Atlona has expanded its Omega Series of presentation and collaboration products with Omega 2, a new generation designed so presenters can connect with one cable and integrators can install fewer boxes behind the display. Built on HDBaseT 3.0, the lineup includes the AT-OME2-E2311 transmitter and AT-OME2-D2311 receiver, the AT-OME2-E2321-WP wall plate transmitter, and the AT-OME2-R2742 4x2 presentation switcher with Dante audio.

[The Next Chapter of Pro AV: Leadership, Legacy, and Mentorship]

“Omega has always been about making a room easier to use, and Omega 2 takes that further with HDBaseT 3.0,” said Ken Eagle, CEO, Hall Research. “Presenters want to walk in, plug in one cable and start. Integrators want fewer boxes and fewer power supplies behind the display. USB-C at the wall, power over the link and Dante in the switcher give both of them what they’ve been asking for.”

Omega 2 sends uncompressed 4K/60 4:4:4 video up to 330 feet (100 meters) over one Cat 6A cable, together with USB 2.0 data and Gigabit Ethernet. With HDMI and USB-C inputs across compact, wall plate and switcher models, integrators can plan a room around how presenters plug in, instead of planning around the hardware.

Extenders: Video, USB, and Network on One Cable

The AT-OME2-E2311 transmitter and AT-OME2-D2311 receiver carry HDMI, USB 2.0 and Gigabit Ethernet across a single HDBaseT 3.0 link, with support for HDR formats including Dolby Vision and HDR10+. Bi-directional Power over HDBaseT lets either end power the other, so the link runs on one power supply. At the display, the receiver provides four USB ports for cameras, keyboards, mice and other peripherals, along with Ethernet pass-through, analog audio de-embedding and bi-directional RS-232 for display control.

Wall Plate: USB-C and HDMI in a Standard Two-Gang Plate

The AT-OME2-E2321-WP puts HDMI and USB-C inputs into a standard two-gang wall plate. One USB-C connection carries video, USB data and up to 60W of charging, so a presenter can connect a laptop with a single cable and keep it powered through the session. Front-panel buttons handle input selection and display power, and RS-232 is available for local control. In classrooms and lecture halls, the wall plate can send a lectern PC to a projector or flat panel up to 100 meters away, with USB for document cameras and touch displays.

4x2 Switcher: Switching, Power, Audio, and Control in One Unit

The AT-OME2-R2742 brings two HDMI and two USB-C inputs to two HDMI outputs, plus an HDBaseT 3.0 output that mirrors the second display for a remote screen up to 100 meters away. Its USB-C ports deliver up to 145W of power, configurable as 100W + 45W or 60W + 60W, and a 10 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2 backplane connects conferencing cameras, speakerphones and other peripherals through four USB 3.2 ports. Dante audio input and output, scaling, EDID management, MST and automatic input switching are built in.

For IT teams, the switcher includes three Ethernet ports with VLAN support and IEEE 802.1X authentication. Display and room control run through CEC, IP, RS-232, relays and an occupancy sensor input. In a dual-display meeting room, one USB-C laptop can drive two independent screens using MST. In a BYOD classroom, the switcher can feed a local display and a second display across the room while presenters share the same peripherals.

What to know:

• The ALF-WU4-8K is an HDMI 2.1 switcher and scaler with 4 HDMI inputs and one HDMI output.
• The ALF-WU6-8K is an HDMI2.1 switcher and scaler with 4 HDMI and 2 USB-C inputs along with one HDMI output.
• The ALF-MU4k HUB is an HDMI 2.0 seamless switcher that offers 4 inputs: 1 USB C (DP ALT MODE) and 3 HDMI inputs.

Alfatron Electronics has unveiled its new switchers and scalers, the WU4-8K and WU6-8K, as well as the MU4K Hub for larger configurations. These three new products were designed to maximize efficiency when routing computer output to multiple displays in today’s hi-tech meeting environments.

[The Human Side of Technology]

"Today’s conference environments demand more from AV systems than ever before," said Kevin Gelman, Alfatron’s national sales director and chief financial officer. "With multiple sources, displays, resolutions, and participants to manage, integrators need solutions that simplify signal management while delivering reliable, high-quality performance. The WU4-8K and WU6-8K switchers/scalers, together with the MU4K Hub, give AV professionals the flexibility and connectivity they need to create streamlined, dependable systems that can adapt to the demands of modern meeting spaces. These products are designed to make complex AV environments easier to manage while providing the performance and versatility today’s users expect.”

ALF-WU4-8K

The ALF-WU4-8K is an HDMI 2.1 switcher and scaler with four HDMI inputs and one HDMI output. With its complete HDMI 2.1 implementation, a 48Gbps FRL (Fixed Rate Link) for efficient data transfer, and HDR support, the WU4-8K ensures stable signaling even at the highest bandwidths while also being HDCP 2.3 compliant. This switcher includes de-embedded audio, scaling, EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) management, and front panel LED indicators for power and signal status.

The Alfatron WU4-8K’s switching time is managed within three seconds. EDID management is managed via a 5-pin DIP (Dual In-line Package) switcher with the source through a display’s EDID or internally stored EDID. For de-embedded audio, the unit offers one balanced and optical audio output connectors. The WU4-8K supports Alfatron’s or Josawa’s unique IP and RS232 codes as well as IR. It also uses a GUI (Graphical User Interface) design.

WU6-8K

The ALF-WU6-8K is an HDMI2.1 switcher and scaler with four HDMI and two USB-C inputs along with one HDMI output. With its complete HDMI 2.1 implementation, a 48Gbps FRL for efficient data transfer, and HDR support, the WU6-8K ensures stable signaling even at the highest bandwidths while also being HDCP 2.3 compliant. This switcher includes de-embedded audio, scaling, EDID management, and front panel LED indicators for power and signal status.

The Alfatron WU6-8K’s switching time is managed within three seconds. EDID management is managed via a 5-pin DIP (Dual In-line Package) switcher with the source through a display’s EDID or internally stored EDID. For de-embedded audio, the unit offers one balanced and one optical audio output connectors. The WU6-8K supports Alfatron’s or Josawa’s unique IP and RS232 codes as well as IR. It also uses a GUI (Graphical User Interface) design.

Alfatron MU4K HUB

The ALF-MU4k HUB is an HDMI 2.0 seamless switcher that offers four inputs: one USB C (DP ALT MODE) and three HDMI inputs. It also has two Mirrored HDMI outputs, Multiview (for displaying multiple camera angles or video feeds at once), and a USB KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) Hub for switching between sources using peripherals such as a keyboard, camera, or mouse. The unit supports resolutions up to 4K as well as USB3.2. There is also a USB2.0 port that supports hot key functions.

Other key features include support for HDMI 2.0, 18 Gigabit bandwidth, HDCP 2.3, and backward compatible signals. In addition to offering seamless switching between inputs, there are also two HDMI mirrored outputs for versatile control options. The hub also offers Multiview with multiple layout selections and user defined layouts for flexible control. The hub supports two KVM switching at 10 GPS as well as KVM auto-switching based on TMDS/5V detection.

Extron introduced the NAV E 522 switching encoder and NAV SD 521 switching scaling decoder, bringing powerful single-cable USB-C connectivity and expanded USB extension capabilities to NAV Pro AV over IP systems.

[Navigating the Rocky Seas of AVoIP]

The NAV E 522 enables USB-C as the primary connection point for modern AV spaces, allowing video, audio, USB data, and power to be delivered through one USB-C cable to a laptop or other USB-C source. This simplified host connection is ideal for collaboration and presentation environments where users need fast access to room displays, audio, and USB peripherals without multiple cables or adapters. The NAV E 522 also supports systems with multiple NAV SD 521 scaling decoders, enabling multiple remote USB devices attached at those endpoints to be routed back to a single NAV E 522 Host USB-C port.

Together, the NAV endpoints provide high-quality 4K/60 4:4:4 video, flexible audio, and USB 2.0 or HID extension. The Extron PURE3 codec delivers visually lossless video and advanced Extron Vector 4K scaling technology provides reliable scaling over standard 1 Gbps Ethernet networks.

"The NAV E 522 is designed to make user connections simple while giving integrators all the flexibility they've come to expect from NAV Pro AV over IP Systems," said Casey Hall, chief marketing officer for Extron. "With one USB-C cable, users can access video, audio, USB devices, and power, while the system can extend those USB devices across multiple NAV SD 521 scaling decoders and return them to a single host connection. It is a streamlined approach to USB-C collaboration that fits naturally into scalable NAV system designs."

The NAV E 522 and NAV SD 521 are purpose-built for professional AV applications that require a simplified user experience, flexible source connectivity, and distributed USB device access. The NAV E 522 provides USB-C and HDMI inputs at the source location, with USB-C serving as the simplified single-cable connection for AV, USB data, and optional power. The NAV SD 521 receives, decodes, and scales NAV streams while also supporting local HDMI source switching and USB device connectivity at the display endpoint. Multiple NAV SD 521 decoders can be deployed across a system to support several USB peripherals, all tied back through the NAV system to one NAV E 522 Host USB-C connection. As part of the NAV platform, these endpoints support secure, highly scalable deployments ranging from individual collaboration spaces to systems with thousands of endpoints.

In October, US federal prosecutors charged an OpenAI engineer with planting an audio recording device in an executive conference room at the company's San Francisco offices. According to the complaint, the device was wrapped in toilet paper and plugged into a USB port on the back of a television. OpenAI says its technical surveillance countermeasures team found it during a room sweep.

A sweep of the room found it. Nothing on the network did.

That should bother the Pro AV and IT industry. Most of our security conversation is about VLANs and access control. All of that matters, and none of it would have caught this device. The case sits in the gap between physical security, AV operations and IT, where ownership blurs.

Know What Belongs on the Network

Most AV teams can scan a subnet. Tools such as LanScan or Angry IP Scanner are useful during commissioning and fault-finding. They show which addresses respond and turn up obvious surprises. A scan is a snapshot, though. It can't tell whether a device is authorized, who owns it, or whether something new appeared five minutes later. A device can stay silent or sit on another interface. It can also record locally and never touch the network.

AV networks need what any enterprise network needs: continuous comparison between the expected estate and the observed one. For every AV VLAN, the operator should know each approved device, its role, location, switch port, MAC address, firmware level, owner and normal traffic pattern. Switch telemetry, passive discovery and light active checks should flag new endpoints and material changes as they happen. Periodic audits are still relevant, especially after room changes or service visits. They verify the system, but they shouldn't be the main defense.

When an unknown endpoint appears, the network should restrict it automatically, move it to a quarantine segment and alert its owner. Network access control (NAC), port policies and device profiling do this today. In high-risk rooms, you should disable unused switch ports and USB power, or physically secure them.

Here's the test I'd apply. Can the AV team say what belongs on the network, and cut off anything that doesn't within minutes? If not, it can see the network but can't control it.

It Could Have Been Worse

Now suppose the device had ignored the corporate and AV WiFi and sent its recordings out through a personal mobile hotspot hidden in the same room. An IP scan would still show nothing.

Wireless intrusion detection could catch it. Rogue access point monitoring watches the RF environment, so it can spot an unapproved hotspot and suspicious associations even when the traffic never reaches the enterprise LAN. The system should tell that hotspot apart from legitimate neighboring networks, alert security and keep enough evidence for an investigation. A device that transmits only now and then is harder to catch, but continuous monitoring still narrows the window.

Remote Access Without Exposing the Room

Remote support saves truck rolls and gets rooms working again faster. It can also turn every device web interface into a way in.

Forwarding a port straight to an encoder, DSP, controller or display is indefensible. So is a broad VPN that gives a technician the equivalent of a cable into the whole AV subnet. Many AV devices were built for trusted local networks. Their web interfaces often run old protocols on firmware that can't be patched quickly.

The safer standard is brokered access to a named device or management controller. The session starts with an outbound encrypted connection. It requires single sign-on and multifactor authentication, grants time-limited permissions by role, and logs every action. Shared installer accounts should go. Access should be approved for a specific job and revoked when the job is done.

NETGEAR uses this model for the NETGEAR Align Controller. NETGEAR Insight brokers remote access into the local controller, so support teams reach the management function without exposing the AV network to the internet.

Brokered access has trade-offs. It adds a dependency on a cloud service and on the vendor running it securely. Customers should ask where credentials and telemetry are stored, how access is revoked, whether logs can be exported, what happens during an outage, and who tests the service independently.

Set Policy at the AV-IT Boundary

Segmentation is essential, but address-and-port firewall rules are a blunt tool between AV and enterprise IT. They don't know which multicast flows are legitimate, or whether a support session was authorized for a specific endpoint.

AV systems depend on discovery, multicast, timing and dynamic relationships between services. The common fix is to open a wide range of ports between VLANs. That restores function by gutting the boundary. It's like leaving every door unlocked because you'd rather not carry keys.

The better approach ties policy to what each device is for. A room controller can reach its own management service. A support engineer can reach one endpoint for a set period. None of those permissions should open general access to the corporate network. Most enterprises already own the tools for this. NAC and segmentation policy need to be set up with AV traffic in mind.

This takes more design work. Some AV protocols won't fit neatly, and every enforcement point adds a dependency in the signal path. Test the policy against real AV traffic before go-live, and write down what happens when a component fails. Whatever enforces the boundary is security infrastructure, and it needs to be run that way.

Make Security Part of Handover

The OpenAI case shows the answer can't stop at the network. High-value rooms need physical checks as well. Integrators are well placed to build those checks into commissioning and acceptance.

Before sign-off on a high-value room, the handover pack should include:

• A device inventory for every AV VLAN, matched against what the switches actually see
• A record of connected peripherals, including anything plugged into display USB ports
• Unused switch ports and USB power disabled or physically secured
• Documented remote access: who can reach which device, through what, and how access is revoked
• Tamper-evident seals on displays and racks where the risk justifies them
• A named owner in IT and in corporate security for alerts from AV systems

Repeat the physical and inventory checks after every service visit or room change.

Today, nobody clearly owns the space behind the screen. The integrator knows the room, IT owns the network policy and corporate security owns the evidence. A shared handover checklist is a cheap way to give that space an owner.

Extron has expanded its FOX3 platform with FOX3 302 Series Dual HDMI Extenders. These fiber optic KVM extenders support dual-display workstations across a FOX3 system. Designed for secure, long-haul transmission of two independent HDMI video signals plus USB, stereo audio, control, and 3D sync signals over fiber optic cabling, the FOX3 302 Series delivers visually lossless image quality up to 4K/60 at 4:4:4. Purpose-built for dual-display computer applications, these extenders streamline system integration while extending the reach of high-performance workstations.

[AV/IT at 30,000 Feet]

The series includes the FOX3 T 302 Fiber Optic Transmitter and FOX3 SR 302 Fiber Optic Scaling Receiver, which together provide a powerful fiber optic KVM solution featuring USB extension, Ethernet monitoring and control, real-time system monitoring, and integrator-friendly technologies designed specifically for demanding AV and KVM environments.

"As multi-display workstations become increasingly common in mission-critical environments, the FOX3 302 Series provides a powerful new way to extend dual HDMI, USB, and control signals over fiber while maintaining the image quality and reliability our customers expect from Extron," said Casey Hall, chief marketing officer for Extron. "By bringing dual-display workstation support to the FOX3 platform, the FOX3 302 Series expands what's possible with fiber optic KVM extension for demanding AV and computing applications."

FOX3 302 Series Extenders are compatible with the complete line of FOX3 Matrix Switchers. Extron FOX3 Matrix Switchers are available in standard sizes up to 840x840 as well as custom designs up to 2000x2000 and larger. From point-to-point extension to fully non-blocking matrix applications up to 2000x2000 and beyond, FOX3 Systems securely deliver unrivaled performance and reliability to satisfy even the most discerning users.

Quick view:

• The CDE 1923 yellobrik is a compact, bi-directional converter that handles signal translation between traditional 3G-SDI baseband hardware and modern SMPTE ST 2110 IP networks.
• Designed for broadcast facilities, OB trucks, and production studios transitioning to IP without overhauling existing legacy gear.
• Designed to solve the SDI vs. IP synchronization gap.

LYNX Technik has unveiled its new CDE 1923 yellobrik converter. This bi-directional 3G-SDI-to-SMPTE ST 2110 converter is designed to simplify the integration of SDI and IP infrastructures in hybrid broadcast environments. Ideal for broadcast facilities, outside broadcast trucks, production studios, and other applications transitioning from baseband SDI to IP, the CDE 1923 provides reliable signal conversion while addressing the synchronization requirements of both technologies.

[The Human Side of Technology]

“We’re very proud to build upon the existing CDE 1922 platform and respond directly to what our customers have been asking for,” said Vincent Noyer, CTO at LYNX Technik. “By adding Reference Input and Reference Output while maintaining the same compact yellobrik form factor, we’ve been able to make an already versatile converter even more useful. The CDE 1923 gives customers greater flexibility when connecting SDI equipment to an ST 2110 environment, without adding complexity or requiring additional space.”

Per Noyer, the additional Reference Input and Output interfaces let the converter bridge the timing requirements of traditional SDI equipment and SMPTE ST 2110 IP networks in a single compact solution. As broadcasters transition to IP, signal conversion is only part of the challenge. Traditional SDI systems typically rely on a physical reference signal for synchronization, while SMPTE ST 2110 networks use Precision Time Protocol (PTP), as defined by the SMPTE ST 2059 profile. The CDE 1923 provides a practical solution for bringing these two synchronization environments together.

Its Reference Input allows the SDI output to lock directly to a facility’s local reference, providing deterministic alignment with other SDI equipment. This enables the converter to integrate cleanly into an established baseband timing environment.

The Reference Output provides additional flexibility by enabling the converter to generate a Tri-Level Sync output from SMPTE ST 2059 PTP. It can also up-convert an input sync signal to Tri-Level Sync at a higher frame rate, providing a physical reference signal suitable for synchronizing connected SDI equipment.

By combining bi-directional 3G-SDI and SMPTE ST 2110 conversion with flexible reference connectivity, the yellobrik CDE 1923 helps facilities maintain synchronization across both SDI and IP domains. Developed in response to real-world customer requirements, CDE 1923 provides a straightforward and flexible solution for integrating base-band equipment into IP-based production environments.

The new USB Extender xi Series from Extron is now available. This series extends and switches USB signals from peripheral devices to a host computer up to 1,980 feet (600m) through a Gigabit Ethernet network or up to 330 feet (100m) point-to-point over one CATx cable. It supports High-Speed (USB 2) and earlier devices.

[The Human Side of Technology]

The transmitter can be powered by the host computer or included power supply and provides USB peripheral emulation to enable trouble-free booting of a host computer that is not connected to a keyboard or mouse. The receiver features a built-in, active four‑port hub with up to 500 mA of power per port. The matrix controller allows simple setup and control for a distributed USB matrix switching system over an Ethernet network.

"As organizations seek more flexible ways to deploy USB devices in courtrooms, conference and meeting spaces, classrooms, and lecture halls, the USB Extender xi Series delivers streamlined USB extension and switching capabilities," said Casey Hall, chief marketing officer for Extron. "With long-distance USB transport, centralized control, and support for distributed USB matrix switching, the USB Extender xi Series simplifies USB connectivity for demanding Pro AV applications."

The USB Extender xi Series supports a wide range of USB peripherals, including interactive whiteboards, keyboards, mice, mass storage devices, webcams, headsets, and speakers, while USB Extender xi HID models help secure installations by restricting connectivity to authorized device types. Available in multiple form factors for flexible integration, the series can be combined with the USB Matrix Controller xi to create scalable distributed USB switching systems with up to 64 transmitters and receivers while offering centralized management and control. Together, these capabilities make the USB Extender xi Series an ideal solution for extending and switching USB signals in applications that demand reliable, long-distance USB connectivity.

Executive Summary

• Network Convergence and Standardization: Pro AV is increasingly integrating with IT infrastructure through open standards like IPMX, shifting market value from hardware ports to network orchestration, lifecycle management, and interoperability.
• AI Integration vs. Component Constraints: While embedded edge AI enhances smart AV capabilities, massive data-center AI expansion has constrained memory supply (DRAM, NAND, HBM), increasing component cost volatility and supply chain risks for manufacturers.
• Shift to Recurring Service Models: Global geopolitical friction and tariff structures are making hardware-only sales less predictable, driving integrators toward managed services, continuous remote monitoring, and software-defined recurring revenue models.

Nearly a year ago, I argued that ten growth opportunities would define Pro AV: from AV over IP and broadcast convergence to intelligent surveillance, cloud signage, managed services, and emerging markets.

The direction was right. But the market has gotten less forgiving. Growth is still available. It's just not easy anymore.

The Network Story is Stronger

AV over IP has continued its move from alternative architecture to default assumption. Broadcast and Pro AV are converging too, as common, open standards get easier to deploy. The first formal IPMX certification wave, at ISE in February, covered 48 products from 11 manufacturers; a second event in August added 14 more from eight manufacturers. It's a slow process, but an important one. Certification reduces multi-vendor risk and gives customers a credible path away from proprietary lock-in.

The pixel explosion remains real across stadiums, control rooms, and large-scale LED. So does the move to multi-gigabit, 25/100/400GbE infrastructure. But bandwidth alone is no longer the differentiator. Operations make the difference. Customers are more vocal about topology visibility, audit trails, fleet management, and rapid recovery. If you can’t diagnose a network remotely, you have an expensive support problem.

Margin is migrating from ports and endpoints toward orchestration, support, and lifecycle services.

AI Became Both an Accelerator and a Constraint

Last year, AI was most visible in surveillance analytics. Now it reaches almost every opportunity. Cameras frame speakers automatically. Meeting-room agents take notes and manage audio zones. Signage adapts content using audience data. AI assists design, programming, and fault diagnosis. At InfoComm 2026, AI was moving from a cloud feature to an embedded agent capability at the edge.

That expands the addressable market for intelligent AV, but it also raises expectations. Buyers will ask whether an AI feature cuts labor, improves utilization, or increases revenue. If the answer to one of those questions isn’t yes, it's not a business case.

AI has also created a supply-side paradox. The data-center buildout is absorbing high-bandwidth memory and pushing manufacturers toward their most profitable, priciest products. Micron's fiscal second-quarter results, reported in March, showed revenue climbing from $8.05 billion to $23.86 billion year-on-year on strong demand and tight supply. Conventional DRAM and NAND buyers are competing for the same constrained output; SK Hynix said in January it had already sold out its entire 2026 HBM, DRAM, and NAND output.

For AV manufacturers, that means more volatile component costs, redesign pressure, and harder allocation decisions. For integrators, it means shorter quote validity, substitution risk, and a renewed premium on vendors with dependable supply. Intelligence at the edge will keep growing, but at a higher price than we anticipated.

Geopolitics Changed the Route to Growth

The case for emerging markets still stands, but "go global" is too blunt. India, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America benefit from infrastructure investment and demand for immersive experiences. China remains important, but trade restrictions, localization requirements, and slower growth complicate the opportunity.

Tariffs also expose how misleading a country-of-origin label can be. Chips may be fabricated in Taiwan or Korea, packaged elsewhere, and assembled into devices in China, Mexico, or Southeast Asia. Duties at the final-product stage can alter competitiveness overnight. Add shipping disruptions, export controls, and currency volatility, and growth has to be judged against landed cost and supply resilience, instead of market-size figures.

Recurring Revenue Moved to the Center

Cloud signage, remote monitoring, advanced support, and managed services were separate opportunities a year ago. They're merging into one operating model. As AV real estate gets larger, more distributed, and more software-defined, customers need continuous management instead of occasional break-fix intervention.

This is where integrators can turn project revenue into contracted revenue, and where manufacturers, including NETGEAR AV, can build durable software and support economics. Ecosystem partnerships matter more too. Customers expect a single view across a mixed system, and that only happens with real interoperability.

So, what's still true? AV is becoming inseparable from the network. What changed? AI accelerated demand while tightening the component base, and geopolitics made execution more regional and more expensive.

The next year of growth will punish companies that merely sell more boxes. It will reward those that make complex, distributed AV systems open, observable, secure, and economical to run. That's a tougher opportunity than we described a year ago, but it's also a better, more sustainable business.

Extron has launched its SW2 HD 8K, a two-input HDMI switcher with analog audio de-embedding. Designed with system integrators in mind, this compact switcher delivers high-performance video and flexible audio integration for a wide range of AV environments. The switcher supports video resolutions up to 8K, including 21:9 and 5K ultra-wide aspect ratio content, delivering exceptional performance for next-generation AV systems. In addition to the HDMI output, an analog audio output provides extracted stereo HDMI signals to feed a sound system or other audio equipment.

[Navigating the Rocky Seas of AVoIP]

“The SW2 HD 8K is purpose-built to support the evolving demands of modern AV environments,” said Casey Hall, chief marketing officer for Extron. “With support for 8K and ultra-wide video formats, along with analog audio de-embedding, this switcher delivers the performance and flexibility integrators need to design forward-looking systems with confidence.”

To enhance and simplify integration, the SW2 HD 8K provides a range of integrator friendly features: automatic input cable equalization, user selectable HDCP authorization, and multiple control options. The HDMI output can power external peripheral devices, such as active HDMI cables to support signal transmission over longer cable runs. The SW2 HD 8K is a perfect fit for Microsoft Teams Front Row applications, immersive presentations, and next-generation collaboration spaces.

Executive Summary

• Shift to Operational Technology (OT): AV over IP has transitioned AV infrastructure into OT networks, increasing exposure to cyber threats and lateral movement from IT breaches.
• Vulnerabilities via Trusted Access: Most compromises occur through phishing, unmanaged devices, or local access rather than firewall breaches, directly risking business continuity and critical AV services.
• Adoption of Zero-Trust Security: To mitigate evolving risks, the AV industry must adopt zero-trust network segmentation and treat security as an essential differentiator and core service.

Ten years ago, I was making the case for AV over IP to an industry that was perfectly comfortable with its closed, proprietary systems. The common response was familiar: “We don't use IP,” or “We have our own network: we don't need to worry about that”. We all know how that story ended. AV over IP is now the foundation of every modern AV deployment, and the integrators who resisted it longest spent years catching up.

Today, I hear the same thing now about security. “We air gap our networks,” or “Security is IT's problem.” It’s clear to me that history is about to repeat itself, and this time the cost of being wrong is considerably higher than the cost of a legacy AV system.

History is repeating itself. The difference is that this time, falling behind doesn't just mean living with outdated technology. It can mean exposing customers to operational disruption, reputational damage, and risks that are far more costly than any legacy AV system ever was.

AV Networks are Operational Technology

Everything your customers deploy falls into a category the security industry calls operational technology, or OT. Unlike IT networks, which carry sensitive customer data and are subject to rigorous compliance and access controls, OT networks manage daily operations: conference rooms, digital signage, IP cameras, control processors, audio DSPs. Historically, OT was off the radar for attackers because it was air-gapped and hard to reach.

That is no longer true. AV over IP made these networks IP-connected. Cloud management made them internet-reachable. Remote monitoring opened ports. As a result, what was once invisible to attackers is now visible, and far less defended than the IT networks sitting alongside it.

According to IBM's 2025 Security Report, the average cost of a data breach now stands at $4.9 million. Fortinet's 2026 OT Report found that 60% of organizations experienced an OT or IoT security incident in the past year. And SANS research shows that 96 % of OT incidents begin with a compromise of the IT network before attackers move laterally into operational systems. In other words, attackers don't need to target AV directly. They breach the IT network, and the AV network is there waiting, with no inspection between them.

How AV Networks Actually Get Compromised

The mental model most AV professionals have for a network breach, that of a sophisticated remote attacker defeating a firewall, does not reflect how the majority of incidents actually happen. When people think about a cyberattack, they often picture a highly skilled attacker breaking through a firewall from halfway around the world. In reality, that's rarely how AV environments are compromised.

More often, attackers take advantage of trusted access that's already available. It could be a contractor plugging into an unused network port in a meeting room, or an unmanaged device connecting to the AV network. Without controls such as network access authentication or port security, that connection can provide visibility into every connected AV device, from control processors and DSPs to displays and cameras, without triggering any obvious alarms. An even more common scenario starts somewhere else entirely. An employee clicks a phishing email, malware gains a foothold on the corporate network, and then moves laterally into connected operational systems. If the AV environment isn't properly segmented and protected, it can become another destination for the attacker rather than a separate, secured domain.

The important point for customers is recognizing that AV systems don't have to be the initial target to become part of an incident. As AV infrastructure becomes increasingly connected to enterprise networks, its security posture directly affects business continuity. A compromised AV network can disrupt meetings, collaboration spaces, digital signage, and other business-critical services at exactly the moment they're needed most.

The Model the AV Industry Needs to Adopt

The security posture of most AV deployments today was built for a different era. Air-gapped networks are increasingly rare, and while VLAN segmentation is a good starting point, it is no longer enough. The direction the industry needs to move is toward zero-trust segmentation: every device verified, every flow inspected, access granted per policy instead of by default.

In practical terms, this means your IP speaker should only be able to communicate with your DSP. Your IP camera should only reach its assigned video management server. Your digital signage display should only connect to its designated media server. Each device operates within a defined policy envelope.

Security is the Next Differentiator for AV Integrators

Beyond reducing risk, security is becoming a competitive advantage. Customers are looking for partners who can design, deploy, and support AV systems that are secure by design. Integrators who can demonstrate that expertise will stand out in an increasingly competitive market. Compliance requirements are evolving as well, creating an opportunity for integrators to help customers meet security expectations and document best practices, delivering value that goes well beyond the AV installation itself.

Ten years ago, the integrators who moved early on AV over IP built practices that compounded. They had the expertise when the market moved. The integrators who waited spent the next five years playing catch-up.

Security is on the same curve. The data on OT incidents, the trajectory of compliance requirements, the acceleration of AI-enabled automated attacks… All of it points to a market that will look materially different in five years than it does today. The AV industry has a window to get ahead of this, build the expertise, and position security as a core service rather than a reactive cost.

The networks we deploy are no longer isolated. They never will be again. The opportunity now is to make security a core part of every AV deployment, and a defining part of the value we deliver.

The new Extron Control Pro app is now available on the App Store and on Google Play. This new easy-to-use AV control app gives users complete mobile access to Extron control systems from Apple and Android devices.

[Mulling Your Management Platform Options]

It builds on the Extron Control app and delivers many new features, such as real-time dynamic image preview, the ability to add multiple systems at once, even while offline. It delivers a seamless, highly responsive control experience, whether you’re managing a single room or multiple spaces across a facility.

After minimal initial setup, a mobile device quickly connects to the desired room and automatically loads the same user interfaces found on Extron control products. No lengthy configuration or custom programming is needed.

“Extron Control Pro builds on our popular Extron Control app by adding heavily requested features such as dynamic image preview, bulk system uploads even while offline, and more options for authentication," said Casey Hall, chief marketing officer for Extron. "This app extends the power and simplicity of our control systems to the mobile devices customers use every day. With quick deployment, automatic loading of familiar interfaces, and support for both iOS and Android devices, Extron Control Pro delivers a consistent, responsive experience from virtually anywhere in a facility.”

When paired with an IPCP Pro xi control processor using Extron LinkLicense for User Interfaces, Extron Control Pro enables a mobile device to function as the primary control interface, offering a flexible alternative to dedicated hardware while maintaining full system functionality. Button presses remain synchronized across all connected control devices, creating a consistent, reliable user experience.

Quam Nichols is officially on the network. The company has introduced its QIP line up of endpoints, bringing its audio performance and installer-first simplicity to a new family of PoE/PoE+ endpoints.

[AVoIP and Adaptability]

Built for SIP/Multicast and Singlewire InformaCast platforms, QIP gives integrators a flexible new approach to designing network audio systems for voice paging, emergency notification, tones, background music, and other critical communication applications. “QIP brings Quam quality into the digital age, delivering networked endpoints with the performance and durability of Quam’s traditional loudspeakers," CEO Randy Moore added.

While the technology behind the system may be new territory for the Quam product portfolio, the philosophy behind QIP remains true to Quam. QIP brings Quam’s focus on speech intelligibility, dependable performance, and installer-friendly design to the network. The endpoints feature digital high-fidelity audio, integrated digital microphones for two-way communication and straightforward integration with VoIP/SIP phone systems.

QIP endpoints support standard PoE (IEEE 802.3af) and PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at) power and feature integrated Class D amplification with digital signal processing. SIP models support G.711µ, G.711a and G.722 codecs, while multicast supports G.711µ and G.711a.

The QIP endpoints also support full-duplex communication and a broad range of network protocols, making them suitable for today's increasingly connected communication environments. QIP was also engineered to streamline both installation and configuration, helping integrators get endpoints onto the network and get projects moving.

The initial QIP family provides multiple form factors, allowing integrators to choose an endpoint based on the application rather than forcing every installation into the same solution. QIP covers most indoor environments, and includes the QIP 1x2-foot Tile Replacement Endpoint, the QIP 2x2-foot Tile Replacement Endpoint, QIP 2-Way 2x2-foot Tile Replacement Endpoint, QIP All-in-One Cut-In Ceiling Endpoint, and the QIP Wall Mounted Endpoint.

“We see QIP as much more than a product launch,” concluded Moore. “This is a long-term commitment to PoE and network audio. More QIP endpoints are already planned, giving integrators an expanding ecosystem for designing network audio systems around the needs of the space. We want integrators to know that as their network audio needs evolve, Quam intends to evolve right alongside them.”

Extron has introduced its new DXP 42 HD 8K, a compact 4x2 HDMI matrix switcher designed for Pro AV environments that require high-performance video distribution. Supporting resolutions up to 8K/60 and ultra-wide 5K at data rates up to 40.1 Gbps, this advanced switcher is ideal for applications such as Microsoft Teams Front Row systems.

The DXP 42 HD 8K is fully HDCP 2.3-compliant and features Extron-exclusive technologies including EDID Minder Plus, which manages advanced display features, and SpeedSwitch for fast input switching, ensuring reliable routing of high data rate HDMI signals to multiple displays.

“This matrix switcher sets a new standard for professional AV environments, delivering uncompromising video quality and advanced switching capabilities for applications demanding the highest performance,” said Casey Hall, chief marketing officer for Extron. “With support for 8K, plus innovative technologies like EDID Minder Plus, it ensures reliable distribution in any high-end installation.”

The DXP 42 HD 8K is equipped with multiple integration-friendly features like HDMI audio de-embedding and automatic input cable equalization. To reliably display and distribute 8K, 5K and 21:9 aspect ratio content, EDID Minder Plus technology provides enhanced 512-byte EDID emulation for supporting additional memory blocks needed to convey advanced display capabilities via EDID and DisplayID structures. Color bit depth is automatically adjusted based on the display EDID, which prevents color compatibility conflicts between the source and the display.

Located at the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan where the towers once stood, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum (9/11 Memorial Museum) forms the centerpiece of the 9/11 Memorial. As the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks neared, the museum underwent a massive upgrade, primarily focused on strengthening the backend infrastructure, improving system reliability, and creating a more stable technology platform.

The museum lies below the plaza, with the entrance pavilion and atrium providing the transition from the city to the historic site below. Above this area is the auditorium with nearby ramps leading visitors down approximately 70 feet to the original foundation level of the World Trade Center complex. From there, visitors enter exhibition galleries where the South and North Towers once stood.

Within the South Tower footprint is the Memorial Exhibition, a space dedicated to remembering the nearly 3,000 people killed in the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and Feb. 26, 1993. The North Tower footprint contains the Museum's Historical Exhibition, which presents the events of 9/11, organized into three primary sections that explore the chronological timeline of the horrific events of the day, events leading up to the attacks, and the heroic rescue and recovery efforts.

According to Fernando Mora, VP of AV and multimedia for the 9/11 Memorial Museum, the original AV infrastructure was designed around traditional point-to-point architecture, using HDBaseT as the primary media transport technology. “When the museum was designed in the early 2010s, this was the correct approach at that time,” he told SCN. “It continued to serve us well for many years.”

The need to replace HDBaseT did not drive the upgrade; rather, it was the realization that AVoIP offered capabilities beyond basic video transport. “Ultimately, its distributed nature allowed us to build a master control room which became the orchestration layer for our entire venue,” he explained. “From this central location we can manage and monitor all aspects of our exhibitions systems, live production, digital signage, and UC meeting platforms utilizing live CCTV cameras, custom Q-SYS dashboard UCIs, and Symphony monitoring software.”

When Mora and his team began to consider an upgrade to the core AV infostructure in 2019, many of the AVoIP standards were still similar to each other, so there was no need to quickly jump to an upgrade. The strategy, he explained, became deliberate, to “wait for the technology and the market to mature, while watching to see which platforms emerged as the dominant players. HDBaseT was still performing very well for us, so the question became: What’s the rush?”

Another factor that influenced the upgrade was existing technology. The museum was already largely a Crestron house, which, as Mora explained, made the evolution toward Crestron NVX a logical path. “All our technicians are either programmers or DMC-E-NVX,” he said. “It allowed us to move into AV over IP while building upon technology, programming expertise, and support for this new infrastructure.”

After the 20th anniversary, Mora and his team—lead technician and in-house programmer Kelman Torres, technician Jermaine Morgan, and auditorium production technician Jose Rosa—embarked on the five-year overhaul of the museum’s infrastructure, all while the museum remained open and operational. Wheels started rolling in 2023 with the modernization of the museum's DSP infrastructure.

“We migrated from a CobraNet-based Layer 2 audio architecture to a Layer 3, IP-based Q-SYS processing platform,” Mora explained. “During the planning and development phase, I decided to expand the scope of the project to include modernization of our control system, incorporating Q-SYS Control as part of the overall deployment.”

The extensive upgrade also included a focus on AV transport to AVoIP in the exhibition areas, auditorium, digital signage, and four classrooms. For the auditorium, Mora said they created a complete end-to-end 4K production workflow. They replaced the existing Crestron DM system with an NVX AVoIP infrastructure, and installed a Christie 4K laser projector, Panasonic 4K production cameras, Vizrt TriCaster TC2 Elite switcher with 4K monitoring, and DiGiCo audio console. To support the new AVoIP environment, Mora’s team deployed a NETGEAR M4300 switch and engaged NETGEAR Professional Services to assist with its configuration.

According to Mora, AVI-SPL’s Symphony was selected for monitoring the museum’s infrastructure because the museum wanted to move beyond traditional monitoring toward a platform that gives meaningful, actionable information about the health of the museum’s AV systems and the context in which they are operating.

“For example, when the museum is open, every projector should be powered on, every media server should be in its appropriate run state, and the systems supporting our exhibitions should be operating as expected,” Mora explained. “When the museum is closed, the opposite may be true. Many of our CPU-based exhibits are intentionally shut down overnight, so an effective monitoring platform needs to understand that an offline device at 2 a.m. may be perfectly normal, while that same condition at 10 a.m. could require immediate attention.”

As 2026 began, the upgrade engulfed the museum’s collaboration and education spaces. “We upgraded all four classrooms to support Microsoft Teams Rooms using the Q-SYS UC platform, while our six corporate conference rooms were upgraded with Neat Bar Pro systems,” Mora added. “Most recently, we began replacing our legacy exhibit media players with Hive Media’s Osmia 4K players, further modernizing the content delivery side of the infrastructure.”

For the 25th anniversary, a new exhibit, In Their Honor, will debut. While that has what Mora calls a modest AV footprint, a live national primetime broadcast from Memorial Plaza featuring the Tribute in Light installation will showcase how the new infrastructure supports an event with a worldwide audience.

“On a personal level, Tribute in Light has always been my favorite part of the commemoration,” Mora said. “Seeing those two beams rise above the New York City skyline is an incredibly powerful way to close the day.”

What began in late 2023 has evolved into a roughly three-year, phased modernization of the museum’s AV ecosystem. “Rather than approaching it as a single replacement project, we deliberately addressed the infrastructure in layers—audio processing and control first, followed by AV over IP transport, collaboration spaces, and finally media playback,” Mora concluded. “That approach allowed us to modernize a large, operational facility while continuing to support the museum’s daily visitor experience and programming throughout the transition.”

Extron has unveiled its new USB Extender xi Series. The series was designed to extend and switch USB signals from peripheral devices to a host computer up to 1,980 feet (600m) through a Gigabit Ethernet network or up to 330 feet (100m) point-to-point over one CATx cable. The USB Extender xi Series is an ideal solution for extending and switching USB signals in applications that demand reliable, long-distance USB connectivity.

[Inspiration for Creating Immersive Experiences]

It supports High-Speed (USB 2) and earlier devices. The transmitter can be powered by the host computer or included power supply and provides USB peripheral emulation to enable trouble-free booting of a host computer that is not connected to a keyboard or mouse. The receiver features a built-in, active four‑port hub with up to 500 mA of power per port. The matrix controller allows simple setup and control for a distributed USB matrix switching system over an Ethernet network.

"As organizations seek more flexible ways to deploy USB devices in courtrooms, conference and meeting spaces, classrooms, and lecture halls, the USB Extender xi Series delivers streamlined USB extension and switching capabilities," said Casey Hall, chief marketing officer for Extron. "With long-distance USB transport, centralized control, and support for distributed USB matrix switching, the USB Extender xi Series simplifies USB connectivity for demanding Pro AV applications."

The USB Extender xi Series supports a wide range of USB peripherals, including interactive whiteboards, keyboards, mice, mass storage devices, webcams, headsets, and speakers, while USB Extender xi HID models help secure installations by restricting connectivity to authorized device types. Available in multiple form factors for flexible integration, the series can be combined with the USB Matrix Controller xi to create scalable distributed USB switching systems with up to 64 transmitters and receivers while offering centralized management and control.

ISE 2026 marks the moment IPMX moves from an “emerging standard” to deployable infrastructure, with the debut of the first certified products, a completed certification framework, and a clear roadmap for what comes next.

This represents a meaningful milestone for IPMX. Until now, IPMX has been building toward a stable set of standards, with IPMX Ready products demonstrating feasibility and value. With the IPMX certification process now in place, IPMX becomes something manufacturers can build to, integrators can specify, and end users can deploy with confidence.

What does IPMX Certified mean? How is this different from what came before?

IPMX certification brings several elements together for the first time, forming a complete and verifiable foundation for interoperable AV-over-IP products:

Public, stable IPMX documentation: A published, versioned set of documents defining IPMX architecture, profiles, and capabilities.

A defined certification and compliance framework: Clear rules governing how IPMX products are evaluated, validated, and allowed to make conformance claims.

A published IPMX test plan: A transparent test methodology describing how IPMX compliance and interoperability are verified.

A multi-vendor, in-person IPMX certification testing event: Products tested together under identical conditions to validate real-world interoperability.

IPMX Certified products with authorized branding and certification badging: Products that have successfully completed certification and are permitted to carry official IPMX certification marks.

The IPMX Documentation Framework

IPMX certification is supported by a deliberately structured set of public documents, each serving a specific role. Rather than a single monolithic specification, IPMX is defined through a small number of complementary documents that together describe what IPMX is, how interoperability is achieved, how compliance is verified, and how certified products are identified.

Defining IPMX and the Rules of Certification

At the foundation is the IPMX Product Qualification and Certification Requirements (PQCR) document, published by Alliance for IP Media Solutions. This document defines IPMX at a system level, including its overall structure, baseline requirements, eligibility for certification, and the rules governing compliance claims. It establishes what it means for a product to be considered IPMX-capable and what is required for it to be certified.

Complementing this are the IPMX Brand Usage Guidelines, which define how the IPMX name, logos, and certification marks may be used. These guidelines also specify what claims manufacturers are permitted to make regarding IPMX support, helping ensure that IPMX branding in the market is consistent, accurate, and verifiable.

Together, these documents ensure that “IPMX” has a clear, enforceable meaning, both technically and commercially.

Profiles and Capabilities: Defining Interoperable Behavior

IPMX interoperability is defined through a combination of profiles and capabilities, rather than a single fixed feature set.

IPMX Profile documents define complete, interoperable combinations of media formats, codecs, and transport requirements for specific classes of products and use cases. IPMX Capability documents define additional interoperable features that may be supported across profiles, allowing systems to be designed with predictable behavior while accommodating a wide range of product complexity and application needs.

This approach allows IPMX systems to scale, from simple endpoints to more advanced devices, while maintaining interoperability across vendors.

The Technical Core: VSF TR-10 Specifications

The technical foundation of IPMX is defined in the TR-10 series of Technical Recommendations developed by the Video Services Forum. These documents reference established baseline standards such as SMPTE ST 2110 for media transport and AES67 for audio interoperability, as well as specifications such as AMWA NMOS for discovery, registration, and connection management.

In addition to aligning with these broadcast-oriented standards, the TR-10 documents define additional constraints and features required to support professional AV use cases. These include support for HDCP, privacy encryption, and interoperable USB transport, which are essential in many Pro AV environments and are not addressed by broadcast standards alone.

This layered approach allows IPMX to maximize compatibility with ST 2110–based ecosystems while extending the ST 2110 model to meet the practical requirements of Pro AV deployments.

Verification and Visibility: Testing and the Registry

Finally, IPMX certification is grounded in verification and transparency.

The IPMX Test Plan defines how compliance and interoperability are validated during certification testing, ensuring products are evaluated consistently and repeatably. The IPMX Registry (available February 1st, 2026) provides a public record of certified products, including the profiles and capabilities each product supports, allowing system designers, integrators, and end users to verify claims and compare products objectively.

Together, these elements ensure that IPMX certification is demonstrable and visible in the market.

IPMX Certification Testing in Practice

Turning a standards framework into something the market can trust requires more than documentation. It requires independent, repeatable testing in a shared environment, with clear pass criteria and no room for “it works in our lab” interpretations.

After numerous plug-fests, hands-on events, and trial runs, the first IPMX certification testing event was hosted by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in Geneva Switzerland. The EBU provided the independent lab environment, facilities, and staff required to conduct the testing. A common network environment was used to eliminate variables, and each participating vendor was required to complete each phase of the test using a single, consistent firmware and software package. This matters because it validates product behavior under controlled, comparable conditions, rather than allowing different builds or configurations to be swapped across test scenarios.

Products that successfully pass the required test phases earn IPMX Certified status for the specific profiles and capabilities they have demonstrated. This is what makes certification actionable for the market. It turns IPMX support from a general claim into a verifiable statement about exactly what it can do and what it can interoperate with in real deployments.

How to Identify an IPMX Certified Product

With certification now in place, IPMX support is no longer something that needs to be inferred or taken on faith. Certified products are explicitly identifiable in several ways.

First, IPMX Certified products are authorized to use official IPMX certification marks. These marks indicate that a product has successfully completed certification testing and is certified for specific IPMX profiles and capabilities. The presence of IPMX branding alone is not sufficient; certification marks distinguish certified products from those that are still in development or aligned with IPMX in principle.

Second, certified products are listed in the IPMX Registry, published by the Alliance for IP Media Solutions. The registry provides a public, authoritative record of certified products and clearly identifies which profiles and capabilities each product supports. This allows integrators, consultants, and end users to verify claims and compare products objectively, without relying on marketing materials or informal compatibility statements.

Finally, certification is profile- and capability-specific. A product may be certified for certain media formats or features and not others, and those distinctions are explicitly documented. This level of precision is intentional. It allows systems to be designed with confidence, knowing exactly what behavior can be expected when certified products are deployed together.

At ISE 2026, IPMX Certified products will be clearly identified, and live demonstrations will show certified devices operating together in real time. Visitors can see IPMX certification in practice at the AIMS booth (5K880), where certified products will be demonstrated in real-world Pro AV system scenarios.

With certification now in place, IPMX enters a new phase. What was once an emerging effort is now defined, testable, and verifiable. For manufacturers, integrators, and end users alike, IPMX certification provides a clear basis for design decisions, procurement, and deployment.

As the first IPMX Certified products debut at ISE 2026, the conversation around IPMX shifts from what it will become to what it can be used for today.

In any modern AV system, it’s very likely that you’ve used Dante to connect and send audio and video between hardware and software devices. Dante has become the most widely used AV over IP platform for installed AV, studio, and live event professionals.

Built using standard networking hardware and Cat 6 cabling, Dante networks send low-latency, multi-channel audio and video signals between devices and software applications. Dante is now included in more than 4,000 products from more than 600 manufacturers, which makes it incredibly easy to connect devices across multiple manufacturers.

Start with the Basics

At the heart of all Dante systems is the free Dante Controller application. This tool enables the creation of connections between Dante devices. The devices themselves then remember where to send and receive signals after disconnecting Dante Controller from your network. This is the default configuration type of many Dante networks and is referred to as an “unmanaged” Dante network.

Dante Controller includes several troubleshooting features that allow you to probe your network to detect issues in switches, cables, clock settings, bit depth, and more. Dante Controller is actively maintained and updated to introduce new features, resolve user issues, and provide compatibility with evolving technology.

As Dante networks grow, become more complex, and require additional levels of security, administration, and control, additional software has been created to solve more complex control needs. Dante Director and Dante Domain Manager (DDM) are designed to provide administration-level oversight, organization, security, management, and control.

The first level of control provided by Dante Director and DDM is the ability to organize large networks into logical groupings. Organization can be by room, region or space, and is not dependent upon the underlying network hardware infrastructure. This provides a basis in which admins can organize devices logically, making the establishment of proper signal routes reliable.

For example, in school deployment, the auditorium system can be separated from systems running in the classrooms. This constrains the routing of signals within each “domain” and prevents any unintentional signals between unrelated areas of the network.

Step Up Security and Access

The second, and often most important facet, is the control and security of user access. In complex systems, there are likely many required users of AV systems—admins and end users at all skill levels. With a management application, admins can control who has access to each domain and require authentication to view or make any changes to the Dante network. This ensures only identified users can make subscription changes, login to the server, and ensures a consistent, predictable network configuration.

Dante Director provides a third facet of control, which is the ability to remotely access, monitor, and manage a network. Because Dante Director is a SaaS application, once configured, an entire Dante network can be accessed from any location with internet access, even on a mobile phone.

In typical unmanaged networks, Dante Controller must be connected directly to a switch on the network to manage those devices. With Director, Dante Controller can now be used from anywhere because all control signals are routed through a SaaS platform, making network management, diagnosis, and control even easier.

Finally, the Dante Managed API enables administrators to build innovative custom integrations, control surfaces, and tools. This could be the integration of Dante into third-party control and monitoring applications, the creation of simplified control surfaces, or even the integration of new bleeding-edge technology. For example, an admin may choose to build a simplified interface that enables switching between multiple devices within a room—lavalier mics to podium mics, for example—giving simple, yet powerful access to inexperienced users.

So, what does all this mean if you’re designing an entirely new AV system? Whether you’re an integrator or the end user, specifying the inclusion of servers and services that you’ll need from the outset will serve you well. For example, most large deployments will benefit significantly from including a server in original budget estimates and proposals.

Get even more insights: Download SCN's Integration Guide to Dante-Enabled AV.

RF Venue's compact CP Stage antenna is the perfect gift for your integrator. A must-have in every integrator's kit, the CP Stage antenna is ideal for wireless IEMs plus, as a diversity pair, excels in capturing wireless microphone signals.

Know for its flexibility (particularly for live event support), this circularly polarized antenna transmits and receives signals in a 360-degree, “corkscrew-like" pattern, eliminating issues with the orientation of wireless IEM bodypack receiving antennas and handheld microphone transmitters, regardless of how a performer moves and changes position on stage. Additionally, CP Stage’s 470 to 928 MHz operating range delivers reliable performance across global frequencies. With a black matte finish, it is easily conceal on stage, plus shows its versatility for indoor and outdoor use with an IP rating. Give the gift of dependable, high-quality, uninterrupted sound this holiday season with RF Venue's CP Stage antenna.

SCN Stocking Stuffers is a seasonal series that highlights affordable Pro AV tools for industry professionals on your “nice” list.

Visionary has unveiled its new XB5, a USB-C conferencing bridge that enables seamless BYOD integration into AV over IP environments. The XB5 offers single-cable operation, delivering video, audio, Ethernet, and charging through a single USB-C connection while integrating natively into Visionary’s 1GbE AV over IP ecosystem.

[High Marks for AVoIP]

Designed for conference rooms, boardrooms, classrooms, and other professional environments, the XB5 allows users to connect their personal laptops directly to the room’s audiovisual system using a single USB-C cable. The XB5 provides bi-directional 4K60 4:4:4 video and high-quality audio, wired Ethernet connectivity and up to 100W of charging power, without requiring any software installation or driver configuration. The XB5 supports industry-standard UVC and UAC protocols for plug-and-play compatibility with Windows, macOS and ChromeOS systems.

“The XB5 is designed to make system integration cleaner and more efficient while giving end users an easy, reliable connection experience,” said Scott Freshman, chief operating officer for Visionary. “The USB-C conferencing bridge eliminates the need for separate extenders, switchers and audio interfaces by combining those functions into one compact, networked device.”

The XB5 integrates directly with Visionary’s 5-Series endpoints and operates on standard 1GbE networks. It features built-in Dante and AES67 audio support, enabling audio embedding, de-embedding and seamless integration with DSPs. With PoE+ power, the XB5 reduces cabling and installation complexity, while its fanless, compact enclosure ensures silent operation suitable for acoustically sensitive spaces. For applications requiring full 100W charging, an external power adapter is included.

For AV integrators, the XB5 simplifies system design and deployment by consolidating multiple components into one device. The XB5 allows flexible signal routing and interoperability across a 1GbE network, supporting scalable AV over IP architectures. The XB5’s support for Dante and AES67 audio, including embedding and de-embedding of AEC-processed signals, provides a straightforward path for connecting to networked audio systems.

AVPro Edge introduced the HEX and DEX USB 2.0 over IP extension solution for their MXnet Evolution II ecosystem. The HEX and DEX solution is compatible with high-endpoint systems and delivers seamless connectivity over long distances.

[No Clean Separation for AV and IT]

USB over IP is highly scalable, and multiple HEX and DEX devices can reside on the network, resulting in enhanced system flexibility. Both the HEX and DEX devices are PoE compatible, reducing the need for external DC power supplies and ensuring outstanding long-term reliability. To achieve futureproof device compatibility, the HEX transmitter includes a USB-C port for host devices, while DEX receiver offers two USB-A and two USB-C device ports, accommodating a wide range of peripherals.

“By leveraging an IP-based architecture, HEX and DEX enables scalable deployments where multiple endpoints can be routed and managed through MXnetʼs CBOX/Mentor platform,” explained Matt Murray, CTO at AVPro Edge. “This approach eliminates the limitations of traditional USB extension solutions, allowing integrators to create dynamic systems with seamless, reliable connectivity across limitless applications.”

The AVPro MXnet Edge HEX and DEX USB 2.0 over IP solution is ideal for a wide array of market applications, compatible with numerous HID devices such as keyboards and mice, as well as a broad range of higher speed endpoints like PTZ cameras, microphones, external storage transfers, and more.

DVIGear has introduced the DVI-7348, a high performance fiber-optic extender that supports SDI signal extension over a single optical cable for broadcast and studio use. The DVI-7348 is a compact, high performance SDI to fiber optic extender/converter designed for critical broadcast and production environments that require a professional end-to-end fiber to SDI converter workflow.

[Disney's Destiny Cruise Ship Becomes Largest Canvas of Creativity]

These units support SDI, HD-SDI, 3G-SDI, and 12G-SDI signal extension over a single strand of single-mode optical fiber at distances up to 6.2 miles (~10 km). This SDI to Fiber Extender set consists of an optical transmitter unit that converts the SDI signals into light pulses for transmission over an optical fiber cable, and an optical receiver unit converts the light pulses back to an SDI signal for downstream processing or display on a monitor.

The extender set consists of an optical transmitter unit that converts the SDI signals into light pulses for transmission over an optical fiber cable. An optical receiver unit converts the light pulses back to an SDI signal for downstream processing or display on a monitor. The transmitter unit includes an SDI input with a buffered loop-through SDI output, plus connections for RS-485 and Tally Light control. The receiver unit includes two buffered SDI outputs, as well as connections for RS-485 and Tally Light control, which allows equipment in the control room to access and control acquisition cameras over the optical link. Both units are housed in rugged, die-cast metal cases equipped with 75-ohm BNC connectors. A single LC fiber optic connection is used to link Tx and Rx units.

These features make the DVI-7348 the perfect solution for extension of SDI, HD-SDI, 3G-SDI, and 12G-SDI signals over very long distances in even the most demanding broadcast, studio, and live production environments.

MSolutions has upgraded the USB and USB Type-C testing capabilities of its MS-TestPro UCT module, expanding its functionality to meet the rising complexity of USB-C installations. These enhancements provide installers with deeper diagnostics for identifying and solving real-world USB issues in the field. The latest improvements add the ability to identify device type, classify device tier level, measure peak power consumption, and detect more detailed bandwidth characteristics—delivering a broader picture of USB performance across endpoints and connections.

[Viewpoint: Is Anyone Using Your New Tech?]

As CTO Ariel Marcus explained, USB testing is a far more complex and complicated proposition than HDMI. “HDMI signals populate through a cable between a laptop and a display, and the picture is present or not,” said Marcus. “USB and USB-C testing is far more comprehensive because it involves multiple layers of technology. The camera, video, audio, and power functions can be registered in the USB hub chain at different tiers, which may influence their operation and connectivity. By analyzing the chain structure, it is possible to reactivate all devices and ensure proper functionality. The UCT evaluates how many tiers are already in use and whether sufficient USB resources remain available from the host.”

With the enhanced UCT module, MS-TestPro helps AV professionals ensure reliable USB operation between cameras, extenders, displays, and host devices. It is especially valuable in meeting rooms, classrooms, and hybrid spaces where USB functionality is critical to system performance, and it can be difficult to visually discern the difference between a charger, Thunderbolt or data cable, let alone know how much power or bandwidth exists.

CEO Eliran Toren noted that the UCT amplifies its value through its testing diversity. “The UCT will test and validate the health of your USB and USB-C cables and signals, but also support backwards compatibility with USB 2.0 and other formats to give the installer a view of the entire spectrum,” said Toren. “The UCT drills down to comprehensively provide all vital information about USB resources, the size of the packets moving from host to device, and which wires are physically connected.”

The MS-TestPro also supports certification and analysis of HDBaseT, HDMI, and DC resistance, offering an all-in-one, modular platform for professional-grade infrastructure validation. Installers can quickly switch between modules, which attach to the top of the handheld device.

Extron has unveiled its DTP3 R 201 D. This single-gang decorator-style receiver works with Extron DTP3-enabled products to extend HDMI and bidirectional RS-232 signals up to 330 feet (100 meters) over a shielded CAT 6A cable. The DTP3 R 201 D supports video resolutions up to 4K/60 at 4:4:4 color sampling and complies with HDCP 2.3. For maximum image quality and minimal latency, all supported video resolutions are transported without compression. The one-gang form factor provides maximum space efficiency in wall mount, floor box, and furniture mount applications. The wall-mountable design and remote power capability of the DTP3 R 201 D provide the convenience of placing output connections precisely where they are needed.

[SCN Installation Showcase 2025]

“Customers installing DTP3 systems now have a discreet wall-mount option for flat screen applications,” said Casey Hall, chief marketing officer for Extron. “The DTP3 R 201 D can be integrated with an Extron DTP3 CrossPoint Presentation Matrix Switcher, or other DTP3 and first-generation DTP-enabled products for signal extension to displays and other output devices at remote locations.”

The DTP3 R 201 D enables the reliable, long distance transmission of RS-232 and HDMI 2.0b signals, supporting data rates up to 18 Gbps, HDR, Deep Color up to 12-bit, 3D, and embedded HD lossless audio formats. In addition, DDC communication of EDID and HDCP is continuously maintained between source and display, ensuring direct compatibility and optimal signal transmission between devices.

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.

Introducing the new NEUTRIK NAUSBC-5G-FL chassis connectors. These D-size connectors designed for easy integration and high performance.

[Is Courtroom AV Out of Order?]

“Our customers have long requested USB Type-C chassis connectors in a D-size form factor," said Chris Neethling, president of Neutrik Americas. "These new products provide an elegant solution. Their integrated rear-side patch cables provide significant benefits, including high data throughput, high power transfer, and easy integration with active equipment. We expect that system integrators and product designers will find a lot to like in these new offerings.”

The connectors feature integrated fly-lead patch cables at the rear. Four different product variations offer various lengths for these fly-lead patch cables, ranging from 10-25cm (3.9 to 9.8 inches). The connectors are rated for 5 Gbps data speed (USB 3.1 Gen 1 specification) and 100 W (20 V / 5 A) power transfer for device charging and powering (USB Power Delivery 3.1 specification).

The connectors’ integrated rear-side fly-lead patch cables provide multiple benefits. By removing a passive couple, they reduce loss. They also ease integration by providing the necessary cable to connect to active equipment. This reduces both system cost and complexity. Since the patch cables are an integral part of the connector design, they greatly reduce the risk of accidental cable pullout within the enclosure or behind the rack.

NAUSBC-5G-FL’s rugged D-size form factor is ideal for installation in AVL rack systems, embedded control units, mobile AVL setups, and charging applications in demanding environments. By combining high-speed data transfer, robust power delivery, and a pre-terminated cable in a single product, the connector is well-suited to both harsh and space-limited environments.

The front of the chassis connector accepts standard USB Type-C patch cables. It features a UL 94 V-0 flame-retardant rating (UL94) along with UV-resistant flange material for longevity and outdoor suitability. The cable materials are halogen-free for enhanced safety in indoor environments.

NAUSBC-5G-FL is available in four variations—NAUSBC-5G-FL10 with a 10cm fly-lead patch cable at the rear, NAUSBC-5G-FL15 with a 15cm fly-lead patch cable, NAUSBC-5G-FL20 with a 20cm fly-lead patch cable, and NAUSBC-5G-FL25 with a 25cm fly-lead patch cable.

Just Add Power's Advanced Matrix Programmer (AMP) system configuration software now fully supports the Intellinet Network Solutions 54-Port L3 Fully Managed PoE+ Switch. This integration offers integrators even more flexibility for deploying Just Add Power systems, including multi-switch configurations in commercial and enterprise applications where high port density, advanced routing, and significant Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) demands are required. By combining robust network infrastructure with AMP's streamlined management, integrators can confidently scale their systems to meet the needs of even the most complex projects.

[How AV over IP Elevates a Humble Meeting Room into an Innovative Collaboration Hub]

"Supporting the Intellinet switch with our AMP software reflects our long-term commitment to expanding an open, flexible ecosystem for AV-over-IP," said Ed Qualls, CEO at Just Add Power. "As projects grow in size and complexity, we want integrators to know that Just Add Power will continue to deliver the tools and partnerships they need to stay ahead of evolving demands, giving them the flexibility and confidence to build networks that scale with their customers' needs."

The integration of AMP with the Intellinet 562041 (IPS-54GM06-10G-850W) switch unlocks a powerful and scalable solution for AV over IP deployments. With 48 PoE+ ports and six 10G SFP+ uplinks, the switch is optimized for high-bandwidth environments that require VLAN segmentation, multicast streaming, and seamless expansion across multiswitch configurations. AMP's intuitive interface simplifies setup and control, enabling integrators to deploy complex systems quickly and confidently. Fully compatible with Just Add Power's Omega, Ultra, and MaxColor series, this combined solution delivers intelligent traffic management, robust power delivery, and flexible architecture—making it ideal for commercial AV, smart infrastructure, and future-ready network designs.

With AMP software support, Just Add Power expands the ecosystem of compatible hardware integrations for its AV over IP solutions, giving integrators the proper tools to streamline configuration and management of this switch. The result is greater efficiency, reliability, and scalability, empowering integrators to deliver powerful performance across a wide range of applications.

In conjunction with the start of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, NETGEAR released a tailored security solution for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Based on an acquisition made earlier this year, NETGEAR delivers Exium, an all-in-one Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and hybrid firewall solution designed specifically for SMEs and the managed service providers (MSPs) that support them.

[NETGEAR: 10 Growth Opportunities Defining the Future of AV]

According to the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, SMEs faced more than 3,000 cybersecurity incidents, nearly four times as many cybersecurity incidents as large enterprises, in 2025. Despite this increased risk, many security solutions remain overly complex or fragmented, making them difficult for smaller businesses to implement and manage effectively.

"Small and medium businesses are just as exposed to cyberthreats as larger enterprises, if not more, but most security solutions are either too complicated or piecemeal for them to handle," said Farooq Khan, VP of software security at NETGEAR. "By integrating Exium with our networking solutions, we’re offering SMEs easy-to-use, enterprise-grade protection. This helps empower them to counter modern threats confidently, lessening the burden on internal IT teams."

Delivering on the vision for NETGEAR’s enterprise offering set forth by NETGEAR for business president and GM Pramod Badjate, integration of the Exium SASE platform fills this gap by providing SMEs with a unified solution that combines advanced threat protection, AI-powered zero-trust network access (ZTNA), secure web gateway (SWG), SD-WAN, and firewall capabilities in a single, user-friendly platform.

The platform allows SMEs to replace certain outdated, fragmented security systems with a modern, cloud-managed solution. All features are managed through a centralized, intuitive interface, simplifying network operations and security management. This helps enable businesses to protect data, users, and devices across multiple sites and remote locations with ease. The platform is optimized for MSPs, offering multi-tenant management and streamlined service delivery. This scalable, cost-effective security framework equips SMEs with the tools needed to help build a secure and resilient network infrastructure. With this solution, businesses can focus more on growth and innovation.

Extron has expanded its FOX3 fiber optic platform with two new DisplayPort fiber optic extenders. The FOX3 T 211 and FOX3 SR 211 provide long haul transmission of DisplayPort video, stereo audio, control, IR, and 3D sync signals over fiber optic cabling. Engineered for exceptional high resolution image performance, they deliver mathematically lossless 4K/60 @ 4:4:4 over one fiber.

“We're pleased to introduce our latest extenders for our FOX3 platform,” said Casey Hall, chief marketing officer for Extron. “Our new FOX3 211 DisplayPort Extenders provide an economical and secure solution for workstations as well as any enterprise-wide fiber optic AV and KVM signal distribution system.”

Designed specifically for AV systems, the FOX3 DisplayPort extenders include many integrator-friendly features such as EDID Minder, audio embedding/de-embedding, Ethernet monitoring and control, audio gain and attenuation, and real-time system monitoring.

Everyone loves a new dvLED display or the latest classroom technology that enhances the learning experience. But what about the support systems for these shiny toys and the latest innovations? After all, a dvLED display isn’t much without something holding it in place.

Carts and mounts may not be glamorous, but they are imperative in large-scale rollouts or assembling systems in the boardroom. We caught up with some industry experts to discuss the latest innovations and features, as well as tips for your next installation.

Racking Up Innovation

Most manufacturers agree that innovation stems from understanding the needs of both the integrator and end user. "We recognize the challenges of fitting more system devices behind large displays and the need for those devices to be easily accessible if a problem arises," said Beth Peterson, director, product management, Chief, a Legrand | AV brand. "Innovation can be as simple as integrated cable management or eliminating time-consuming steps, such as site surveys."

Take the Chief Velocity outdoor triple pedestal system, for example. This modular outdoor digital signage pedestal mount, which supports Samsung and LG 55-inch outdoor displays, was designed for drive-thru menu boards and wayfinding signage. Its modular design allows for single, double, or triple displays and easily accommodates future expansion. It was crafted for easy installation and its open back allows easy access for maintenance.

One of the common trends in any Pro AV technology is ease of use, and that holds true with recent innovations in racks and mounts as well. According to Joe Wentworth, senior product manager, Peerless-AV, these AV accessories are becoming sleeker, slimmer, and more modular to ensure an aesthetically pleasing finish and a safer, more efficient installation. "Features such as integrated cable management and power outlets, configurable X/Y/Z alignment, tool-less hanging, and easily adjustable builds are gaining popularity, opening the possibilities for more complicated configurations and future adaptability," he added.

Another innovation gaining momentum is the use of Unistrut-based mounting systems. "This is especially true for video walls and menu boards," explained William Bear, VP of sales and marketing, Crimson AV. "Integrators and general contractors already know and use Unistrut, so being able to drop in mounting hardware that’s designed to work with those components is a big win. It shortens install time, reduces the learning curve, and creates a more scalable, repeatable solution—something that’s especially valuable in multi-location rollouts."

Let the Good Times Roll

Not all displays are permanent installations and often need to be ready to roll from room to room. When evaluating AV carts—whether for corporate, education, healthcare, or rental applications—Bear said safety, mobility, and flexibility are key considerations. This includes looking into UL weight rating and tip testing to ensure the cart can safely support the specified load, plus height adjustability, integrated cable management, a wide wheelbase for added stability, and smooth rolling, locking casters to simplify mobility.

Crimson AV has designed the M90XL heavy-duty mobile cart as a solution to meet these requirements. Crafted for displays ranging from 50-98 inches, the M90XL is an all-in-one mobile cart, built for durability, performance, and aesthetics. It offers shelf options that make it ideal for demanding commercial environments. Two side shelves, a top shelf, a front/back heavy-duty steel shelf, plus a full back panel cover system deliver a clean, professional appearance. Other features include four height settings, tilting vertical brackets, cable management, and easy transport.

"Carts with easily maneuverable builds and storage options allow for effective transportation from room to room, while keeping all AV components stored together," explained Wentworth. "Height adjustability and support for a wide range of display sizes also ensure the cart is ready to use for any purpose." Other features to look for include built-in organization tools like power outlets and cable management, as well as a slim build and wide-set wheels.

"At Chief, we prioritize the quality and safety of our products, ensuring they meet UL tip standards and are built to last," Peterson added. "We've all seen the school district buy closeout-priced carts from Amazon, only to have to replace them the next year because the casters have buckled and they aren’t holding up to heavy use. Considering storage is essential, such as whether it offers a shelf or storage bin for items that need to stay with the system when it moves from one classroom to another."

For example, the Peerless-AV SmartMount flat panel carts combine durable support with adaptable setup. These carts are designed with all the requirements of a mobile display setup in mind, making them suitable for diverse professional and educational environments, which earned them HETMA approval. The tubular design ensures a minimalistic and portable setup by concealing all cables internally. Plus, the rear ABS molded cover maintains a clutter-free appearance and offers convenient storage for cables, media players, or mini PCs.

Wall Mounts: Best Practices

Getting a wall mount placed correctly and securely the first time is imperative to avoid delays and additional costs, especially in large-scale rollouts. Unfortunately, that is not always the case, as there are mistakes aplenty in mount installation. According to Wentworth, common mistakes he has seen are overloading the mount, insufficient anchoring, limited rear access for serviceability, and poor cable organization. All these pose safety hazards and damages to displays and aesthetics.

Peterson said a common mistake has been not planning for the inevitable servicing a room system will require. "Our Chief pullout extension accessory can attach to several of our standard wall mounts," she added. "It allows one technician to troubleshoot instead of needing two to remove a large display from a wall to access behind it."

Bear recommends a five-step process to streamline installation. Each step carefully prepares to avoid the mistakes made, including requesting bulk shipping for large projects, standardizing mounting and height templates, checking for stud spacing, pre-assembling whenever possible, and using leveling features and micro-adjustments.

It's important not to overlook the pre-installation process. As Wentworth noted, gathering accurate measurements and weight calculations can avoid those alignment errors and ensure the mount can safely support the display.

Placement is a key decision. "It’s important to consider easy access for serviceability or future replacements," Wentworth said. "Features like open‑back wall plates and internal wire channels allow for easy cable routing and future maintenance without having to remove the entire system."

To ensure everything is properly installed, mounts are designed with features critical in avoiding these installation pitfalls. "Ensuring compatibility is a top priority in the buying process," Peterson said. "We provide the Mountfinder tool, which features hundreds of thousands of models researched over the past 25 years, along with their specifications matched to our range of mounts. Eliminating guesswork in compatibility allows us to continually support our AV integration partners."

Wentworth added that built-in adaptability tools, as well as simple installation tools, aid in making future adjustments more efficient. These include quick-connect and release clamps, micro-tilt adjustability, and alignment tools. Additionally, he added, tools like built-in cable management and universal display size and weight support also allow for easier management for safe, long-term use.

[Brewing Up Effective Digital Signage]

"I often hear from customers that the secret to a stress-free mount installation is to stick with the mount you know well," Peterson said. "When designing our mounts, we focus on quick installation. The key is selecting mounts with post-installation leveling and micro adjustments. These features enable a ‘close enough’ alignment initially, followed by quick fine-tuning at the end."

OpenDrives launched Astraeus, a cloud-native data services platform. Astraeus was designed to enable IT departments within enterprise organizations to configure, store, orchestrate, manage, secure, and deploy their mission-critical applications across dynamic environments, whether on-premises, cloud, or hybrid environments.

[Cloud Power: Cybersecurity and Pro AV Priorities]

The current dominance of cloud-first and cloud-only environments among organizations of all sizes has resulted in growing data silos. As a result, these same organizations are left grappling with ever-increasing public cloud costs. They’re searching for something more cost predictable, but with cloud-native resiliency and scale-out flexibility. Some seek hybrid solutions, thinking they need both cloud and on-premises or even all-multi-cloud environments, but OpenDrives’ Astraeus takes a different approach.

“Traditional data infrastructures, whether cloud or on-premises, have often been blamed for increased costs, lack of performance, and high complexity," said Sean Lee, CEO of OpenDrives. "Infrastructure has also been blamed for leaving data lifecycle challenges unresolved as data continues to sprawl, and workflows continue to get more complicated. At OpenDrives, we think infrastructure has not kept pace with workflow demands because infrastructure is not the right solution for the job. This isn’t about where to move your data. It’s about what you can do with your data. Outcome-based data services are the answer."

Built on cloud-native principles, Astraeus brings the flexibility, familiarity, and experience of the cloud back on-premises where performance and workflow management capabilities are key. The platform’s Kubernetes-based architecture and cluster-first design enable IT departments to deploy their entire cloud workflows (without having to re-architect anything) and access and manage disparate data stores—all from a unified namespace that can easily scale out when the need arises.

“The cloud fundamentally changed how we approach infrastructure, and that’s been incredibly valuable,” Lee continued. “But what we’re seeing now is that organizations have learned enough about their actual workflows to make smarter decisions about where applications should run. The question has shifted from ‘should we go to the cloud?’ to ‘where does each workflow perform best?’ Astraeus gives them data access and services to answer that question without creating workflow disruption.”

Astreaus handles demanding workflows across data-intensive industries by tackling every data lifecycle stage—from creation to ingestion, storage and performance, orchestration and unification, governance and compliance, consumption and operations, and protection and retention. Astraeus’ built-in services include: high-performance storage management; simple resource allocation and orchestration; flexible deployment and scalability; intelligent application and cluster management; data optimization and tiering; data governance and protection—all while controlled from a unified data plane. With these services, Astraeus can solve data and workflow challenges for a wide array of industries, including media and entertainment; architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC); healthcare, financial services; retail, and more. The initial release will deliver a select set of data services, with continuous enhancements planned in upcoming updates.

With the addition of Astraeus to OpenDrives’ product lineup, customers can choose the right solution that best enables their workflows. The company’s flagship Atlas data storage and management platform is a network-attached storage (NAS) solution purpose-built for high-bandwidth, low-latency workflows. The new Astraeus cloud-native data services platform breaks down data silos and unifies data sprawl. The fully managed Atlas Cloud Plus services extends Atlas’ performance into the public cloud. All three choices are designed to convey the company’s product values of high performance, ease of use, flexibility, interoperability, extensibility, and cost predictability.

Chief, a brand of Legrand | AV, has released its Chief Velocity Outdoor Pedestal System. The system is a modular outdoor digital signage pedestal mount with options for single, double or triple displays. Ideal for quick-service-restaurant (QSR), drive-through menu boards and wayfinding signage, the system supports Samsung and LG 55-inch outdoor displays and can easily accommodate future expansion. The new Chief Velocity Outdoor Pedestal System features a modular design, providing a reduced long-term cost of ownership that allows end users to make the most of their digital signage investment.

[Digital Signage Continues to Thrive]

“The modularity of the Chief Velocity System allows for a streamlined installation process, and supports future growth and expansion,” said Beth Torgerson, Chief product marketing manager, Legrand | AV. “Ideal for QSR menu boards and wayfinding signage, its modular design makes it easy to modify by simply updating a single display to a dual or triple display, without having to start from scratch.”

Chief Velocity is designed for quick setup and requires only two people for installation. No heavy-lift equipment is necessary—eliminating equipment rental costs. Simplified French cleat display mounting provides fast, safe installation with lateral shift for zero bezel-to-bezel gaps. Efficient installation minimizes downtime for drive-through services, helping to preserve revenue and maintain customer flow.

The Chief Velocity system components are shipped on a standard 48-inch pallet, which easily fits in a smaller receiving dock. The slotted base plate provides 15 degrees of rotational mounting flexibility to ideally position the menu boards for the specific demands of each site. The new system is designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and comes complete with outdoor-rated finishes that meet stringent UL 2442 Part 2 requirements. This includes robust galvanized steel with outdoor-rated primer and powder coat, and compatibility with outdoor displays from Samsung and LG.

Vanco International, has released its new SCAT6A Slim CAT6A Patch Cable series. Developed to meet rising throughput requirements for both residential and commercial systems, these 1 GHz-rated cables are designed for high-density rack environments and tight install spaces, making structured wiring jobs faster, neater, and more reliable.

[Tech Perspectives: Something New, Something Blew]

“Integrators rely on Vanco’s premium-quality patch cables for clean, professional installations,” said Brandon White, director of product development, Vanco International. “The SCAT6A series delivers the bandwidth they need for UHD environments and next-gen applications.”

The SCAT6A cables feature a super-slim 28 AWG stranded UTP design with a flexible PVC jacket measuring just 3.5mm in diameter. These compact cables are fully rated for 1 GHz performance and 100% tested to meet EIA/TIA T568 A/B standards.

Each cable is outfitted with snag-less strain relief ends and Cat 6A RJ-45 connectors for durability and ease of use. The SCAT6A series is UL and CM rated, and available in multiple color options (black, blue, and white) with lengths ranging from 6 inches to 10 feet.
The SCAT6A Patch Cable series joins Vanco’s growing lineup of installation-ready AV infrastructure solutions. Dealers can pair these patch cables with Vanco’s HDMI cables, wall plates, mounts, and Procell batteries for a complete job-site toolkit. Together with premium speakers, amplifiers, power management solutions, and AV distribution components and accessories from Vanco brands Beale Street Audio, Pulse Audio, Evolution, and Monster, integrators can spec an entire job with confidence from a single catalog.

The GUDE Systems Expert Power Control (EPC) 8291-2 is an intelligent AC/DC power distribution unit (PDU) designed for modern AV/IT installations in various environments, from lecture halls to data centers. This compact 1RU device offers high-density power, supporting up to 21 devices through 17 DC and 4 AC active switched and metered ports, thus eliminating the need for bulky adapters.

Key features include native 5V, 12V, 24V, and 110–230V outputs, simple configuration, and support for both DHCP and static IP assignment. The EPC 8291-2 boasts individual outlet-level metering across all DC ports, providing precise load distribution and granular visibility into power data such as current, voltage, and power factor. It also supports environmental sensors for temperature, humidity, and air pressure.

For remote management, technicians can access advanced analytics via an IP interface, while individual outlet switching is available through multiple protocols. Self-healing ICMP/TCP watchdogs can automatically reboot unresponsive devices, resolving up to 90% of service issues without manual intervention. This PDU enhances managed service delivery, reducing downtime and operational costs. Security is a priority, with features like a robust 300W power supply, outlet-level protection, and encrypted communication, ensuring reliability for critical AV/IT environments.

IHSE USA unveiled the Draco XStreme series. This new product line is based on a next-generation hardware platform and represents a fundamental shift in design, combining enhanced performance with maximum flexibility and long-term sustainability. The new extender series supports video resolutions ranging from Full HD up to 8K and is engineered for seamless integration with both proprietary and future IP-based transmission technologies.

[KVM: The Need for Speed]

At the heart of this platform lies the JPEG XS codec co-developed with the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits. The Draco XStreme series enables visually lossless video without any frame drops, up to 16-bits of deep color, HDR support, less than 1 millisecond per frame of video transmission latency, and frame rates of up to 480 fps all on JPEG XS, a widely accepted codec standard in AV and broadcasting.

"With the introduction of the Draco XStreme series, IHSE sets a new benchmark for the industry," said Gregory Lenczycki, COO of IHSE USA. "The new series features the latest hardware components, delivering exceptional performance while maintaining low power consumption, which is an essential factor for long-term availability and future-proof video and signal transmission."

The series was designed with the ability to transmit high-resolution, low-latency video signals with reduced infrastructure requirements. For instance, users can transmit 4K60 signals over a standard 1 GB network without visible loss in image quality. This not only reduces energy consumption but also simplifies system architecture, resulting in total project cost savings.

IHSE is launching its first Dual-Head 4K60 Extender, capable of transmitting two 4K60 video signals over a single cable. Additionally, the company is releasing a Single-Head 4K60 Extender that operates over a 1 GB link for even greater video transmission efficiency.

Sound Control Technologies has released its USB-AMV adapter. This compact signal converter merges HDMI video and USB into a single USB-C connection with DisplayPort Alt Mode and audio support.

[Are We on the Brink of a New Format War?]

With the rise of USB-C and DP Alt Mode in devices such as Cisco’s Codec EQ and Room Bar Pro, Neat Bar Gen 2, Logitech MeetUp 2, and others, AV and IT teams are running into a common challenge: how to connect legacy two-cable HDMI/USB systems to these new single-port, USB-C devices. Most extension kits and tabletop interfaces weren’t designed with DP Alt Mode in mind, leading to compromises in performance or functionality.

“There’s a growing disconnect between what today’s video bars need and what most AV systems can deliver,” said David Neaderland, founder, president, and CEO of Sound Control Technologies. “The USB-AMV bridges that gap—giving customers a clean, reliable way to connect legacy systems to modern USB-C devices without ripping out their existing infrastructure.”

While most modern laptops already support DP Alt Mode over USB-C, AV endpoints have lagged behind due to high development costs and limited compatibility. SCT’s USB-AMV helps close that gap, by providing a clean, reliable way to interface with these devices using existing HDMI and USB sources – ideal for BYOD and BYOM environments.

The USB-AMV merges HDMI and USB into one uncompressed USB-C DP Alt Mode output while supporting full-bandwidth AV signal transfer with uncompressed video and audio. It was designed as a compact, plug-and-play solution, requiring no programming or external power, and is compatible with a wide range of DP Alt Mode-capable codecs and video bars.

IHSE USA has launched the Draco vario XS DisplayPort 1.2 Extender Series, the first of a new family of extenders based on the JPEG XS video codec. Building on the proven technology found in all IHSE Draco KVM systems, the series offers a new set of high-performance extenders for 4K60.

[The Integration Guide to KVM 2025]

The Draco vario XS DisplayPort 1.2 series includes solutions that are the first 4K KVM extenders to support a 60 Hz refresh rate at full color depth over a 1 Gbps bandwidth data path. The device constitutes a new generation of digital KVM signal extension using the JPEG XS video codec, developed in cooperation with Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits. This revolutionary coding technology ensures brilliant image quality at the highest video resolutions with outstanding color accuracy.

“Backwards compatible with current IHSE KVM systems, the new Draco vario XS 1.2 offers a significant cost-saving path to adding 4K/60 via the JPEG XS video codec to an existing IHSE system. Why invest again to get to the latest, most desired KVM standards when you can simply upgrade your IHSE KVM to 4K/60 at a fraction of the cost it would take to replace it,” said Greg Lenczycki, COO at IHSE USA. “Its lightning-fast processing enables glitch-free, instant source switching—reducing eye strain and eliminating video tearing common in other systems. The Draco vario XS works seamlessly with existing Draco vario classic FHD extenders, allowing 2160p60 and 1080p60 sources to be viewed simultaneously on the same 4K display. With its compact footprint and rugged chassis, it’s the ideal KVM solution for centralized switching in space-constrained environments.”

Draco vario XS extenders can be integrated into any existing IHSE Draco tera matrix system, operating at 1Gbps or/and 3Gbps. Transfer of fully digital video is supported in 4K resolutions up to 4096 x 2160 and 3840 x 2160 at a real 60-Hz refresh rate and full color depth (24 bit, 4:4:4). It also supports digital audio transmission via the DisplayPort interface, reducing the need for additional audio modules, and enabling playback of the audio signal on monitors with integrated loudspeakers. Integration of optional Draco vario upgrade modules for digital or analog audio input and output as well as data signals, such as USB 2.0 and RS-232 is also possible.

IHSE’s Draco vario XS series can be used in very large facilities for operation areas such as command and control, airport kiosks, presentation walls, surveillance rooms, mobile production operator stations and other connections requiring long distances KVM transmission between facilities such as university campuses. IHSE Draco vario extenders are available for both fiber and Cat-X infrastructures, offering inherent security and support for redundant signal paths—ideal for mission-critical workstations. The redundant options enable parallel signal transmission in backup or fully parallel configurations. The fiber link is generally resistant to electromagnetic interference , making them especially well-suited for sensitive environments such as government, military, air traffic control, and healthcare.

Sound Control Technologies recently unveiled the USB-PDC Power Delivery Combiner, a compact single-cable solution built for modern BYOD/BYOM meeting spaces. The USB-PDC delivers up to 90 watts of USB Power Delivery (PD) to laptops over USB-C, while seamlessly passing up to USB 3.1 Gen 2 data and DisplayPort Alt Mode support for video output.

[SCN Hybrid World: Trends in the Workplace]

“It’s the final piece needed to complete the single-cable laptop solution for almost every video bar on the market,” said David Neaderland, founder, president and CEO of Sound Control Technologies. “Whether you’re connecting directly, through an active optical cable, or via a signal extender, the USB-PDC delivers power to the laptop, access to the room’s gear, and video to the display—all through one clean USB-C connection.”

The USB-PDC is built for meeting spaces and shared work environments that demand simple, reliable laptop connectivity. With secure locking USB-C connectors and included mounting ears, the device supports under-table or rack-mounted installations.

The Cleerline Technology Group has introduced a web-based B-to-B configuration tool to streamline the ordering process for prefabricated fiber patch cables of any length or quantity. Integrators simply select the desired fiber optic cable, connector style, cable length, and any available options from easy drop-down menus to obtain a quote and complete their order. All cables are tested to exceed industry standards prior to shipping.

[The Next Big Thing—What’s on the Horizon for Pro AV?]

Cleerline offers prefabricated patch cables in any length, constructed using their SSF or their BendSafe fibers to significantly improve efficiency on the jobsite. Integrators can choose from multimode or single-mode fiber, add options such as staggered connectors and pull-eyes, making it easier to pull the cables through conduit. Every cable is expertly assembled, polished, and tested to exceed industry standards. Single-ended termination is also available, allowing technicians to snake the unterminated end through constricted spaces, with only one end to terminate on the jobsite. For every network or AV installation, Cleerline makes it easier than ever to get the job done right.

Cleerline continues to enhance fiber connectivity for integration pros due to its easy termination, strength, and bend insensitivity to achieve long-term reliability.

AVPro Edge has introduced the AVPro Edge AC-MXNET-1G-MV41V2—a 4K video tiling solution for integration within the company’s much heralded MXnet V2 AV over IP ecosystem. Equipped with four input channels, HDMI and IP outputs, advanced EDID management, and high-quality video scaling, this rack-mounted device is easy to integrate, facilitating effortless display of multiple content sources on a single screen.

[Toto... We're Not in Kansas Anymore—'Wizard of Oz' Hits the Vegas Sphere]

“The MV41V2 is an ideal multi-viewer for integrators serving all AV vertical markets,” explained Matt Murray, CTO at AVPro Edge. “With an intuitive web UI that streamlines setup and configuration plus third-party control compatibility and the legendary performance and reliability of AVPro Edge, the MV41V2 represents an opportunity for integrators to elevate the AV experience for their clients across any project.”

The AVPro Edge MV41V2 empowers enterprise environments with advanced 4K multiview capabilities, enabling the seamless display of multiple desktops, video feeds, or conference sources on a single screen. Ideal for boardrooms, command centers, and collaborative workspaces, the MV41V2 enhances productivity by consolidating critical inputs into one reliable, high-quality display. AVPro Edge’s EDID management eliminates interface challenges, so systems function perfectly every time.

The MV41V2 is equally well-suited for a vast array of high-resolution projects such as security, hospitality, retail, education, government facilities, factory robotics monitoring, and any other applications requiring superb image fidelity.

In January, at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, HDMI Forum—a nonprofit run by manufacturers of consumer electronics, PCs, mobile devices, cables, and components—unveiled the new HDMI 2.2 standard. It's the first new HDMI specification since Version 2.1 was announced in 2017.

[The Integration Guide to Video Displays and Mounts 2024]

In a press release, the organization declared the specification delivers "enhanced options" for the HDMI ecosystem. “New technology enables higher quality options now and in the future for content producers such as TV, movie, and game studios, while enabling multiple distribution platforms,” it continued.

Unlike so many other products released to the marketplace, HDMI 2.2 truly is "new and improved." But what does that mean to the Pro AV industry? What are the top features and how will the new standard deliver better performance for end users? SCN spoke with some industry experts to learn what you can expect from HDMI 2.2, as well as when you can expect it to dominate the market.

Multiple Improvements

“The new HDMI 2.2 specification includes multiple enhancements over previous releases,” said Joe da Silva, Extron’s VP of marketing. “One is that it doubles the maximum data rate to 96 Gbps. This increase facilitates greater color bit depth at higher resolutions, resulting in richer colors and pristine images. Two is that HDMI 2.2 enables support for uncompressed 8K at 60 Hz with 4:4:4 color sampling at 8-bit color depth. This capability requires 64.15 Gbps, which is more than HDMI 2.1 can manage."

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How important is that data rate, which was 48 Gbps in HDMI 2.1? Well, bumping 8K60 4:4:4 up to 10-bit HDR raises the data rate to 80.19 Gbps, da Silva said, which means HDMI 2.2 can still support it. Plus, it can support an environment that requires 10K60 4:4:4 at 8-bit color depth.

But HDMI 2.2's 96 Gbps data rate isn't just about 8K or 10K support. “It also enables higher frame rates for 1080p and 4K signals, improving visual quality and providing a better experience,” da Silva added. “This is ideal for esports and its fast-action gaming sequences. HDMI 2.2 also enhances the audio experienced by delivering improved synchronization between audio and video source signals.”

Bryan Phann, ViewSonic’s senior business line manager for LFD–Commercial Digital Displays, agreed that HDMI 2.2 delivers a massive leap forward with increased bandwidth, support for up to 8K at 240Hz and 10K at 120Hz, and the Latency Indication Protocol (LIP), which improves audio and video sync. “These innovations align seamlessly with ViewSonic’s dedication to pushing technological boundaries," he said. "As part of our forward-looking strategy, upcoming ViewSonic products will adopt HDMI 2.2, empowering users to experience superior visual clarity, smoother refresh rates, and synchronized audio-visual output. The new Certified Ultra96 cable support will further maximize these gains, ensuring you can unleash the full power of next-generation connectivity.”

Brad Bramy is VP of marketing and operations of HDMI Licensing Administrator, which licenses HDMI technology on behalf of HDMI Forum. He said the new HDMI specification delivers enhanced options for the vast HDMI ecosystem, allowing more advanced solutions to create, distribute, and experience the best end user outcome.

[USB-C and AVoIP]

“The new technology enables higher quality options now and in the future for content producers such as TV, movie, and game studios, while enabling multiple distribution platforms," Bramy told SCN. "Higher 96Gbps bandwidth and next-gen HDMI Fixed Rate Link technology provide optimal audio and video for a wide range of device applications. An end user can be assured that their displays support a native video format in the best way possible and can deliver a seamless and reliable experience.”

Positive Impact

The experts agree that HDMI 2.2 is good news for Pro AV. According to da Silva, standards like HDMI benefit the industry because they create a roadmap for implementing new features and innovations.

“Developing the next evolution of product designs to an agreed upon specification brings compatible advancements to the market, including higher resolutions, refresh rates for brighter and more vivid images, and new technology," he explained. "Users benefit from these enhancements and further interoperability among the widening array of computer, media player, switcher, and display device brands and models, enjoying an ever more enriched visual experience. Backward compatibility is also beneficial to the user by allowing older equipment to continue to function in new and upgraded installations.”

Incorporating HDMI 2.2 into digital displays brings tangible advantages for various Pro AV applications such as digital signage (sharper visuals in retail and corporate spaces), esports (reduced latency and ultra-smooth refresh rates), and professional displays. “These features underscore why ViewSonic is dedicated to leading with HDMI 2.2 in upcoming product lines,” Phann said.

[Show Me the Money]

The HDMI 2.2 advancements also "enhance the visual experience, allowing higher refresh rates such as 4K at up to 480Hz, 8K at up to 240Hz, and 10K at 120Hz for signals with 4:2:0 color space,” said da Silva. “This can play a significant role in esports arenas and labs, providing smoother gameplay in a more immersive experience for the gamer and audience alike. The higher resolution and color bit depth ensure even greater details for large digital signage and displays, as well as massive video walls and displays for stadiums, shopping complexes, and similar venues. In the education market, the higher data rates, resolutions, and refresh rates of HDMI 2.2 enhances the depth and details, allowing more to be seen and enjoyed in the widest array of environments."

And that faster 96Gbps bandwidth improves demanding data-intensive, immersive, and virtual applications such as virtual reality, spatial reality, and light field displays as well as various commercial applications such as large-scale digital signage, medical imaging, and machine vision. “HDMI 2.2 also includes Latency Indication Protocol for improving audio and video synchronization, which is especially beneficial for multiple-hop system configurations such as those with an audio video receiver or soundbar,” Bramy added.

Applies to Everything

The advent of HDMI 2.2 will touch every aspect of the Pro AV (and consumer AV) market. And the new specification applies to “all [new] HDMI devices, including cable, source, sink, and repeater,” Bramy said. “It is part of the HDMI Cable Certification Program, requiring each model length to be tested and certified and display a Certification Label. All cables claiming compliance to the HDMI 2.2 specification are required to print the Ultra96 HDMI Cable name on the cable jacket and display the official Ultra96 HDMI Cable label on the packages.”

“While using Certified Ultra96 cables is crucial, achieving the fullest potential of HDMI 2.2 also requires compatible hardware,” noted Phann. “This is why ViewSonic’s next-generation displays and digital signage solutions will incorporate HDMI 2.2 technology to enable higher resolutions and optimized latency. Future ViewSonic releases, such as the CDE Ultra-Wide Series and advanced interactive flat panels, will explicitly highlight HDMI 2.2 compatibility to streamline purchasing decisions and usage.”

[On Image Matters: ViewSonic]

How long will it take HDMI 2.2 to become the dominant Pro AV/consumer AV standard? Bramy expects it will take two years, but Phann is a bit more conservative in his estimate: “Market-wide adoption is expected to grow steadily over the next three to five years,” he said. One thing is certain: HDMI 2.2 is the new gold standard for this technology, so Pro AV integrators and installers should prepare for this new reality accordingly.

LynTec recently released its new line of Company Switches, providing overcurrent protection to temporary loads. It allows live and entertainment venues to safely and quickly connect temporary loads to a permanent power source.

"In theaters, HoWs, and live entertainment venues, it’s common for visiting artists to bring in their own equipment, which needs fast, safe, temporary access to power,” said Mark Bishop, president of LynTec. “Our new Company Switch selection extends the versatility of our lineup, giving facilities the features that provide safe and reliable power connection and distribution."

LynTec Company Switches are available in 400-amp, 200-amp, 100-amp, or 60-amp models with Cam or Posi-Lock connectors in a durable 12-gauge steel enclosure. They feature phase and ground indicator lights, a safety shunt trip mechanism, and keyed lock and pull handles for added breaker protection that disconnects power when opened.

Sonnet Technologies has released its Echo 13 Thunderbolt 5 SSD Dock, the latest offering in the company’s family of docking stations and the first to exploit Thunderbolt 5, the fastest external computer interface available.

The Echo 13 SSD dock features a choice of Thunderbolt certified PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs from Kingston Technology and also includes four Thunderbolt 5 ports, four USB 3.2 Type A ports, a 2.5Gb Ethernet port, a 3.5mm headset jack, and SD and microSD card slots. 

[Pro AV 2025: What's Trendy?]

The Sonnet dock is compatible with Apple M series Mac computers; Thunderbolt 3 Intel Mac computers; Thunderbolt 5 and most Thunderbolt 4 Windows computers; Thunderbolt 5 and 4 Chromebook computers; M series iPad Pro tablets; and USB4 laptops. 

Modern laptops are increasingly designed with minimal ports, making docking stations essential for connecting multiple peripherals at once and expanding functionality. Additionally, with rising costs for higher storage capacity laptops, users often need extra external storage. The Echo 13 Thunderbolt 5 SSD Dock overcomes these limitations by providing 12 external connections, connecting superfast internal storage, charging the computer, connecting monitors, supporting fast wired network connectivity, and reading all SD memory cards. With its mix of peripheral ports, the Echo dock connects a vast array of devices and supports high-performance peripherals with ease.

['Visually Absorbable' Information Delivery]

Additionally, the Echo 13 Thunderbolt 5 SSD Dock addresses these challenges by centralizing to a single connection for displays, devices, storage, charging, and more; offering ultra-fast, built-in SSD storage (1TB, 2TB, or 4TB options); supporting multiple displays up to 8K resolution for enhanced productivity; and delivering 140W power delivery for rapid laptop charging.

The Neutrik Group has welcomed CONTRIK, a provider of professional power distribution systems, equipotential bonding systems, and power cables, to the U.S. market. Its first products unveiled are the Power Strip X CPSSX-T1-T3, the Power Strip X CPSSX-T1-T6, the Power Turtle X CPTSX-T1-T7, and the CCL75-P2 Truss Clip set. These power distribution products are manufactured in the United States.

“We’re excited to kick off the new year by introducing CONTRIK to the Americas portfolio, further strengthening the Neutrik Group’s commitment to providing innovative solutions for the professional power distribution market," said Chris Neethling, president of Neutrik Americas. "These products, manufactured by Major Custom Cable, a company of the Neutrik Group, combine European engineering excellence with U.S.-based production, ensuring unparalleled reliability, safety, and performance for the rental and staging industries."

[SCN Hall of Fame 2025]

The devices are designed to meet the unique demands of the rental and staging markets. Key attributes include genuine NEUTRIK powerCON TRUE1 TOP input and output connectors, an extremely robust and safe EASYLEN housing with a leather grain texture that is flame retardant (UL94 V0) and non-conductive, and truss mounting options. The devices feature high mechanical protection (high IK). The products are ETL listed with NEMA1 indoor certification for the U.S. market and UL 1640 compliance. Their powerCON TRUE1 TOP connectors are UL and IEC 60320-1 certified.

Branded as Power Xtreme (X), the Power Strip X CPSSX-T1-T3 features one powerCON TRUE1 input and three powerCON TRUE1 TOP output chassis connectors. This lightweight, compact power strip houses highly reliable NEUTRIK powerCON TRUE1 TOP receptacles for in, out, and daisy chaining.

The Power Strip X CPSSX-T1-T6 is a larger Power Xtreme (X) solution, with one powerCON TRUE1 input and six powerCON TRUE1 TOP output chassis connectors. Compared to CPSSX-T1-T3, CPSSX-T1-T6 offers more outputs in a corresponding longer housing.

[Pro AV 2025: What's Trendy?]

The Power Turtle X CPTSX-T1-T7 carries one powerCON TRUE1 input and seven powerCON TRUE1 TOP output chassis connectors packed into a compact, well-protected enclosure comparable to a turtle shell. The unit’s lightweight, compact form factor features a lower height and stackable housing design.

Ideal for use with the new CONTRIK Power Strip X and Power Turtle X products is the CCL75-P2 truss clip set. This 75mm set is ideal for use with 1.5-inch pipe. Designed for fast and secure mounting, these truss clips are manufactured from flame retardant (UL94 V2) EASYLEN material.

Did you find yourself an early holiday gift this Black Friday and score a new TV? Well, you can get that new display hung quickly and easily with the Crimson AV AU65WP20. Crimson boasts that the AU65WP20 is the 'world's thinnest articulating arm' for screens ranging from 13 all the way to 65 inches. You'll be able to watch that TV from anywhere in your living room or mancave— the AU65WP20 was designed with a double-stud wall plate for attaching to two studs on 16 and 20-inch centers,  securely holding flat panel displays a mere 1.2 inches from the wall when retracted and a full 20 inches when extended. Features include smooth tilt adjustments , a built-in level for quick and easy installation, and an integrated cable management system that helps hide the cords and not damage your decor or walls.

SCN Stocking Stuffers is a seasonal series highlighting affordable Pro AV tools for professionals on your “nice” list. Stay caught up on the whole series below:

* Aurora Multimedia CW-1 4K Converter

* ViewSonic M1X

* Blackmagic 2110 IP Mini IP to HDMI SFP

* Juice Goose RX 30 Filtercord

* Visix EPS 42 Epaper Sign 

* C2G USB-C Mini Docking Station

NEUTRIK is set to unveil its powerCON TRUE1 TOP heavy-duty sealed single phase power connector. The connector is specifically designed and specified for outdoor applications.

Features of the design with CBC breaking capacity include the latched fast locking mechanism, preventing the connector from being accidentally detached, the ability to plug in under load, and the unique NEUTRIK bushing and strain relief. This careful design ensures the powerCON TRUE1 TOP is suitable for use in all types of outdoor environments where power supply reliable and safety are paramount, including in live event production, concert touring, theatre production, broadcast production engineering and media acquisition applications.

[Room with a (Wide) View]

The powerCON TRUE1 TOP cable connectors are VDE and UL tested and certified in accordance with IEC EN 60320-1, ensuring compliance with latest internationally recognized industry safety requirements. NEUTRIK's TOP (Total Outdoor Protection) designation indicates a breadth of advanced environmental and safety protections, beyond the required certifications, for extended endurance and operability in the most adverse application environments.

To protect against the degradation of materials due to UV light during extended exposure to sunlight, high impact, F1 certified UV resistant plastic and rubber materials and components are used extensively. Elsewhere rigorous UV resistance testing is conducted in accordance with IEC EN 62368-1, demanding endurance under specific test conditions. Salt spray tests and noxious gas exposure tests, to the same IEC EN 62368-1 standard, ensure resistance to corrosion and guarantee the durability and longevity of the connectors in adverse environmental conditions. Adherence to both IP65 and IP67 ratings protect against ingression of particulates, while IP65 provides protection against liquid jets and sprays and IP67 against temporary immersions in liquids.

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The integrity of power supply connections is most reliably achieved when mating powerCON TRUE1 TOP cable connectors with the corresponding new powerCON TRUE1 TOP chassis connectors. Rigorously tested and certified to EC EN 60320-1, in compliance with international electrical safety standards, the TOP designation likewise encompasses resistance to and testing in respect of UV light exposure and corrosion. IP65 and IP67 ratings certify extensive protections in respect of particulate and liquid ingression, while NEUTRIK's 100% testing protocol and 'airtightness' classification guarantees the devices remain hermetically sealed, guaranteeing levels of performance in accordance with to exceeding the highest industry benchmarks for outdoor protection.

Snap One has introduced the Access Networks A770, its first Wi-Fi 7 access point. Access Networks A770 provides Snap One and ADI customers with an enterprise-grade solution to empower the next generation of advanced connected devices and high-demand applications such as 8K video streaming, extended reality (XR) video conferencing, massive multiplayer gaming, and more.

As the demand for immersive and interactive technologies supported by higher capacity networking solutions grows, ADI and Snap One are ready to help meet the needs of both customers and end users. Wi-Fi 7 offers reduced latency, providing nearly instantaneous, high speed connections to bandwidth-intensive applications across both residential and commercial environments. Specifically, the Access Networks A770 Wi-Fi 7 access point provides reliable performance even in the most densely populated networks and scalable throughput capacity for expanding technologies.

[SCN Top 50 Systems Integrators 2024]

The first wave of the A770 release will include the standard option, which is enabled with the ARCC Cloud-Based Controller. The A770 Unleashed version with OvrC integration will be available soon. The access point also employs WPA3, the latest Wi-Fi security standard, helping to ensure that all connected devices are secure.

The A770 features patented Beamflex+ Adaptive Antenna Technology, which enhances signal reception and reduces interference through dynamic, multidirectional antenna and radio patterns. Supporting eight spatial streams across 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz frequency bands, the A770 provides double the throughput of Wi-Fi 6 access points with a combined data rate of 12.22 Gbps. It can accommodate up to 1,024 concurrent users, while its built-in 10 Gbps Ethernet port ensures smooth connections without bottlenecks.

[What Happened to the AV Department?]

For additional support, Access Networks offers a team of certified networking engineers who provide comprehensive services, including network design, product pre-configuration, and post-installation system monitoring. With enterprise-grade hardware and a full suite of networking services, Access Networks delivers connected solutions for projects of all sizes. The A770 will come with a limited lifetime warranty and support from Access Networks.

When it comes to seamlessly sharing AV content over Ethernet between a wide range of devices, USB-C connectors and AV-over-IP networks are truly a marriage made in connection heaven. Indeed, USB-C is so useful for AVoIP applications precisely because this connection system is both flexible and extremely capable.

"It can be used in a variety of ways,” said Samuel Metivier, applications engineering director of USB-C signal extension solutions with AVPro Global Holdings. “Whether used for transporting USB signals back and forth, as an intake for DisplayPort video to be sent around to multiple displays, or an ‘off-ramp’ converting the AVoIP video signal into a USB Video Class [UVC] device, there are a multitude of ways to fit a USB-C connection into a AVoIP system.”

[What's In Your Conference Room?]

“USB-C is excellent for point-to-point connections from a node in an AVoIP network to BYOD consumer level devices,” added Ted Wolfe, CTO, Symetrix. “Its high data rates and ability to carry various existing and future AV and control protocols, as well as increasing desire by users and governments for standardized connectors, have made the USB-C connector the de facto standard for point-to-point connections. For instance, the inclusion of the power delivery feature available with Symetrix's xIO USB Dante endpoint allows for a single connector between our sophisticated open architecture system and the user's laptop.”

Of course, any USB-C connection is only as good as its cable. The signs of a good USB-C cable include “a good build quality, not being too thin, and displaying the USB-IF logo to denote the capabilities of the USB-C cable,” said Metivier. “The best USB-C cables include support for a minimum of 100 watts of power delivery and feature a smart E-Marker chip.”

World Domination

Look around the Pro AV world and you will see USB-C being used in all kinds of installations. The main reason for USB-C’s domination in the Pro AV space is its sheer usefulness. For Symetrix, computer connectivity is the primary use case. “It's commonly used to connect Teams and Zoom devices to integrated audio systems, whether to a dedicated machine or BYOD," Wolfe said.

AVPro Global Holdings is seeing USB-C generally being deployed to connect for interactive touchpanels and all-in-one video displays. “However, we are seeing an increase of USB-C ports on smaller mini PCs for UCC rooms and KVM switchers,” added Metivier.

Extron is experiencing a similar trend. “We see the primary use for USB-C in UCC spaces that need a video output and USB data connections with the room's USB cameras and microphones for use in Teams or Zoom meetings,” said Joe da Silva, VP of marketing, Extron. "With a single connection, a laptop can connect to the room's display to share content locally, while also connecting to the room's USB cameras and microphones to share the room's video and audio along with the presenter's content with remote participants. Without USB-C, this would require multiple connections to the laptop for video, USB data, and power.”

There are many reasons why USB-C is sweeping away other connectors in the Pro AV world. Chief among these is the "combination of speed, power delivery, reversibility, protocol compatibility, and simplicity combine to provide an ease of use that no other connector matches,” said Wolfe.

According to da Silva, USB-C's multi-faceted support for video, power, and USB signals over a single connector makes it an attractive solution for Pro AV designers, integrators/installers, and end users. "USB-C simplifies the interface connections needed at a conference table or lectern,” he observed. “These are real cost-saving solutions that reduce installation costs and operational needs for AV systems in any space, from a small meeting room to a large operations center.”

Competitive Analysis

USB-C is just one of many connection options for Pro AV. So how does it stack up against the competition?

Let’s start with members of the USB family. According to Metivier, USB-C offers more capability than USB-A and Micro USB connectors, due to USB-C having up to 15 additional pins in its format. With these extra pins, USB-C can support connection-orientation negotiation, SuperSpeed USB data, and power delivery over a single cable. This puts it ahead of USB-A and Micro USB, he said.

Then there’s USB-C’s standing versus Lightning and Thunderbolt. “Apple's proprietary Lightning connector is a small form factor connection used on older iPhone and iPad products,” said da Silva. “It is reversible like USB-C but isn't designed for USB-C high-speed data rates like USB 10 Gbps or higher. It also requires adapters to transition to other connector types, and so isn't comparable to USB-C with its all-in-one video, USB data, and power capabilities.”

[Corporate Connectivity]

In contrast, Thunderbolt uses the USB-C connector but offers a higher performance standard than USB—and is fully backward compatible with USB. “Consequently, a device that supports Thunderbolt can also support USB video, data, and power capabilities,” da Silva continued. (Of course, Apple’s recent adoption of the USB-C standard for iPhones to comply with European Union regulations renders much of this discussion moot.)

Finally, there’s HDMI, which still has a place in the AVoIP operating environment. “My opinion is that USB‑C is best for video connections to conferencing solutions that are running on Windows, Mac, or Linux computers,” said Wolfe. “HDMI is best for connecting devices to monitors, projectors, and video switchers.”

Metivier isn’t so sure. “Using the USB-C in the DisplayPort Alternate Mode with Multi Stream Transport allows for up to four extended monitors to be sent over the same cable,” he said. “In my opinion, this added flexibility could be crucial for some applications versus HDMI's single display support.”

Da Silva takes a pragmatic approach to the debate. “If your needs are strictly video and the source device supports HDMI, then HDMI is likely your most cost-effective solution,” he declared. “However, as soon as you want to power a laptop or support USB data, then USB-C quickly becomes the preferred option. Also, some laptops may not provide an HDMI output, so USB-C becomes the de facto option.”

[Strategies and Solutions for Corporate Campus Displays]

No technology is perfect, including USB-C. For example, when you need to send lots of AV over longer distances between multiple devices with flexible routing, Wolfe said a different technology is required. Still, USB-C remains an excellent connectivity option for Pro AV applications.

"This is why USB-C connections should be incorporated wherever they add value to a Pro AV design, particularly in areas like UCC spaces,” da Silva said. “And as USB-C becomes the dominant connector on laptops and other mobile devices, it will become increasingly important to include USB-C connections in other video distribution areas as well.”

Visionary has made available a new firmware update for its 5 Series PacketAV Matrix endpoints, now featuring native AES67 support across the entire product line. The addition of AES67, along with other key features, further strengthens the performance and flexibility of Visionary’s PacketAV Matrix Series for Pro AV installations.

[AVoIP: Beyond the Buzzword]

“We are proud to bring AES67 support to our entire 5 Series product line,” said Scott Freshman, chief operating officer for Visionary. “This update, along with the removal of jumbo frame requirements, integration with Extreme Networks’ Fabric Attach, and the introduction of sub-frame latency, reflects our commitment to providing cutting-edge, flexible solutions that simplify AV installation and improve performance across diverse environments.”

The addition of native AES67 audio support enables seamless integration with a wide range of audio systems that use this industry-standard protocol. AES67 facilitates high-quality, low-latency audio transmission in networked environments, ensuring full interoperability between Visionary’s 5 Series endpoints and a broad array of AES67-compliant devices. With this enhanced flexibility, Visionary customers can create even more adaptable and future-proof AV infrastructures.

[The Integration Guide to AVoIP 2024]

Beyond AES67 integration, the new firmware removes the need for jumbo frames, streamlining network configurations and enabling wider interoperability. By no longer requiring jumbo frames, Visionary’s 5 Series endpoints work seamlessly on networks with devices that are incompatible with or do not support jumbo frames. Additionally, the new firmware update introduces a significant improvement in latency performance. The 5 Series PacketAV Matrix endpoints now achieve sub-frame latency, with as little as ~2 milliseconds of delay.

 Welcome to Crestron's AV-over-IP week. To celebrate, the company has unveiled its new DM NVX 384 encoder/decoder. The solution brings seamless performance across unified communications, digital signage, and presentation spaces. Crestron's weeklong celebration of innovation showcases new solutions, celebrates trusted partners and projects, and offers new training opportunities for the industry across a mix of in-person and online event opportunities.

[Take a Peek Inside Crestron's New NYC Experience Center]

The solution brings USB-C connectivity to the DM NVX platform as well as delivers multi-input switching across four inputs and supports 5K resolution. The DM NVX 384 is ideal for addressing USB-C video input support, which has become the standard across laptops, smartphones, and tablets, and is common in both the home as well as commercial settings. The multi-input switching allows for two HDMI connectivity inputs and two USB-C inputs, which has been a common request for applications where many sources might be required, such as a podium or teaching lectern. Lastly, the 5K support is helpful for addressing the increased popularity of 21:9 and 32:9 displays to support the growing screen real estate.

[AVoIP: Beyond the Buzzword]

“DM NVX transformed the way companies think about AV distribution, and to celebrate its continued innovation, Crestron is dedicating a week to DM NVX learning, collaboration, and inspiration. This portfolio has played a role in some pivotal projects from supporting the Mars Rover landing to the world’s largest sportsbook,” says Brad Hintze, executive vice president of Global Marketing at Crestron. “This latest addition to the platform brings exciting opportunistic new features that will address even more capabilities and applications across our AV-over-IP hardware offerings.”

Miri Technologies  has launched the Miri X510 dual-cellular bonding router. The innovative X510 hardware allows users to combine multiple wired and wireless internet connections into a single, highly resilient link that delivers enhanced performance even in remote locations with poor network coverage

The Miri X510 router overcomes the challenges of frequent internet outages, slow speeds, and inconsistent service, bonding up to seven internet links to bolster reliability and maximize performance for use cases ranging from the uncompromising demands of live event streaming at remote venues to reinforcing business continuity for enterprises and remote workers.

[Built on Reliability]

Integrating channel bonding technology from partner Speedify, the Miri X510 can combine Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, satellite and mobile data connections to enable faster speeds and robust reliability. Automatic failover ensures seamless connectivity even if one internet service provider fails, while the ability to bond 4G LTE and 5G helps overcome network congestion in crowded venues. The router features two SIM slots (SIMs not included) for the integrated 5G and 4G modems; two RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet ports; Wi-Fi 6 connectivity; and two USB ports for optional modems. Bandwidth can be increased even further with Speedify's unique Pair & Share function, which lets the router share data connections from mobile devices on the same network via the Speedify app.

[Lessons Learned from a Lost Tablet]

Miri worked closely with respected video production and streaming innovator Magewell on development of the X510 to ensure that the new router would meet the rigorous requirements of broadcasters, live streamers and video production professionals.