The Key to AVoIP Success?

Keeping your options open

Written by Marco Schulz

The convergence of AV and Internet Protocol (IP) technologies is transforming the industry, offering cost-effective and accessible solutions. However, the lack of a universal standard for AVoIP poses a challenge. Here Marco Schulz discusses the options and introduces Panasonic Connect Europe’s world first AVoIP benchmarking test facility at its Business Solutions Centre in Germany - allowing organisations to test different AVoIP standards under real-world conditions effectively for the first time.

The convergence of AV and Internet Protocol (IP) technologies is now well underway. The benefits of moving away from point-to-point solutions to access from anywhere are compelling and the comparative costs and any technological hurdles are reducing in size by the day. Many sectors across Europe, such as universities in Germany, have already invested in the backbone bandwidth communications infrastructure required to deploy these systems.

However, the current challenge isn’t the decision to move to AVoIP but which technology to pick in the absence of a universal standard. There is a confusing choice of different protocols, all designed to ensure images are delivered with good quality and limited latency but there are pros and cons to each – depending on your specific requirements.

Panasonic’s Benchmarking Test Centre: A Global First

It’s for this very reason that Panasonic Connect Europe has invested in the world's first dedicated AVoIP benchmarking test facility at its Business Solution Centre (BSC) in Wiesbaden, Germany.

The BSC is rapidly becoming a must visit for AV specialists looking to test and incorporate new technology into their organisations. For example, the BSC has a full production studio for streaming and broadcast testing. The centre is also ideal for testing the most effective set-up for immersive exhibits. The immersive BBC Earth Exhibition tested the new Intel SDM player from HIVE and the Panasonic SDM-ready RQ25 projectors and lenses here before opening its immersive experience in Melbourne, Australia. Our centre was even used recently to test the geo-correction and live playback set-up required for cinema projection on a cruise ship.

Now this facility offers AV professionals a unique opportunity to experience and compare different AVoIP standards against a classic direct connection, under real-world conditions.

Through rigorous side-by-side testing and support from Panasonic experts, organisations can assess latency, image quality, and bandwidth utilisation resulting in clear and actionable insights to help them decide which AVoIP infrastructure is best for them.

The test setup includes three 3-chip DLP projectors aligned side-by-side on a Gerriets Full White screen, calibrated to ensure consistency in display. All AVoIP codecs are routed in independent VLANs via a current Netgear AV line switch in order to depict a realistic scenario in practice and to rule out interference. Customers can observe the direct HDMI connections, NDI, SDVoE, and IPMX (JPEG-XS and Colibri) in action. Additional AVoIP solutions Crestron NVX and Dante AV have also recently been added to the test environment. This comprehensive setup demystifies the performance of each standard, highlighting their strengths and limitations.

The benchmarking uses a very challenging 4K/50Hz video designed to test the different protocols to their extreme. It uses high-resolution, colour-intensive drone footage, architectural shots and motifs with colour gradients, as well as intricate 3D wireframe renderings, Excel spreadsheets, and test patterns.

Real-World Testing

During its extensive testing to date, we have already discovered several critical insights around the use of different codecs:

Latency: Varies quite considerably depending on the different options used. Testing in this area is crucial for live events and interactive applications.
Image Quality: Some codecs outperformed in terms of image fidelity, especially in scenarios requiring high detail and colour accuracy.
Bandwidth Efficiency: The best performance typically demands high bandwidth, but some codecs struck an optimal balance, delivering high-quality output with more manageable bandwidth requirements.

The ability for customers to test and benchmark for themselves, using this facility, has already proven to be invaluable in specifying their set-up and I would encourage others to take advantage of the facilities.

The SDM Advantage: Flexibility and Future-Proofing

But the most significant conclusion being drawn by organisations is not to lock themselves in by committing to a single standard. Requirements will continue to change in the future and constant innovation will inevitably bring new opportunities for organisations. Ensuring your infrastructure remains flexible is the key to success during this transition.

Understanding this fundamental need for flexibility is the driving force behind Panasonic’s integration of Intel Smart Display Module (SDM) technology into its projectors and displays. It enables the hardware to be easily adapted to evolving standards. The SDM slots in Panasonic projectors and displays enable seamless integration of various AVoIP modules, ensuring that users can select the best technology for their needs without extensive hardware changes. Panasonic was one of the first AV companies to see the benefits of this approach and adopt SDM in its projectors and displays and the industry is now rapidly aligning around this approach. A recent visit to Infocomm, the largest AV show, underlined this view with announcements from major industry players, such as Matrox and Crestron, around SDM boards to support AVoIP.

Key Benefits of the SDM Approach

So, apart from being created and backed by major industry players, what are the advantages of ensuring SDM in your projectors and displays? There are three:

Flexibility: SDM slots allow for easy upgrades and integration of different AVoIP standards, ensuring compatibility with the latest technologies.
Sustainability: Reduces the need for additional converters and cables, minimising electronic waste and simplifying installations. We will examine these benefits in more detail in a future article.
Future-Proofing: As new standards and codecs emerge, they can be adopted via new SDM modules, protecting investments and extending the lifespan of equipment.

The Key to AVoIP Success?

Panasonic’s Benchmarking Test Centre: A Global First

Real-World Testing

The SDM Advantage: Flexibility and Future-Proofing

Key Benefits of the SDM Approach

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The Key to AVoIP Success? Keeping Your Options Open