AV over IP — Overview
AV over IP describes the migration from point-to-point analog audio cables, SDI video runs, and proprietary control protocols to Ethernet-based distribution. Audio and video travel as packets across managed networks, enabling flexibility, scalability, and integration with corporate IT infrastructure. For modern AV integrators, understanding networked AV is essential.
Why Move to IP?
Flexibility — Reconfigure routing in software. Change where audio comes from and goes without rewiring.
Scalability — Extend systems across buildings, campuses, or worldwide with standard networking infrastructure.
Integration — Bring AV into the same network as computers, VoIP phones, and conference systems.
Cost Efficiency — Ethernet cabling is cheaper than multi-conductor analog cables or SDI runs. Managed switches handle multiple streams.
Future-Proof — Standards-based protocols (AES67, SMPTE 2110) protect against vendor lock-in.
The tradeoff: IP networks introduce complexity. Synchronization, QoS, latency management, and network administration skills become mandatory for integrators.
Key Audio Protocols
dante is the current industry standard for networked audio in installations. It offers low latency, clock synchronization, and ease of management via Dante Controller. Dante operates primarily at Layer 2 on a local VLAN.
aes67 is the open standard underlying modern audio-over-IP. Dante implements it; so do Yamaha Riviera, PreSonus, and broadcast equipment. AES67 is a Layer 3 protocol and can be routed.
avb (Audio Video Bridging) is an IEEE standard for guaranteed low-latency delivery, stronger in broadcast and European markets. Uses gPTP for time synchronization and requires AVB-capable switch hardware.
Other protocols like Ravenna and Livewire also use AES67 at their core but add proprietary management layers for discovery and routing.
Key Video Protocols
NDI (Network Device Interface by Vizrt/NewTek) is software-defined video over IP. Widely used for remote collaboration, OB vans, production, and content distribution. NDI uses variable compression and is bandwidth-efficient compared to uncompressed video.
JPEG-XS is a compressed video codec optimized for low-latency transport over IP networks. Latency under 1 ms; visually lossless. Used in broadcast production and professional AV-over-IP systems.
SMPTE 2110 is the broadcast standard for professional media over IP, covering uncompressed video (2110-20), audio (2110-30 = AES67), and ancillary data. Used in broadcast facilities and large-scale production environments.
Commodity IP — Some systems use standard H.264/H.265 video over RTP, trading latency and quality for interoperability and lower bandwidth.
Protocol Bandwidth and Latency Comparison
Choosing a protocol requires matching bandwidth capacity to latency requirements:
| Protocol | Bandwidth (1080p60) | Bandwidth (4K60) | Latency | Compression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDI (3G) | 3 Gbps (dedicated) | 12 Gbps (12G-SDI) | < 1 frame | None |
| SMPTE 2110-20 | ~1.5 Gbps | ~12 Gbps | < 1 ms | None (uncompressed) |
| NDI (full) | ~125 Mbps | ~250–500 Mbps | ~100–200 ms | NDI codec |
| NDI HX3 | ~14–50 Mbps | ~50–150 Mbps | ~200–500 ms | H.264/H.265 |
| JPEG-XS | ~200–400 Mbps | ~1–2 Gbps | < 1 ms | Visually lossless |
| Dante (audio) | ~1 Mbps/channel | N/A | 1–10 ms | None (LPCM) |
| AES67 | ~1 Mbps/channel | N/A | 1 ms typical | None (LPCM) |
| H.264 RTP | 5–30 Mbps | 15–100 Mbps | 150–500 ms | H.264 |
For live reinforcement and theater: latency under 5–10 ms is critical — use Dante or AES67. For meeting rooms and conferencing: NDI or proprietary low-latency AV-over-IP (Crestron NVX, Extron NAV) is appropriate.
Network Design Essentials
IP-based AV demands careful planning:
- vlan-configuration-for-av — isolate AV traffic from office networks
- qos-for-audio — prioritize real-time streams over bulk data
- Managed switches — not consumer gear; professional-grade with IGMP snooping, PTP support, low latency
- Bandwidth planning — calculate peak load per protocol (see table above)
- Time synchronization — IEEE 1588 PTP for audio/video lock across endpoints
- Redundancy — evaluate single points of failure in critical systems
- Network monitoring — tools to track jitter, packet loss, latency in production
Migration Path from Legacy AV
Many installations transition from legacy SDI, analog, or HDBT systems to AV-over-IP incrementally. Common migration approaches:
Bridge devices: Gateway hardware converts SDI or analog to IP at the edge. A Dante AVIO adapter converts analog XLR to Dante without replacing the entire audio system. An NVX encoder converts HDMI from a legacy device into AV-over-IP.
Hybrid coexistence: Legacy matrix switchers coexist with IP systems. A facility may keep its existing DM fiber matrix for conference room video while deploying Dante for audio — both managed from the control system.
VLAN-based expansion: New IP endpoints are added on AV VLANs alongside legacy systems. The control system ties both together. Full IP migration happens zone by zone during renovations or equipment lifecycle replacements.
Planning a migration:
- Audit existing infrastructure — identify legacy signal types, cable routes, rack positions
- Identify which zones can convert first (smallest disruption, highest ROI)
- Design network infrastructure (switches, VLANs, uplinks) to support both legacy and IP simultaneously
- Spec bridge/gateway devices for signal conversion at the boundary
- Commission and test IP zones; decommission legacy as each zone is validated
Real-World Integration Challenges
IT and AV Alignment — IT wants standard networks; AV needs guaranteed bandwidth. Plan early for QoS and VLAN requirements. Involve the IT team from the start of design, not after equipment is ordered.
Latency Sensitivity — Live reinforcement, theater cue systems, and videoconferencing are highly sensitive to delay. Choose protocols and network design accordingly.
Legacy Coexistence — Many systems transition gradually from analog/SDI. Expect hybrid networks for years.
Skill Gaps — AV crews know analog signal flow; fewer know packet capture, switch configuration, or network troubleshooting. Training and documentation are part of any IP AV deployment.
Vendor Ecosystem — Not all gear plays nicely together. Test interoperability before full deployment.
Common Pitfalls
- Underestimating bandwidth for uncompressed video — Uncompressed 4K video consumes enormous bandwidth (several Gbps). Many integrators assume switching to IP reduces bandwidth needs; it often increases them compared to SDI. Size uplinks and switch backplanes for actual peak load.
- Multicast flooding on unmanaged switches — Without proper IGMP snooping, multicast video and audio streams flood to all ports, congesting the network and causing latency spikes.
- Insufficient QoS configuration — Deploying AV over IP without end-to-end QoS results in unpredictable latency and packet loss when office traffic contends for bandwidth.
- Mixing standards without planning — Running Dante, SMPTE 2110 video, and office traffic on a single network without careful VLAN and QoS design leads to interference and reliability issues.
- Choosing NDI where latency matters — NDI HX3 can introduce 200–500 ms of latency. Deploying it for a live stage environment where lip sync and monitor mix are critical will cause problems. Match the protocol to the application's latency requirements.