high performance with the PCIe card, glitch-free redundancy, support for routed IP networks (Netspander), network configuration and monitoring tools, etc.” Certainly, Dante’s ability to employ
‘The inherent nature of CobraNet did create frustration due to the limitations
around speed’ Graeme Harrison, Biamp
networking components (sync, transport, plug and play operation, latency management, label-based routing), as well as a comprehensive set of solutions and products which augment the basic audio networking functionality, such as: PC interfacing with Dante Virtual Soundcard, very
both AVB and non-AVB switches seems destined to stand it in good stead as the outlook continues to evolve – not least with regard to the increased role of IT personnel in devising and managing complex networks. “Often, these managers will be influential in making the switch selection, and not the AV installation contractor,” predicts Myers. “Off-the-shelf switch availability from the leading enterprise switch vendors of AVB-compliant switches will be essential to widespread adoption for media networking. [...] There are a couple of switches available and more should be over time, but it will be important to be able to buy switches from any of the IT manager’s preferred switch suppliers.” In terms of the products that sit on
the network, the new era of interoperability should allow specifiers much greater freedom to select the best products for any given application. Allen & Heath R&D director Rob Clark, for example, is hopeful that manufacturers will be able to devote time “previously spent supporting multiple interface standards on differentiating their products with
exciting new features, in what is already shaping up to be a highly competitive market for networked audio”. Simultaneously, there will be a
further challenge in the integration of audio, video and command and control in more elaborate deployments. Jürgen Scheuring from software think tank UMAN points out: “With the advent of an AVB-enabled backbone that is shared by all parties, the integration of such complex scenarios will be tough to handle for each manufacturer on his own. But rather than this being a problem, it could represent a huge opportunity. If manufacturers make a step towards becoming system providers rather than simply device manufacturers, they could expand their business to incorporate this new infrastructure.”
The knowledge deficit The control aspect of the networking puzzle has arguably been rather under- served by industry discussion of late – but here too, things are now moving rapidly. In particular, the OCA Alliance’s pursuit of an open control standard may dovetail neatly with the transportation philosophy of AVB (see box, page 26). Meanwhile, momentum behind the latter continues apace, with Minich and McMahon among its many articulate advocates. But the
aforementioned Future Trends session underlined that there is still a considerable knowledge gap about the benefits of AVB on the part of installers and end-users. “Within the AVnu Alliance, we have realised this oversight and are embarking on a very concerted effort to elevate the understanding of the technology,” says Minich. The complexity of the issues
outlined in this necessarily brief overview is such that many could be forgiven for swerving the networking issue altogether until the lay of the land becomes clearer. Alas, overcoming such confusion and reticence is essential if a meaningful vision of an interoperable future is to be realised any time soon. IE