Audiosales manages distribution for AVPro Edge products in the Italian marketplace. Recently, a customer of theirs had the opportunity to deploy AVPro Edge’s AV-over-IP solution, MXNet, as part of the installation for a client considered one of the world’s most storied franchises. Marini Music Service was called upon to create a rocking and rolling setting for the new Hard Rock Cafe in Verona, Italy, known romantically as “The City of Love”.
 
Not only did Marini Music Service wish to present Verona Hard Rock patrons with a vibrant, immersive audioscape, their aim was for an equally premium visual experience. Interior walls are arrayed with musical instruments and memorabilia from iconic solo artists such as Elton John and legendary groups like Pearl Jam, while concert footage and fabled videos on strategically placed TVs stir bookmarked memories for life’s chapters passed by. Martin Audio Ltd., working in tandem with advice from Audiosales, selected AVPro Edge’s MXNet AV-over-IP solution for video distribution requirements. Hard Rock Cafe Verona is able to display various clips throughout the venue from an elegantly simplified control system, unified with the MXNet Control Box.
 
A Dante audio-driven, Martin Audio Ltd. speaker system, fortifies the remainder of the installation. Clean dynamic audio, coupled with tantalizing vivid image quality displayed via MXNet throughout the cafe, sweeps Hard Rock customers young and old away from the rigors of normal life, if only for an evening, landing them in fifth row center, primed for the evening’s rock concert.
  
The Technical Part:
Video was encoded by the AVPro Edge MXNet ecosystem, distributed across the venue and decoded at each display, providing matrixing flexibility and device interoperability for any HDMI signal source,  directed to any monitor. All source devices communicated through MXNet’s networking topology, including all connected Dante devices, utilizing the same network switches.
 
MXNet System Components:
(1) AC-MXNET-CBOX - A/V Switching Control Processor
(1) AC-MXNET-SW24 - 24-port Network Switch functioning as network backbone
(1) AC-MXNET-SW10 - 10-port Network Switch providing additional ports
(7) AC-MXNET-1G-E - A/V source system Encoders
(7) AC-MXNET-1G-D - A/V source system Decoders (connected to television monitors)
 
More information about the AVPro Edge MXNet ecosystem can be found here.

Conceived more than a quarter century ago by a consortium of seven companies, primarily led by Intel, the Universal Serial Bus (hereafter, USB) has had a profound impact in helping us cope with our computer-dominated lives, from not long after its debut, continuing through its evolution to become a standard, and into our current era where data transfer speeds over USB now equal the latest HDMI specification. But USB does not enjoy a freedom from limitations – while many have been overcome, others persist ever-present. Everyday in business centers across the globe, USB-equipped devices dominate conference rooms and huddle areas, with voice and image performance paramount over simple data, presenting challenges for integrators. Let’s examine some of the issues in sending audio and video over USB, along with a remedy to USB’s designed-in drawback.
 
In the early years of personal computing, numerous, purpose-specific connector types such as parallel, DB-9, DIN, and IBM’s Personal System/2 were collectively required to cumbersomely connect peripherals with a computer to fashion a working system. Data transfer seemed a painful slog and limited cable lengths often necessitated a claustrophobic working environment. The intent propelling USB development was creation of a standard connection type for commonly used peripherals and where possible, to supply device operating power.

Introduced in 1996 as USB 1.0, it wasn’t until revision USB 1.1 in 1998 that industry-wide adoption took place and critical mass was achieved. Additionally, and perhaps most welcome, USB device evolution attained plug-and-play status, requiring none or minimal configuration interaction. The daunting maze of differing cable types to facilitate a functioning home or office system were winnowed down to a nearly singular form factor by USB, partnered with ethernet for a window to the world. As adoption became even more widespread, miniaturization for adaptation to compact devices took place, compounding connector types. USB is presently in its fourth generation (USB4), with technical specifications for an enhanced USB4 v2 released on October 18th, 2022.

The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) has deprecated (deemed technologically dated with further development and support suppressed) thirteen of the fourteen previous connection types with USB Type-C, first implemented with USB 3.2 in 2017, carried forward to be the foreseeable USB standard-bearer. While previous USB connection types no longer sustain additional refinements, their maturity assures use well ahead into the future for devices with modest data requirements.
 
USB Type-C and Intel’s Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 are identical in form factor with Thunderbolt essentially a superset of USB-C. While universal to a great degree, device capabilities determine the advantages each possesses.

To what extent each differs from another isn’t the purpose here, except to point out that with each series progression, capabilities increase exponentially.

Thunderbolt 4 represents the latest iteration and is differentiated by establishment of a minimum bandwidth requirement for PCle link, support for dual 4K or a single 8K display, Intel VT-d based protection against direct memory attacks, and power delivery. In step with the natural progression of technology, Intel has Thunderbolt 5 in the works, likely to debut early in 2023 and is said to be doubling data transfer rates up to 80Gbps bidirectionally, or as much as 120Gbps one-way with 40Gbps on the return side using a pseudo link training arrangement.  

While Thunderbolt is royalty-free, rigid Intel certification requirements for implementation will defer most non-Intel processor-based computer manufacturers to continue using the USB 9-pin, Type-A SuperSpeed connector.
 
With USB enhancements making high transfer rate capabilities available, what realistic applications might this present to commercial and residential integrators? Unfortunately, few practical custom installation scenarios beyond webcam and KVM control have emerged, despite USB’s meteoric climb into accelerated data transfer rates.
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Where these advancements handsomely reward particular end-users rightfully deserves acknowledgement. Content creation and post-production, from independent users to hallowed Hollywood facilities, was revolutionized by USB 3.2 with USB-C and now USB4 via Thunderbolt. It has become the simple, bespoke standard for close-proximity linking of a computer to a 4K broadcast monitor through an interface device but even more importantly, for simultaneous, blazingly fast reliable data transfer into a local high-capacity desktop storage device for subsequent rendering and file export.

Avid and competition gamers find Thunderbolt 4 docks consolidate wiring for gaming peripherals with no penalties in speed or latency.

In these examples, one of the main limitations for USB is indirectly apparent, that being it is widely known Thunderbolt 4 cables have a maximum length of 2 meters – a  miraculous increase from when Thunderbolt 3 first appeared at one-half meter.
 
Unique advancements have been made to conquer the inherent 5 meter passive cable limitation that has persisted since the release of USB 2.0 in early 2000. Innovative cable designs have made lengths as great as 25 to 30 meters possible however, they don’t provide a universal solution for all USB application issues. Some USB 3.0 designs employ fiber for distance extension but lack a provision to power endpoint devices where required. Additionally, they do not support USB 2.0 and lower USB versions. On occasion they may be confusingly proprietary, and manufacturing to fixed lengths may lend an untidiness to installations.

Signal-boosted active cables offer a partial solution but a 10 meter maximum for USB 3.0 limits use to compact locations when wall/ceiling navigation is factored in. USB 2.0 lengths up to 40 meters are possible but the effect to data transfer must be considered when specifying for an intended application. USB 2.0 High Speed has a maximum data transfer rate of 480 Mb/s… the spec everyone quotes, right? But this includes protocol overhead. Net data transfer rates for USB 2.0, particularly for a device which is bandwidth traffic-intensive, such as a USB 3.2 webcam shoehorned into a USB 2.0 backward compatible installation infrastructure, may have 320 Mb/s or less available to utilize for sending a motion-fluid, artifact-free image. If the distance exceeds the 10 meter limit for USB 3.0 cables and a USB 2.0 extension is required, the USB 3.0 device will operate at a USB 2.0 host speed. While pushing the envelope is admirable, please note that signal stability is often jeopardized.
 
An alternative to passive or active cables that attains distances as great as 100 meters using category cable was made recently available, through new innovative chipset technology implemented into HDBaseT Spec 3.0. While incapable of augmenting USB data capacity beyond 320 M/bs (HDBaseT Spec 3.0; HDBaseT Spec 2.0 supports up to 190 M/bs), it would seem inconceivable distance-related challenges for the most common integration installation projects would be unable to be met by this technology and the range offered.

This process does not use signal boosting in any way, rather “terminating” the incoming USB data (terminating refers to the USB protocol being subtracted, with only actual data bits transported). The USB data passes through the link in HDBaseT packets, and is then repacked into the USB protocol, transparent to the USB Host and endpoint device. It is compliant with USB 2.0 specifications, supporting Isochronous, Interrupt, Bulk, and Control USB transfers for up to seven USB devices, with the HDBaseT RX device on the far side of the link capable of providing hub functionality.

Portions of this process are accomplished in firmware with hardware acceleration used to enhance overall performance, giving integrators a prevailing solution to USB distance limitations for traditional Isochronous webcam with bidirectional video and audio applications. Trouble-free KVM Interrupt transfers for classroom, security, banking and control room projects may confidently be specified, installed and commissioned.
 
In 1G AV-over-IP systems with USB features, some facets of USB Interrupt transfer may be employed for KVM applications. 1G AVoIP systems are not blessed with a generous amount of bandwidth and many do not support USB 2.0 High Speed for time-sensitive devices such as microphones or digital cameras. Products which might, may not support simultaneous use for webcams with audio (typically not).

Recent to market newer chipsets provide more bandwidth to second generation AVoIP products from many manufacturers, but most still only provide support for one Isochronous transfer device. While some video conferencing bars may serve as a hub and possibly parse data through stream pipes to function as intended, anticipated performance would likely prove unpredictable and such devices are not recommended to be designed into 1G AVoIP systems.

Ostensibly, scenarios with single/multiple cameras with bidirectional audio and multiple viewing attendees have largely been handed over to codec-based IP systems such as Zoom and Teams.
 
From a humble beginning USB has come to dominate connectivity across nearly every electronics platform imaginable. While it hasn’t displaced HDMI for home entertainment purposes (Thunderbolt 4 cable length of 2 meters a primary reason) the time may come in the not too distant future when this obstacle is overcome. In the here and now, however, solutions exist for integrators to send audio with video signals across a room or across a soccer field, with reliability and predictability. In line with your company’s methods and best practices, always pre-test cables or devices to ensure performance and compatibility prior to specifying and site deployment while procuring products from reputable manufacturers that offer support and a strong warranty.    

AVPro Edge attended ISE 2023 earlier this month in Barcelona, Spain, exhibiting for our second year in a row, and we were absolutely thrilled with the results our presence delivered. Our workload was considerably lessened by the greatly appreciated booth assistance from our distribution specialists from Aldous, Audiosales, AudioVision, AVIT, Genitech, MAAS and Trius, as it also presented an opportunity to spend time together, minus the Zoom app. 

We used ISE to officially demonstrate MXNet 10G, firsthand, “across the pond”. While artifact-free 4K Dolby Vision images sent to the displays wowed attendees, what drew constant praise was AVPro Edge’s first-to-market AC-MXNET-10G-SW12C switch, which traffics both data and POE through 12 common ports. Comments came in bunches on how familiarity with MXNet 1G will make it super-easy to acclimate to 10G, particularly by using Mentor, our intuitive command center software. Buyers, as in procurement managers, thought the single SKU, switchable dual-functionality of the AC-MXNET-10G-TCVR was genius. But we had to gently break the news that a downmixing version was added to the line-up, as well as the PRO unit which features Dante audio and extensive USB capabilities. Nonetheless, system designers were immensely pleased. 

Not one to be overshadowed, older MXNet sibling 1G, had plenty to boast about. Performance updates, in the forms of MXNet Evolution II encoders and decoders created quite a stir, as the duo on display highlighted newly enhanced video quality for finer detail rendering to text-laden images, and smoother motion performance, especially with 4K/50-60fps 4:4:4 content with dynamic metadata. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support has also been added.   ​

Maybe most impressive, at least with the interesting manner in which it was presented, was our world’s first 8K HDMI fiber optic extension kit, the AC-EXO-X-KIT. Connected to a full, robust spool of Cleerline fiber between the kit’s transmitter and the receiver, our Murideo 8K SEVEN generator displayed a crisp, detailed pristine image at the display. Only AVPro Edge can long-haul 8K today, while others remain at the drawing board.  

We look forward to ISE 2024, which once again will be at the Fira Barcelona, Gran Vía Venue. After hours, we have a chance to explore Barcelona’s endless dining opportunities, as the show floor toil delivers its just reward. But most important is the time we are able to make with our distribution partners, sharing the enthusiasm we have in bringing AVPro Edge world-class solutions to integrators worldwide, making their installations simple to install as they simplify the lives of their clients. ​

​Audio wiring has traditionally been dictated by specific, varying interface connectivity requirements for all equipment comprising a system layout. To complete point-to-point, end-to-end signal transfer, a mixture of specialized cable types and multiple connector configurations are drawn upon. Dante replaces this dizzying maze of specialized, single-purpose cables by utilizing Ethernet category wiring, then using proprietary hardware and software technologies to digitize and encode audio signals into Internet Protocol “packets” for tightly-synchronized, ultra-low latency travel over standard IP networks. 

Timing, source and destination information is contained within this packeted data to enable routing through the network to any connected Dante device. Dante decoders reconstruct this data into a continuous, full-fidelity audio stream, as Dante implemented into AVPro Edge devices is 100% lossless while utilizing sampling rates from 44.1kHz to as high as 96kHz, in 16-, 24- or 32-bit word lengths.

AVPro Edge has manufactured the AC-DANTE-E, stand-alone analog to Dante encoder, and the AC-DANTE-D, stand-alone Dante to analog audio decoder. Combined, the pair provides a point-to-point path for Dante signals. The AC-MXNET-1G-DANTE-E, is a Dante audio-compatible encoder for the AVPro Edge MXNet 1G Ecosystem. Learn more about these new products below!

• Complete Dante system compatibility
• Plug and play support
• Sample rates up to 96 kHz
• 16-, 24-, and 32-bit audio support

The AVPro Edge AC-DANTE-E is a compact, two-channel, analog stereo-to-Dante platform encoder. Analog audio signals from sources with RCA-type stereo output connectors, such as Compact Disc changers, streaming media players, CATV/DBS set-top boxes, legacy tape machines, along with tuners for FM/HD Radio/ Internet radio and DAB+ (broadcasting to Europe, the Middle East, Asia, plus the Oceanic countries) may be digitally encoded by the AC-DANTE-E for distribution to other devices on a Dante network. Installation applications for house-of-worship, education, hotel/conference, and restaurant/retail with support equipment such as mixers, SD/USB recorders, and computer-related audio may use Dante devices for high quality, near-zero latency distribution of voice and music signaling. Loop-out from the AC-DANTE-E provides analog domain signal pass-through continuity. 

• Complete Dante system compatibility
• Plug and play support
• Sample rates up to 96 kHz
• 16-, 24-, and 32-bit audio support

The AVPro Edge AC-DANTE-E is a compact, two-channel Dante network two-channel decoder. AVPro Edge employs Dante’s Ultimo chipset, providing 100% lossless analog conversion from digitally encoded content with sampling rates from 44.1kHz to as high as 96kHz, in 16-, 24- or 32-bit word lengths. When powered up and connected to a Dante network the AC-DANTE-D becomes ‘discovered’, ready to retrieve digital audio from Dante devices, including the AVPro Edge AC-DANTE-E encoder, using Dante Controller software. 

• 1G Maximum Data Rate
• Bandwidth management via MXNet Mentor
• SFP Fiber Connection for Long Runs
• MXNet 1G HDMI Encoder
• Dante Encoder

AC-MXNET-1G-DANTE-E is a Dante audio-compatible encoder for the AVPro Edge MXNET 1G Ecosystem, identical to the AC-MXNET-1G-E in baseline configuration and technical profile. System design versatility is enhanced with Audinate engineering science onboard for lossless, ADC-DAC two-channel audio processing, enabling the AC-MXNET-1G-DANTE-E to function uniquely as a Dante encoder and decoder, simultaneously if required, as a result of Dante’s unique bidirectional signal capabilities.  
 
AVPro Edge employs Dante’s Ultimo chipset, with an ADC-DAC process that is 100% lossless while utilizing sampling rates from 44.1kHz to as high as 96kHz, in 16-, 24- or 32-bit word lengths, for high quality, near-zero latency distribution of voice and music signaling. Transfer distance matches Ethernet at 100 meters (328 ft) with results dependent on cable quality, termination precision, and the degree of noise within the cable routing environment.

Sioux Falls, SD (February 21, 2023) – AVPro Edge, a leading-edge industry innovator and global leader in high-performance HDBaseT and HDMI video distribution products, alongside revolutionary MXNet 1G plus new 10G AV-over-IP platforms, announced today its new partnership with ProSource, the largest specialty and consumer electronics audio, video and integration group in the United States. A cooperative, member-governed, not-for-profit group representing more than 600+ custom integrators and specialty retailers with annual sales totaling more than $6 billion, helps independent dealers stay relevant to consumers and keeps the specialty A/V channel competitive.    
 
With ProSource Academy and Prosource University, AVPro Edge shares ProSource’s focus on industry education by hosting Imaging Science Foundation display calibration seminars around the world, which enriches our insight into the mechanics of making video images with pristine fidelity. With Murideo, our testing and verification instrument division, we host AVIXA and CEDIA accredited classes for audio/video signal distribution design and troubleshooting techniques, while touching on the importance display calibration plays in delivering the highest caliber system performance possible not only with our products, but with all manufacturers’ devices in the signal path.
 
“We could not be more pleased nor honored to be a vendor partner with ProSource. Our products start as innovative designs which address technology gaps in the marketplace with continued refinements made possible by our unrelenting desire to listen to integrators who contend daily with on-site issues not easily envisioned in the lab. This communication allows us to tailor AVPro Edge components to directly meet the needs of the integration community, “ said Jeff Murray, CEO of AVPro Edge.  Murray continued, “What is exciting is to have access to ProSource’s more than 600 integration companies for their ideas about products they feel would serve theirs and their clients’ interests.  This interaction keeps our industry vibrant and keeps our engineers in their labs testing new theories and ideas”.

AVPro Edge Chief Technical Officer, Matt Murray, added, “Partnering as a vendor with ProSource at a time when 8K displays and AVRs are in need of connectivity support is especially exhilarating. There is a great deal of confusion in the marketplace and a high degree of uncertainty, perhaps somewhat warranted due to a lack of content, however, there are also a myriad of reasons why integrators should carefully consider implementing 8K high-bandwidth products into new proposals and for client upgrades. We welcome new opportunities to discuss this with ProSource members.”

​About AVPro Edge
AVPro Edge carries its heritage of innovation into the 8K era with our world’s-first 8K matrix switcher and 8K HDMI long-distance fiber extension kit. Our MXNet 1G and 10G series AV-over-IP systems are complete AVPro Edge ecosystems, featuring industry-first pre-configured in-house designed and manufactured enterprise class switches, controlled by AVPro Edge MXNET Mentor software for total control over all aspects of system configuration, deployment, management, and troubleshooting. Our USA-designed products backed by our no-hassle, 10-year warranty have grown AVPro Edge into a global-reach company while providing class-leading tech support and customer service all with a comfortable home town feel.      

About ProSource
ProSource is a cooperative, member-governed, not-for-profit buying group, representing 600+ custom integrators and specialty retailers. With annual sales of more than $6 billion, ProSource is the largest specialty and consumer-electronics merchandising group in the United States, which allows it to negotiate stronger programs with manufacturers, help independent dealers stay relevant to consumers, and keep the specialty A/V channel competitive. For additional information go to www.prosourceinfo.com.
 
Follow ProSource:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prosourceinfo/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProSourceInfo/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/prosource-buying-group/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ProSourceInfo

AVPro Edge integrates SDVoE technology MXNet 10G AV-over-IP ecosystem
 
MONTREAL (Feb. 11, 2023) – The SDVoE Alliance, a nonprofit consortium of technology providers collaborating to standardize the adoption of Ethernet to transport AV signals in professional AV environments, announces AVPro Edge has joined the SDVoE Alliance as a contributing member.
 
AVPro Edge’s latest innovation, the MXNet 10G AV-over-IP ecosystem, arrives ready to meet the design challenges for upscale commercial and residential applications head-on. Based on SDVoE technology, MXNet 10G uses a 10Gbps Ethernet network as a bridge between system endpoints and the software platform comprising audio, video, USB, KVM and control signals. SDVoE’s ASIC-based technology consolidates a host of features and formerly individual component platforms into a readily-available form factor, avoiding supply chain issues associated with designs based on FPGA architecture, which is currently in excessive global demand.
 
“AVPro Edge has built a reputation of building stable, high-performance video distribution products that are designed to address today’s integration challenges,” said Justin Kennington, president of the SDVoE Alliance. “We are pleased to welcome AVPro Edge to the SDVoE Alliance. We believe the industry will find immense value in AVPro Edge’s innovative solutions built upon SDVoE’s technology.”
 
Tom Devine, Marketing Director with AVPro Edge shared with SDVoE, “We want to be the manufacturer that integrators come to for ALL video distribution needs, that means we need to cover all the ways integrators are moving video signals. AV over IP is a segment of the industry that is growing, and while 1G solutions are available from AVPro Edge, we want to do everything we can to deliver the most optimized signal to the screen. To do that we looked to the Alliance as a technology partner. Using SDVoE, we can develop a stable technology to deliver jaw-dropping video quality distributed throughout a network switch. The bandwidth needed to deliver quality video is ever increasing, by using a technology that’s 10x larger than traditional AV-over-IP methods allows us to pass the types of signals the end user wants to see, like 4K, HDR, Dolby Atmos, and Dolby Vision.
 
“AVPro Edge will continue to develop products we know integrators are needing on site in the latest and greatest installations. By adding SDVoE products to AVPro Edge’s stable, it allows us to provide solutions to an even wider audience.”
 
In recent years, industry demands for remote data collection and real-time content management have dramatically increased AV-over-IP applications. AV-over-IP technology supports high-quality audio/video transmission over long distances without latency, making it ideal for content streaming applications. All AV distribution and processing applications that demand zero-latency and uncompromised video can benefit from SDVoE technology, which provides an end-to-end hardware and software platform for AV extension, switching, processing, and control through advanced chipset technology, common control APIs, and interoperability. SDVoE network architectures are based on off-the-shelf Ethernet switches, thus offering substantial cost savings and greater system flexibility and scalability over traditional approaches, such as point-to-point extension and circuit-based AV matrix switching.
 
For more information on the SDVoE Alliance, please visit www.sdvoe.org. Keep up with the latest news from the SDVoE Alliance on LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.
 
About the SDVoE Alliance
SDVoE is an initialism for “Software Defined Video over Ethernet”. The SDVoE Alliance is a nonprofit consortium of technology providers collaborating to standardize the adoption of Ethernet to transport AV signals in professional AV environments and to create an ecosystem around SDVoE technology allowing software to define AV applications. The alliance operates the free SDVoE Academy training platform, participates in tradeshows and conferences, publishes white papers and case studies, and promotes SDVoE technology, and solutions based on the technology, to system integrators, designers, consultants, and end users. Steering members of the SDVoE Alliance are Black Box, Christie Digital, IDK Corporation, NETGEAR, Semtech, and ZeeVee. All interested parties are invited to join the alliance and work toward its goals. For more information, visit sdvoe.org or connect with us on Twitter @SDVoE, LinkedIn, and the SDVoE blog.
 
Morgan Lawrence, APR
Director of Communications, THE rAVe Agency
Mobile: +1 419-631-8052
Email: morgan@theraveagency.com
 
SDVoE Alliance® is a registered trademark and SDVoE™ and SDVoE API™ are trademarks of the SDVoE Alliance. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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