There are critical differences between AV-over-IP products on the market. Here’s a quick guide courtesy of Crestron – ISE Platinum Sponsor – on what to look for and what to avoid.
Does it support ALL video sources you might encounter?
Think about all of your sources, right down to cable boxes and satellite receivers.
LOOK FOR: 4K60 4:4:4, Deep Colour, HDR10, plus support for lower resolutions, frame rates, and interlaced video.
AVOID: Products that support only lesser variations of the 4K60 spec. (And be wary of manufacturer claims that support is forthcoming.)
What’s the overall latency from source to display?
Think about working on an Excel spreadsheet or the pace of a college e-gaming lab. Real-time responsiveness is the expectation. A lagging cursor or gamepad just ends in frustration.
LOOK FOR: Latency of less than one frame, critical in the workplace and in gaming.
AVOID: Products that don’t support spec claims. (It’s always a good practice to put new products to the test first.)
What type of network infrastructure is required?
Think about how many miles of networking cable runs through your organisation and what kind of budget you’re working with. More Gbs doesn’t mean better quality.
LOOK FOR: Easily scalable solutions that leverage existing 1Gb infrastructure and the latest network security protocols.
AVOID: Costly 10Gb or complicated 1Gb/10Gb hybrid systems, which require new cabling and specialised network switching hardware.
Lastly, no product is worth much if it isn’t reliable. Look for AV-over-IP solutions that have a proven track record and low failure rate in the field – instead of in a testing lab.
Learn more about AV-over-IP and why Crestron DM NVX is the answer to the most important questions. Download the free comprehensive white paper, ‘Understanding and Evaluating AV-over-IP’, at crestron.com/7Questions
