AVoIP: A Breakdown, Use Cases, and Current State

What is AVoIP?

AV over IP is something that we have been aware of for a while, but it is just starting to take off as a choice for integrators, and as something we recommend to our own AV clients. In an AVoIP system transmitters accept HDMI signals and route them through Gigabit Managed switches to different receivers. By going AV over IP, the control signals for an AV system are sent through the existing network infrastructure, making the solution easy to scale. It also does away with traditional AV distribution systems, and helps us as integrators take on much larger projects. Many of our clients have seen their AVoIP systems surpass the limitations of matrix switching and are seeing a lower cost versus traditional systems. 

When is AVoIP useful?

Not every system is ideal for deploying AVoIP. There are still many scenarios where it makes sense to implement matrix switching services. As a general rule, the rollouts that would see the most benefit are offices with a large amount of conference rooms and larger systems in general that need a high quality of unification and quality over larger spaces. 

Expanding existing systems to scale demand is our favorite application of the technology, because the growth of the system isn’t limited to the number of inputs and outputs like with a matrix switch, and users aren’t limited to a set number of inputs or outputs. This makes the costs to grow linear and easy to predict with fixed transmitter and receiver prices. 

Building-wide AV distribution is an ideal scenario, where content needs to be shared from any point to multiple other places simultaneously. We’ve found that linking a single room makes sense if the relationship between inputs and outputs is nonlinear. AVoIP gives our clients the ability to exceed the 300 foot limitations of copper cabling, and we have seen AVoIP systems reach out to 6 miles when a fiber connection in place.  

One of the biggest selling points for the technology is that it is based on TCP/IP and uses the same network stack that most IT departments have already developed. If you don’t have IT staff then you need to make sure that the company has enough available bandwidth and available staff know how to configure network switches, then changes are easy to implement. Otherwise, you will need an integrator like Crunchy to set up everything for  you and to provide support. 

 These systems beat out traditional systems when the needs include: 

• Flexibility – an AVoIP system can be centralized, decentralized, or both. Any combination of inputs or outputs is easily accommodated. 
• Scalability – when a company plans to quickly add more sources and screens. Any size matrix size can be created for 4K or 1080P using 1Gb networks that use standard Cat5e/6 cabling. 
• Dependability – standard equipment is commercial-grade, Power over Ethernet, and usually has a 5-year warranty. 
• Economy – companies looking for a system with the best value.