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Options for Wired Infrastructure Multiply Creating New Opportunities

hdbaset-cable-0515It used to be that organizations would set up multiple wired infrastructure networks to handle phone, data, video, audio, control, security, KVM, etc. Now, multiple options are emerging that can allow one or two networks to do all the stuff of multiple networks in the past. That is creating lots of new opportunities for hardware, software and installation providers and offering real benefits to end users.

Multiple networks are not uncommon in broadcast, government, control centers and corporate environments. Each can require its own hardware, software and dedicated technicians to maintain, upgrade and operate the network. Audio guys don’t talk IT and may not talk video, so it becomes an expensive proposition.

In addition to convergence of the networks, the demands on the networks is increasing as 4K content becomes more prevalent and video use skyrockets. As a result, new solutions are emerging that bundle together certain convergence features that meet the needs of targeted markets or applications.

HDBaseT is a perfect example of the trend we are talking about. The 2.0 standard uses an Ethernet infrastructure to offer the option of delivering five different elements: audio and video, power, USB, control or Ethernet. How you use it depends on your needs.

The HDBaseT specification supports an asynchronous channel with up to 7.2 Gbps capacity. That means you can deliver 4K resolution video at 60 fps with 4:2:0 chroma sampling, with other capabilities running in the auxiliary channel. Although HDBaseT can transmit for up to 328ft, the distance is dependent on the quality of cable, environmental noise, and video definition.

But you may also find HDBaseT is also really good for delivering 1080p class video plus power to a monitor over a single wire with control and Ethernet. This makes sense for a low power device like a monitor, but maybe not for a more power hungry device like a projector (HDBaseT can deliver up to 100W of power over a LAN cable).

HDBaseT does require that hardware in the network support the HDBaseT protocols to implement a solution. Alternatively, a company like ZeeVee says they can use standard off the shelf networking gear to deliver audio and video.

From its rich history in the in-premise distribution of multiple HD sources to unlimited numbers of televisions/displays over coax using RF encoding/modulation, ZeeVee has been evolving to address the market need for 4K video distribution. Its new ZyPer4K enables users to shift from conventional, proprietary switching solutions to industry standard, off-the-shelf 10Gb Ethernet technology.

The high speed and high bandwidth associated with 10Gb Ethernet infrastructure provides ultra-low latency distribution over very long distances, and because of its true IT DNA, ZyPer4K will be one of the first companies truly supporting a single network architecture for both IT and AV.

For those longer distance runs or for very low latency applications, Thinklogical has come up with a new solution called TLX. This is based upon an uncompressed 10Gbps network fabric that allows end users to use either CATx cable or fiber optic cable from the same card.

For example, if you are transporting 4K or 2K content over relatively short distances you can use one or two CATx cables. Need to go further with low latency? Then use the fiber options (single or multi-mode). In addition to AV transport, such networks are also able to integrate KVM (keyboard, video and mouse) capabilities to allow remote users to run applications on a central server with no lag.

But if you want a really big pipe MHL now offers a connection standard that can run at up to 36 Gbps over a single cable. Granted, the distances will be short, but this is ideal for moving 4K, 6K and even 8K video from PCs to display without having to worry about synchronizing multiple cables.

There is also a new trend to start to add compression to the distribution of audio and video over the “last six feet.” This has always been an uncompressed channel, but VESA has announced the use of light compression to help manage the demand for more pixels and related data over cabling with limited bandwidth.

All of these issues and more will be discussed at the upcoming Display Summit event on June 15-16. This is a pre-show thought leader conference and exhibition just prior to InfoComm. In addition to a symposium session on these connectivity issues, a special demo area will highlight the design space of some key solutions. On display will be:

  • Thinklogical will showcase its 2K and 4K integrated KVM and video extension solutions over one or two fiber optic or CATx cables
  • HDBaseT will showcase its bandwidth can be allocated to 4K AV or a combination of video with additional options like power, control and Ethernet signaling
  • ZeeVee, Inc. will showcase the ZyPer4K that allows for the distribution and switching of high definition uncompressed video, audio, and other data signals using ZyPer4K encoder and decoder modules and off-the-shelf 10Gb Ethernet switches (both fiber and copper)

We know the demand for more bandwidth will continue, so how can wired infrastructures adapt to these demand? We will learn a lot more at Display Summit.

You can register for the Display Summit, to take place the two days before InfoComm 2015, June 15 and 16, in Orlando at the Orange County Convention Center, here. rAVe readers can use code DS15_RAVE to save $100.

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