Choosing the right AV over IP technology can significantly impact your projects, whether you're into live streaming, professional AV setups, or just want a great home AV system. With so many options out there, it can be tough to know which one to pick. In this post, we're breaking down the pros and cons of five leading technologies. We'll highlight what each one does best and where they might fall short, helping you make an informed decision that suits your needs.
Comparison Table
Feature | NDI (Network Device Interface) | Dante AV | IPMX (IP Media Experience) | ST 2110 (SMPTE) | HDbitT |
Estimated Startup Cost | Moderate | High | High | Very High | Low |
Primary Use | Video over IP | Audio and Video over IP | Interoperable AV over IP | Professional Broadcast | HDMI over IP |
Developer | NewTek | Audinate | AIMS (Alliance for IP Media Solutions) | SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) | HDbitT Alliance |
Compression | Yes (Proprietary) | Yes (JPEG2000 for video, AAC for audio) | Yes (JPEG XS) | No (uncompressed) | Yes (Proprietary) |
Latency | Low (around 100ms) | Moderate | Low (frame-accurate) | Very Low (sub-frame) | Low (varies) |
Resolution Support | Up to 4K | Up to 4K | Up to 4K | Up to 8K | Up to 4K |
Audio Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Network Requirements | Standard Gigabit Ethernet | Gigabit Ethernet | Standard Gigabit Ethernet | 10 Gigabit Ethernet preferred | Standard Ethernet |
Scalability | High | High | High | High | Moderate |
Interoperability | Proprietary but wide adoption | Proprietary but wide adoption | Open standard | Open standard | Proprietary |
Usage Examples | Live streaming, broadcasting | AV installations | Professional AV, broadcasting | Professional broadcast, live production | AV distribution in home and small businesses |
Key Features | Easy setup, low cost | Precision timing, low latency | Interoperability, low latency | Uncompressed video, precise synchronization | Cost-effective, simple setup |
Adoption | Broad in live production | Broad in AV installations | Emerging, growing | Broad in broadcast | Niche markets |
Detailed Features | Flexible and versatile for various live video production environments. Supports multicast and unicast transmission, allowing for efficient bandwidth usage. Integration with various software and hardware, making it a popular choice for churches and schools. | Uses Dante's established audio-over-IP protocols combined with video transmission. Provides tight synchronization between audio and video, making it ideal for AV installations where lip-sync is critical. Easy to configure and manage with Dante Controller software. | Designed as an open standard to ensure interoperability among different vendors' equipment. Uses lightweight JPEG XS compression to maintain high video quality with low latency. Aims to simplify AV over IP adoption by offering a unified approach that covers discovery, registration, control, and security. | Focuses on uncompressed video transmission, ensuring the highest quality with no visible artifacts. Utilizes PTPv2 (Precision Time Protocol) for precise synchronization, which is crucial for live production environments. Highly scalable and robust, used widely in professional broadcasting setups. | Primarily designed for HDMI over IP solutions, making it suitable for home and small business AV distribution. Offers a cost-effective solution for transmitting HDMI signals over existing network infrastructure. Simple to set up and use, with a focus on ease of deployment and operation. |
Pros and Cons of Each
NDI (Network Device Interface)
Pros | Cons |
Software integration with many popular streaming platforms | Proprietary technology |
Easy to set up and use | Requires significant bandwidth for high resolutions |
Cost-effective for smaller setups since it can run on standard network infrastructure | Limited to environments that support NDI, with potential network congestion if not managed properly |
Broad adoption in live streaming and broadcasting | May require additional hardware or software |
Dante AV
Pros | Cons |
Low latency with precise audio-video synchronization | Proprietary technology |
Supports both audio and video | Higher cost due to licensing and hardware |
Easy configuration with Dante Controller software | Limited to environments that support Dante |
High-quality video with efficient compression | Compression may impact video quality slightly |
IPMX (IP Media Experience)
Pros | Cons |
Open standard ensuring interoperability | Still emerging, not as widely adopted yet |
Low latency and high video quality with JPEG XS compression | Requires compatible hardware and software |
Designed for professional AV and broadcasting | Implementation may be complex |
Scalable and flexible for various applications | May have higher initial setup costs |
ST 2110 (SMPTE)
Pros | Cons |
Uncompressed video for highest quality | Requires 10 Gigabit Ethernet infrastructure |
Very low latency suitable for live production | Higher cost due to infrastructure needs |
Precise synchronization using PTP | Complexity in setup and maintenance |
Broad adoption in professional broadcasting | High bandwidth requirements |
HDbitT
Pros | Cons |
Cost-effective solution for HDMI over IP | Proprietary technology |
Simple and easy to set up | Limited scalability |
Suitable for home and small business AV distribution | Lower adoption in professional environments |
Good for transmitting HDMI signals over existing networks | Video quality may be impacted by compression |
Whatever your broadcast environment is, Vantage Impact Partners can help you brainstorm the best solution to fit your needs! Schedule a free discovery call with our team to get started!