long-standing partnership built on a deep understanding of the bank’s operational culture. A project of this scope demanded a proven power control foundation. For FARBER, that meant incorporating LynTec into the project.

A Core Challenge

The core challenge was significant: the Town Hall needed to function simultaneously as a multi-purpose event space and a broadcast-capable facility. That dual mandate required integrating a wide range of disparate audio, video, and lighting (AVL) systems spanning everyday presentation gear, a professional mixing console and stage box network, multi-camera 4K capable video production infrastructure, architectural lighting, and a full complement of event and entertainment lighting fixtures. Each system category carries its own power requirements, startup dependencies, and operational profiles. The task was to unify all of those elements under a single, intelligent power control solution that could adapt automatically to whatever mode the room needed to be in, without placing the burden of technical management on the bank’s staff.

To address this, FARBER’s system designer, Cory Deming, specified a LynTec RPC-384 power control panel as the backbone of the entire AVL system. The RPC-384 manages sequenced power distribution across all AVL subsystems, ensuring every component powers on and off in the correct order based on the active room configuration. “We have been using LynTec products for decades and were confident this would be the correct product to handle the Town Hall requirements,” Deming said.

Beyond on-site performance, the RPC-384 also enables FARBER’s team to monitor system performance and handle the majority of troubleshooting remotely from their headquarters in Plymouth, Minnesota, reducing the need for on-site service calls and providing Bell Bank with a responsive support infrastructure.

Physical flexibility was built into every layer of the design as well: the stage was engineered in full, half, and quarter configurations, complete with an ADA-accessible ramp, with the entire assembly storable out of sight when not in use. The Chauvet Pro and GLP moving-head lighting fixtures can be repositioned into preset looks saved to the control system and executed on any touch panel in the room, eliminating the need for ladders or manual repositioning between events.

Working in close collaboration with the architectural team, Farber integrated multi-angled acoustic ceiling clouds to optimize sound diffusion while contributing to the visual identity of the space. A proscenium design and curtain system enable dynamic theatrical reveals and adaptable performance configurations, giving the room a range of presentation modes that would feel at home in a professional venue. Detailed EASE acoustic modeling guided targeted treatments to parallel walls and other reflective surfaces, improving speech intelligibility across all event types. The result is a room where under-the-hood complexity stays invisible, and the experience remains focused on the content.

“Bell Bank needed a space that could do two very different jobs without feeling like either one was a compromise," said Dave Farber, owner of FARBER. "The only way to make that work is to get the power architecture right from the start. Our experience working with LynTec products in other projects gave us the confidence that the RPC could handle an installation this complex.”

A Unified Solution

The RPC-384 provides the unified power control foundation that makes the dual-purpose room architecture practical. The production backbone it manages includes a Yamaha DM7-EX digital mixing console, a 20Gbit redundant fiber network supporting AVoIP, Dante, GreenGO, HiQnet, NDI, and sACN protocols, and a 12G SDI video infrastructure anchored by Panasonic 4K PTZ cameras, a FOR-A production switcher, and AJA matrix routing. The architectural and event lighting system centers on Chauvet Pro and GLP moving-head fixtures and wash units, all addressable and positionable from the room’s touch panels. The front-end interface throughout is an Extron control system, providing staff with a clean, intuitive surface for day-to-day operation regardless of what is running beneath it.

By interfacing the Extron control system directly with the LynTec RPC-384, FARBER turned power management into a background function. When a staff member taps a touch panel to configure the room, the RPC-384 sequences power to the appropriate equipment automatically. A simple presentation mode enables only the necessary audio and video components. A full Town Hall production spins up the complete system, including the control booth, only when dedicated technicians are on-site. Bank staff operate a professional-grade venue confidently, regardless of their technical background.

There will be many trends circulating the InfoComm show floor in 2026, and standards are always front and center. Whether it is IPMX, SDVoE, NDI, or a bevy of other AV over IP standards, manufacturers have the products and solutions you need to bring installations to life.

[SCN's InfoComm Impulse Preview Series]

Take a peak at what these nine booths will be showcasing, but bookmark this page and check back, as we will update with more as we hear more to have you prepped for the show.

AIMS to Advance IPMX Education 

The Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS) will focus on Internet Protocol Media Experience (IPMX) education. Through expert-led sessions and the development of its Official IPMX Training Series, the organization will provide the Pro AV industry with the knowledge required to design and deploy IPMX-based AV over IP systems.

At booth C7487, AIMS will provide live demonstrations of IPMX-certified products and tools, illustrating how IPMX enables seamless integration across AV systems while supporting both Pro AV and broadcast requirements. It will also launch the Official IPMX Training Series, a free online program designed to help the Pro AV community better understand, design, configure, and deploy IPMX-based AV-over-IP systems. Structured as a three-level curriculum covering foundations, systems design, and advanced networking concepts such as PTP and SMPTE ST 2110, the program provides a practical path for engineers and integrators building AV-over-IP infrastructures.

Additionally, Andrew Starks, AIMS board of directors’ member and director of product management for Macnica, will present the session “How IPMX Expands Live Production Beyond Broadcast” on Tuesday, June 16, from 1:30-2 p.m. local time in meeting room W232. On June 18, Samuel Recine—AIMS board of directors’ member and vice president of global strategic partnerships at Matrox Video— will co-present “IP for Corporate Broadcast AV” from 1:30-3 p.m. in room W231.

Aurora Multimedia Introduces Dante/AES67 Over Wi-Fi

Aurora Multimedia will be showcasing its new architecture designed to enable Dante and AES67 audio networking over Wi-Fi infrastructure. Aurora’s newly developed wireless architecture enables Dante/AES67 audio streams to operate across modern Wi-Fi environments, opening new possibilities for flexible system design and deployment.

The new wireless architecture is designed to integrate with existing Dante-enabled ecosystems while leveraging enterprise wireless networks commonly deployed in corporate, educational, and public environments. These include flexible collaboration spaces; higher-education learning environments; live event production and temporary installations; rapid deployment AV systems; and historic buildings where cabling infrastructure is limited.

You can find out more from Paul Harris in our SCN InfoComm 2026 Impulses.

AVPro Global Brands to Showcase Its Growing Ecosystem 

AVPro brands (AVPro Edge, AudioControl Pro, RTI, Murideo, Bullet Train, ProControl, and ThenAudio) will showcase its growing ecosystem through a series of immersive, application-driven demos designed to mirror real-world commercial environments at booth C7028.

One such solution will be the AVPro Edge MXnet USP Series, the next generation AV over IP ecosystem designed to create hybrid AV systems. USP is built on AVPro Flow technology, aimed to provide native interoperability with conferencing platforms, camera systems, recording/streaming solutions, and production equipment, creating a unified platform for modern deployments.

The newest ConferX matrix switcher from AVPro Edge delivers features designed for commercial integrators. Instantly switch between HDBaseT and HDMI sources with side-by-side display and scaling options built for commercial applications. Features include HDBaseT inputs compatible with the latest ConferX HDMI/USB wall plates, RS-232 control, HDMI stream control, 5-volt toggle for CODEC disconnection, and aspect ratio conversion for ultra-wide displays.

Cobalt Digital to Showcase End-to-End IPMX Ecosystem

Cobalt Digital will highlight its expanding IPMX ecosystem at booth N7163, engineered to bring broadcast quality to Pro AV applications. The lineup includes standalone signal processors, audio monitors, multiviewers, gateways, converters, encoders, and decoders that make SMPTE ST 2110 workflows easy to deploy, manage and scale.

Designed for systems integrators as well as end users, Cobalt’s interoperable IPMX certified product portfolio provides a straightforward migration path from SDI to IP—delivering the flexibility and scalability of ST 2110 without the complexity traditionally associated with high-end IP infrastructures.

At the center of Cobalt’s InfoComm lineup is the new COBALT blueCORE family of fully featured standalone signal processors designed to bridge SDI and ST 2110/IPMX environments with exceptional versatility. blueCORE combines the audio and video processing functions required for live production and AV signal management into a single 1RU device. blueCORE’s self-contained architecture makes deployment fast and simple: power up the unit, connect signals, and it is ready to operate with or without a computer.

Also on display will be enhancements to the COBALT PACIFIC compression platform including a new ST 2110/IPMX output option for the COBALT PACIFIC ULL-DEC upgradeable software-defined decoder. The enhancement allows decoded content to be available simultaneously over SDI and ST 2110/IPMX. The device includes a built-in frame sync that can be configured to emit a PTP-locked signal for ST 2110 operation. Cobalt also leverages the PACIFIC line to deliver a complete solution for interconnecting IPMX sites over the Internet. The PACIFIC 9992-ENC “IPMX-to-Internet” gateway appears as a destination within the NMOS controller at the sending site, enabling any patched content to be transmitted instantly to the corresponding PACIFIC ULL-DEC “Internet-to-IPMX” gateway at the receiving end.

Covid Introduces 20 Gbps USB-C Cable Built for Pro AV Installations

Covid will introduce the USBC-G2P60 at booth C8859. This high-performance USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 cable was engineered for Pro AV and commercial environments requiring reliable high-speed data, consistent power delivery, and extended installation lengths.

Delivering up to 20 Gbps bandwidth and 60W Power Delivery, the USBC-G2P60 is designed to support conferencing, collaboration, digital signage, and device connectivity applications where performance and reliability are critical. Available in 6, 10, 12, and 15-foot lengths, the cable features USB-C male-to-male connectivity, RoHS compliance, and a durable construction designed for everyday professional use.

Covid will also be expanding its panel-mounted Terminal Block Pigtail Connector line, and will introduce the EHW-210, a 4K 60Hz Wireless HDMI KVM Extender designed to deliver high-performance wireless AV, broad touch-screen compatibility, and one-to-many distribution in a cost-effective platform.

HDBaseT

The HDBaseT Alliance will reveal how the technology addresses today’s evolving system-level challenges, including complex USB workflows and the rapid growth of multi-camera environments driven by AI-enabled applications at booth C8759.

Celebrate 15 years of HDBaseT technology and its role in shaping modern Pro AV connectivity with the Alliance at its booth. Since its founding by LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Valens Semiconductor, HDBaseT has delivered reliable, uncompressed, long-distance, plug-and-play connectivity over a single Category cable. The Alliance booth will include a Power Wall display featuring 70 new products and solutions from over 30 HDBaseT Alliance members, demonstrating the diversity of HDBaseT across verticals. 

Demonstrating the continued evolution of the HDBaseT ecosystem, HDBaseT chipset provider Valens Semiconductor will introduce the VS6310, the company’s newest low-power USB3 extension solution, compliant with the HDBaseT-USB3 standard. The VS6310 is designed for integration into a broad range of professional AV applications, including active cables and embedded products such as e/PTZ cameras, video bars, touch controllers, and other USB-enabled devices.

MSolutions to Expand MS-DP-ALT Series with HDMI-Enabled USB-C Extension Solution

MSolutions will debut the latest evolution of its innovative MS-DP-ALT Series at booth C7685. MSolutions will showcase the new MS-DPA-HCP, a single-cable USB-C extension solution that adds a switchable HDMI input for expanded source flexibility in meeting rooms, classrooms, auditoriums and collaborative spaces.

The new MS-DPA-HCP continues MSolutions’ strategy of simplifying modern AV connectivity through streamlined USB-C transport over category cable infrastructure. The series extends DisplayPort Alternate Mode (DP Alt Mode) signals over a single category cable, enabling transport of 4K video, USB data, and power through one streamlined connection.

The MS-DPA-HCP introduces automatic switching between permanent in-room HDMI sources and guest USB-C laptop connections, solving a common challenge in modern BYOD meeting environments. In a typical conference room installation, a permanently installed PC can remain connected through HDMI while guest presenters automatically switch to their laptop connection when plugging into the USB-C interface.

NDI to Host Live Demos, AI Video Workflows and Developer Session

NDI will be at booth C7572 in Central Hall with a packed agenda for developers, integrators, and AV professionals. Visitors can see live demos of NDI 6.3, featuring real-time stream insights, performance tracking, multi-location production with distributed source management, and AI-ready metadata workflows. A live Zoom integration demo will also illustrate how NDI is bringing broadcast-grade quality into enterprise collaboration environments.

On the education side, NDI technical director Roberto Musso will lead "Introduction to NDI Development" on Tuesday, June 16 from 4-5 p.m. local time at W203/W204, offering developers a hands-on on-ramp to building on NDI.

PlexusAV to Introduce "Final Piece" of AV over IP Portfolio

PlexusAV will officially unveil its new flagship P-AVN-6-S transceiver at booth C10301. The P-AVN-6-S is a high-performance uncompressed IPMX and SMPTE ST 2110 solution with native 12G-SDI I/O, designed to bridge traditional SDI infrastructure and modern IP-based workflows across a single open-standard network. It is designed to integrate seamlessly with PlexusAV devices and cross-vendor AV solutions.

Purpose-built for live events hybrid production environments and Pro AV applications demanding uncompromised signal integrity, quality and timing precision, the P-AVN-6-S enables organizations to transition seamlessly between baseband and IP workflows without vendor lock-in. This makes it ideal for mission-critical workflows where signal quality, low latency, interoperability, and timing precision are non-negotiable.

The P-AVN-6-S delivers uncompressed quality over IPMX and SMPTE ST 2110 compliant networks up to 4K60, at approximately 18 Gbps throughput. A major differentiator is the unit’s integrated PTP-to-Genlock capability, which synchronizes SDI outputs directly to IP-based timing with ±12 pixel phase accuracy. Combined with ST 2022-7 hitless redundancy across independent primary and secondary network paths, the platform is engineered for deployments where timing accuracy and uptime cannot be compromised. Support for 1GbE, 10GbE, and 25GbE networks provides a direct integration path between traditional baseband infrastructures and open-standard IP distribution.

SDVoE Alliance to Feature Member Demonstrations From IDK Corporation, Aurora Multimedia, and Kramer

The SDVoE Alliance will present member demonstrations at booth C7074 from alliance members IDK Corporation, Aurora Multimedia, and Kramer. These demonstrations will highlight SDVoE applications for conference rooms, judicial and government environments and command-and-control operations.

IDK Corporation will demonstrate its USB Neo Series, including the NJR-L21UC-T encoder and NJR-L31UC-R decoder, designed to support modern conference room workflows. The USB Neo Series transports video and USB peripherals between devices, supporting BYOD/M, auto-switching and call status awareness to maintain the correct host device during a call.

Aurora Multimedia will present a judicial and government-focused demonstration featuring the SmartSpeak desktop beam-forming microphone with a 6-inch touch controller and USB-C and HDMI ports. Aurora Multimedia’s SmartSpeak supports bidirectional SDVoE transmission, enabling simultaneous encoding and decoding over a single 10G connection.

Kramer will host a command-and-control demonstration featuring the Kramer ZyPer4K-XSE platform. Kramer’s demonstration will showcase seamless KVM roaming across three displays and a dynamic 2x2 multiview configuration. A single keyboard and mouse will move between individual screens and multiview windows. At the same time, hotkeys will enable operators to promote any source to the full-screen home display or instantly reset the system to its default layout.

Visionary to Introduce the nexAV We-Cosystem

Visionary Solutions will debut its new nexAV We-Cosystem audio, video, and control platform. Built for converged AV and IT environments, the nexAV We-Cosystem combines AV over IP routing and switching, audio DSP processing, room and enterprise control, device discovery, workflow orchestration, and user-interface development within a unified software platform. The platform is designed for applications ranging from hospitality and conferencing to enterprise-wide AV deployments, allowing integrators and end users to design around operational requirements rather than vendor-imposed limitations.

The launch reflects Visionary’s long-standing focus on simplifying AV deployment through software-driven infrastructure and AV over IP technologies. As AV platforms become increasingly over-engineered and burdened by unnecessary complexity, nexAV is focused on delivering practical customer value through adaptable system design, simplified workflows, and scalable architecture, allowing organizations to deploy the functionality they actually need without unnecessary overhead.

At the center of nexAV is Visionary’s Flex Architecture DSP framework and integrated Audio Engine. The platform uses template-based DSP workflows intended to simplify deployment while allowing systems to be customized for different applications. Native Dante and AES67 support allows the Audio Engine to integrate into modern networked audio environments ranging from individual rooms to campus-wide systems. Rather than forcing organizations into vendor-prescriptive ecosystems, the nexAV We-Cosystem is designed to support mixed technology environments while maintaining centralized management and a consistent user experience across deployments.

VuWall and G&D to Simplify AV over IP Distribution

"We expect a lot of discussion around secure AV over IP, interoperability, and how AI-ready platforms will shape future control room workflows," Anna Kozel, VP of marketing at VuWall told SCN. "As organizations manage more sources, data, and systems than ever before, the buzz will be around solutions that reduce complexity while improving operator efficiency and situational awareness."

You can read the VuWall | G&D InfoComm Impulse show preview by clicking here to find out more.

AVT Question: Please share insights into how your company’s products and solutions help ensure interoperability and connectivity not only on the day of deployment but also on Day 2 and beyond.

Thought Leader: Joseph Gagliardi, Product Manager at WyreStorm

Interoperability is one of those things you don’t think about when it’s working—and you definitely think about when it isn’t. Most end users don’t care what’s behind the wall or in the rack; they care that the room behaves the same way every time. They want to be able to plug in, present, hear audio, see video, and get on with the meeting.

What I’ve learned is that connectivity isn’t a one-time setup. Rooms live in the real world where laptops change, operating systems update, and UC platforms roll out new versions. Invariably, someone will swap a display model, or the network team will tighten a policy. The question isn’t whether change will happen; it’s whether the room can handle it without turning every Monday morning into a helpdesk rush.

At WyreStorm, we design for that reality. We build around the standards and workflows people actually use day to day, common interfaces, familiar control methods, and AV distribution approaches that are proven in the field. The aim is simple: fewer special rules, fewer surprises, and a setup that keeps working even when the environment around it evolves.

The other half is what happens after the install. Interoperability stays healthy when people have clear guidance and can get real answers quickly. Good documentation, practical deployment notes, and responsive human support shorten the distance between, “Something changed,” and, “We’re back up.” When that’s in place, nobody thinks about the tech, and the room just does its job.

AVT Question: Please share insights into how your company’s products and solutions help ensure interoperability and connectivity not only on the day of deployment but also on Day 2 and beyond.

Thought Leader: Mark Boyadijan, Customer Solutions Director at Neutrik Group Americas

The Neutrik Group continues to advance connectivity solutions designed to meet the evolving demands of the AVL industry. Specifying and designing with its trusted brands, NEUTRIK, REAN, and CONTRIK, eliminates the risks associated with non-compliant or uncertified products for a range of AV projects. This ensures safety, durability, and long-term reliability. Where interoperability is critical, standardizing with Neutrik Group connectivity brands provides backward compatibility within product families, with precision tolerances engineered to deliver optimal mating performance cycle after cycle.

As technology trends drive the need for higher data throughput and increased power delivery, Neutrik Group remains committed to developing interconnect solutions that meet or exceed emerging standards. Customers value the confidence that comes from deploying products built to perform in mission-critical environments, including large-scale integrated AV systems. That peace of mind means never having to second-guess the decision to rely on proven connectivity solutions.

With more than 50 years of innovation and industry-defining product designs, Neutrik Group has built its reputation on collaboration and responsiveness. By listening closely to engineers, designers, consultants, integrators, and end users, the company develops solutions that address real-world challenges and withstand demanding conditions. This customer-first philosophy keeps the organization at the forefront of both current and future connectivity requirements.

The Neutrik Group’s leadership in the interconnect industry is not the result of chance, but of continuous partnership and shared innovation, empowering professionals to deliver exceptional experiences across AV, integrated installations, broadcast, and live events worldwide.

AVT Question: Please share insights into how your company’s products and solutions help ensure interoperability and connectivity not only on the day of deployment but also on Day 2 and beyond.

Thought Leader: Joey Palkowitch, Director of Commercial Audio Sales at AtlasIED

Interoperability and connectivity are essential to modern AV systems, especially as organizations increasingly rely on networked infrastructure to manage audio across multiple spaces. One of the most effective ways manufacturers support this shift is by embracing widely adopted AVoIP protocols like Dante.

Dante simplifies system architecture by enabling high-quality audio to travel over standard Ethernet networks rather than traditional analog cabling. For integrators, this dramatically reduces installation complexity while increasing flexibility.

AtlasIED’s Atmosphere platform reflects this philosophy. With Dante-enabled DSPs, Atmosphere allows integrators to unify networked audio with powerful, user-friendly control and processing. Designers can seamlessly connect Dante microphones, endpoints, and other third-party devices into the system while still benefiting from Atmosphere’s intuitive configuration and management tools. This ensures that systems remain flexible, scalable, and easy to manage long after installation is complete.

AtlasIED is also Dante-enabled on the loudspeaker level. The Atlas+Fyne Dante-enabled PoE++ loudspeakers combine network audio transport, power delivery, and advanced acoustic performance over a single cable. By pairing Dante networking with IsoFlare point-source transducer technology and onboard DSP, these loudspeakers deliver consistent coverage, high intelligibility, and real-time system monitoring through Dante Controller and network management tools.

AVT Question: Please share insights into how your company’s products and solutions help ensure interoperability and connectivity not only on the day of deployment but also on Day 2 and beyond.

Thought Leader: Robert Luckey, Consultant Liaison at Ampetronic | Listen Technologies

Everything Ampetronic | Listen Technologies builds, serves our core commitment: connecting every listener to the sound they need to hear clearly, so they can fully engage within their organization and its facilities. Interoperability is how we deliver that connectivity within their network architecture, security policies, and budget at any scale.

Our Wi-Fi-based assistive listening systems (ALS) use a central audio gateway and a venue’s existing wireless network to distribute audio and interactivity well beyond baseline compliance. The economics scale with ALS user load rather than room count. In one building or 100—it’s the same architecture. Our platform authenticates and operates within existing network policies, and, in the most complex architectures, out-of-band service discovery enables transparent roaming across network segments. IT manages assistive listening in the same way they manage everything else.

Ampetronic | Listen Technologies’ newest product line, Auri, implements the forward-looking Auracast broadcast audio standard, enjoying rapid adoption across consumer BYOD devices from hearing aids to earbuds. WAP-like transmitters are the only transmission-side hardware: standard PoE, with no rack space. Broadcasts are one to infinite, low latency, and high quality, with impressive range and peaceful coexistence with Wi-Fi. Auri provides centralized software management while air-gapping end users from the network entirely.

Both platforms support dedicated receivers for compliance alongside BYOD, promoting usage by eliminating stigma. Security configurations adapt to a venue’s policy. Neither requires internet access.

One thing I beg of every designer and specifier: Ensure your AV infrastructure includes an ALS-compatible audio output path, even when assistive listening isn’t in the initial scope. Hold your meeting room audio hardware vendors accountable for providing it. Routable near-end and far-end mixed analog audio is simplest; Dante and AES67 are equally suitable. Build that signal path proactively. Ampetronic | Listen’s technology is ready when your organization is.

AVT Question: Please share insights into how your company’s products and solutions help ensure interoperability and connectivity not only on the day of deployment but also on Day 2 and beyond.

Thought Leader: Jim Kidwell, Principal Product Marketing Manager at Audinate

Interoperability and connectivity are crucial to how AV professionals design modern systems, as audio and video must move reliably across diverse devices, environments, and architectures.

As AV over IP has matured, Audinate’s products address the growing complexity of connecting large numbers of devices across shared networks. Rather than relying on inconsistently applied open standards or manufacturer-specific standards, Audinate provides a fully supported transport platform that allows products from over 700 manufacturers to communicate consistently. This gives integrators the flexibility to choose the best products for each application while avoiding the limitations of single-vendor systems that can lead to compatibility issues.

Interoperability today also depends on how well AV systems coexist with IT infrastructure. Audinate’s solutions offer visibility into Dante device status, traffic, and performance. Through centralized management, control, and a unified API, IT teams can monitor Dante AV endpoints alongside other networked systems, gaining a clearer, more cohesive view across sites. This simplifies management, improves troubleshooting, and supports closer alignment between AV and IT teams.

Scalability is another critical aspect of interoperability. Products built on Dante deliver consistent performance with backward compatibility, whether deployed in small, single-room systems or across an entire campus or enterprise. They route audio and video flexibly across the network while maintaining synchronization, reliability, and control.

By combining manufacturer-agnostic interoperability, robust management, and scalable design, Audinate’s solutions help ensure connectivity that works without friction, every day, at any scale.

AVT Question: Please share insights into how your company’s products and solutions help ensure interoperability and connectivity not only on the day of deployment but also on Day 2 and beyond.

Thought Leader: John Henkel, Product Marketing Director at NETGEAR AV

The AV industry's interoperability problem is misdiagnosed. It's framed as a protocol problem, so the industry responds with more protocols. And yet, deployments still fail in the field.

The actual problem is behavioral. AV systems are predictable by design, with static endpoints, known traffic patterns, and intolerance for timing variation. IT networks are dynamic by nature: Devices connect and disconnect, bandwidth fluctuates, and change is constant. When those two operating philosophies share infrastructure, protocol compliance doesn't prevent conflict.

This matters because it changes what "solving interoperability" actually requires. It’s primarily a people-and-knowledge problem—not a product problem. The deployments that work are staffed by people who understand both disciplines—people who understand why a multicast misconfiguration that an IT team would catch in minutes can go undiagnosed for weeks in an AV context, and vice versa.

That's the investment we made. The NETGEAR Engage Controller, for instance, isn't built on the assumption that every integrator arrives with the same knowledge, because they don't. Someone who wants a validated, protocol-specific starting point gets pre-configured profiles; someone who wants to go deeper gets a fully functioning, enterprise-grade network switch. It’s the same infrastructure with two different on-ramps, and neither one is a workaround.

The partnership work operates on the same principle. When we validate interoperability with a manufacturer, we're not just slapping a badge on it or reading each other’s spec sheets; it means our engineers test against real production conditions. The NETGEAR Training Academy extends that outward, with free training on third-party solutions’ protocols and platforms.

The interoperability gap closes when the people designing, deploying, and managing these systems understand both sides of the equation. And that's a different kind of investment than creating a new product or standard.

AVT Question: Please share insights into how your company’s products and solutions help ensure interoperability and connectivity not only on the day of deployment but also on Day 2 and beyond.

Thought Leader: Kevin Christopherson, Director of Product Marketing, Hardware Portfolio at Sharp Imaging & Information Company of America

Sharp is a leading worldwide provider of display solutions. These include a robust portfolio of dvLED, large-format, interactive, projection, epaper, and desktop solutions that integrate seamlessly into diverse technology ecosystems, ensuring reliable interoperability and connectivity for customers every day.

At Sharp, we emphasize standards-based compatibility. Our products support widely adopted interfaces such as HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C, and wireless protocols, allowing effortless connection to laptops, media players, conferencing systems, and legacy equipment. This reduces friction in mixed-device environments commonly found in offices, classrooms, and control rooms.

We also incorporate interfaces for network control and management. A majority of our solutions feature LAN connectivity and are compatible with leading control and networking standards. This enables centralized monitoring, remote diagnostics, and control across fleets of devices. IT teams can manage updates, troubleshoot issues, and optimize performance remotely.

Furthermore, we enhance collaboration through either built-in or optional wireless casting technologies on select products, allowing users to connect instantly without cables.

Finally, we focus on scalability and reliability. Our solutions are designed to work consistently across single rooms or enterprise-wide deployments, maintaining stable connections and predictable performance.

Together, these capabilities ensure that Sharp’s display solutions fit naturally into existing infrastructures, simplify user experiences, and support uninterrupted communication and productivity.

AVT Question: Please share insights into how your company’s products and solutions help ensure interoperability and connectivity not only on the day of deployment but also on Day 2 and beyond.

Thought Leader: Mitch Rauch, U.S. Sales Director at Powersoft

As audiovisual deployments grow larger and more distributed, system connectivity has become an important consideration for integrators and operators. Today, distributed AV designs increasingly rely on IP networks rather than dedicated signal paths. As a result, integrators have to account for network fundamentals such as IP addressing, VLAN segmentation, and switch configuration. Amplifiers and processors are no longer passive endpoints within a signal chain; they are active, networked devices responsible for routing signals, synchronizing system behavior, and supporting centralized control.

Additionally, device connectivity has further expanded the role of AV infrastructure. Remote management platforms allow integrators and support teams to monitor system performance, diagnose issues, and deploy firmware updates without being physically present on-site. In many cases, system anomalies can be identified and resolved before they affect users, which reduces operational interruptions, limits unnecessary site visits, and supports service strategies built around continuous monitoring and maintenance.

At Powersoft, our product development reflects today's operational realities. Unica and Nota 142 are designed to function as intelligent components within distributed AV ecosystems. Their native cloud connectivity supports remote monitoring and management, while compatibility with standard IT network practices helps simplify deployment across large or multi-building installations.

Connectivity also extends beyond with our AnyMATE communication technology, which enables identification, monitoring, and data exchange directly through existing loudspeaker lines. Its first implementation, SpeakerMATE, allows amplifiers to recognize connected passive speakers and exchange operational data without requiring additional network cabling or external power.

Together, these capabilities help ensure that installed audio systems remain interoperable with today’s complex AV systems and aligned with the increasingly network-driven environments in which they operate.

AVT Question: Please share insights into how your company’s products and solutions help ensure interoperability and connectivity not only on the day of deployment but also on Day 2 and beyond.

Thought Leader: Ryan Hansberger, Vice President of Technology, Platform, and Architecture of Vizrt

The Vizrt ecosystem casts a rather large net for enabling whatever existing setup or workflow to work natively with our solutions, without needing to do a translation, conversion, transcode, re-encode, et cetera.

Our solutions are very interoperability-focused for video ingest—SRT, NDI, SDI, 2110, and several other video transport standards. With our video players, a plethora of video codecs for playback are supported. Interoperability is key to Vizrt’s production switching features, particularly for remote caller contributions supporting a variety of platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom.

Right now, we have a very tight integration with Zoom, and by leveraging their SDK, Zoom calls work natively across our solutions. You can invite callers in, have return feeds going out—it's a seamless integration that enables multiple levels of collaboration. The next steps of our collaboration with Zoom have resulted in two new solutions: one for regular Zoom calls and one for Zoom Rooms. The latter solution augments a meeting space into an AI-enabled immersive meeting.

We have brought our nearly 30 years of experience in broadcast, live production, and data-driven graphics into everyday virtual meeting environments. From a human standpoint, this is quintessential to interoperability; you no longer need to have production specialist or technical director skills to drive a solution that creates immersive visual elements and drastically elevates video communications.

Vizrt also offers an industry-leading automation solution in Viz Mosart. The system is an orchestrator, so it connects and works with all tools in the Vizrt ecosystem, but also feeds into numerous third parties. We work closely with a lot of other companies in our space with their SDKs and their APIs to make sure that we can help with that translation. We communicate with all types of workflows, and this will continue to be the case with every new solution and feature we introduce.

The SDVoE Alliance is expanding the capabilities of the SDVoE API to support AI-assisted workflows for AV over IP deployment, programming, monitoring, and troubleshooting. The SDVoE API already enables manufacturers, developers, and system integrators to create and manage advanced AV over IP applications, including video walls, multiview systems, and instant switching without dedicated processing hardware or complex external control layers. By combining the SDVoE API with AI agentic control architectures, including MCP Servers and Agent Skills, users can now interact with systems through natural-language prompts and automated software tools. The approach reduces dependence on specialized API expertise and simplifies the creation and operation of SDVoE systems across a range of professional AV environments.

[Day 2 AV/IT Interoperability: SDVoE Alliance]

“The SDVoE API was designed to give developers and integrators flexibility to build sophisticated AV-over-IP applications,” said Stephane Tremblay, president of the SDVoE Alliance. “AI-assisted workflows represent the next stage of that evolution by making system deployment, configuration and support more accessible and more efficient.”

The SDVoE Alliance’s AI-assisted and agentic workflows can significantly reduce the time required to create working system configurations, integrations and control interfaces. Instead of manually programming complex routing, video wall or multiview functions, or building custom integrations and user interfaces from scratch, users can generate configurations and control workflows using conversational prompts that automate much of the underlying development and programming process.

The workflow also improves troubleshooting and operational support by allowing AI tools and agents to analyze logs, interpret system behavior and identify issues more quickly than traditional manual diagnostics. Because the SDVoE API supports cloud-connected monitoring and remote management, operators can monitor system performance and manage complex tasks remotely in an IT-friendly environment.

DVIGear is among the first SDVoE adopters to demonstrate a working implementation of AI-assisted workflows through its DisplayNet platform with DisplayNet Connect for AI Agents. DisplayNet Connect is an MCP Server that allows for direct integration between DisplayNet’s SDVoE management server and AI platforms, such as Claude, OpenAI Codex, and Gemini CLI. DisplayNet Connect enables application development and automated log analysis with natural-language prompts across large-scale SDVoE deployments. By leveraging agentic AI tools with SDVoE, users can create integrated system configurations and user interfaces in minutes, reducing the difficulty previously required to work directly with AV-over-IP control APIs.

DVIGear has unleashed a new AI agent integration for its DisplayNet platform. Introducing DisplayNet Connect for AI Agents for AV over IP signal distribution platforms. DisplayNet Connect lets AI assistants and agent frameworks configure, control, and troubleshoot DisplayNet systems through natural language, leveraging the DisplayNet API. The product is built on Model Context Protocol (MCP) for broad compatibility with leading agent platforms such as Claude, OpenAI Codex, and Gemini CLI. The underlying integration approach is protocol-agnostic and can be extended to other agent interfaces as the ecosystem evolves.

[Day 2 AV/IT Interoperability: SDVoE Alliance]

DVIGear’s DisplayNet platform, which is built on the SDVoE standard, powers AV extension, switching, multiview, and video wall applications across enterprise, government, education, and broadcast environments. With DisplayNet Connect for AI Agents, developers and integrators will be able to query system state, generate routing and video wall configurations, build custom integrations and user interfaces, and analyze logs—all using natural language. The result is a dramatic reduction in the time required to take a DisplayNet system from rack-up to production.

“DisplayNet has always been about giving integrators a more flexible and intelligent way to move AV signals over standard IP networks,” said Steven Barlow, president of DVIGear. “DisplayNet Connect for AI Agents is the next logical step. We are taking the parts of an AV over IP project that have traditionally required deep API expertise—writing integrations, building control UIs, debugging issues in the field—and making them accessible through the same AI tools our customers already use every day.”

DisplayNet Connect for AI Agents is designed to compress workflows that previously required days of custom development into minutes. Typical applications include generating integration code and control interfaces from natural-language descriptions of the desired behavior; configuring routing, multiview layouts and video walls without manually programming the underlying API; and diagnosing system issues by allowing AI agents to read and interpret DisplayNet logs in real time. Because DisplayNet Connect speaks directly to the DisplayNet management server, organizations gain AI-assisted workflows without giving up the interoperability, performance and security that come with a standards-based AV over IP platform.

AVT Question: Please share insights into how your company’s products and solutions help ensure interoperability and connectivity not only on the day of deployment but also on Day 2 and beyond.

Thought Leader: Effi Goldstein, President at the HDBaseT Alliance

As the leading standard for high‑performance multimedia distribution, HDBaseT ensures reliable, zero‑latency connectivity for the most demanding professional AV and IT environments. Our technology enables the delivery of uncompressed, high‑resolution audio, video, Ethernet, USB, controls, and power over a single, standard category cable. This simplicity is at the core of HDBaseT: true plug‑and‑play operation without compromising quality or performance.

Interoperability is foundational to the HDBaseT Alliance. With one of the largest ecosystems in the industry, spanning hundreds of manufacturers, we’ve built a robust certification and compliance program that ensures every HDBaseT‑certified product works seamlessly with others. This gives system integrators, IT managers, and end users the confidence that their deployments will remain stable, scalable, and future‑proof.

Our commitment to an open, vendor‑agnostic standard empowers businesses with exceptional flexibility. Organizations can mix and match products across multiple brands without risking compatibility issues, supporting business continuity, easier maintenance, and long‑term investment protection.

Every day, HDBaseT ensures predictable, consistent connectivity across a wide range of applications, enabling integrators to design streamlined systems, IT teams to manage infrastructure more efficiently, and users to enjoy instant, high‑quality multimedia experiences without technical complexity. By bringing together leading manufacturers around a shared standard, the HDBaseT Alliance continues to drive the industry forward with interoperable, reliable, and easy‑to‑deploy connectivity solutions.

AVT Question: Please share insights into how your company’s products and solutions help ensure interoperability and connectivity not only on the day of deployment but also on Day 2 and beyond.

Thought Leader: Mike Bergeron, Senior Product Manager, Live Production Systems and Video Production at Panasonic

Today’s AV professionals are navigating increasing production demands and rapidly evolving technologies. At the same time, systems must perform across a wide range of settings, from large-scale live events to hybrid corporate offices and immersive attractions. For many organizations, managing these complexities while maintaining broadcast-quality production has become a significant operational challenge.

By enabling seamless communication between technologies such as switchers, cameras, audio sources, and video streams, interoperable systems streamline complex workflows and reduce the need for extensive customization. IP-based infrastructure further enhances this flexibility, allowing teams to efficiently connect and scale solutions across environments.

At Panasonic, interoperability and enabling seamless integration are core focuses. Solutions are designed to support flexible, interoperable workflows that empower customers to deliver high-quality AV production across diverse environments—without the extra programming or operational friction that often comes with adapting systems to different use cases. Take the Media Production Suite’s new Image Adjust Pro plug-in, for example: This solution centralizes the management and monitoring of Panasonic cameras, allowing production managers to control multiple PTZ or studio cameras from a single interface and shade and color match them individually or in groups. Image Adjust Pro can operate alongside Media Production Suite's AI-based automation functions to create a more efficient space. By removing the friction caused by systems functioning independently, AV professionals can spend less time troubleshooting and more time designing creative productions and supporting complex hybrid environments.

Built on an IT/IP-based architecture and open industry standards, the KAIROS Live Video Production Platform integrates with a wide range of production technologies like cameras, projectors, and audio systems from multiple manufacturers. This allows production teams to build flexible, scalable workflows without being limited to a single ecosystem.

Looking ahead, this interoperability will shape the future of AV, bringing flexible, scalable systems that adapt to production needs.

AVT Question: Please share insights into how your company’s products and solutions help ensure interoperability and connectivity not only on the day of deployment but also on Day 2 and beyond.

Thought Leader: Joe da Silva, Vice President of Marketing at Extron

Extron builds network AV products upon industry-standard Ethernet, IP, and security protocols as well as HDMI and USB-C standards. To help customers deploy systems with confidence, we adhere to established standards and perform extensive testing that ensures compatibility with third-party equipment. We also maintain a list of validated switches and configuration guides, enabling customers to choose network equipment compatible with their existing infrastructure for fast integration and reliable performance.

Security is essential for networked AV, and Extron products are secure by design. We focus on maximizing product security and continually monitor our products for vulnerabilities, while our internal procedures and policies anticipate security issues and quickly respond to threats. We continuously refine best practices to align with evolving security standards and conduct regular performance and compliance reviews.

Many AV-over-IP solutions require dedicated, isolated networks, which can add expense and additional maintenance. Moving to converged networks presents its own challenges, like unexpected or bursty traffic, or network issues like bit errors, jitter, and out-of-order or dropped packets. Real-time AV-over-converged-IP networks require an efficient, robust codec that can conceal these network anomalies, but common error correction schemes introduce latency or require additional bandwidth not conducive to live AV over IP. Our patented PURE3 codec delivers lossless 4K60 video signals with 4:4:4 color sampling, while Intelligent Selective Streaming leverages periods of low motion to enhance performance. It also features advanced error concealment, providing high immunity to network errors.

Finally, our Network Technologies Support Group collaborates with switch vendors to validate their equipment and provides comprehensive pre-sale, design, commissioning, and post-sale support, ensuring that customers receive the expertise, validation, and guidance needed for efficient deployment and long-term system success.

AVT Question: Please share insights into how your company’s products and solutions help ensure interoperability and connectivity not only on the day of deployment but also on Day 2 and beyond.

Thought Leader: Stephane Tremblay, President of the SDVoE Alliance

With more than 80 million AV systems deployed worldwide, the industry can no longer rely on closed ecosystems that limit flexibility and increase long-term risk. End users expect the same openness in AV that they experience in IT infrastructure, where multi-vendor compatibility and standards-based design are fundamental.

The SDVoE Alliance addresses this challenge through a common, standardized API that serves as the backbone of interoperability across all SDVoE devices. Built on a shared ASIC architecture and open control framework, the SDVoE API ensures that products from a significant number of member companies and hundreds of interoperable devices communicate seamlessly without proprietary barriers. The SDVoE Alliance's proven interoperability allows integrators to mix and match solutions confidently, protecting investments while enabling systems to scale predictably over time.

Beyond device compatibility, the SDVoE API empowers manufacturers, developers, and system integrators to reimagine traditional AV applications and create entirely new ones. The API connects directly to the cloud, enabling modern, IT-friendly remote management and monitoring. It supports advanced programming for applications such as video walls, instant switching, and multiview without the added cost, downtime, or specialized hardware typically required in proprietary systems.

Building on this platform, SDVoE has recently introduced FlexLinQ, a new reference design introduced by Semtech. FlexLinQ enables SDVoE systems to operate across Ethernet speeds from 10GbE down to 1GbE. At startup, it automatically performs link-speed training, negotiating 10Gbps, 5Gbps, 2.5Gbps, or 1Gbps based on real-world cable and infrastructure conditions. If higher speeds are not possible, the system adapts without manual configuration.

The SDVoE Alliance's API and FlexLinQ illustrate how open standards and intelligent design deliver both interoperability and practical deployment flexibility, enabling AV systems that are scalable, IT-friendly, and ready for the demands of modern infrastructure.

AVT Question: Please share insights into how your company’s products and solutions help ensure interoperability and connectivity not only on the day of deployment but also on Day 2 and beyond.

Thought Leader: Jeremy Sternhagen, Technical Product Manager at Planar

Interoperability between display devices, control systems, and video sources has never been more important. We work with popular control system providers to ensure that our customers have access to plug-and-play solutions from popular control systems. It’s important to note that controlling display devices is not one size fits all. Whether it’s control over the network, consumer electronics control, or just waking up when a signal is present, Planar offers a product family optimized to meet those needs.

We test and validate our products with a wide range of products used by our partners, such as ST2110, the latest version of HDMI, and the increasing use of USB-C. In addition to providing the latest technology, we also provide hardware and software that allow our partners to access, diagnose, and resolve interoperability-related concerns through optional on-premises and remote management tools.

Our sales team is also equipped with application engineers and designers who work with our partners to help produce solutions that will meet customer expectations, ensuring interoperability is optimized before anything is installed. Video walls in particular present a unique opportunity to create digital canvases that extend beyond the capabilities of most source devices. This provides a chance for our sales team, application engineers, and system designers to work with each partner and select the appropriate control system and content delivery, ultimately delivering a display solution that works seamlessly with the other hardware and software solutions.

AVT Question: Please share insights into how your company’s products and solutions help ensure interoperability and connectivity not only on the day of deployment but also on Day 2 and beyond.

Thought Leader: Matt Morgan, Market Development Manager of Broadcast AV at Ross Video

Interoperability across systems isn’t a “nice to have” for corporate AV anymore; it’s the difference between a smooth live event and a day derailed by finger-pointing across vendors. At Ross, we design solutions to connect cleanly with what teams already use, while still raising production quality and broadcast AV standards.

In real life, that means your control room can mix legacy and modern sources without drama. IP and baseband can live side by side. Video, audio, and control signals move where they need to go, whether you’re in a boardroom, studio, training space, or global executive town hall workflow. Our systems are built for predictable routing, stable timing, and reliable switching, so teams aren’t forced into risky workarounds when a new camera shows up, a laptop needs to be added, or a remote contributor joins at the last minute.

We also focus on connectivity beyond cables. Control and monitoring are designed so operators can see what’s happening, troubleshoot quickly, and keep the show moving without needing a room full of specialists. Because corporate environments change fast, our approach supports scalable growth: Add rooms, add sources, add outputs, and keep your workflow consistent.

The result is a production ecosystem that plays well with others every day—helping teams deliver clear, confident communications without rebuilding their entire AV tech stack.

AVT Question: Please share insights into how your company’s products and solutions help ensure interoperability and connectivity not only on the day of deployment but also on Day 2 and beyond.

Thought Leader: Petro Shimonishi, Director of New Business Development at Panasonic Projector & Display Americas

As AV projects grow in complexity, interoperability has become essential to avoid fragmented workflows.

Historically, AV systems relied on proprietary protocols and vendor-specific ecosystems, making large deployments with multiple tools and systems difficult to manage. Solving this problem requires cross-industry collaboration. That’s why we’re proud that Panasonic Projector & Display Americas could serve as a founding member of the OpenAV Cloud Association, a nonprofit organization created to accelerate the AV industry's transition to the cloud and address a persistent challenge in professional AV: the lack of interoperability between devices, platforms, and cloud services.

Through OpenAV Cloud, we help define technical standards for device telemetry, cloud-to-cloud communication, security models, and open APIs. This approach supports a future where AV deployments, from classrooms and corporate campuses to entertainment venues, operate as connected ecosystems rather than isolated hardware systems.

We’re already implementing these best practices into our own solutions by introducing web-based APIs on select projector models, including the PT-CMZ50 and PT-RQ7 series, with support for additional models coming later this year. These new web-based APIs allow external applications to monitor operational data and control key projector functions over IP networks without relying solely on traditional command protocols. By exposing these capabilities through modern web interfaces, we’re making it easier for integrators and software developers to build custom management tools. Now, Panasonic projectors can participate in open, cloud-connected AV environments, helping bridge the gap between AV hardware and the broader IT and software ecosystem.

As AV professionals seek faster deployments and adaptable cloud-based tools, the advancements inspired by OpenAV Cloud, like our new web-based APIs, provide the shared technical foundation needed to power truly connected AV systems.

AVT Question: Please share insights into how your company’s products and solutions help ensure interoperability and connectivity not only on the day of deployment but also on Day 2 and beyond.

Thought Leader: Joe Andrulis, Executive Vice President of Corporate Development at Biamp

In today's audiovisual landscape, AV teams are approaching system design and deployment by leveraging software innovation—both via the cloud and artificial intelligence—to consolidate functionality and reduce hardware complexity. This strategic approach directly addresses the industry's pressing need for interoperability and seamless connectivity while empowering teams to accomplish more with fewer resources.

Rather than managing multiple components with separate configurations and potential compatibility issues, AV professionals can deploy unified solutions that communicate seamlessly with collaboration platforms and room systems. This consolidation dramatically simplifies installation workflows, reduces potential failure points, and ensures consistent performance across diverse environments.

Cloud-hosted software management solutions have emerged as a vital component in AV management. These platforms, such as Biamp Workplace, provide a unified dashboard accessible from anywhere, at any time. This enables stakeholders throughout the AV value chain to monitor and manage their respective technology investments effectively, from control devices to AV peripherals.

For example, amplified loudspeaker controllers demonstrate how software-driven design enables unprecedented interoperability and connectivity within compact form factors. By combining DSP, amplification, and network connectivity in purpose-built, AI-enabled devices, AV teams can also streamline provisioning through centralized software management. This enables remote configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting without physical access to equipment.

Systems also become more reliable through reduced cabling and connection points. Deployment timelines shrink significantly. Ongoing management becomes more efficient as technicians access all system parameters through intuitive interfaces rather than navigating multiple proprietary tools.

Ultimately, the Biamp approach ensures interoperability and connectivity by designing products that work together intelligently while reducing complexity. By enabling AV teams to do more with less, those AV solutions become more sustainable, cost-effective, and user-friendly for organizations of every size.

AVT Question: Please share insights into how your company’s products and solutions help ensure interoperability and connectivity not only on the day of deployment but also on Day 2 and beyond.

Thought Leader: Joel Mulpeter, Senior Director of Product Marketing at Crestron

Interoperability is absolutely top of mind for us at Crestron. We ensure we’re working with best-in-class protocols, brands, security practices, and everything else to help people succeed in deploying Crestron. Our AV-over-IP and audio-over-IP products include Dante and AES67 network protocols, for example. Additionally, we’ll soon be shipping DM NVX 380 Series platform devices with H.264 encoding, enabling the distribution of compressed video over Wide Area Networks (WANs) and across segments of an AV network with bandwidth constraints.

I don’t often bring interoperability into discussions about security, but it applies here: Our products always need to work with the network—not against it. When we get deployed in a facility, the network exists, and we're part of that ecosystem, so we ensure that we’re good citizens on that network. We don't get to decide how that network is configured; that’s specified by the customer for their specific needs. To serve those end customers properly, we need to make sure we support the right security protocols, the right tools, and everything else that’s important to those solutions that are living on the network.

And, of course, we can help our customers create Crestron ecosystems in which every device is designed for interoperability within that system. Ultimately, it’s the customer’s choice: Whether they specify our solutions or need something manufactured by a third party, we are constantly striving to ensure that all those hardware and software solutions work and play well with one another.

Visionary has made available its E5000, a compact AV over IP encoder and the latest addition to the company’s 5 Series. Purpose-built for projects that prioritize streamlined functionality and value, the E5000 delivers Visionary’s trusted performance and reliability in an economical, space-saving form factor.

[Feeling Lucky? AV over IP Reimagines Casino AV]

Designed for AV over IP installations that require essential encoding capabilities without the overhead of advanced features, the E5000 features a simplified I/O configuration that includes a single HDMI input, one PoE Ethernet port, and RS232 control. By delivering the core performance capabilities of Visionary’s E5100 encoder, including native AES67 audio support, the E5000 offers an ideal balance of functionality, scalability, and cost efficiency.

“The E5000 was developed to give our partners a more value-engineered option within the 5 Series ecosystem without compromising the performance standards Visionary is known for,” said Scott Freshman, chief operating officer for Visionary. “For large-scale AV over IP projects that need dependable, high-quality encoding with essential connectivity, the E5000 delivers exactly the right feature set at the right price point.”

The E5000 is especially well-suited for education, corporate, government, hospitality, digital signage and large venue deployments, where scalable AV distribution and audio interoperability are critical, but more advanced encoder I/O options are unnecessary.

Built on Visionary’s cinema-quality , ultra-low-latency, sub-frame-visual-lossless 4K UHD over IP platform, the E5000 empowers integrators and enterprise AV teams to deploy high-performance video distribution across modern IP networks while optimizing project budgets. Like all Visionary 5 Series endpoints, the E5000 is designed to eliminate the constraints of traditional matrix switching systems, replacing fixed infrastructure with the flexibility, scalability, and long-term advantages of standards-based IP networking.

AVT Question: Please share insights into how your company’s products and solutions help ensure interoperability and connectivity not only on the day of deployment but also on Day 2 and beyond.

Thought Leader: Justin Ramirez, Senior Director of Software Sales at Shure

Interoperability is the foundation of how we design solutions for modern enterprises. Today’s IT teams are responsible for delivering consistent, reliable collaboration experiences across a variety of platforms, room types, and user behaviors. Shure products are designed to remove complexity from that environment by providing enterprise-wide standards that can integrate seamlessly and scale across collaboration environments.

At the core of this approach are network-enabled audio and network devices that connect microphones, loudspeakers, and collaboration platforms into a unified system. These devices deliver intelligent audio processing such as echo cancellation, noise reduction, and automatic mixing while supporting enterprise-standard networking and security. Together, they create a reliable foundation that integrates seamlessly into existing IT environments.

Shure’s interoperability strategy continues with platform certification, ensuring solutions are certified for Microsoft Teams or Zoom Rooms. This eliminates guesswork for IT teams responsible by validating the audio experience within these ecosystems and enabling confident organization-wide deployments.

Connectivity extends beyond the room through a cloud management platform, which brings connected devices from the Shure ecosystem into a centralized, cloud-based environment. By leveraging networked solutions, IT teams can remotely monitor device status, manage rooms, and access reporting from anywhere in the world. This visibility supports proactive maintenance, faster troubleshooting, and more efficient room operations across global deployments.

Shure’s solutions are built to standardize the collaboration experience across conference rooms, huddle spaces, and boardrooms. That consistency simplifies rollout and ensures users experience the same quality regardless of where they are located or how they join a meeting.

By prioritizing interoperability at every level, Shure empowers IT teams to deliver collaboration environments that are consistent, intuitive, and scalable wherever work happens.

AVT Question: Please share insights into how your company’s products and solutions help ensure interoperability and connectivity not only on the day of deployment but also on Day 2 and beyond.

Thought Leader: Andrew Starks, Marketing Work Group Chair at AIMS, and Director of Product Management at Macnica Americas

Interoperability in AV systems is no longer a “day one” feature that happens during installation; it is a “day two” requirement that must continue working as systems grow, devices are replaced, and new capabilities are added. Open standards play a critical role in making that possible.

AIMS promotes technologies such as SMPTE ST 2110, AMWA NMOS, and IPMX that allow manufacturers to build products that communicate using common, well-defined protocols rather than proprietary ecosystems. This approach allows devices from different vendors to discover each other, establish media connections, and exchange control and status information in predictable ways.

IPMX extends the broadcast-proven ST 2110 family of standards to the broader professional AV market. It adds capabilities important in AV environments, including support for compressed and uncompressed video, HDCP, USB transport, and simplified system deployment options. At the same time, it maintains compatibility with the core timing, networking, and media transport mechanisms used in large-scale broadcast facilities.

Alongside media transport, open control and management standards help systems operate predictably in multi-vendor environments. Technologies such as AMWA NMOS provide mechanisms for device discovery, registration, and connection management, allowing systems to identify available resources and establish media flows in a consistent way.

Lastly, AIMS and its member companies also support interoperability through collaborative testing events and certification programs that verify real-world compatibility between implementations. Our goal is the creation of an open ecosystem where manufacturers can innovate, integrators can design flexible systems, and users can deploy AV infrastructure that continues to interoperate reliably long after the initial installation.

AVT Question: Please share insights into how your company’s products and solutions help ensure interoperability and connectivity not only on the day of deployment but also on Day 2 and beyond.

Thought Leader: Adam Sowers, Senior Manager of Business Development at Sony Electronics

Sony’s BRAVIA Professional Display products and solutions are designed to make interoperability and connectivity seamless, reliable, and practical every day, across devices, platforms, and workflows.

At the core is our commitment to open standards and cloud-native architectures. As a founding member of Open AV Cloud, we help to drive best practices around open ecosystems and interoperability for IP-based integrations, control, and monitoring that work across environments. This open approach reduces integration complexity, supports rapid scaling, and ensures customers can connect, manage, and evolve their AV systems without being locked into proprietary silos.

We further strengthen interoperability through the Sony BRAVIA Professional Display partner ecosystems. Pro BRAVIA displays are built to integrate effortlessly with leading collaboration, control, content management, and analytics partners. This robust ecosystem ensures consistent performance across meeting rooms, digital signage, classrooms, and mission-critical environments, while giving customers flexibility to choose best-of-breed solutions that fit their needs.

Together, Sony, Open AV Cloud, and the Pro BRAVIA partner ecosystems deliver dependable connectivity from edge to cloud. Devices communicate securely, data flows intelligently, and systems remain manageable at scale. The result is a connected experience that works day in and day out—simplifying deployment, enhancing reliability, and future-proofing investments.

By combining open platforms, best practices, trusted partnerships, and enterprise-grade hardware, we help organizations stay connected, interoperable, and ready for what’s next.

AVT Question: Please share insights into how your company’s products and solutions help ensure interoperability and connectivity not only on the day of deployment but also on Day 2 and beyond.

Thought Leader: Jakub Kolacz, Manager of Product Management Software at Sennheiser

Interoperability and connectivity are essential to modern AV environments, where organizations increasingly rely on a mix of technologies across rooms, campuses, and even continents. As a result, proprietary walled gardens are no longer a competitive differentiator; they are a liability. To address this, solution providers must prioritize open standards, vendor-agnostic architectures, and simplified device integration that works across the broader AV and IT ecosystem.

Ease of deployment is a critical factor. AV/IT teams need solutions that can be onboarded quickly, with minimal dependencies. Sennheiser's TeamConnect portfolio—including the TCC M beamforming ceiling microphone and TeamConnect Bar S and M, the first video bars with integrated Dante—delivers exactly this. With native Dante connectivity, Sennheiser devices integrate directly into existing IP audio ecosystems, reducing time and effort spent during installation. At the same time, beamforming technology isolates speech from background noise, ensuring every participant is heard clearly and consistently, both in-room and remotely.

As AV and IT infrastructures converge, centralized management and open APIs become equally important. Launched in February 2026, Sennheiser's DeviceHub provides a secure, cloud-based platform built on Microsoft Azure for real-time monitoring, diagnostics, and configuration across locations from any browser, with no software installation required. For teams that need deeper integration, the SSCv2 RESTful API follows open IT standards, enabling customers to connect Sennheiser devices into Crestron, Q-SYS, custom dashboards, or any platform via standard HTTP-based integration. Security is built in throughout: End-to-end encryption, role-based access controls, and GDPR-compliant data handling ensure deployments meet enterprise IT requirements.

Ultimately, Sennheiser's commitment to open interoperability—across Dante, open APIs, alliance partnerships with key control solutions providers, and secure cloud management—helps organizations build AV ecosystems that are connected, scalable, and ready for whatever comes next.

AVT Question: Please share insights into how your company’s products and solutions help ensure interoperability and connectivity not only on the day of deployment but also on Day 2 and beyond.

Thought Leader: Catherine Koutsaris, Product Marketing Manager at Matrox Video

Interoperability used to be something teams addressed during system design but today, it’s part of daily operations. Most media and AV work in a hybrid environment, combining different standards, signal types and formats, and equipment from multiple manufacturers. The challenge is making sure everything continues to connect reliably as workflows shift and evolve.

Open standards have become a practical way to manage complexity. Frameworks like SMPTE ST 2110, IPMX, and NMOS provide a foundation that helps devices communicate without constant customization. Certification programs and interoperability testing are important, giving engineers confidence that equipment will integrate smoothly in real-world deployments—not just in controlled demos.

Connectivity is where many of these decisions show up day to day. Teams are still working with SDI and HDMI while introducing Ethernet-based workflows. Bridging traditional signals into IP environments allows organizations to modernize at their own pace, without turning every upgrade into an overhaul. Ultimately, the goal isn’t just compatibility; it’s simplicity—simplifying design decisions, making installations easier to scale, and reducing the friction that often comes with hybrid infrastructures.

NMOS provides a common framework for discovery and connection management in IP environments, while open APIs allow systems from different manufacturers to integrate into control layers. Together, they make it easier to add new endpoints without changing how operators interact with the system. In a multi-standard world, interoperability isn’t just about making devices talk to each other; it’s about simplifying how systems are designed and operated as needs change.

AVT Question: Please share insights into how your company’s products and solutions help ensure interoperability and connectivity not only on the day of deployment but also on Day 2 and beyond.

Thought Leader: Shane Roma, Technical Product Manager of dvLED and Commercial Displays at ViewSonic

In the professional AV world, products almost never live in isolation. Every display, processor, or collaboration device becomes part of a larger ecosystem designed to deliver a seamless, holistic experience. True interoperability isn’t a feature; it’s a requirement.

Interoperability extends well beyond video and audio signal compatibility. How devices are managed and controlled is equally important. Integrators need simple, predictable pathways to connect products to leading control systems and asset management platforms.

As a manufacturer like ViewSonic, it is important that we ask early: Where does this product live in the system? What control platforms, audio systems, content sources, and management tools will surround it?

Designing for real-world use cases ensures our solutions work harmoniously with the broader AV environment rather than creating friction on site.

Transparency is also critical. Publicly available APIs, along with ready-to-use modules, drivers, and plug-ins, empower integrators to design confidently and efficiently. Open access to integration resources shortens commissioning timelines and improves long-term serviceability.

Interoperability thrives on partnership. Close collaboration and co-development with control and ecosystem partners allow for pre-validation and real-world testing, so issues are resolved before equipment ever reaches a job site.

In today’s AV landscape, interoperability is not optional; it’s the foundation for scalable, manageable, and future-ready solutions.

At ViewSonic, we approach product development with the full ecosystem in mind. Whether it’s dvLED, commercial displays, or ViewBoard interactive flat panels. We maintain a consistent control system API across our Pro AV portfolio, and partner with leading control system manufacturers to provide integrations for seamless deployments. A unified API structure reduces programming complexity, accelerates deployment, and minimizes support calls across diverse installations.

AVT Question: Please share insights into how your company’s products and solutions help ensure interoperability and connectivity not only on the day of deployment but also on Day 2 and beyond.

Thought Leader: Emma Eagle, Manager of Marketing at Hall Research

Think about how frustrating it is when technology in a meeting room just doesn’t cooperate—when someone plugs in a laptop, and the screen won’t show up, the video call won’t connect, or the system only works with one type of device. That is the problem we focus on solving every day.

At Atlona, we believe interoperability shouldn’t be something people have to think about; it should just work. When we design products, the goal is simple: Make sure everything connects easily with the tools people already use. Whether that means different laptops, collaboration platforms like Teams or Zoom, or the company’s network infrastructure, our systems are built to fit naturally into any environment.

Today’s workplaces are full of different devices and ways of working. Some people bring a laptop, others use a tablet, and meetings might include people in the room and others joining remotely. The technology in the room needs to handle all of that without making things complicated for the IT team that supports it.

That’s why we focus heavily on open standards and network-based solutions. When AV technology works the same way other IT systems do, it becomes easier to deploy, manage, and scale across an entire organization—from small meeting rooms to large conference spaces.

In the end, interoperability is about removing friction. When the technology works the way people expect it to, they don’t think about cables, systems, or compatibility; they just walk into a room, connect, and get on with the conversation. We believe that’s exactly how it should be.

AVT Question: Please share insights into how your company’s products and solutions help ensure interoperability and connectivity not only on the day of deployment but also on Day 2 and beyond.

Thought Leader: Omer Brookstein, CEO and Co-Founder at Xyte

Interoperability used to be treated as a technical feature. Today, it is an operational requirement.

Most organizations no longer run AV as a closed system. Meeting spaces, signage, control, collaboration, scheduling, analytics, and service workflows now sit across multiple platforms, often managed by both AV and IT teams. When those systems do not connect cleanly, the result is familiar: fragmented visibility, slower response times, more manual work, and higher support costs.

That’s why interoperability matters every day, not just during installation.

The real goal isn’t simply to connect devices. It’s to make AV easier to manage, easier to support, and easier to improve over time. Open cloud connectivity helps organizations monitor mixed fleets more consistently, move data between systems, automate routine tasks, and adopt new tools without rebuilding everything around a single vendor’s stack.

This is also why open APIs and shared cloud standards matter. They give end users more freedom to choose the technologies that fit their needs today, while reducing the risk of lock-in tomorrow. As AV environments become more software-defined and more connected to enterprise systems, openness becomes the foundation for flexibility.

The industry moves forward when products are built to work across platforms, not around them. Efforts like OpenAV Cloud reflect that shift. They point toward an AV ecosystem where interoperability is not a workaround, but an expectation, and where connectivity creates practical value every day through simpler operations, better resilience, and longer-lasting technology investments.

AVT Question: Please share insights into how your company’s products and solutions help ensure interoperability and connectivity not only on the day of deployment but also on Day 2 and beyond.

Thought Leader: Amy Zhou, Director of Sales at Magewell

Many of Magewell’s solutions are designed specifically to solve customers’ interoperability or connectivity challenges in multi-vendor workflows. It started with bringing HDMI or SDI signals into software through our capture cards and evolved into complete product lines for IP conversion and bridging all types of AV signals, IP streams, software, and screens.

Our products are often specified in new installations to bridge interoperability gaps between third-party products or brought into existing projects to solve interoperability or compatibility problems that were discovered during deployment.

For us, ensuring long-term interoperability starts with flexibility in the formats and protocols our solutions support. For example, our Ultra Encode family supports a wide range of technologies including NDI HX3, SRT, RTMP, HLS, and many more—allowing the products to adapt as customers' workflows evolve.

Even established customer deployments may require upgrades to maintain long-term interoperability, as the protocols themselves are often evolving. For example, the popular NDI connectivity technology has changed over the years; it’s now on version 6.3 overall, and media formats within it have gone from NDI High Bandwidth to NDI HX, NDI HX2, and NDI HX3. This makes the upgradability of our products crucial for continued interoperability and compatibility.

While our solutions offer the robust reliability and assured performance that only dedicated hardware can provide, they are upgradeable with new capabilities through user-installable firmware updates. As an example, in our Ultra Encode AIO live encoder, we added support for the Wowza video platform, NDI SDK upgrades, and, most recently, the Zixi protocol—all available to existing customers through simple firmware updates. AV/IT managers can be confident that Magewell solutions will provide the interoperability they need both today and in the future.

The launch of IPMX certification marks a significant step for AV over IP. With 11 manufacturers and 48 certified products at introduction, the ecosystem already spans a broad set of real-world applications, including encoders, decoders, gateways, cameras, displays, and processing platforms. These products represent the early foundation of an interoperable environment designed to work across vendors and system types. A second certification event later this year is already in planning, with increased participation expected as more manufacturers bring products forward.

IPMX now exists as a multi-vendor ecosystem with certified products available for deployment. Early system designs and evaluations are beginning to take shape around IPMX as a foundation for open, standards-based media transport. Attention is shifting toward how these systems integrate, how they are secured, and how they are managed across increasingly complex environments.

As IPMX moves into early deployment, the conversation naturally shifts from specification to system behavior. Attention centers on how devices interact across vendors, how systems are configured and controlled, and how they fit within existing IT environments. These considerations will shape how IPMX is implemented in practice and how it is evaluated by integrators and end users.

At this stage, three areas carry particular weight: trust and security, interoperability through certification, and the continued expansion of capabilities to support a wider range of applications. Each of these areas reflects ongoing work across the IPMX community and contributes to how the ecosystem develops over time.

Trust and Security

Historically, security in AV-over-IP environments has been inconsistent across vendors and system types. Manufacturers have implemented their own approaches to access control, encryption, and device trust, with limited interoperability between systems. Even widely used mechanisms such as HDCP are applied unevenly, particularly when extended beyond point-to-point connections. This has made it difficult to build multi-vendor systems that handle protected content and secure control in a predictable way.

IPMX is introducing a baseline approach to security designed for interoperability across vendors and environments. These capabilities are defined as part of the standard and can be implemented alongside vendor-specific security measures. The goal is to establish consistent methods for identity, access control, and encryption that align with modern IT practices while remaining flexible enough to support a wide range of deployments and innovations.

At the media layer, Privacy Encryption Protocol (PEP) defines a common method for encrypting content between devices from different manufacturers. This enables protected media to move through a multi-vendor system, representing the first interoperable approach to content encryption in Pro AV-over-IP environments.

At the control and management layer, work aligned with Advanced Media Workflow Association (AMWA) IS-10 defines a framework for authentication and authorization based on widely adopted IT technologies. These include TLS-secured communication, OAuth 2.0 authorization flows, and JSON Web Tokens (JWTs) for conveying identity and permissions. This model allows systems to verify device identity, control access to APIs, and manage permissions in a consistent and scalable way.

The IPMX registry contributes to this foundation by serving as a source of truth for certified devices, including what was tested and when. This allows operators and system designers to confirm that a device has been validated against IPMX requirements and to understand its expected behavior within a deployment. Planned enhancements will expand the registry to include additional product and transport-related specifications, along with tools for manufacturers to manage and update their own information. Over time, this will provide a more complete view of device capabilities and interoperability across the ecosystem.

Certification and Interoperability

Certification is central to how IPMX achieves interoperability within deployed systems. The first official IPMX Product Testing and Certification Event, held in January 2026 at the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in Geneva, established the initial baseline for validating device behavior across vendors. This event marked the transition from pre-release interoperability work into a formal certification process, where products were formally tested against defined transport, timing, and system requirements.

The next certification event will build on that foundation with a focus on refining the process itself. Efforts are underway to improve efficiency, reduce the time required for testing, and identify gaps that impact real-world interoperability. These refinements are informed directly by the behavior observed during testing and early product deployment, ensuring that the certification process continues to reflect practical system requirements.

Longer term, the certification program is evolving to support broader participation and scale. This includes expanding testing to additional facilities worldwide and developing workflows that allow manufacturers to complete certification without requiring physical presence at a single event. These changes aim to make certification a more accessible process while maintaining consistent validation across the ecosystem.

Future Profiles and Capabilities

IPMX Profiles and Capabilities define how devices express supported formats and behaviors in a consistent, testable way. Today, this includes uncompressed video and audio, along with JPEG-XS for visually lossless compression, providing a foundation that spans high-quality production and bandwidth-constrained environments.

Several additional capabilities are approaching certification. HKEP and HDCP handling, along with PEP, have progressed through multi-vendor testing with demonstrated interoperability across implementations. Formal certification of these capabilities is planned for later this year, bringing consistent handling of protected content and encrypted media transport into certified workflows.

USB extension is advancing along a similar path, with support for USB 2.0 transport and integration with PEP to enable encrypted USB traffic. This extends IPMX into KVM and other USB-enabled workflows, with certification expected to follow closely behind as the supporting capabilities are finalized.

HEVC and AVC profiles are also nearing completion. These compression formats are a focus area due to strong industry interest and their role in enabling efficient transport across a broader range of existing product implementations.

IPMX continues to evolve through this model, with new capabilities introduced, tested, and certified in a structured way that maintains interoperability across the ecosystem.

For the AV industry, IPMX is moving from concept to something that can be specified, deployed, and evaluated in real projects. The certified product base established in Geneva gives system designers a concrete starting point for multi-vendor AV over IP work, while the parallel progress on security, USB extension, and compression profiles addresses the practical questions that come up once these systems reach the rack. In the coming year the conversation will be less about whether IPMX is ready and more about how it performs in the field, how integrators build around it, and how quickly the certified ecosystem expands to cover the full range of Pro AV applications.

Last year, the Pro AV voice was pretty clear: the industry was moving away from isolated hardware decisions and toward networked, software-aware, IT-aligned systems.

AV Technology’s “25 AV/IT Thought Leaders on the State of Networked AV” captured that mood well. The core themes were open standards, interoperability, cloud management, AI-assisted operations, phased modernization, and the continued convergence of AV and IT. In short, the market was saying: stop thinking in boxes, start thinking in platforms.

As we move through 2026, those core themes have hardened. It feels like operating in reality. AVIXA’s 2026 trends coverage points to security, AV/IT/AI convergence, interoperability, sustainability, and immersive displays as defining themes for the year. Futuresource adds an important nuance from ISE 2026: the market is shifting away from hype and moves toward governance, lifecycle management, compliance, and practical deployment.

On Standards

The biggest change in the last six months is that modern networked AV is no longer just about moving signals over IP. It is, noticeably, much more about running AV as an IT-governed service. In the 2025 AV Technology article, thought leaders emphasized open standards such as IPMX and SMPTE ST 2110, cloud-native management, predictive maintenance, and the need to avoid vendor lock-in. In 2026, that has become more concrete. AIMS used ISE 2026 to formally launch IPMX as a certifiable standard, a meaningful step for buyers who want interoperable, standards-led deployments rather than proprietary ecosystems alone.

On Security

Security has also moved up the stack. Last year, security was often discussed as one of many requirements. In 2026, it is closer to a board-level procurement filter. AVIXA explicitly names enhanced security as a top trend, and ISE 2026 launched its first CyberSecurity Summit, reflecting how connected AV systems are now being judged against enterprise expectations for risk, compliance, and resilience. That is a noticeable step-change from last year’s more general “AV meets IT” narrative.

On AI

AI, in a surprise to nobody, has changed, too. Early last year, the conversation at ISE was still full of promise: virtual assistants, smart troubleshooting, predictive maintenance, better user experiences. In 2026, the market tone seems a lot more selective. The industry is moving past broad AI claims and focusing on where AI genuinely improves workflow efficiency, reduces costs, or improves governance.

That is a healthier, more realistic phase for Pro AV. AI is still central, but now the question is less “do you have AI?” and more “where does it save labor, reduce downtime, or improve decision-making"? We see the same happening in broadcast.

On Growth

Another notable shift is commercial discipline. The Pro AV market continues to grow, but the tone is more cautious than celebratory. Growth remains real, but we are navigating a world shaped by tariffs, geopolitics, higher financing costs, and supply-chain uncertainty.

That makes AV in 2026 not just a technology story. It is more of a supply chain story, with the caveat that I am biased, as I work for a switch manufacturer. Memory costs are one example. NAND and DRAM prices have been rising, driven in part by demand for AI infrastructure. The direction of travel is clear: AI is soaking up capacity and keeping upward pressure on memory and storage costs. For Pro AV vendors and integrators, this feeds into endpoint pricing, media processing platforms, compute-heavy collaboration systems, and digital signage players.

On Geopolitics

Geopolitics is also more visible in 2026 than it was at the end of 2025. Trade policy on semiconductors, alongside broader regional instability, is shaping sourcing strategy and risk planning. Disruptions to critical inputs, including materials used in semiconductor manufacturing, add another layer of uncertainty that can ripple through AV supply chains and pricing. Should we worry about this? No, because just like the weather, you can’t influence it. But you should be aware of the repercussions.

On Mergers and Acquisitions

M&A is another signal that the industry is reorganizing around scale, services, and recurring value. Recent acquisitions of manufacturers and regional channel players highlight a clear strategic pattern: buyers want broader, or even global, service footprints, deeper managed services capability, and stronger alignment with workplace transformation and enterprise IT.

So, What is The State of Pro AV in 2026?

It is more networked and more governed. More software-defined, but also more compliance-driven. More AI-aware, but less willing to pay for AI hype. Slightly more open to standards, especially where interoperability reduces lifecycle risk. And it’s more conscious that external forces, from semiconductor pricing to geopolitics, can shape project economics just as much as product innovation can.

AV Technology reached out to AV/IT thought leaders to identify common pain points and to seek their advice. Below are some excerpts. Check out the full articles from 18 companies in the sidebar.

“AV/IT managers are facing two major challenges in today’s meeting spaces. The first of these is enabling BYOD in Microsoft Teams Rooms without adding complexity,” said Oliver Van Camp, product director of Meeting Experience at Barco ClickShare. “Teams want flexibility, IT wants control—and the organizations that deliver both will lead the way in creating smarter, more inclusive collaboration.”

Josh Blalock, director of Collaboration Ecosystem and Engagement at Shure, offered this: “Our advice is to standardize your organization on technologies that reduce complexity. Prioritize reliable, high-quality audio products that support both the human experience and the added AI layer. Equip rooms with solutions that eliminate friction, disappear into the background, and provide IT the visibility and control they need. When technology is invisible, collaboration becomes effortless.”

“Two of the most prevalent and wide-ranging pain points that AV/IT departments continue to raise relate to monitoring and remote management of networked AV, as well as ease of integration,” said John Garmendi, senior manager of National Accounts, Consultant Program Development, and Sales Engineering at Sony Electronics. “Technology that capitalizes on partner networks, like Sony’s Alliance Program, enables customers to benefit from turnkey solutions that minimize friction and allow them to continue to use their preferred tools and vendors.”

Sennheiser’s senior partner relations manager, Charlie Jones, shared, “AV/IT departments must constantly fight a two-sided battle: How do you ensure systems are easy to use and administer, while still ensuring platform and data security? As systems become more interconnected, teams must balance reliability, security, and scalability—often while contending with legacy tools, fragmented device ecosystems, and pressure to support seamless collaboration experiences.”

NOW AVAILABLE! AV Technology Manager’s Guide to AV/IT Interoperability

44 AV/IT Thought Leaders share their insights on how their company’s products and solutions help ensure interoperability and connectivity every day. Interoperability, or lack thereof, remains the biggest pain point for everyone up and down the AV/IT chain. Learn how to ensure your systems are healthy on Day 2 and beyond.

AV/IT Team: A college gymnasium and aquatics facility recently underwent a comprehensive AV-over-IP and control system overhaul—and so far, it’s all gone swimmingly.

5 Case Studies Where Interoperability Shines: Contemplative Commons Gets an LED Complement | Building a Unified Collaboration Experience | Popular Noodle Spot Adopts Modern Menu Boards | Control and Monitoring on the High Seas | Campus Technology, Centralized and Simplified

35 Pro AV Products that Work for You: The Pro AV products that connect and work on Day 1, Day 2, and beyond.

Read More!

Vanco International unveiled its new EVO-IP Go. Built on the EVO-IP platform, this a AV over IP solution was designed for fast deployment and user-friendly management. A plug-and-play device, it will run on a dedicated network using managed or unmanaged switches. EVO-IP Go transmitter and receiver boxes discover each other automatically, with no control box, VLAN, or complicated configuration required. When used with Power-over-Ethernet (POE)-enabled switches, EVO-IP Go’s POE capabilities further simplify installation.

[Commercial AV Momentum]

“In fast-paced environments like a sports bar or a brewery, margins are tight, and complexity is the enemy,” said Brandon White, director of product development, Vanco. “EVO-IP Go is a simple, reliable, and affordable HDMI distribution solution customers can deploy with confidence.”

EVO-IP Go delivers high-resolution HDMI up to 4K@30Hz, with analog audio breakout and a signal transmission range of up to 394 feet (120m). EVO-IP Go also supports square-configuration videowalls with up to 5X5 displays. In terms of control, the solution supports RS-232 passthrough and CEC control for display on/off. The EVO-IP Go app, available on iOS and Android, allows users to toggle display power and seamlessly switch sources using a mobile, tablet, or desktop device.

SCN: How long have you been with this company, and what are your responsibilities?

Lisa Barlow Flournoy: I joined DVIGear formally in 2013. As marketing support manager, I oversee our marketing initiatives. My role includes developing brand and product marketing materials, managing digital content and coordinating our trade show presence. I also work closely with our technical and customer support teams to provide product support and ensure a smooth experience for our customers.

SCN: DVIGear celebrated its 25th anniversary back in 2024. What’s the secret to your longevity?

LBF: Founded in 1999, DVIGear was an early player in the digital video connectivity market. Over time, the AV market moved from analog to digital, and the number of “pedestrian” connectivity products grew exponentially. As the market swelled, it moved into a commodity model that emphasized high volume sales with low profit margins. One of our fundamental corporate tenets is to provide unique and innovative product solutions. Rather than investing in commodity products, DVIGear resolved to focus on engineering its own value-added products, maximizing design and development based on the needs of our customers.

SCN: What is something that most end users still don’t quite understand when it comes to AVoIP?

LBF: Many AV customers don't understand the intrinsic value that AVoIP offers. At times, there seems to be a reluctance to embrace new technology. Another aspect of AVoIP that people may not understand is the difference between the types of systems, 1GbE versus 10GbE, utilized by the SDVoE standard.

One of the largest budget considerations in an SDVoE system is the number of endpoints (Tx and Rx) required. While a 10GbE Ethernet switch is more expensive than a 1GbE switch, the added cost is negligible when looking at the overall system price. A much larger concern is the cost of the Tx and Rx endpoints, as many are required for most systems. Further, an SDVoE AVoIP system provides more capabilities and better quality with no or minimal compression.

SCN: What makes the DisplayNet platform unique in the AVoIP distribution space?

LBF: We believe that DisplayNet is unique because there is no other product in the AVoIP market that has the combination of features, flexibility, and ease of setup that we offer. Like some other products, DisplayNet is based on SDVoE technology; however, each manufacturer decides what SDVoE features will be used in their product line, and how they will be implemented. DisplayNet is known for its robust but flexible implementation of the SDVoE 10GbE platform. It boasts highly advanced software, including sophisticated, responsive, web-based documentation built into our DisplayNet Server.

Driven by the user experience, DisplayNet software development is a core strength of DVIGear’s AVoIP platform. For designers and installers, the DisplayNet Manager emphasis is on configuration ease and optimized user experience. For end users, the same qualities are focused on execution via DisplayNet Controller, which is newly released software for end users to utilize a DisplayNet system on a day-to-day basis in a production environment. It focuses on fewer options and simplified functionality.

SCN: How does DisplayNet Manager simplify system setup?

LBF: DisplayNet Manger is highly intuitive and web-based, with built-in, context-sensitive documentation. Our development team actively uses AI to optimize documentation and code. Many hundreds of hours of refinement have been geared to optimize the user experience. Layout, menus, organization, built-in documentation, and warning screens all contribute to facile use of the platform.

Who is the user? A system designer, system engineer, or installer doing setup and configuration work. Software that is not as intuitive as DisplayNet can be confusing, hence time-consuming and frustrating to employ. Documentation that is not integrated into the system likewise degrades the user experience. DisplayNet documentation is context sensitive, intelligently routing the user to applicable Help subsections.

SCN: DisplayNet is built to support SDVoE workflows. What made you commit to that standard?

LBF: The SDVoE model is very compatible with our corporate culture in that it emphasizes flexibility to design unique solutions and provide added value. The attributes that SDVoE offers are in line with what DVIGear believes in as a company: high quality, minimal compromise, and an emphasis on flexibility, versatility, and added value. We’ve been working with the SDVoE team for over 10 years and have a long-term relationship and stellar track record with the platform. Longevity is a key aspect of committing to the standard. The dedication to and hours spent with this platform underscore the importance of this refining and executing this solution for our clients.

SCN: I’ve seen DVIGear as part of esports demonstrations at trade shows. How important is the esports market for you?

LBF: While esports have not been core in the DisplayNet wheelhouse, applications such as Formula IP racing have been a fun—and fast—way to demonstrate the real-world advantages of SDVoE, which are high-quality imaging and zero latency. Latency can be a big problem on other AVoIP systems, but not with SDVoE.

SCN: Beyond esports, what are some of the more common deployments for DisplayNet?

LBF: Command centers with many sources and displays are one of the most important applications, such as monitoring utility pipelines and traffic, transportations systems, and emergency response centers. Another vital deployment is professional production studios that require high-resolution imaging and collaboration among many artists, engineers, and other users. Flawless AVoIP workflow facilitates the need to work with one another in real time. SDVoE technology enables easy sharing of digital workflow and screens in demanding creative environments. DisplayNet, with our emphasis on responsive software development, has been able to help transform the business of creative content development in ways that were not possible before.

SCN: So, is AVoIP the future of Pro AV?

LBF: AVoIP is certainly an important part of the future of Pro AV. Given the diversity of our field, its needs, and applications, there will always be more basic solutions that make sense. These may be smaller applications with more limited scope, such as the commodity products we discussed earlier. DisplayNet allows tremendous functional versality. Conversely, in commodity products that require application engineering to work with the hardware features, the hardware becomes the limiting factor.

AVoIP products are very powerful in creating systems that have many diverse capabilities. It's very scalable in that it is easy to add more sources or displays. AVoIP will continue to be a good approach because it uses Ethernet technology to handle AV applications. Because the Ethernet market is so immense and ubiquitous, using it as the backbone for AVoIP systems is a sound, future-proof way to design complex systems.

Set against Australia’s scenic Queensland coastline, Dicky Beach Surf Club serves as both a community hub and a vibrant social destination for members, locals, and visitors alike. To enhance the guest experience, the venue required a versatile, easy-to-use AV system capable of supporting everything from live sports and community presentations to private events and celebrations, and Kramer had the answer.

[High Marks for AVoIP]

Recognizing the need for a reliable, scalable, and high-quality networked AV solution, the club turned to Box Security Sound & Vision, with control system programming by Smart Home Programming. Together, they designed and delivered a Kramer AVoIP solution that provides seamless video distribution, zone-based control, and powerful audio performance—all optimized for the club’s dynamic daily operations.

The surf club wanted to transform its AV infrastructure to meet diverse operational needs, including multiple entertainment and presentation zones across bars, dining, and training areas. Distributing content from eight video sources to 18 displays and a large LED wall, the solution required simple, centralized control that staff could manage intuitively, even during busy events.

“The surf club environment is unlike any other,” explained Chev Durrant, telecommunications technician at Box Security Sound & Vision. “You’re dealing with open spaces, ambient noise, and a wide range of content—from background music and live TV to training sessions and announcements. We needed a system that could switch seamlessly between them while remaining rock solid and easy to use.”

To deliver that flexibility, the integrator deployed a Kramer AVoIP backbone based on KDS-EN7 encoders and KDS-DEC7 decoders, delivering lossless, low-latency 4K video across the entire site. A Netgear GSM4248P Managed PoE+ switch forms the core of the network, ensuring smooth communication between devices and guaranteeing reliability even under demanding use.

Each of the eight HDMI sources—including broadcast feeds, media players, and event inputs—is encoded and distributed to 18 displays around the venue. Four additional decoders feed into a Novastar H2 processor, driving a stunning Unilumin 1.5mm LED wall (3x1.68m) in the club’s main function area.

Control across all six zones is managed by the Kramer KC-VirtualBrain-1 platform, programmed by Smart Home Programming. This provides intuitive, centralized command of displays, audio levels, source selection, and lighting presets.

“The Surf Club wanted a system that works, and now anyone that works here can pick it up and get the whole system up and running in seconds," Durrant added. "With us choosing the Kramer system, any staff member can pick up their work iPad, choose where they want a source to be displayed and select what audio they want. It’s all very user friendly.”

The completed system gives the Surf Club an AV environment that’s dynamic, reliable, and simple to operate, supporting everything from relaxed dining to full-scale community events.

“The transformation has been incredible,” concluded Natalie Bell, general manager at Dicky Beach Surf Club. “We can show live sport across multiple areas, host corporate presentations, or run member events—all with a few simple touches. The quality and control are outstanding, and it’s made our day-to-day operations for our 65 staff far more efficient.”

SCN: What prompted you to establish Parker Group back in 1998?

Valerie Parker: I met my husband, a future Navy pilot, while studying at Georgetown. Being a military brat, I knew I had to choose a career path that would allow both mobility and advancement. I spent a long weekend (and about 1,000 Post-It notes) and hatched a business plan to pursue government contracting with a focus on aerospace and defense. I’ve worked on major projects ranging from airplanes and engines to operations and maintenance to flight training and even missile defense. I immersed myself in this world, learning everything I could about contracts, finance, technical project management, and business development in the aerospace industry. Eventually, I gained sufficient knowledge, skills, and experience to launch my own woman-owned government contracting firm, Parker Group. Since then, I haven't looked back.

SCN: When you showed me AVenue at InfoComm, I said it was like a DVR for multiviewers. Can you provide a more thorough description for our readers?

VP: AVenue is an AV over IP solution designed for organizations to synchronously capture, share, record, store, and replay content with unparalleled ease. These servers don't just passively store incoming streams; they actively share them in real time, allowing users to access vital information from anywhere in the world.

Control rooms typically display only live feeds. AVenue changes that by enabling synchronous recording of dozens of IP streams, complete with DVR-style controls. Operators can now pause and rewind live video wall feeds without interrupting operations, bookmark incidents for later review, and analyze data displayed during a specific event (not just what a single camera captured).

The ability to play back the entire situational view adds a new dimension to operational awareness. AVenue empowers teams to react swiftly, make informed decisions, and maintain control over critical situations with confidence.

SCN: Can you provide customization for AVenue?

VP: Yes, AVenue was designed for customization. AVenue is able to meet the unique needs of diverse users and environments. It is built as a multi-stream, IP-based network recorder and playback appliance. AVenue is engineered for flexibility without compromising performance.

SCN: What organizations can most benefit from AVenue?

VP: AVenue is ideal for organizations operating in mission-critical and high-pressure environments. This includes control rooms, defense and government agencies, training and simulation centers, security providers, the public sector, and healthcare institutions. TWhether for live monitoring, post-event analysis, or continuous training, AVenue supports the precision and adaptability these high-pressure settings demand.

SCN: Are there any recent deployments you can discuss?

VP: Given the nature of our work, a lot of our deployments are under strict confidentiality. A recent project we can talk about was with a major Department of Defense Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) and Training range. We helped them transition from decades-old baseband video infrastructure to a fully modernized AVoIP environment using a VuWall TRx/PAK system. This deployment represented a significant digital transformation for the facility. Their legacy baseband video system was not only aging, but it lacked the flexibility, scalability, and centralized control that today's mission-critical environments demand. The system provides optimal functionality, high availability, and maximum performance in supporting national priority developmental and operational test and training programs.

SCN: How important is AVoIP to the future of Pro AV industry?

VP: AVoIP is extremely important because it allows audio and video to be distributed over standard networks, making systems more scalable, flexible, and easier to manage. Quite honestly, it truly is the future of the Pro AV industry. AVoIP has moved well beyond being a trend and has become the key to most modern business operations. Organizations that embrace AVoIP are upgrading and future-proofing their infrastructure to keep up with the evolving tech space. It removes the physical limitations of traditional AV systems, making it possible to route, control, and monitor AV content from virtually anywhere. This shift reduces infrastructure and costs and supports faster decision-making, better collaboration, and more responsive environments.

SCN: How is AVenue handling security for all the content going through it?

VP: AVenue is an application that can layer onto both unclassified and classified networks. Network transmissions are secured with strong encryption and authentication protocols, ensuring every piece of content that moves through AVenue is fully protected from end to end. These features help prevent unauthorized access, tampering, or interception across the network. Security is not an add-on but is built into the core of how AVenue operates, ensuring that high-stakes content remains protected in even the most demanding environments.

SCN: What companies are partnering with you?

VP: Working with trusted industry leaders allows us to deliver strong, holistic solutions and create new ideas. One of our current partners is VuWall, whose technology has been central to several major projects. This year, Parker Group received VuWall’s Top Performer Award at InfoComm for the largest deployment for the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security. It was a significant milestone that reflects our technical expertise and operational discipline. Our collaboration with VuWall continues to raise the bar for reliable and forward-thinking integration in mission-critical environments.

SCN: What new initiatives are we likely to see from your company?

VP: Parker Group is on the cusp of a new release that incorporates enhanced Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) features that enable AVenue to run in a virtual environment. Customers will have access to new hardware technologies and features such as larger storage options, faster boot times, and improved security measures, as well as improved multimedia network streaming control.

Do you have legacy AV equipment that is still earning its keep? Does your organization have a combination of hardware and software from different manufacturers, and does interoperability sometimes pose an issue? Is your AV/IT department full speed ahead with AV over IP, the cloud, and AI-enabled systems?

No matter which end of the AV or IT spectrum your systems reside, these 25 industry thought leaders share insights into the transition to IP, trends in The State of AV/IT today, and predictions for the next few years.

CATHERINE KOUTSARIS
Product Marketing Manager at Matrox Video

For many organizations, the biggest hesitation in modernizing AV systems is the belief that moving forward means ripping everything out and starting from scratch. In reality, most end users don’t need or want to replace entire systems. What’s more practical and sustainable is keeping the elements that still work well and bridging them with newer technologies. This approach reduces staff retraining and avoids waste. Teams can then evolve at their own pace.

That’s where interoperability comes in. Today’s AV/IT environments often resemble technology islands—ecosystems that work well independently but don’t always communicate with one another. End users may value their existing cameras or video walls, but when new requirements emerge, incompatibility becomes a real obstacle. AV gateway products are a great way to bridge between older systems and newer technology, allowing both to be used in the same installation.

Standards-based solutions provide the clearest path forward. Open standards like IPMX and SMPTE ST 2110 make it possible to mix equipment from multiple manufacturers and reduce the risk of vendor lock-in. In practice, this can mean running day-to-day conferencing over a corporate 1GbE network while seamlessly shifting to a 10GbE broadcast workflow for high-end production—all with the same underlying infrastructure. Organizations gain freedom from vendor lock-in and proprietary constraints.

The advice for end users is to focus on flexibility. Prioritize systems that integrate with what you already have and embrace open standards. This approach ensures that today’s investments remain relevant, while giving you the freedom to adopt new technologies and build AI-over-IP systems that can grow with you on your own terms.

RICHARD JONKER
Vice President Marketing and Business Development at NETGEAR Enterprise

The most successful organizations are shifting their mindset from, “What AV equipment do we need?” to, “How can we create experiences that drive business results?” This approach means your AV investments should solve specific business challenges rather than simply upgrade hardware.

The proof is in your meeting rooms. Setup time has dropped from seven frustrating minutes to under twenty seconds. This translates to improved productivity and employee satisfaction.

Behind the shifting mindset are four key technologies reshaping how you’ll interact with AV systems: AV over IP, cloud solutions, artificial intelligence, and extended reality (XR/AR). These represent fundamental changes, creating practical benefits for organizations willing to evolve.

AV over IP leads this transformation by using your IP network infrastructure instead of dedicated AV cabling. This means you get to benefit from all the advantages of the network world: easier scaling when adding endpoints like speakers, microphones, or displays; when you need remote troubleshooting by IT teams without the need for room visits; better integration with existing security tools; and the flexibility to reconfigure spaces as needs change.

As your AV systems become networked, artificial intelligence transforms infrastructure management through automated configuration and intelligent power optimization. However, connectivity introduces security vulnerabilities requiring proactive protection. Modern solutions now integrate AI-driven network simplification with built-in cybersecurity capabilities, creating inherently secure, intelligent systems that adapt to threats while simplifying operations.

At NETGEAR, we believe that organizations investing in these transitions today—and focusing on experiences that solve specific business challenges—are positioning themselves for significant advantages as the market evolves.

SAM SABET
Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Shure

The simple answer for any customer looking to invest in new AV technologies today, whether for upgrading or otherwise, is to consider a flexible, adaptable platform. Today’s AV world is characterized by rapid and constant changes. These changes are evident both in the environment—workspaces, collaboration modes, and the balance between RTO and remote work—and in features and technologies such as AI, feature deployment speed, and processing power.

When choosing a platform, it’s imperative to keep in mind the ease of adaptability to evolving changes. Consider the flexibility of configuration and provisioning, as well as the longevity of the platform. Shure’s ecosystem of MXA and collaboration solutions, supported by software infrastructure like ShureCloud and our advanced DSP and AI algorithms, provides a perfect platform. It can automatically adapt and grow with our end users’ needs.

EMMA EAGLE
Manager of Marketing at Hall Research

When it comes to evolving AV systems, whether you’re replacing legacy gear or updating something relatively new, the key is to plan for what’s next—not just what’s now. AV and IT are no longer separate worlds. Your AV strategy should be as scalable, secure, and manageable as the rest of your IT infrastructure.

Don’t get stuck on spec sheets. Instead, ask: Will this system grow with us? Can it integrate with cloud platforms? Is it simple enough that anyone can use it without frustration? Because at the end of the day, simplicity drives adoption, and adoption drives ROI.

The next few years will bring even more AV over IP, smarter automation through AI, tighter cybersecurity requirements, and an increased demand for sustainable solutions. Organizations that embrace these shifts will be in the best position to maximize both their technology and their people.

My advice? Evolve with intention. Choose solutions that are scalable, secure, and user-friendly. That’s how you future-proof your AV/IT investments.

MAX RITCHER
Co-Founder and Vice President of Marketing at Insta360

The AV/IT industry is at a turning point..

We’re moving from static, hardware-first setups to flexible, cloud-connected ecosystems that are easier to manage and adapt to how people really work. Three forces are driving this shift: the cloud, AI, and interoperability.

Cloud platforms now sit at the center of modern AV, making it possible for IT teams to monitor and update systems across campuses or offices from one place. This reduces complexity and takes the burden off on-site staff.

AI adds another layer, turning AV from something reactive into something proactive. We’ve seen this in the evolution of Insta360’s enterprise tools. We came from humble (yet ambitious!) origins with the Link AI webcam. This was our first entry into the industry, already sporting smart tracking. We’ve now moved onto the Connect video bar for larger rooms, and our latest release, Insta360 Wave. As an AI speakerphone, we’ve crafted something that is adaptive and resilient, designed to work together with our other products as a seamless experience.

But none of this potential can be unlocked without interoperability. Proprietary systems have long slowed progress by creating silos and forcing users into narrow ecosystems. That’s why open standards matter. By supporting initiatives like OpenAV Cloud and pushing for shared APIs, the industry can break down barriers, give organizations more choice, and ensure systems can grow together instead of being locked in.

The convergence of cloud, AI, and interoperability is shaping the future of AV. We’re beyond just releasing flashy tech for its own sake. We’re building smarter, more reliable systems that actually make work easier and more connected for everyone.

OLIVER VAN CAMP
Product Director, Meeting Experience at Barco ClickShare

Today’s meeting room technology must do more than connect devices; it needs to enable seamless, inclusive collaboration for all meeting room users. That’s why Barco ClickShare and Microsoft are re-imagining hybrid collaboration through smarter, more human-centric meeting experiences.

ClickShare provides a secure, scalable meeting room system that lets room participants conference, collaborate, and present with just one click, with no technical hassle, no cables, and no delays. Intuitive and easy to use, ClickShare ensures the meeting experience is consistent and seamless across any space—from huddle rooms to large boardrooms—and is designed around how people truly work.

In a Microsoft Teams environment, this experience becomes more intelligent and user-friendly. AI-powered features like speaker recognition, automatic camera framing, and smart content sharing create meetings that feel more natural and engaging, whether participants are in the room or remote.

AI is now doing even more to support the flow of work. Features like speaker attribution (knowing who’s speaking), facilitator agent (a virtual assistant capturing next steps and deadlines), and interpreter agent (allowing everyone to speak in their native language) benefit both in-room and remote participants. These tools help overcome proximity barriers, reduce administrative tasks, minimize miscommunication, and integrate smoothly into everyday workflows—even as they are still emerging.

ClickShare brings wireless collaboration solutions into the meeting room, empowering companies to run AI applications locally and in real time via the ClickShare Base Units. This unlocks smarter, faster interactions—from live speaker recognition and automatic camera framing to translation and real-time note-taking—enhancing every interaction to keep users productive, engaged, and focused. Together, ClickShare and Microsoft are redefining hybrid meetings: secure, smart, scalable, and made for people.

RYAN WALLENBERG
AIMS Member and Vice President of Engineering at Cobalt Digital

Whether AV systems are for rich experiences in venues or for managing signals on campuses like businesses or universities, they often involve equipment from different tech categories. For example, in many organizations it is not rare to see mixtures of two or all three of the following things: media processing equipment, signal extension and switching equipment, and IT department equipment.

There are many factors that have made it possible to accomplish any task that previously required hardwired cables to be achievable using packetized IP. The most challenging thing left to overcome while migrating from hardwired cables to IP is dealing with mixing different equipment types, equipment classes, and vendor solutions with interfaces such as HDMI.

The two most important things that have happened to address this final challenge is the emergence of open standards and specifications—such as SMPTE ST 2110, AES67, NMOS, and IPMX—and the emergence of IP-to-IP gateway converters of many types to help deal with conversions of media profiles within the media options of the standards and between different media and protocols including proprietary options.

End users looking to evolve legacy or even newer AV systems should consider IPMX-compliant solutions that offer smooth plug-and-play integration. An optimized hybrid infrastructure will leverage interoperability for high-quality audio, video, and data for SMPTE ST 2110 transport across common networks. Organizations should be able to add capabilities at their own pace while avoiding vendor lock-in and giving them the flexibility to build infrastructures that grow with them. Several vendors have always offered modular and standards-based technologies that adapt to real-world challenges, and they are now embracing IPMX integration.

SKYLER BOWDEN
Senior Marketing Manager at Mersive

In today’s hype-heavy tech climate, AI gets most of the headlines. Promises of 10x productivity and AI-driven transformation abound—but for AV/IT professionals managing real systems, real spaces, and real users, it’s essential to cut through the noise.

The truth? AI will shape the future of collaboration—but it won’t fix broken workflows or magically modernize outdated AV infrastructure. Productivity gains only happen when technology is aligned with how people actually work, connect, and communicate. This is especially true in education, healthcare, and enterprise environments, where every decision has to balance performance, cost, security, and usability.

What’s often overlooked in the rush to optimize is a critical factor: the human experience. Meaningful technology doesn’t just improve business outcomes; it impacts how people feel about their work. When meetings are more efficient and tools actually support connection instead of complicating it, your teams regain focus, time, and energy. That’s where real value emerges: better engagement, clearer communication, and a healthier work-life balance.

The most exciting AI potential isn’t about replacing people; it’s about revealing insights. Meeting analytics can surface engagement trends, highlight contributor impact, and track follow-ups so no one flies blind. Instead of attributing all tasks to the in-room device, imagine a system that accurately reflects every participant’s input and commitments—remote or on-site.

So what’s the takeaway? Don’t get distracted by magic wands. Invest in technology that is secure, scalable, and user-friendly—solutions that create space for the innovation your teams are primed to deliver. Then, let AI help you fine-tune how your teams meet, share, and succeed—without forcing in one-size-fits-all tech that misses the mark on deeper challenges like process gaps. AI will naturally optimize efficiency, but not overnight and not without an intimate understanding of how your teams do their best work.

BLAKE ABIG
Director of National Sales at Full Compass Systems

In my role, I spend much of my time listening to colleges, universities, and corporations as they rethink how their AV systems support teaching and collaboration. One of the most common concerns I hear is that rooms feel inconsistent. A professor might walk into one classroom and everything works smoothly, then step into another and struggle to get the system started. The same frustration shows up in corporate offices. Consistency is one of the simplest ways to improve user confidence and adoption.

Another challenge customers raise is the pressure on lean support teams. Higher ed IT groups may be responsible for hundreds of classrooms, while corporate AV staff cover global meeting spaces. I often hear, “We can’t be everywhere at once.” This is where centralized, cloud-based monitoring really makes a difference. When teams can see issues in real time and push updates remotely, they spend less time firefighting and more time enabling productivity.

Clients are also curious about how artificial intelligence fits in. What I tell them is that AI works best when it disappears into the background. Cameras that automatically follow a presenter, microphones that remove noise, and live captions that improve accessibility all make the experience smoother without adding complexity.

Finally, one theme that comes up again and again is equity for remote participants. Whether it is a student joining from home or a colleague dialing in from another office, people expect to be seen and heard clearly. That is no longer optional; it is the baseline.

The most successful AV strategies I see are the ones that put people first. When systems are reliable, intuitive, and supportive of everyone in the room and beyond, the technology simply enables better outcomes.

MITCH RAUCH
U.S. Sales Director at Powersoft

As AV systems grow more complex and distributed, spanning corporate campuses, higher education institutions, and dynamic multi-use facilities, the role of the integrator is evolving just as quickly. Success in today’s audiovisual environments requires more than just great sound and video; it also depends on smooth, seamless integration with the broader IT infrastructure.

Legacy rack rooms and point-to-point signal paths are giving way to decentralized, IP-based infrastructures. AV-over-IP is no longer a trend—but the very foundation. In this environment, amplifiers are active, networked components capable of intelligent signal routing, system synchronization, and real-time control. As a result, integrators are becoming more involved in network design, such as IP addressing, VLANs, QoS, and switch configuration, which are as essential as gain structure and speaker coverage.

Cloud integration is accelerating the evolution of network-based devices. Remote monitoring and system management capabilities are quickly becoming indispensable. Whether diagnosing issues, pushing firmware updates, or fine-tuning performance from a distance, cloud connectivity empowers integrators to deliver faster, more efficient support, often before the client even notices a problem. The shift to cloud integration can save time, reduce site visits, and pave the way for recurring service models.

Through these advancements, our mission at Powersoft remains to deliver transparent, intelligible audio without distraction. We’ve embraced this evolution with platforms like Unica and Nota 142. Both Unica and Nota 142 are purpose built for decentralized, IT-friendly environments, and combine robust performance with smart design and native cloud connectivity. Unica and Nota 142 highlight our commitment to helping integrators meet today’s challenges while preparing for tomorrow’s demands by bridging the worlds of AV and IT with powerful, future-ready solutions.

JAKUB KOLACZ
Manager Product and Commercialization, Business Communication at Sennheiser

As AV systems become increasingly networked, end users are grappling with how to evolve their environments without creating disruption. Legacy software, fragmented device tools, and rising IT security expectations often slow progress—yet the demand for simpler, more scalable management is only growing.

Now is the time for end users to prepare for this new era of AV/IT convergence. The priority is ease of deployment and configuration. Complex setup processes not only consume valuable IT/AV resources but also increase the risk of errors. Solutions that enable devices to be onboarded quickly, with minimal dependencies, free teams to focus on higher-value tasks.

Next, interoperability and centralization are key. While many organizations still rely on a patchwork of vendor-specific tools, the future lies in platforms that embrace open standards and integration. By consolidating device management into a single, standardized platform, teams gain a clearer view of their systems and reduce friction across locations and departments.

Security remains non-negotiable. With AV fully part of the enterprise IT landscape, encryption, authentication, and role-based access are essential to protect both data and devices.

Finally, consider ongoing performance. Management shouldn’t stop at installation. Proactive monitoring, real-time alerts, and predictive maintenance help teams spot issues before they escalate, keeping collaboration spaces available and reliable.

IT and AV pros should consider feature-rich, cloud-based device management platforms offering them all of the above services and more, with room to scale as systems become even more complex in the future. Providing a centralized hub for devices ensures not only improved on-site or remote management, but also the ability to react quickly to any issues at the time they occur.

Looking ahead, the convergence of AV and IT will continue to accelerate. End users who prioritize simplicity, interoperability, and proactive management today will be best placed to evolve their systems tomorrow, without sacrificing security or reliability.

ART WEEKS
Project Manager at ZeeVee by Kramer

We’re at an inflection point where both integrators and end users are rethinking AV system design. The old rack-full-of-boxes model is giving way to multi-function components that combine switching, DSP, and control. The motivation isn’t just fewer devices; it’s lower total cost of ownership over the life of a system.

By consolidating functions, projects install faster, take up less rack space, draw less power, and reduce the number of potential failure points. That translates to fewer service calls, easier remote management, and reduced labor costs across the system lifecycle. Realistically, integrators can save thousands per room, per year, while giving clients a cleaner, more reliable experience. It also helps projects get approved faster because decision makers can see long-term savings rather than just the upfront price tag.

At the same time, high-performance environments—like large lecture halls or mission-critical control rooms—are pushing adoption of AVoIP. End users want ultra-low latency and the flexibility to scale on standard networks. Today, that often means choosing between 1Gb and 10Gb deployments, but we’re seeing more forward-thinking firms pre-install CAT-6a cabling even when starting at 1Gb. That future-proofs the space, making it easier and cheaper to upgrade when higher bandwidth is needed.

In short, the state of AV/IT today is about simplification without compromise, and the next few years will be defined by scalable networked video paired with systems designed to reduce complexity, cost, and risk.

JOHN KRUSE
Senior Field Solutions Architect at ViewSonic

The convergence of AV and IT is reshaping how organizations design and manage their technology ecosystems. For end users modernizing legacy systems—or even optimizing newer ones—the goal is no longer just to add AV, but to create connected, intelligent environments that align with enterprise IT strategies.

There are a number of important considerations that go into achieving this. First, interoperability is foundational. Proprietary silos, especially technology-based ones, are becoming less viable, so end users should prioritize solutions certified across major platforms—Teams, Zoom, Google Meet—and integrate these with control systems to ensure long-term flexibility.

The second consideration is keeping the cloud as your control layer. Cloud-enabled management is shifting from optional to essential. Remote monitoring, analytics, and centralized updates improve uptime, lower service costs, and scale across campuses and enterprises.

Third, consider that AI is moving mainstream. AI features are already raising user expectations—from camera framing and noise suppression to predictive diagnostics. The differentiator in the coming years will be how seamlessly these features enhance collaboration and reduce friction.

Fourth, remember that budgets are tight, so sustainability and ROI are under more scrutiny than ever. End users should look for solutions that extend product lifecycles through firmware updates, modular upgrades, and energy efficiency instead of requiring rip-and-replace strategies.

And finally, as AV lives fully on the network, alignment with corporate IT security standards is critical. Device-level protections and encrypted data handling must be built in—not bolted on.

The state of AV/IT today is one of acceleration—driven by interoperability, cloud-first management, and AI intelligence. End users who embrace openness, scalability, and sustainability will not only protect their investments but also position their organizations for smarter, more adaptable experiences in the years ahead.

PAUL HARRIS
CEO at Aurora Multimedia

For end-users looking to evolve their AV systems, I recommend attending industry trade shows like InfoComm, ISE, and NAB, among others, which provide a neutral platform to explore new technologies. Ignore the marketing, and what size booth, and who throws the best parties. Do not be a “zombie” tradeshow walker either. That is where you walk aimlessly and get sucked in by the pretty shows people put on, but miss what is right in front of you that can make a difference. Dealer and distributor local shows can work well, just understand the limitations and combine them with other research, as many of these shows will only show you what they sell and are aligned with, leaving out many other brands and new technologies.

If you really want to do what is right for your company, due diligence is everything. Talk directly with a variety of manufacturers and test the products yourself to see if they meet your requirements. Nothing is better than a good old-fashioned shootout between brands, especially if the end user is in control of it to make sure everything is on a proper playing field. All manufacturers are guilty of making their products sound as good as possible. That is simply marketing at its best or worst, for that matter.

Ask questions like what makes your technology better than the competition, what is your warranty, where is it made, what is the life span of the product, do you make the product (yeah, many companies just slap their name on OEM and pretend it is theirs, support, education, TAA compliant, and roadmap. Don’t fall into the AI trap where companies make it sound exciting from a buzzword. See that it really does what they say, regardless of the tag line. At the end of the day, you are solving a problem, and it does not matter what fancy wrapper it comes in; does it simply do what is advertised, and does it do it well?

ADAM SOWERS
Senior Manager, Business Development at Sony Electronics

As organizations evolve their AV systems, the integration of interoperability, cloud solutions, and AI is paramount. AV systems aren’t just about hardware anymore; now, it’s all about being open, smart, and working together seamlessly. Even the newest legacy systems must catch up with the demands of hybrid work, smarter buildings, and AI-powered experiences. How would this actually get done? By embracing interoperability.

For anyone choosing platforms, I’d recommend looking for those that support open architectures and APIs. This is because open systems make it much easier for all your devices and services to communicate with each other. Think of it this way: By choosing solutions that can grow and adapt, you’re making sure your tech keeps up with the times as best as possible and is set up to evolve as quickly as possible. If you haven’t yet, check out initiatives like OpenAV Cloud, of which Sony Electronics is a member, to help you stay ahead.

Additionally, we’re all aware of the impact AI is starting to have. For example, virtual assistants and service bots are not just for demos anymore. Tools like predictive maintenance and smart troubleshooting mean less downtime and happier users. Virtual attendants can automate routines, personalize rooms, and manage schedules with minimal fuss.

Over the next few years, the efforts to unite disparate systems to create holistic solutions will finally come together. To prepare for that, think about going for modular, cloud-native solutions that are ready for AI and can grow with your evolution path. And partner with brands—like Sony—that believe in interoperability and open standards.

NICOLE CORBIN
Vice President of Product at Utelogy Corporation

As AV and IT continue to converge, the future belongs to organizations that embrace interoperability, automation, and intelligent systems. From cloud control platforms to AI-driven workflows, the industry is moving into an era where your technology estate shouldn’t just be about how it’s managed, but about how it’s orchestrated (ideally remotely and automatically).

Legacy and even modern AV systems weren’t designed to support the kind of dynamic, scalable, and data-driven operations today’s enterprises demand, but that’s changing fast.

At Utelogy, we’re seeing end users evolve by connecting AI agents across their IT/AV environments to support services that manage device health, power scheduling, room utilization, and even energy-saving measures. But these agents need a toolkit to work—a platform that provides control, telemetry, configuration, and automation in real-time. That’s where the Utelogy Platform comes in, delivering innovations like Agentic AI on our MCP Server to solve these challenges.

Agentic AI brings a conversational interface to the heart of AV/UC operations. Issue a command like, “Restart all devices in Building B with recent alert history,” and the system not only executes it, but recommends how to turn that action into a self-healing event going forward. This is AI for productivity, not just novelty.

Our advice? Don’t be afraid to integrate. Whether you’re managing a few rooms or thousands of devices across campuses and continents, the right tools let you reduce manual effort, increase uptime, and make smarter decisions using the data you already have.

In the coming years, the winners won’t just be those who adopt the newest tech, but those who build agile, interoperable systems that allow humans and machines to work together. The future of AV/IT isn’t siloed; it’s smart, connected, and cloud-enabled.

JATAN SHAH
President at QSC

My advice to end users looking to evolve their AV systems is to focus on flexibility, scalability, and intelligence. Technology is moving quickly, and the most future-ready solutions are those that adapt as your needs change while simplifying day-to-day experiences.

One of the biggest shifts in the industry is the move toward full integration of AV, IT, and building systems. AV is no longer a standalone function; it’s becoming deeply embedded in the workplace and experiential design. This means organizations should seek out open platforms that can seamlessly integrate into broader ecosystems rather than locking into closed or siloed technologies.

Another important trend is the rise of AI and data-driven automation. Instead of just enabling meetings or presentations, AI is becoming the eyes and ears of the room, driving context-aware actions like presenter tracking, speaker detection, and intelligent room adjustments. This shift makes technology more intuitive, reduces friction for end users, and helps deliver consistent, high-quality experiences.

Scalability also plays a critical role. End users should think not only about solving today’s challenges, but also about whether their AV approach can expand across multiple spaces or campuses while continuing to deliver measurable outcomes. Collecting and analyzing data from connected systems will become essential for optimizing utilization, proving ROI, and informing future planning.

Ultimately, the future of AV/IT is about creating smarter, more connected environments that support collaboration and innovation. By prioritizing open, data-driven platforms, organizations can ensure they’re not just keeping up with change but actively shaping spaces that are efficient, adaptive, and human-centered.

KATHRYN TAUB
Senior Product Marketing Manager at Audinate

Over the past decade, AV over IP has become central to professional systems, with nearly every major manufacturer offering networked products. And yet, interoperability across brands remains uneven, and customers expect systems that are easy to deploy, adaptable, and capable of integrating devices from different vendors.

The main challenge is that many products are built on unique implementations that work within a single brand but don’t extend beyond it. Such closed systems may be reliable, but hinder specialized features, gradual upgrades, or integration with existing investments. Open standards offer a pathway toward compatibility, but progress is slow and adoption is uneven, usually limited to basic transport of media across the network. Licensable platform solutions have become a widely adopted alternative. Backed by dedicated engineering teams, they extend beyond basic transport to provide APIs, stronger security, monitoring, and cloud-based tools that work consistently across multiple manufacturers.

Interoperability is what ensures AV-over-IP systems meet expectations in practice. Reliable audio and video depend on devices working together without added latency or quality loss, regardless of brand. As networks grow from single rooms to campuses, interoperability allows them to scale without fragmentation or costly redesigns. Shared APIs and common control frameworks make management practical by giving integrators the visibility they need to simplify support. Security underscores the same point: A system is only as strong as its weakest device, and without network-wide encryption or access control, interoperability is incomplete. Systems must balance performance and flexibility so they can meet the distinct demands of any environment.

The future of AV over IP depends on interoperability. With common protocols, consistent testing, and manufacturer-agnostic design, the industry can build networks that scale and adapt with ease. Interoperability safeguards current investments while opening the door to the innovation and growth that will define the next generation of AV systems.

BRAD HINTZE
Executive Vice President of Global Marketing at Crestron

Ultimately, convergence is all about scale. While organizations grow and their services expand, every system has to evolve to support new demands. This doesn’t mean simply upgrading individual components; instead, it requires a strategic approach and selecting platforms that are built on scalable standards that can grow with an organization over time. This scalability isn’t enough on its own, though. The platforms must also offer flexibility to accommodate a diverse range of spaces and room configurations to address smaller huddle rooms and multifunctional boardrooms alike. When choosing solutions that balance both of these components, organizations can future-proof their environments while maintaining consistency and performance.

Just as important is the user experience, as the expectations of end users are rising rapidly.

Today’s employees walk into a room with a clear vision for how they want the space to operate. Basic connectivity and audiovisual capabilities are no longer sufficient. Organizations must enable people to use the room with an easy-to-use system that offers AI features such as transcription and notetaking—just like they have come to expect from their individual workspaces.

Success lies in selecting technologies that scale with your organization while enhancing the experience of every individual who interacts
with them.

KEITH YANKE
Vice President of Product & Solutions Marketing at Sharp Imaging
& Information Company of America

The AV/IT landscape is rapidly evolving, shaped by AI, cloud interoperability, and new display technology. For end-users upgrading legacy or newer AV systems, it’s important to consider scalability, security, and sustainability.

AI is transforming display intelligence. From content triggering based on audience behavior to predictive diagnostics and remote monitoring, AI makes systems smarter, more responsive, and easier to manage. Paired with cloud-based management, AV networks can be centrally controlled, ensuring updates are applied, standards upheld, and devices remain secure throughout their lifecycle.

As systems grow more interconnected, interoperability introduces both opportunity and risk—making security foundational. AV systems must be designed with lifecycle security in mind, including firmware and software support beyond deployment. With that, manufacturers will be expected to maintain robust protocols throughout a product’s life.

As display technologies evolve alongside AI and cloud, LED displays continue to gain momentum with chip-on-board (COB) and smaller pixel pitch options becoming more affordable. When paired with cloud-driven control, LED provides scalable, high-performance displays that integrate seamlessly into AV/IT ecosystems.

Immersive experiences—from simulation to projection mapping—are expanding as AI simplifies both content creation and the mapping process. Tasks that once required niche expertise now have easier learning curves, making immersive environments more accessible to broader markets and applications. Combined with cloud-based platforms, interoperable AV systems can deliver these experiences in ways that are seamless, adaptable, and scalable.

Sustainability has also become a decisive purchasing driver. Beyond efficient hardware, cloud interoperability supports smarter lifecycle management—optimizing usage, reducing waste, and extending product longevity. Combined with durable displays, this proves that performance and sustainability can align.

Looking ahead, AV/IT systems will be defined by their ability to adapt, connect, and contribute to intelligent, secure, and sustainable workplaces across industries.

EFFI GOLDSTEIN
President of the HDBaseT Alliance

Whether upgrading legacy installations or enhancing newer deployments, end users would be best served by adopting a strategy centered around proven, reliable standards.

Modern AV systems are expensive, and organizations need to be sure that today’s investment will support tomorrow’s requirements. Building on established protocols like HDBaseT helps teams avoid getting locked into a single vendor’s ecosystem, resulting in greater and faster access to equipment than when relying on one source. This flexibility is especially important when it comes to maintenance, replacement, and time-sensitive system expansion.

Another key factor that must be taken into consideration is maintaining full functionality of the interfaces being used. For example, USB-C has become ubiquitous in modern devices, but not all connectivity solutions support the same bandwidth, creating hidden bottlenecks. For example, when connecting a USB 3.0 camera, you don’t want it to be downgraded to USB 2.0 because a system’s connectivity infrastructure can’t handle the higher data rates. Quality standards ensure your investment performs at the level it was intended to.

An additional advantage of standards-based systems is their ability to support upgrades in stages rather than being forced into complete overhauls. HDBaseT’s backward compatibility means you can reuse existing components and upgrade others as needs evolve incrementally—all while staying within budget. This offers dual benefits: It’s more economically friendly for the organization, and it supports sustainability initiatives by extending equipment lifecycles.

PETRO SHIMONISHI
Director of New Business Development at Panasonic Projector and Display Americas

AV/IT convergence not only poses an opportunity to streamline workflows, but it also exposes the need for flexible, interoperable, and easy-to-use solutions. Delivering end-to-end workflow solutions is essential to empowering AV professionals to focus on what matters: creating shared experiences. Effective, efficient workflows allow users to deliver stronger results with fewer resources to maximize the value of AV systems.

We’ll continue to see more integrations between hardware and software providers to streamline workflows and give customers the ability to design, create, and manage applications with more ease than ever before. For instance, at Panasonic Projector and Display Americas, we recently partnered with XTEN-AV to develop an integration that allows AV professionals to specify the correct lens for their Panasonic projector. Corporate AV/IT teams can confidently create system designs, reducing guesswork and speeding installation of interchangeable lens projectors.

Another market trend we anticipate will continue is the evolution of simplicity in installations. Universities upgrading lecture halls or other spaces often require additional hardware to manage streaming, content sharing, and network integration. This can increase system complexity, which becomes challenging for tight spaces. Panasonic’s displays and projectors feature SDM card slots and our partnership with Matrox Video gives AV professionals the freedom to choose the AVoIP standard that best meets their needs, with a clean system design that’s flexible for the future.

The migration of AV system workflows to the cloud is accelerating. This transition will help power seamless, engaging content as siloed, proprietary systems inhibit integration and innovation. As a founding member of OpenAV Cloud, Panasonic aims to accelerate this transition by supporting OpenAPI standards and working with the association to create a cloud-to-cloud communication standard that drives easy, cross-platform collaboration.

JOE ANDRULIS
Executive Vice President of Corporate Development at Biamp

AI continues to transform the audiovisual landscape, integrating into both legacy and contemporary AV systems. For end users, this ongoing evolution represents an unprecedented opportunity to enhance meeting experiences while also simplifying system management and support.

Beyond traditional configuration and provisioning, AI is fundamentally reshaping how end users experience corporate meetings of all types, whether participants are in person, remote, or in a hybrid setting. The most remarkable aspect of this transformation is its invisibility. Participants benefit from sophisticated, AI-driven enhancements without ever sensing the technology working behind the scenes. This seamless integration is crucial for creating truly effective meeting environments that prioritize simplicity, speed, and unwavering reliability.

Modern conferencing solutions exemplify this invisible intelligence. All-in-one conferencing bars, for example, demonstrate how AI can elevate user experiences through intelligent features such as beamtracking technology, which actively monitors and intelligently mixes conversations to ensure remote participants feel fully engaged. Coupled with AI-powered noise reduction algorithms, these systems deliver crystal-clear voice reproduction that eliminates distractions and maintains professional communication standards.

Visual intelligence further enhances the experience through electronic pan-tilt-zoom cameras paired with auto-framing technology, ensuring all participants remain perfectly positioned regardless of their location or movement. This technology keeps everyone front and center, creating an inclusive environment where physical location becomes irrelevant to participation quality.

The impact of AI also extends into operational excellence, benefiting end users in other ways they may not realize. For technical support teams, AI provides unprecedented insights into system performance, enabling rapid problem identification and resolution. This enables support teams to implement predictive capabilities to address potential issues before they impact end users, transforming reactive support into proactive system optimization. This paradigm shift ensures that mundane technical issues are resolved automatically, while more complex challenges are anticipated and prevented, creating a seamless, uninterrupted meeting experience for all participants.

OMER BROOKSTEIN, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder at Xyte

For enterprise end users looking to evolve their AV systems, the most important step is ensuring a foundation that’s open and adaptable. Proprietary silos slow innovation and increase costs, while open APIs provide the flexibility to integrate best-in-class solutions and scale as needs change. That’s why OpenAV Cloud—an industry initiative focused on standardizing open, cloud-based APIs and fostering cross-platform collaboration—is so critical.

The value of choosing an OpenAV solution is clear: It delivers vendor-neutral flexibility, easier integrations and scalability, and faster support and troubleshooting—all while future-proofing AV/IT investments with the backing of industry leaders. With this foundation in place, enterprises can not only streamline today’s operations but also prepare for the intelligent automation that’s rapidly reshaping the industry.

The real opportunity today, however, lies in how AI will transform the way AV systems are supported, maintained, and experienced. AI-powered teammates are emerging as a force multiplier for IT and AV teams.

Autonomous issue resolution means that if a microphone drops mid-call, AI detects it and reboots or reroutes before users notice. With proactive scheduling and monitoring, AI forecasts failures from usage patterns and environmental data, then books service windows automatically. Context-aware support in hybrid meetings allows AI to adjust audio, cameras, and layouts to match participants and context. And finally, with self-service for end users, employees can resolve minor issues with AI-guided instructions, reducing IT workload.

AI in enterprise AV isn’t about replacing humans; it’s about augmenting teams with intelligent assistants that deliver resilience, efficiency, and better user experiences. Future-ready AV means building for both interoperability and intelligence—without one, the other cannot succeed. And with AI teammates stepping in to resolve issues, anticipate needs, and empower users, organizations that embrace this shift now will set the pace for the entire industry.

STEPHANE TREMBLAY
President of the SDVoE Alliance

Today, we’re recognizing that many integrators, IT managers, and end users are seeking solutions that deliver high-quality performance without requiring a complete rip and replace of existing infrastructure. As a result, AV over IP has emerged as a viable solution. By shifting AV distribution onto standard Ethernet networks, it enables organizations to harness the power of their current infrastructure while unlocking new levels of flexibility, scalability, and reliability. Unlike traditional systems that often depend on proprietary hardware and cabling, AV over IP integrates seamlessly into IT environments.

A key advantage of AV over IP, and particularly Software-Defined Video over Ethernet (SDVoE), is its ability to deliver high-performance video and audio with the reliability and interoperability that IT teams expect. With SDVoE technology, audiovisual functions become software-defined, meaning updates, enhancements, and even new features can be deployed through firmware rather than hardware replacement. A software-based approach offers significant future proofing, delaying obsolescence and protecting investments. In an era where supply chain disruptions and budget pressures remain real challenges, that flexibility matters.

Higher education, corporate facilities, houses of worship, and other verticals need standardized, interoperable solutions that scale to large spaces without compromising user experience. In higher education, for instance, AV over IP enables classrooms, lecture halls, and collaborative spaces to run on a consistent backbone, easing IT management and improving reliability.

Looking ahead, AV and IT continue to converge more closely. AV is no longer siloed, but treated as another service on the network, and is subject to the same demands for uptime, security, and scalability. Ethernet’s continued evolution, coupled with AV over IP’s flexibility, suggests that over the next few years, organizations will increasingly standardize on 10G Ethernet backbones. As a result, AV systems will become more reliable, interoperable, and adaptable to future needs, ensuring end users can keep pace with changing expectations without constant reinvestment.

Desperately needing to expand its classroom facilities but faced with little available space and aging infrastructure, John Abbott College, a relatively small, 8,000-student public general and professional institution in Montreal, Quebec, had to get creative. Instead of breaking ground on a new building, the school brought in 32 mobile home-sized modular units and connected them to create 13 new classrooms.

It’s a novel housing idea that’s sweeping across Canada and helped save time and money completing the new addition. The unique classrooms, each about 1,200 square feet in size, are now up and running at the school’s new Maple Hall building, where systems integrator AVI-SPL Canada (Quebec) leveraged a newly installed IP network to equip the classrooms with a variety of AV over IP technologies from Kramer AV.

Installing and testing all the AV equipment was completed in four months. Initial Cat 6 wiring started in September 2024, and students began using the new rooms in January.

“The extensive features of AV over IP make it easier to use and provide more value than traditional point-to-point setups,” said Marc Porlier, regional sales manager, Eastern Canada, at Kramer AV. “The technology enhances the learning experience by offering versatile and scalable AV solutions. AV over IP technology is straightforward to install, reducing setup time and complexity. Its flexible deployment options allow for seamless integration into various educational environments, accommodating different teaching styles and classroom configurations.”

Invisible to Learning

There’s now a new Kramer KT-208 8-inch control panel and a preview monitor at each teacher’s podium at the front of the room, driving an 86-inch SMART Technologies interactive screen and another 86-inch LG monitor. The smart display allows teachers to annotate, draw, and manipulate content in real time, making lessons more interactive and visually appealing. Students can also interact with the display, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

Signals are distributed over the IP network to enable different sources to be displayed both from the teacher’s laptop and other classrooms. While each classroom is operating as a separate identity at the moment, there have been some use cases of two rooms sharing resources simultaneously.

“The system handles a lot of the guesswork the teachers used to have to think about,” said Ryan Forster, coordinator, end user experiences at John Abbott College, who spearheaded the design and management of the classroom technology project. “So, we've simplified what they have to do to set up their lessons, but we're also trying something that's going to allow us to scale differently.

"We used to treat every classroom as an individual room, but now we've got the foundation for multi-screen environments. So, teachers can very easily split apart their activity. They can have this source on this screen for this group, and this source is on that screen for another group. The flexibility is really what attracted us to using IP.”

Kramer AV technology is not new to Forster, having worked with them on several projects at the college and nearly 100 traditional classrooms. They enjoy the simplicity of the technology for the end user and the ease of setting it all up.

“The exciting part is that video over IP will technically allow us to go from any encoder to any decoder on our campus, and we can realistically start to send content anywhere we need it to go very quickly and easily,” said Forster. “When we spoke to Kramer about the type of technology we wanted to use, we told them, ‘The best design for our purposes is almost no design.’ We want the technology to be very seamless for our teachers and not get in the way of their lessons.”

A key aspect of the new system is the implementation of comprehensive IP system control, which enables school administrators to quickly learn to seamlessly operate AV features, as well as room lighting and window shade positioning. For Forster, this allows them to make system adjustments without needing to call on the integrator for assistance. Plus, motion sensors automatically shut down the system when no movement is tracked for a given period, which results in significant energy savings.

“For us, this was a quick and easy install,” said Kevin McCoubrey, senior account manager at AVI-SPL. “The customer was prepared for us to come in, and the entire project was well planned from the beginning.”

New Yet Familiar

Most of the rooms at John Abbott College are traditional setups with a single podium and wall screen at the front, which McCoubrey called a "very closed" system. Now, they have a standard regular display for the content as well as an interactive display. Teachers can write annotations on their laptops that are seen on the larger display for the students. Plus, the Kramer control panel supports various multimedia formats, enabling teachers to incorporate videos, images, and other digital resources into their lessons.

A rack in each podium includes a small AV switch for video sources and audio levels. A Kramer AV audio amplifier powers everything. The college kept the familiar scenario of a podium with a laptop connection, but now there is much more flexibility thanks to the internal IP network.

Beyond the flexibility, officials also wanted something they could program on their own. Forster and the assigned IT project team worked with Kramer AV product engineers to create streamlined user interface software that runs on the Kramer tablet displays on the podiums, which teachers can operate without extensive training.

While there was a bit of coding software that was required, Forster said he didn’t want the teachers getting involved at that level. “I expect my teachers to come in and start their lesson right away,” he said. “For them, a minute lost or five minutes lost to technology is a problem. I don't want to have to get a call for a class in session and have to dispatch somebody and sort something out. So far, the systems have been very reliable and the teachers have taken to them quite easily."

Each room also has either six or eight Kramer Galil 6-C ceiling speakers. “We were a little concerned about the 8-foot height of the new rooms,” said McCoubrey, “but it all worked out fine.”

Another technology that’s used frequently is VIA GO, Kramer's device-agnostic streaming product, which is used by teachers and students for streaming up to 4K content from a phone, computer, or tablet to the big screens. The product gives iOS, Android, Chromebook, PC, and Mac users instant wireless connectivity with 4K advanced presentation capabilities.

“This is the type of device that I would see one per input so that I could have four or five student groups broken out and each working on their own screen,” Forster explained. “They can simply cast your content to the screens and they’re good to go. And then the teacher could remotely or from her panel share that with up to all five and say, ‘Guys, look at what Team One has done,’ and display that around the room.”

Networked Success

The AV over IP system at John Abbott College accommodates group-based work that doesn’t get in the way of teaching, which was the goal with the technology from the beginning. Plus, it supports the future expansion of AV options. For example, in the case of a class where a guest presenter attracts more attendees than the main classroom can accommodate, the system can easily connect additional rooms to handle the overflow.

With the initial success they’ve had, Forster said they will certainly add more networking to the college’s existing facilities soon. He sees it as the future of educational facilities around the world.

“I think there are two perspectives here on why an AVoIP infrastructure works so well for us, one from a pedagogical perspective and then one from the IT perspective,” he said. “The pedagogical perspective is looking for flexibility. And they want to expand and grow based on the needs that they have today, which might be different than yesterday or tomorrow. A classroom that was previously assigned to business students might be needed by the social scientists. Things can change rapidly, and the room needs to be able to accommodate those changes.

“From an IT perspective, if we don't have to pull everything else out and redesign from scratch, that's a win,” he continued. “So, by putting in a scalable system versus one that's point-to-point and does one job but really can't do anything else, that's an advantage from a resource perspective and a timing perspective. It offers a future-proof way to approach classroom spaces or teaching and learning spaces."

Luxul, a brand of Legrand | AV, has launched its new SW Series Managed PoE+ Switch Templates. This free feature is delivered via a simple firmware update (1.00.429) and is immediately available for all eight of the company's refreshed SW-505, SW-515, and SW-615 Series Managed PoE+ Switches, fundamentally simplifying the setup process for customers and guaranteeing optimized performance in complex AV over IP (AVoIP) environments.

[Introducing Zones, the Newest Member of Pro AV Industry]

The new templates eliminate the manual, time-consuming configuration historically required for managed switches, effectively removing the need for a customer to be a "switch expert." Instead, they can select a pre-configured template, such as Vaddio with Dante, Sonos, Video AVoIP, or Audio Dante, to instantly optimize the switch for that specific application. This streamlined process dramatically reduces installation time and minimizes the potential for human error.

"Simplifying complex technology to make our customers’ jobs easier is a core commitment across all Legrand brands," said Kirk Goodwin, Senior Product Manager for Luxul. "The Luxul Switch Templates empower installers to deploy high-performance, complex AVoIP systems quickly and reliably, regardless of their networking background. This feature saves significant time and cost on every project, allowing them to focus on delivering exceptional AV experiences for their users."

The compatible line of Luxul SW Series Managed PoE+ switches includes models ranging from eight to 48 PoE+ ports, offering both front- and rear-port orientations to suit any installation. The SW Series switches are engineered from the ground up to meet the high-bandwidth, low-latency demands of AVoIP applications. The introduction of the templates further enhances this capability, ensuring smooth, error-free deployments. Unlike solutions that lock dealers into proprietary ecosystems or require mandatory VLAN settings, Luxul’s approach provides maximum flexibility, allowing integrators to mix and match various AVoIP technologies with confidence.

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38 Industry Thought Leaders: Whether you have legacy AV equipment still earning its keep or your AV/IT department is full speed ahead with AV over IP, the cloud, and AI-enabled systems, these AV industry thought leaders share insights into the transition to IP, trends in The State of AV/IT today, and predictions for the next few years.

5 Case Studies: The Displays Powering a High-Tech Gym Revolution | Unlocking Scalability for Spirited Hybrid Debate | A Powerful Pairing for Theater Accessibility | University Classrooms Get Highly Intelligent Tech | Immersive Audio for India’s Design Destination

AV/IT Team: High atop the New York City skyline, AI-driven LED video walls bring art to life in one asset management firm’s sprawling new office space.

26 Pro AV Products for today and the future: cloud management platform, flexible collaboration solution, AV/IT workflows, IPMX transmitter/receiver, SDVoE transceiver, AI-powered speakerphone, AI-powered auto-tracking camera, digital wireless system, cloud-based software platform, live production platform, intelligent displays, all-in-one matrix, an HDBaseT 3.0 extender, and so much more!

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Thanks to Extron's versatile NAV Pro AV over IP system and mobile modular furniture, the Caldwell County School System has elevated its humble meeting room into a hub of innovation and collaboration. The school system, located in North Carolina, equipped their boardroom with a modern audiovisual system that shows meeting agendas and presentations on multiple screens around the room for those attending in-person and streams broadcasts of board meetings to viewers attending meetings virtually.

[Video Walls of Knowledge]

Constantly booked, the venue hosts community forums, teacher in-service training sessions, K-12 classes, and monthly school board meetings. Eight AV-equipped workstations line the walls of the room. The workstations independently originate and display AV content shareable to the other workstations and to the Internet. Each workstation has a unique color ID, signified by the color of the buttons on its touchpanel user interface.

"People from other North Carolina school districts and neighboring states have attended meetings in this room, and they are definitely impressed," said Cody Greene, technology director at Caldwell County School System, who operates and maintains the AV system. "The AV system is rock solid in continuous day-to-day operation, and the only maintenance performed has been planned upgrades and operator interface changes."

Specifically, the room has eight AV content origination workstations and eight displays. A NAV Pro AV over IP 1 Gbps network links all displays to all content origination workstations, allowing any source to be shown on any or all of the displays. NAV encoders and scaling decoders provide ingress and egress to the IP network to switch and transport AV content from the sources to the displays.

Displays are spaced equidistant around the room, two on each wall. Two of the displays are 86-inch touchscreens. The other six are 98-inch displays. The touchscreen displays are used in teaching sessions where instructors can interact with the content shown on the screen. They are mounted on opposite walls so that classes can be held at either end of the room. The 98-inch displays are used during board meetings and community events to provide easily readable information to crowds or to provide background ambiance or informational images.

To support active learning and other use cases where people collaborate in small groups and also share to neighboring groups in the room, each workstation has its own display, PC, NAV encoder, NAV scaling decoder, and TouchLink Pro touchpanel. ShareLink Pro wireless presentation systems allow wireless sharing from portable devices.

"One reason we selected ShareLink is because a lot of the people who meet and collaborate in this room have Chromebooks," said Patrick Morgan, director, network and video technologies Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute. "We pretested the casting capability of Chromebook with ShareLink, and it worked well. ShareLink also simplifies the AV system design and saves on additional equipment purchases because it has a built-in switcher to transfer between wired and wireless content sharing."

Multicolor LED light strips controlled by the AV system backlight the top and bottom of each station display to indicate at a glance which station is originating the content appearing on the screen. The bottom backlight shows the workstation's own color ID, while the top backlight shows the color ID of the workstation supplying the displayed content. The district’s in-house IT/AV team designed, installed, programmed and operates the boardroom AV system.

Today’s control room environments are increasingly complex—and integrators, contractors, and consultants are expected to offer design and deployment of solutions comprising a wide range of sources, data, devices, and tasks while ensuring both efficiency and reliability. To do so, AV-over-IP (AVoIP) partnered with IP-based KVM technologies is becoming a go-to combination for optimizing control rooms.

[USB-C and AVoIP]

VoIP and KVM technologies have historically been deployed as separate systems, each with its own infrastructure and management requirements. Today, control room systems that integrate KVM and AVoIP into a single solution not only boost efficiency but also simplify management.

To differentiate their offerings, integrators are now not only recommending, implementing, and integrating best-in-class solutions, but they are also accompanying customers with their expanding and future control room needs, offering support for their technology roadmaps/upgrades. This can include a full range of post-implementation services, from offering basic service contracts to full-service support or new technology upgrades. In doing so, service and solutions providers are becoming integral to their clients’ control room build and operations.

Clean Up This Mess

KVM-over-IP together with AVoIP technologies allow control room operators to deploy and smoothly switch between physical and virtual systems, monitor the systems across several desktop displays, and work more collaboratively by sharing ultra-high-resolution visuals on a video wall. Additionally, these technologies allow operators to streamline control room operations and reduce response times in critical situations.

Integrating video wall management features within KVM systems enables more flexible display control minus the complexity and costs. And, when they are equipped to monitor and manage multiple sources efficiently, operators can focus on critical tasks and collaborate more effectively with colleagues, boosting control room efficiency and responsiveness.

As the year progresses, it’s likely we'll continue to see a reduction of hardware at the operator workstation, along with centralized monitoring platforms, virtualization, and more migration to IP-based solutions. We're already seeing movement around replacing legacy hardware to reduce clutter. IP KVM can replace many devices and “clean up” the area around the operators.

Loud and clunky workstations are now being moved into a server room away from the operators’ desk and being replaced by a single desktop receiver that handles many (if not all) operator tasks. This also protects valuable computer hardware and software assets, keeps physical computers free of dust and debris, and guards them against hacker threats. Command and control operators can now keep a clean and secure workspace without the extra heat or noise generated by computers.

Centralized Monitoring Demands

The command and control room solutions market will continue to be driven by the increasing demand for centralized monitoring systems across various industries. Advanced IP KVM solutions now have features that consolidate access to multiple systems, applications, and data sources into a single interface, whereas legacy systems rely on direct hardware connections requiring many additional devices.

With centralized monitoring, control room operators can now access the same systems in different locations for real-time collaboration and quickly hand off tasks without having to physically relocate. This also allows multiple operators to monitor different aspects from a centralized interface.

For example, many clinical lab customers are seeing significant improvements in the ability to monitor and collect data. KVM innovations have improved real-time data collection from analyzers and other pre-analytical instruments. The importance here is that KVM systems can centralize outpatient blood sampling and the integration of the various 24/7 laboratory units giving both patient research and scientific research easy facilitation using the same infrastructure—all with a workable, uniform, and standardized solution.

We will continue to see the combination of various technology components in the control room, such as systems control and video wall processing, under a single KVM solution. This is particularly true in the control room solutions market that may have multiple distributed systems, multi-monitor setups, and video wall connectivity. As these systems scale, becoming more diverse and complex, they must have a simplified user experience.

When developing a KVM solution for command and control, designers must build in real-time responsiveness to support high-resolution multi-displays. Fully scalable KVM systems are core to the future demands of a control room.

Plus, a reliable 24/7 environment requires redundancy and failover alternatives. The control room system needs to easily integrate with legacy hardware, offer user-friendly interfaces, and consider ergonomics to optimize operator efficiency and situational awareness. Most importantly, command and control centers must be carefully designed with ergonomics in mind to reduce human error incidents.

Evolution and AI

In essence, as control room operations evolve, organizations working with advanced IP-based KVM technology will have the ability to easily scale up connectivity, add systems and AV sources, and extend the scope of monitoring and control to address changing requirements and stay flexible. It is incumbent on Pro AV designers and integrators to consider critical elements including bandwidth requirements, monitor specifications, video resolutions, users and sources, cabling, and unique or specialized connection requirements.

In modern control rooms, ultra-low latency is crucial, as latency delays can be disastrous. Advanced KVM solutions must allow tailored configurations that enable complete operator control of all these various technologies at their console.

The interesting aspect in KVM technology is how AI will fit into the picture. There is a lot of talk around the integration of AI with KVM, but at this point it seems to just be investigative in nature. However, there is a world of possibilities around AI through analytics, automation around decision making, and potentially remote monitoring capabilities.

From system log data to video screen data, mouse, and keyboard interactions, there are tons of data flowing through an IP KVM matrix system. It’s feasible that AI can aggregate real-time data from the multiple sources connected to the matrix. This data could possibly be utilized to improve latency, strengthen security, even further automate workflows.

[The Integration Guide to KVM 2025]

otentially, AI could analyze network traffic data to identify latency in connected video streams, monitor data packet flows in networks, and further optimize routing efficiency in control room solutions. From there, AI could not only analyze the data, but detect anomalies, trigger alerts through automation, and even predict system failures based on switching delays, network usage, or hardware performance trends. AI is shaping the future in ways we are only beginning to understand, and this is especially true in KVM.

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