Network infrastructure for audio and video technology

Why is a solid network infrastructure important for AV systems?

With increasing digitalization and networking, audio and video systems are no longer isolated units. They operate in an environment in which data must be transmitted and processed in real time. A poor network infrastructure leads to disruptions such as:

• Latencies: Delays in transmission affect quality, especially during live events or video conferences.
• Packet loss: Missing data packets cause dropouts or image errors.
• Low bandwidth: If there is insufficient capacity, streams cannot be transmitted in high quality.

Conclusion: A stable and optimized network infrastructure ensures that your AV technology works reliably and with the highest quality.

Technologies and standards in the AV network infrastructure

Audio over IP (AoIP)

AoIP technologies such as Dante, AES67, AVB from Biamp or Ravenna enable the transmission of audio signals via standardized networks. The advantages include:

• Low latency times
• High flexibility in device networking
• Reduced cable requirements

Video over IP

Standards such as NDI (Network Device Interface) or SDVoE (Software Defined Video over Ethernet) are used for the transmission of video signals via networks. These enable:

• Scalable video transmission in 4K and beyond
• Low latency with high image quality
• Efficient use of existing network resources

Components of a network infrastructure for AV systems

A professional network infrastructure consists of several key components:

1. Switches: Support VLANs, QoS (Quality of Service) and PoE (Power over Ethernet) for maximum performance.
2. Routers: Provide the connection between local networks and external networks.
3. Cables and connectors: Cat 6 or higher to meet the bandwidth requirements of modern AV systems.
4. Wireless Access Points: For wireless AV solutions, ideal in flexible environments.
5. Network management software: monitoring and optimization of data traffic in real time.

Tips for planning and installation

1. Needs analysis: Define the requirements of your AV system, such as the number of devices, bandwidth required, and latency requirements.
2. Future-proofing: Plan capacities beyond current requirements to enable future expansion.
3. Quality of components: Invest in high-quality network hardware that is specifically designed for AV applications.
4. Network segmentation: Separate AV data streams from the rest of the network traffic to avoid bottlenecks.
5. Professional installation: Have the infrastructure installed by experts such as DVC to ensure optimal results.

Challenges and solutions in practice

Challenge: Interference and disturbances

Solution: Use shielded cables and plan the network environment carefully to minimize electromagnetic interference.

Challenge: Network overload

Solution: Use switches with QoS function to ensure prioritized data traffic.

Challenge: Security

Solution: Implement firewalls and VLANs to protect sensitive AV data from unauthorized access.