AVoIP (Audiovisual over Internet Protocol) refers to the transmission of audio and visual content over IP networks, replacing traditional point-to-point AV cabling with network-based solutions. This technology allows AV signals to be distributed across a standard IP network, offering numerous advantages over traditional AV systems.
AVoIP is increasingly adopted in various sectors, including broadcasting, corporate boardrooms, educational institutions, and entertainment venues, due to its ability to simplify AV distribution, reduce costs, and provide a scalable, future-proof solution.
The primary benefits of AV over IP include flexibility, cost efficiency, scalability and interoperability.
With AVoIP, content can be easily distributed to any location within a network, regardless of physical distance. This flexibility allows for dynamic setups and on-the-fly adjustments to accommodate changing needs.
Reduce the overall cost of AV system deployment and maintenance by leveraging existing network infrastructure and reduced cabling requirements.
AVoIP allows for easy scalability, accommodating a growing number of endpoints without requiring extensive rewiring or hardware changes, making it ideal for small and large installations.
AVoIP enhances interoperability by adhering to IP-based protocols and standards, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices and systems, allowing integration with existing AV equipment and future-proofing installations.
IPMX (Internet Protocol Media Experience) is an open-standards AVoIP initiative designed for the professional audiovisual (ProAV) market to enable the seamless transmission of video, audio, and ancillary data over IP networks.
Early AVoIP solutions often faced challenges with proprietary systems, leading to interoperability issues and vendor lock-in. These solutions typically ran on 1G or 10G networks, limiting their scalability and flexibility. To address these issues, industry standards like IPMX have emerged, offering open, interoperable solutions that leverage advanced networking technologies to meet the diverse needs of modern AV environments.
Developed and supported by industry-leading organizations such as Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), Advanced Media Workflow Association (AMWA), and Video Services Forum (VSF), and promoted by the Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS), IPMX builds on the foundational work of the SMPTE ST-2110 standard.
Witnessing the growing value of IP in AV environments, Barco and AIMS share the same vision on IPMX being the only open standard that eventually replaces the many different proprietary protocols. We believe IPMX offers a standardized approach which addresses the ProAV industry’s need for a single set of common, ubiquitous standards-based protocols that ensure interoperability for AVoIP. IPMX's open-standards approach means that it can integrate with various devices and technologies, providing a future-proof solution that supports current and evolving AV requirements.
IPMX and SMPTE ST-2110 are both standards for transmitting video, audio, and ancillary data over IP networks, but they cater to different industry needs and have distinct features.
SMPTE ST-2110 is primarily designed for the broadcast industry, facilitating the transition from SDI (Serial Digital Interface) to IP-based workflows for uncompressed video and audio.
IPMX is built on the foundational work of ST-2110 but adds advanced features such as support for HDMI™ signals and compressed video and audio, making it suitable for a wide range of applications in the professional audiovisual (ProAV) market. It addresses specific ProAV needs with enhancements like 4:4:4 color sampling, HDCP encryption for protected content, and more flexible timing models that accommodate both synchronous and asynchronous sources.
In summary, while ST-2110 is well-suited for and widely adopted in broadcast applications with its high-quality, uncompressed media handling and robust synchronization, IPMX extends these capabilities to address the broader and more diverse needs of the ProAV market, providing enhanced interoperability, security, and flexibility.
For a more detailed comparison, have a look at our IPMX whitepaper.