IN THIS ARTICLE
The shift to AV over IP is no longer a distant vision—it’s the new reality. Across every corner of the industry, from massive concert venues to intimate theaters, IP-based workflows are redefining how we design, install, and manage audio, video, and control systems. This transformation is driven by powerful trends that are creating new possibilities for AV professionals.
We’ll explore the key movements shaping AV over IP adoption and what they mean for you. You will see how networked audio has become the standard, how IP is powering the world’s largest broadcasts, and how you can harness this technology for your own projects.
The Universal Standard: Audio-over-IP
Audio-over-IP (AoIP) has moved from an emerging technology to an established industry standard. The numbers speak for themselves. In 2023, Audinate reported over 4,000 Dante-enabled products from more than 600 manufacturers. Competitors like Ravenna in broadcast and Q-SYS in commercial AV installations also build their powerful ecosystems on IP. Whether it’s a new house of worship, a live festival, or a corporate campus, networked audio is the default choice.
This ecosystem now seamlessly incorporates wireless microphones. Products like Sennheiser’s Spectra allow wireless audio to integrate directly into an IP environment, supporting both Dante and AES67. The entire signal chain, from the microphone capsule to the loudspeaker, can now be carried as IP packets over a network. This delivers more than just flexible audio routing; it enables centralized monitoring and management of every device. Interoperability via the AES67 standard is also a critical component, enabling diverse systems from different manufacturers to communicate seamlessly.
Networked audio is a mature, mainstream solution supported by a robust ecosystem.
IP Takes Center Stage in Broadcast and Large Events
After careful evaluation, IP video is now firmly rooted in the broadcast world. Its impact was so profound that the SMPTE ST 2110 standard received a Technology & Engineering Emmy Award in 2021. Global broadcasters like the BBC and NBC are constructing their newest studios around IP-based infrastructure.
Remote production has been a significant catalyst for this change. The ability to direct a live sporting event from a control room in another country without sacrificing quality has transformed workflows, a trend accelerated by the pandemic. Mega-events like the Olympics and World Cups rely on IP for its flexibility and ability to reduce on-site staff. Even major concert tours now use IP video for camera feeds and massive LED walls, sometimes using compressed NDI streams over standard 1 Gbit networks.
IP is no longer an experiment at the top tier of production; it is the new standard.
The Power of Convergence
The days of running separate, isolated networks for audio, video, lighting, and IT are over. Modern venues operate on a single, unified network infrastructure. A core switch can handle all traffic, intelligently segmented using VLANs. One virtual network can manage lighting control, another can handle Dante audio, and a third can serve general IT needs. This virtual separation maintains performance and security, simplifies integration, and reduces costs.
Consider an advanced conference center where Crestron systems distribute audio, video, and control signals over the same structured cabling that supports the building’s data network. This convergence requires a new level of collaboration. AV specialists now work side-by-side with IT teams to manage network switches with Quality of Service (QoS) profiles, ensuring that time-sensitive AV traffic is always prioritized.
This convergence results in greater efficiency and a more professional, streamlined approach to system design.
Democratization of Pro AV Technology
High-end capabilities are no longer confined to high-end productions. The benefits of the IP revolution are reaching smaller-scale projects as costs continue to fall. AV-optimized network switches that support multicast and QoS are now affordable, with brands like NETGEAR offering simple, plug-and-play solutions that take the complexity out of configuration.
The availability of powerful software tools has also levelled the playing field. QLab enables small theaters to run sophisticated, multi-room audio over a standard IP network. Lighting control software like Chamsys MagicQ supports Art-Net natively. As educational programs incorporate IP fundamentals into their curricula, the knowledge gap is closing, empowering regional theaters and even volunteer-run organizations to adopt these modern workflows.
What was once exclusive to stadium tours is now accessible to everyone.
A New Focus on Security and Reliability
As systems become more connected, cybersecurity becomes a critical priority. A networked AV system presents a new surface for potential disruption. To counter this, the industry has developed robust solutions. Network segmentation, device authentication, and content encryption are becoming standard practice. The Dante Domain Manager provides device-level security, while the emerging IPMX standard for AV over IP includes plans for content encryption.
At the same time, reliability remains absolute. Redundant networks with failover switching, dual power supplies, and carefully planned backup scenarios are standard in any professional IP deployment. The IP environment also introduces new tools for ensuring uptime. Error-correction algorithms can protect video streams from packet loss, and advanced monitoring software tracks latency and network health in real time. This allows technicians to detect potential issues long before they impact the audience’s experience.
Security and resilience are evolving in lockstep with IP adoption.
Powering Your Vision with NETGEAR
The transition to AV over IP creates incredible opportunities. It offers unparalleled flexibility, scalability, and future-proof design for any application. For AV professionals, this means developing new skills in networking and security and opens the door to more powerful, integrated systems.
At NETGEAR, we are committed to making this journey simpler. Our ProAV division develops network switches engineered specifically for the demands of multicast audio and video, removing complexity and accelerating deployment.
To learn more about how NETGEAR can power your next project, connect with our Pro AV Design Team at ProAVdesign@netgear.com.
If you are ready to deepen your understanding of AV over IP, explore our free online courses at the NETGEAR Academy. You can earn certifications and gain the confidence to design and deploy the next generation of AV systems.