Discussing the future of Audio-Over-IP in the AV industry at #ISE2021

Summary

The session at ISE Digital 2021, hosted by Bosch Communications Systems, delves into the future of audio over IP in the AV industry. Experts Ethan Wetzel (Bosch) and Joshua Rush (Audinate) explore key topics like the importance of AES67, interoperability, and the rise of IP-based audio solutions. They highlight the accelerated adoption of remote and hybrid communication tools during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the flexibility, ease of use, and scalability of audio-over-IP systems. The discussion also touches on emerging trends, such as software-based solutions, and the integration of audio and video networking for enhanced collaboration.

Takeaways

• 😀 Bosch Communications offers a wide range of integrated AV solutions across different business segments, including public address, commercial audio, intercom systems, conferencing, and global communications.
• 😀 The AES 67 standard is crucial for achieving interoperability between different audio over IP systems, allowing seamless communication across diverse technologies.
• 😀 Proprietary systems, like Bosch's Omnio platform, can still integrate open standards like AES 67, combining flexibility and compatibility across different AV solutions.
• 😀 Audio over IP (AoIP) solutions are increasingly valuable for industries, providing scalable, flexible, and easily reconfigurable systems that meet changing demands.
• 😀 The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of remote and hybrid meeting solutions, driving demand for flexible AV systems that can support remote collaboration and learning.
• 😀 In the higher education sector, remote and hybrid learning has led to a higher demand for audio solutions that support bi-directional communication, social distancing, and overflow room configurations.
• 😀 The AV industry is seeing a shift toward software-based solutions, which allow for more flexible, scalable, and manageable AV systems, especially in the context of IP networking.
• 😀 The future of AV over IP is moving towards fully IP-connected environments where both audio and video are integrated and managed on the same network, streamlining workflows.
• 😀 As AV environments become more decentralized, users and integrators will need to adapt to new standards, such as AES 70 and st2110, to manage increasingly complex and flexible systems.
• 😀 Dante's integration of AES 67 demonstrates the value of combining open standards with proprietary solutions to create user-friendly systems that maintain interoperability across different devices and technologies.
• 😀 The demand for flexibility in AV systems is expected to continue growing post-pandemic, with AV solutions becoming integral to various industries, including education, corporate, and broadcast sectors.

Q & A

What is the AES67 standard, and why is it important in the AV industry?

AES67 is an interoperability standard designed to ensure audio over IP (AoIP) systems can communicate seamlessly with each other. It provides a common framework for audio transport, solving incompatibility issues between different systems, such as Dante and Ravenna, and enabling system integrators to easily connect devices from different vendors.

How does the AES67 standard support interoperability across different AoIP solutions?

AES67 facilitates interoperability by creating a common layer of connectivity between systems like Dante, Ravenna, and others. This allows devices from different manufacturers to communicate effectively while retaining the unique benefits of each individual solution, such as performance features or system-specific advantages.

Why is the term 'proprietary' sometimes misleading in the context of AV solutions?

The term 'proprietary' often suggests a closed, incompatible system, but many proprietary AV solutions are built using open standards like AES67. These systems can still integrate well with others, offering unique features while maintaining interoperability through shared industry standards.

What role does Bosch’s Omnio platform play in AV networking?

Bosch’s Omnio platform is a media networking architecture that incorporates various open standards such as AES67 and integrates solutions like Dante. While it is built on these open standards, it also adds unique proprietary features, such as enhanced security and network management, offering a comprehensive solution for AV system integrators.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic influenced trends in the AV industry?

The pandemic accelerated the shift toward remote and hybrid meetings, increasing demand for flexible, easily reconfigurable AV solutions. It also spurred growth in remote learning, corporate hybrid work environments, and remote broadcasting, all of which rely on scalable and manageable audio and video solutions.

What is the significance of flexibility in audio over IP solutions during the pandemic?

Audio over IP solutions provide flexibility by allowing AV systems to be quickly reconfigured and scaled to meet new needs, such as adjusting to hybrid learning or remote work scenarios. This adaptability was crucial during the pandemic, allowing users to adjust equipment setups in response to rapidly changing conditions.

What trends in education have been accelerated by the pandemic, and how does AoIP address them?

The trend towards hybrid and remote learning was accelerated by the pandemic. Audio over IP solutions addressed these trends by enabling the use of more audio channels, supporting bi-directional communication between remote and in-person participants, and allowing flexible room configurations to accommodate social distancing.

How do audio over IP solutions enhance remote production in the broadcast industry?

Audio over IP solutions provide broadcasters with the flexibility to set up remote production facilities. These solutions enable seamless communication between different locations and allow for scalable audio and video setups that can be adjusted or expanded quickly in response to changing production needs.

What is the future of AV over IP solutions in corporate environments post-pandemic?

Post-pandemic, corporate environments are likely to maintain hybrid work setups, with some employees working remotely and others in the office. AV over IP solutions will continue to play a crucial role in ensuring seamless communication between in-person and remote workers by enabling flexible room configurations and easily managed AV systems.

What is expected to be the next step for AV technology in terms of integration?

The next step is the further integration of audio and video technologies over IP. Solutions like Dante AV, which combine networked audio and video, will provide an integrated experience for users, making it easier to manage and control both audio and video components of AV systems simultaneously.