When all is said and done--when you’ve sorted through the seemingly infinite array of fancy features offered by the myriad video conferencing and collaboration solutions out there--what you want and need will boil down to something very simple: you will want a video conferencing and collaboration solution that offers flexibility and affordability without skimping on quality. And at this point, what that means is that you will want to consider an AV-over-IP solution. So let’s take a quick look at why this is the way to go in 2017.
Bandwidth and Latency
Compressing video is a crucial method for managing bandwidth requirements, but everyday users will experience the pleasure of AV-over-IP as a noticeable reduction in latency. Latency is just a fancy word for delay. You’ve experienced the annoyance of latency: it’s that long distance phone call with a three-second delay that transforms an otherwise normal conversation into an awkward jumble of overlapping audio. Or the concert video stream that doesn’t quite link up with what you’re hearing from the stage. It’s a nightmare for video conferences. But with AV-over-IP, clear HD signals can reduce latency to the point that it is not detectable by the human eye.
The Good Kind Of Compression
Delivering uncompressed video to multiple endpoints would tax your networks beyond reason. But with transmission standards like HDMI, DVI and SPI, signals can be compressed efficiently while still delivering 1080p images at a speed of 10 to 20 Mbps/second. This is something like one percent of the original, uncompressed signal. You’re still getting crystal clear video, but you’re freeing up bandwidth and reducing latency to boot.
Saving Money
While old-fashioned AV switches required hefty expenditures, AV-over-IP solutions rely on relatively simple ethernet switches that cost just a few hundred bucks. As AV-over-IP doesn’t demand new cable installation, companies can rely on existing LAN infrastructure to implement AV-over-IP solutions.
Scalability
With an AV-over-IP platform, companies can expand their system by integrating an IP switch into the existing system, meaning you can expand your reach at any time. You never know when your organization will grow and need to accommodate more users. With AV-over-IP, contractions and expansions can happen organically.
Explore our wide range of A/V integration solutions and contact us if you have any questions about pricing or implementation. We will have one of our experts get back to you as soon as possible.
And remember to keep an eye on our regularly updated blog for tips and tricks and news from the frontlines of the conferencing and collaboration industry.
