• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

My TechDecisions

  • Best of Tech Decisions
  • Topics
    • Video
    • Audio
    • Mobility
    • Unified Communications
    • IT Infrastructure
    • Network Security
    • Physical Security
    • Facility
    • Compliance
  • RFP Resources
  • Resources
  • Podcasts
  • Project of the Week
  • About Us
    SEARCH
Video

7 AV over IP Products to See at InfoComm 2017

A slew of AV-over-IP product introductions at InfoComm 2017 demonstrate that the once-taboo AV distribution approach is now embraced — as long as it’s done right.

June 14, 2017 Tom LeBlanc Leave a Comment

Photos & Slideshow
View the slideshow View the slideshow
View Slideshow

There was a time when AV-over-IP was a taboo topic for AV integrators and their customers looking to (rightfully) protect their networks. At InfoComm 2017 with a slew of AV-over-IP products released, the taboo is clearly lifted.

It reminds me of a technology transition that I previously covered. From 2003 through 2010 I wrote for TechDecisions’ sister publication CE Pro, which is targeted to residential integration firms. Back then there was a lot of debate on a topic that, with the benefit of hindsight, seems irrational.

The audiophiles that ruled the residential market in those days were very reluctant to embrace digital audio. Many grimaced at the idea that their custom designed home audio solutions would ultimately be fed by compressed music via the homeowner’s MP3 player.

I’m not saying those guys are wrong about audio quality, but it’s very clear that for the next generation of homeowners (their customers) it wasn’t a priority.

In the commercial market I see parallels to the reluctance, turned to slow acceptance and ultimately coming around to AV over IP. Integration firms, consultants and end users are right to raise flags in order to protect their networks and their systems, but the reality is that AV over IP has matured to the point of acceptance.

I talked to Bob Michaels, CEO of ZeeVee, after he returned from Integrated Systems Europe 2017. He noticed quite a difference in AV-over-IP acceptance since the previous ISE. “At ISE last year I saw IP lip service and there were a lot of questions about internal networks and talking about the IT guy saying no [to AV over IP],” he said. At ISE 2017, however, “it was more like, ‘You can do it but you have to do it the right way.’”

AV-over-IP Accelerates at InfoComm 2017

InfoComm 2017 is taking it step further. So many manufacturers are launching AV-over-IP solutions. Meanwhile, Software Defined Video over Ethernet (SVoE) Alliance, a group aimed at speeding up the transition to AV over IP, is making a big splash at InfoComm after debuting at ISE.

Customers have come around to the point where they are comfortable connecting AV devices to their networks — as long as it’s done right. Mark Peterson, associate principal at Shen Milsom & Wilke, recently talked to me about what customers are typically willing to put on the network. He said it would be easier to give a list of devices not connected to the network.

“Practically all AV devices” are, he said. Then he listed AV controllers, touch panels, video conferencing codecs, cameras, remote diagnostic tools, thermostats, microphones, collaboration components, media streaming encoders, IPTV and many more.

Click Here to View Our Slideshow

It’s the folks who have been involved in AV over IP that really see that a shift in the acceptance. WyreStorm has been offering its NetworkHD AV-over-IP solution for four-plus years. “Initially we had trouble communicating the benefits of our technology because the terminology wasn’t well understood,” James Meredith, WyreStorm’s Global Product Manager, recently told me.

“I used to spend my time talking about the difference between latency and switching speed and these days everyone is aware of what those things are. Everyone is aware of the pitfalls of AV over IP and the huge benefits of AV over IP. So the conversation with everybody has gotten easier and now it’s more a point of differentiating everything.”

So that’s where we are in the AV-over-IP conversation — moving forward instead of holding back, recognizing that the concerns were never misguided and focusing on providing solutions that protect and benefit the customers.

If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our digital newsletters!

Tom LeBlanc
Tom LeBlanc

Tom has been covering B2B technology since 2010. He’s editorial director for MyTechDecisions and its sister brand Commercial Integrator. Before that, he covered the residential technology market for CE Pro and wrote for sports department of the Boston Herald.

Tagged With: Products

Related Content:

  • ADI SnapOne logos Snap One, ADI Expands Conferencing Solutions with Yealink…
  • AV/IT Integration trends, Big Data Technology for Business Finance Analytic Concept. , 2020 Enterprise IT trends, Top AV/IT Integration Trends Shaping Enterprise Operations in…
  • Students (6-7, 8-9, 10-11) video chatting with another class How I’m Utilizing Technology to Help Transform Education…
  • NETGREA M4350 series ST 2110-capable switch now integrates with Panasonic Connect for KAIROS NETGEAR, Panasonic Partner for KAIROS IT/IP Production Platform

Free downloadable guide you may like:

  • Practical Design Guide for Office SpacesPractical Design Guide for Office Spaces

    Recent Gartner research shows that workers prefer to return to the office for in-person meetings for relevant milestones, as well as for face-to-face time with co-workers. When designing the office spaces — and meeting spaces in particular — enabling that connection between co-workers is crucial. But introducing the right collaboration technology in meeting spaces can […]

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Downloads

Practical Design Guide for Office Spaces
Practical Design Guide for Office Spaces

Recent Gartner research shows that workers prefer to return to the office for in-person meetings for relevant milestones, as well as for face-to-fa...

New Camera Can Transform Your Live Production Workflow
New Camera System Can Transform Your Live Production Workflow

Sony's HXC-FZ90 studio camera system combines flexibility and exceptional image quality with entry-level pricing.

Creating Great User Experience and Ultimate Flexibility with Clickshare

Working and collaborating in any office environment today should be meaningful, as workers today go to office for very specific reasons. When desig...

View All Downloads

Would you like your latest project featured on TechDecisions as Project of the Week?

Apply Today!

More from Our Sister Publications

Get the latest news about AV integrators and Security installers from our sister publications:

Commercial IntegratorSecurity Sales

AV-iQ

Footer

TechDecisions

  • Home
  • Welcome to TechDecisions
  • Contact Us
  • Comment Guidelines
  • RSS Feeds
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linkedin

Free Technology Guides

FREE Downloadable resources from TechDecisions provide timely insight into the issues that IT, A/V, and Security end-users, managers, and decision makers are facing in commercial, corporate, education, institutional, and other vertical markets

View all Guides
TD Project of the Week

Get your latest project featured on TechDecisions Project of the Week. Submit your work once and it will be eligible for all upcoming weeks.

Enter Today!
Emerald Logo
ABOUTCAREERSAUTHORIZED SERVICE PROVIDERSYour Privacy ChoicesTERMS OF USEPRIVACY POLICY

© 2025 Emerald X, LLC. All rights reserved.