AV Over IP Solutions

Fiber and Ethernet Infrastructure for AV Over IP Networks

AV over IP solutions use standard Ethernet networks to distribute audio, video, and data between connected devices. Compared with traditional point-to-point AV cabling, IP-based distribution provides greater flexibility for connecting multiple endpoints across a network.

VERSITRON provides Ethernet switches, PoE switches, and fiber media converters that can be used as the network infrastructure supporting AV over IP applications. Fiber optic connectivity allows AV networks to extend beyond the distance limitations of copper Ethernet while providing high bandwidth and immunity to electromagnetic and radio-frequency interference.

These solutions are well suited for corporate facilities, control rooms, security and surveillance systems, educational facilities, transportation environments, and other applications requiring reliable distribution of video and data across an Ethernet network.

AV Over IP Network Products

VERSITRON offers several networking products that can be incorporated into AV over IP infrastructure.

Managed PoE Ethernet Switches

Managed PoE switches provide Ethernet connectivity while delivering Power over Ethernet to compatible devices. Fiber SFP ports provide an option for extending network connections over multimode or single-mode fiber.

Available configurations include 10-, 20-, and 28-port managed PoE switches.

Featured models:

• SG71060MPB — 10-Port Managed PoE Switch with 8 RJ45 ports and 2 SFP ports
• SG72060MP — 20-Port Managed PoE+ Switch with 16 RJ45 ports and 4 SFP ports
• SGX72870MPA — 28-Port Managed PoE+ Switch with 24 RJ45 ports and 4 SFP ports

Managed Ethernet Switches

For AV over IP installations where PoE power is not required, VERSITRON managed Ethernet switches provide copper and fiber connectivity for networked AV equipment.

Featured models:

• SG70660M — 6-Port Managed Switch with 5 RJ45 ports and 1 SFP port
• SG72860M — 28-Port Managed Switch with 24 RJ45 ports and 4 SFP ports
• SGX72870MA — 28-Port Managed Switch with 24 RJ45 ports and 4 SFP ports

Gigabit Ethernet Media Converters

The M7260A Gigabit Media Converter provides copper-to-fiber conversion for applications where Ethernet-based AV equipment needs to connect to a fiber optic network.

View the M7260A Gigabit Media Converter

How AV Over IP Works

AV over IP distributes audio and video through a standard IP network rather than relying on dedicated point-to-point cabling between each source and destination.

A typical system may follow this basic architecture:

AV Source → Encoder → Ethernet Switch → Fiber/Ethernet Network → Decoder → Display

The AV equipment generates the audio or video content, while the Ethernet network provides the pathway for distributing that content to the desired destination.

VERSITRON's switches and media converters can provide the Ethernet and fiber connectivity within this network infrastructure.

For larger installations, managed Ethernet switches provide additional network management capabilities and allow multiple AV endpoints to communicate across the same network infrastructure.

Benefits of AV Over IP

Scalable Network Architecture

AV over IP allows additional endpoints to be incorporated into an existing Ethernet infrastructure without requiring a dedicated point-to-point connection between every source and destination.

Fiber Optic Connectivity

Fiber optic uplinks can extend AV network connections over much greater distances than standard copper Ethernet while providing immunity to EMI and RFI.

Centralized Network Infrastructure

Managed Ethernet switches allow multiple AV devices to connect through a centralized network infrastructure, simplifying network management and expansion.

PoE Device Connectivity

PoE switches can provide both Ethernet connectivity and power to compatible network devices through a single Ethernet connection.

Long-Distance Transmission

Fiber optic connections are particularly useful when AV equipment is distributed between buildings, across large facilities, or over other distances where copper Ethernet is limited.

Flexible Network Design

Because AV over IP uses Ethernet networking, the infrastructure can be designed around the specific requirements of the installation, including copper connections, fiber uplinks, PoE, and managed switching.

AV Over IP Network Infrastructure

A typical AV over IP network may incorporate several types of connectivity depending on the application.

Network Requirement	VERSITRON Solution
Connect AV devices over copper Ethernet	Managed Ethernet Switch
Provide power and network connectivity	Managed PoE/PoE+ Switch
Extend Ethernet over fiber	Gigabit Media Converter
Connect multiple AV endpoints	Managed Ethernet Switch
Extend network between buildings	Fiber SFP Switch / Media Converter
Connect remote powered devices	PoE Ethernet Switch
Support high-bandwidth network uplinks	Gigabit or 10G SFP/SFP+ connectivity

Fiber Optic Connectivity for AV Over IP

Fiber optic infrastructure can play an important role in larger AV over IP installations.

Unlike copper Ethernet, fiber optic cable is not susceptible to electromagnetic interference or radio-frequency interference. This makes fiber particularly useful in electrically noisy environments and applications where reliable signal transmission is important.

Fiber also provides a practical way to connect AV networks across longer distances.

A typical fiber-based AV network may use:

AV Equipment → Ethernet Switch → SFP Fiber Uplink → Fiber Optic Cable → SFP Fiber Uplink → Ethernet Switch → AV Equipment

VERSITRON offers switches with SFP ports as well as SFP-based media converters to support these types of network connections.

Applications of AV Over IP Infrastructure

Corporate Facilities

AV over IP networks can connect conference rooms, meeting spaces, displays, digital signage, and other networked AV equipment throughout a facility.

Control Rooms

Centralized network infrastructure allows video and data sources to be distributed between control room equipment and remote locations.

Education

Schools, universities, classrooms, and lecture halls can use Ethernet infrastructure to connect displays, projectors, cameras, and other networked AV equipment.

Security and Surveillance

Ethernet and fiber networks provide connectivity for distributed video surveillance and monitoring systems.

Transportation

Transportation facilities can use networked AV infrastructure for video displays, monitoring systems, control rooms, and other connected equipment.

Large Venues

Fiber and Ethernet infrastructure can provide connectivity between AV equipment distributed throughout stadiums, arenas, convention centers, and other large facilities.

Industrial Facilities

Fiber-based AV networking can be useful in industrial environments where long-distance connectivity and immunity to electrical interference are important.

Managed Ethernet Switching for AV Networks

Managed switches provide additional control over network traffic and connected devices compared with unmanaged switches.

Depending on the model, VERSITRON managed switches provide combinations of:

• 10/100/1000Mbps Ethernet ports
• Gigabit SFP fiber ports
• 10G SFP/SFP+ connectivity on applicable models
• PoE and PoE+ support
• VLAN capabilities
• Network management
• Fiber uplink options
• Multiple port configurations

This allows the network infrastructure to be scaled according to the number of AV endpoints and the bandwidth requirements of the application.

PoE for AV Over IP Applications

Power over Ethernet can simplify installations by allowing compatible devices to receive power and network connectivity through the same Ethernet cable.

PoE switches can be used with compatible network devices such as:

• IP cameras
• Wireless access points
• Networked control devices
• Compatible AV endpoints
• Other PoE-powered Ethernet equipment

For applications where power must be delivered to remote devices, PoE can reduce cabling requirements and simplify installation.

AV Over IP Network Design

When designing an AV over IP network, several factors should be considered:

Bandwidth

Determine the bandwidth requirements of the AV equipment and network traffic. Higher-resolution video and multiple simultaneous streams can require greater network capacity.

Transmission Distance

Copper Ethernet is suitable for standard Ethernet distances, while fiber optic connections provide a practical solution for longer-distance network links.

PoE Requirements

Determine whether connected AV or network devices require power through Ethernet.

Fiber Type

Select multimode or single-mode fiber according to the required transmission distance and network design.

Port Density

Choose the appropriate switch configuration based on the number of connected devices and the expected network expansion.

Managed vs. Unmanaged

Managed switches provide greater control over the network and may be preferable for larger or more complex AV installations.

VERSITRON AV Over IP Solutions

VERSITRON provides the Ethernet and fiber optic networking infrastructure needed to support a wide range of AV over IP applications.

Our managed Ethernet switches, PoE/PoE+ switches, SFP-based fiber connectivity, and media converters provide flexible options for connecting AV equipment across copper and fiber networks.

Whether you are connecting AV equipment within a single facility or extending an AV network across longer distances using fiber optic cable, VERSITRON can help you select the appropriate networking equipment for your application.

Contact VERSITRON at 1-800-537-2296 or reach out to our technical team for assistance with your AV over IP network requirements.