On AVoX: Hall Technologies

As part of our AVT Thought Leaders Series on AVoX, we asked Ken Eagle, vice president of Technology at Hall Technologies to share his perspective on the state of networked AV.

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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: Ken Eagle, vice president of Technology at Hall Technologies

Networked AVoIP is a good news/bad news scenario for most enterprises. The good news is that the majority of networks today support gigabit Ethernet traffic. This is still sufficient for most corporate data and for many AV applications.

In nearly all cases, the existing AV solutions can be configured to work with the IP network." — Ken Eagle, vice president of Technology at Hall Technologies

But now for some not-so-good news; as more AV applications migrate to the network, existing infrastructure will need to be modified or upgraded to support the increased load demands put on the network. In some cases, 10-gigabit network paths could be required. And almost universally, data traffic will need to be segmented on the network for security and management purposes.

In nearly all cases, the existing AV solutions can be configured to work with the IP network. This will involve adding some type of encoder and decoder to provide the bridge between AV and IP solutions, so tech managers should be investigating and testing these kinds of solutions. A robust solution should accommodate the network needs beyond the short-term and be scalable for the years ahead.

The simplest way to overcome limited resources is for AV and IT managers to leverage the manufacturer’s assistance. Most manufacturers have highly educated engineers and design staff, and some even have training and education programs to help with rollout, integration, training, and support functions. Your manufacturer will partner with you to create the best design for your system, taking into account both immediate and future needs, as well as your business objectives.

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 is the brand and content director of AV Technology (AVT). She 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. Davis moderates several monthly AV/IT roundtables and enjoys facilitating and engaging in deeper conversations about the complex topics shaping the ever-evolving AV/IT industry. She explores the ethos of collaboration, hybrid workplaces, experiential spaces, and artificial intelligence to share with readers. Previously, she developed the TechDecisions brand of content sites for EH Publishing, named one of the “10 Great Business Media Websites” by B2B Media Business magazine. For more than 25 years, Davis has developed and delivered multiplatform content for AV/IT B2B and consumer electronics B2C publications, associations, and companies. 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. Connect with her on LinkedIn.