Choosing the right AV-over-IP technology can make or break a project — whether you're live streaming, building a professional AV installation, or moving a broadcast facility off baseband video. Here's how the five major options compare.
NDI — the streamer's workhorse
NDI is the go-to for live streaming and broadcast production on a budget. It runs over standard gigabit networks, setup is famously easy, and it's supported by a huge ecosystem of software and hardware. The trade-off: it's compressed, so purists chasing zero-loss video will look elsewhere.
Dante AV — precision timing
Built on the same backbone as the audio industry's Dante standard, Dante AV shines where precise synchronization and low latency matter — integrated AV systems, corporate campuses, houses of worship with complex audio needs. If your audio is already on Dante, it's a natural fit.
IPMX — interoperability first
IPMX is the emerging open standard for pro AV, designed to bring broadcast-grade ST 2110 concepts to AV installations with interoperability and low latency as headline features. A strong bet for future-proofing new installs.
ST 2110 — uncompressed broadcast grade
SMPTE ST 2110 carries uncompressed video with essence streams separated — the standard for serious broadcast facilities. It delivers the highest quality, but demands 10Gb+ networking, PTP timing, and real engineering. This is a facility investment, not a plug-and-play choice.
HDbitT — the budget extender
HDbitT is a cost-effective way to extend HDMI over IP for digital signage and simple distribution. It's not a production format, but for getting a picture from point A to points B through Z inexpensively, it does the job.
The bottom line
Match the technology to the job: NDI for streaming and production agility, Dante AV for timing-critical AV, IPMX for future-proof installs, ST 2110 for uncompressed broadcast, HDbitT for budget distribution.
Planning a build and not sure which way to go? Book a free discovery call with our broadcast team — we'll spec the right approach for your facility and budget.