On AVoX: ATEN Technology

Christian Young, Pro AV Product Manager at ATEN Technology
(Image credit: Future)

AVT Question: Please share insight into the current state of networked AV and control; what you see as barriers to entry; and what advice can you offer on how AV/IT managers can overcome limited resources or a lack of buy-in.

Thought Leader: Christian Young, Pro AV Product Manager at ATEN Technology

The selection of one type of transmission technology over another is based on the type of application. AV over IP (or AVoIP) is ideal for when video, audio, and other types of signals need to be shared across different buildings, campuses, and even geographical locations. AVoIP offers many advantages, such as limitless flexibility and scalability, easy IP setup, daisy chaining capabilities for multiple displays, and convenient integration and installation. With careful planning and coordination, there are no major obstacles to applying this technology nowadays.

Because AVoIP can use the existing IT network in the company, bandwidth is a key consideration system integrators and AV/IT managers need to plan for in advance—and this can be very expensive. " — Christian Young, Pro AV Product Manager at ATEN Technology

AV over IP hardware is not very expensive when compared to traditional AV infrastructures of video matrixes and extenders. Companies buy the number of encoding and decoding devices required at that moment and expand in the future as needed, a network switch to handle the signal from the encoder to the local area network, and high-grade (CAT 6a or CAT 7) or fiber optic cables.

However, because AVoIP can use the existing IT network in the company, bandwidth is a key consideration system integrators and AV/IT managers need to plan for in advance—and this can be very expensive. What would the load of data be in three or five years? What type of data will the video signal have? What type of image quality and latency is acceptable for the application? How many locations will the data need to be sent in the future? These are just a few questions that should be asked/considered when implementing a future-proof infrastructure.

AV Technology's Thought Leader Series on AVoX

Check out what other industry thought leaders have to say about the state of networked AV. A full list with links can be found at the bottom of the On AVoX, the Intro Article

Cindy Davis
Brand and content director of AV Technology

Cindy Davis is the brand and content director of AV Technology. Davis enjoys exploring the ethos of experiential spaces as well as diving deep into the complex topics that shape the AV/IT industry. In 2012, the TechDecisions brand of content sites she developed for EH Publishing was named one of “10 Great Business Media Websites” by B2B Media Business magazine. For more than 20 years, Davis has developed and delivered multiplatform content for AV/IT B2B and consumer electronics B2C publications, associations, and companies. From 2000 to 2008, Davis was the publisher and editor-in-chief of Electronic House. From 2009 to present, as the principal of CustomMedia.Co, Davis developed content plans and delivered content for associations such as IEEE Standards Association and AVIXA, content marketing for Future Plc, and numerous AV/IT companies. Davis was a critical member of the AVT editorial team when the title won the “Best Media Brand” laurel in the 2018 SIIA Jesse H. Neal Awards. A lifelong New Englander, Davis makes time for coastal hikes with her husband, Gary, and their Vizsla rescue, Dixie, sailing on one of Gloucester’s great schooners, and sampling local IPAs.