AV-over-IP & AV Control Systems Built for Reliability.
Modern workplace AV increasingly sits alongside corporate IT infrastructure. Meeting rooms, boardrooms, divisible spaces, auditoriums and larger workplace environments may now rely on network-connected video, audio, USB, control and collaboration technology.
Gibb Technology designs AV-over-IP, AV control systems and networked AV solutions around what the space actually needs rather than adding unnecessary complexity. Sometimes that means creating a fully networked AV architecture capable of routing content between multiple rooms, displays and sources. In other environments, a direct HDMI, USB-C or HDBaseT connection will be simpler, more economical and easier to support.
GT provides AV-over-IP design, integration and installation for corporate workplaces across the UK, Ireland and EMEA. From initial signal-flow and network design through equipment specification, installation, commissioning and ongoing support, the objective is to create an AV system that remains reliable, scalable and understandable long after installation.
What Is an AV Control System?
An AV control system brings the different technologies within a meeting room or workplace together behind one simple user interface.
Rather than expecting someone entering a meeting room to understand which display input, amplifier, video switcher or conferencing device needs to be selected, the control system performs those actions in the background.
A touchscreen might allow a user to start a meeting, present a laptop, select a video source, adjust the audio, control a camera or shut the room down. Behind those simple commands, the control system may communicate with displays, video conferencing systems, cameras, audio DSPs, amplifiers, microphones, AV-over-IP endpoints, lighting and other workplace technology.
For the user, the room should still feel straightforward.
Meeting Room Control Should Reduce Complexity.
A sophisticated meeting room does not need to feel complicated to operate.
GT designs meeting room control systems around the tasks people actually need to perform. In a boardroom, pressing a single button could power the displays, select the correct video source, configure the audio system and prepare the cameras for a video conference.
In a divisible room, the control system can help reconfigure the AV depending on whether the room is operating as one large space or several smaller rooms. Displays, microphones, loudspeakers, cameras and presentation sources can then operate according to the selected room configuration.
In an all-hands or presentation space, a simple room mode could route a presenter to several displays, prepare the microphone system and configure the room for a company presentation.
The technology behind the room can be sophisticated. The experience in front of the user should not be.
AV Control for Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Webex & Google Meet.
Room control can work alongside collaboration platforms including Microsoft Teams Rooms, Zoom Rooms, Cisco Webex and Google Meet.
In smaller meeting rooms, the native conferencing controller may already provide everything the user requires. Larger rooms can be different.
Executive boardrooms, divisible spaces and town-hall environments may include several displays, multiple cameras, professional audio, presentation inputs and different operating modes. In these spaces, an additional AV control layer can give users access to the wider room technology without requiring several separate interfaces.
GT can design these environments around technologies including Crestron, Q-SYS and Extron, selecting the control platform around the wider AV requirement rather than the manufacturer alone.
What Is
AV-over-IP?
AV-over-IP, or Audio Visual over Internet Protocol, is a method of transporting professional audio and video using IP network infrastructure rather than relying entirely on conventional point-to-point AV cabling and central matrix switching.
A source such as a meeting room PC, Microsoft Teams Room, presentation laptop or digital signage player connects to an AV-over-IP encoder. The encoder converts the AV signal into data that can be transported through compatible Ethernet switching infrastructure.
A decoder positioned at the destination receives the required stream and converts it back into a signal that the display or other AV equipment can use.
In simple terms, the signal flow becomes:
Source → AV-over-IP Encoder → Network Switch → AV-over-IP Decoder → Display
Depending on the selected platform, video, audio, USB and control can all form part of the networked AV architecture.
The network effectively becomes part of the video distribution system.
Where Should AV-over-IP Be Used?
AV-over-IP becomes particularly valuable when video needs to be distributed, routed, expanded or reconfigured rather than simply transported between one fixed source and one fixed destination.
A large boardroom may have several presentation sources that need to appear independently across multiple displays. A presenter could have their laptop on the main display, supporting content on another screen and a Microsoft Teams meeting on a third. A networked AV architecture allows those routes to change without designing the room around permanent point-to-point connections.
Divisible meeting spaces are another strong application. When movable partitions change one large space into two or three separate rooms, the AV system may also need to change. Displays, sources, cameras and audio can be assigned to the appropriate area through the room-control and networked AV architecture.
Town halls and all-hands spaces can benefit for similar reasons. A presentation taking place in the main room could be distributed to confidence monitors, overflow areas and additional displays before those screens return to local presentation or digital signage content afterwards.
Across larger workplaces, AV-over-IP can allow meeting rooms, collaboration spaces, reception displays and presentation environments to share selected sources without every device being permanently connected to one location.
It is also well suited to digital signage, IPTV, video walls, control rooms and operations centres, where many sources may need to be routed dynamically across multiple displays.
Real-World AV-over-IP: L'Oréal Belgium & Crestron DM NVX.
The L'Oréal Belgium office demonstrates how AV-over-IP can form part of a wider corporate workplace rather than simply serving an individual meeting room.
Crestron DM NVX and Crestron control were used as part of an environment integrating collaboration, control and content distribution throughout the office.
For GT, the important design lesson is why networked AV made sense. The requirement was no longer simply getting one source onto one screen. Multiple workplace spaces, content sources and collaboration requirements needed to operate as part of a wider connected AV environment.
That is where AV-over-IP begins to provide significantly more value than a collection of isolated point-to-point systems.
Real-World AV-over-IP: Microsoft Experience Center One & Q-SYS.
The Microsoft Experience Center One provides an example at a much larger scale.
Q-SYS forms part of a centrally managed AV architecture connecting more than 1,200 endpoints, including 24 Microsoft Teams-enabled engagement spaces, briefing environments and a three-way divisible multipurpose space.
Audio, video and control can operate as part of a common technology foundation while different rooms retain the functionality required for their individual use.
Most corporate workplaces will never require 1,200 AV endpoints, but the design principle is the same. As the number of rooms, sources, displays and possible signal routes increases, AV-over-IP becomes progressively more valuable.
USB-C and USB Extension for Meeting Rooms.
Not every meeting room needs AV-over-IP.
USB-C has become increasingly important in corporate AV because a single laptop connection can potentially provide video, audio, USB data, Ethernet and laptop charging.
For a smaller meeting room, a direct USB-C cable may be all that is required. The challenge appears when the meeting table is some distance from the display, camera or video bar.
Professional USB-C and USB extension systems allow the active AV hardware to remain behind the front-of-room display while still providing the user with a simple USB-C connection at the meeting table.
A typical BYOD or BYOM signal flow might be:
Laptop at Table → USB-C → Table Transmitter → Cat6A → Receiver Behind Display → Display + USB Video Bar
The user sees one USB-C cable at the table. Behind the scenes, the system can route the laptop's image to the display while connecting the room camera, microphones and loudspeakers back to the laptop.
The user can then open Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Webex, Google Meet or another conferencing platform on their own laptop while using the professional camera and audio system installed in the room.
This can provide an extremely clean solution because video bars, receivers, power supplies and other active equipment remain discreetly positioned behind the display rather than requiring several individual HDMI and USB cables to be routed back to the table.
Systems including Lightware Taurus and Extron USB-C extension solutions can be used for this type of architecture.
USB Extension Is Not Always AV-over-IP.
An important distinction is that extending USB or USB-C using category cabling does not automatically mean that the signal is travelling across the corporate IP network.
A point-to-point USB extender may use Cat6A because category cable is an effective transport medium, while maintaining a dedicated connection between one transmitter and one receiver.
The signal path could therefore be:
USB-C → Transmitter → Dedicated Cat6A → Receiver → Video Bar
That can be exactly the right solution where one table always needs to connect to one fixed front-of-room AV system.
A true networked architecture is different. A platform such as Lightware Taurus TPN can transport video, audio, USB and control within a 10Gb AV-over-IP environment, allowing hosts and peripherals to be routed between different networked endpoints.
The distinction follows a straightforward engineering principle.
If the connection is fixed, point-to-point extension may be simpler. If the connection needs to change dynamically between multiple devices, displays or rooms, AV-over-IP becomes more valuable.
AV-over-IP vs HDBaseT vs USB-C Extension.
AV-over-IP, HDBaseT and USB-C extension are not technologies that need to compete with one another. They solve different problems and can comfortably operate within the same workplace.
HDBaseT
HDBaseT is particularly effective where video needs to travel between two known locations over structured category cabling.
A table-mounted HDMI connection might connect to an HDBaseT transmitter beneath the meeting table. Cat6A then carries the signal to an HDBaseT receiver installed behind the display.
The architecture remains straightforward:
Table HDMI → HDBaseT Transmitter → Cat6A → HDBaseT Receiver → Display
The source and destination are fixed, so there may be little benefit in introducing an AV-over-IP network.
USB-C Extension
USB-C extension becomes particularly useful when the laptop needs more than a display connection.
A user may need to connect to the room's display while simultaneously gaining access to the camera, microphones, loudspeakers and potentially Ethernet and laptop charging.
In that environment, the architecture could instead become:
Laptop → USB-C → Table Transmitter → Cat6A → Receiver Behind Display → Display + Camera + Audio
For the user, the system still presents itself as one simple USB-C connection at the meeting table.
AV-over-IP
AV-over-IP becomes most valuable when a workplace needs multiple sources to connect flexibly to multiple displays or AV devices, rather than sending one fixed signal from one location to another.
A standard meeting room with one table, display and video bar may therefore be better served by direct USB-C or a point-to-point USB-C extender.
In a larger boardroom, divisible space or presentation environment, several laptops, conferencing systems or media sources may need to be routed to different displays at different times.
In that type of environment, the signal flow could be:
Laptop / Teams Room / Media Source → AV-over-IP Encoder → Network Switch → AV-over-IP Decoder → Display / Video Wall / AV Device.
The advantage is that the routing can change without redesigning the physical cabling every time the way the space is used changes.
AV-over-IP Depends on the Network.
When professional video, audio or USB travels across an IP network, the network becomes part of the AV system.
Depending on the selected platform, AVoIP may operate across 1GbE or 10GbE infrastructure, with bandwidth, switch capacity, multicast, VLANs, PoE and network uplinks all potentially influencing the design.
Copper Ethernet can be used for local connections while fibre may provide higher-bandwidth links between floors, communications rooms or buildings.
GT works with client IT teams to ensure the AV-over-IP and network infrastructure are designed together, creating a system that is reliable, manageable and supportable.
AV-over-IP Platforms.
There is no single AV-over-IP platform that is right for every workplace. Manufacturers take different approaches to compression, bandwidth, USB routing, networked audio, control, management and integration.
GT selects the platform around the application rather than designing the application around the manufacturer.
Crestron DM NVX
Crestron DM NVX is an established enterprise AV-over-IP platform capable of transporting high-quality 4K video, audio and USB across standard Gigabit Ethernet infrastructure.
The wider Crestron ecosystem also brings together room control, touch panels, automation, audio distribution and centralised management, making DM NVX suitable for everything from individual boardrooms through to larger multi-floor and campus-wide AV distribution systems.
Current DM NVX endpoints support 4K60 4:4:4 video, USB routing, AES67 audio integration and enterprise network-security features.
Where it fits best: GT would particularly consider DM NVX where a customer already uses Crestron control, or where a larger corporate workplace requires video distribution and room control to operate as one tightly integrated platform.
Compared with more specialist AVoIP-only manufacturers, one of the main reasons to select Crestron is the breadth of the wider Crestron ecosystem surrounding the networked video system.
Q-SYS NV Series
Q-SYS NV Series brings networked video into the wider Q-SYS audio, video and control platform. NV endpoints can transport 4K60 4:4:4 video while working alongside Q-SYS DSP, network cameras, control interfaces, automation and conferencing functionality.
Certain NV endpoints also provide USB-C connectivity, USB routing and AV bridging, making the platform particularly relevant to collaboration environments rather than simply video distribution.
Where it fits best: Q-SYS becomes particularly compelling when GT is designing a boardroom, divisible space, town-hall room or larger workplace where audio DSP, cameras, video, control and automation all need to work together.
Compared with platforms focused primarily on moving video between endpoints, Q-SYS can reduce the number of separate technology ecosystems required within a complex room.
Extron NAV
Extron NAV is an enterprise-focused AV-over-IP platform designed to distribute video, audio, USB and Ethernet across both 1Gb and 10Gb network architectures.
The range includes conventional HDMI endpoints, USB-equipped devices, wallplate transmitters and fibre options, while Extron's NAVigator provides central management of the system.
An important advantage is that NAV 1Gb and 10Gb endpoints can form part of the same wider architecture, allowing the system to use different endpoint types according to the application.
Where it fits best: GT would consider Extron NAV particularly strongly for standardised corporate estates, higher-security environments, education and larger projects where predictable operation, detailed system engineering and long-term standardisation are priorities.
It is especially useful where an organisation already has significant Extron switching, control or DSP infrastructure and wants the AVoIP platform to remain within that ecosystem.
Lightware Gemini GVN & Taurus TPN
Lightware has an increasingly broad networked AV portfolio, with Gemini GVN providing 4K60 4:4:4 video and USB across 1Gb Ethernet and Taurus TPN providing a 10Gb SDVoE-based architecture for more demanding environments.
Lightware's particular strength is the relationship between AVoIP and modern USB-C collaboration.
Taurus TPN can combine video, USB, audio, control and USB-C BYOM functionality, while Gemini GVN now includes USB-C options with laptop charging alongside HDMI and Dante variants.
Where it fits best: GT would consider Lightware particularly strongly where USB-C, BYOD/BYOM and USB peripheral routing are central to the requirement, rather than video distribution being the only challenge. A large boardroom where laptops need to access different cameras, microphones and displays is a particularly good example.
Compared with more traditional AVoIP platforms, Lightware's strength is the way its networked AV technology connects with its established USB-C and meeting-room connectivity portfolio.
VISIONARY Solutions
Visionary Solutions PacketAV focuses heavily on efficient 1Gb AV-over-IP, with its current Duet-5 platform combining 4K60 4:4:4 video with Dante and AES67 audio over Gigabit Ethernet.
This convergence of professional video and networked audio is particularly useful where the AV design already relies heavily on Dante for microphones, DSP, amplification or audio distribution.
USB-C connectivity within the Duet-5 family also gives the platform relevance to modern collaboration environments.
Where it fits best: GT would consider Visionary where a project needs scalable 1Gb video distribution but also has a strong Dante or AES67 audio requirement. Compared with 10Gb platforms designed for virtually uncompressed video, Visionary can be attractive where the existing 1Gb network infrastructure is an important part of the design and there is value in bringing networked audio and video more closely together.
Kramer / ZeeVee
Kramer and ZeeVee now provide one of the broader AVoIP portfolios in commercial AV following Kramer's acquisition of ZeeVee.
The combined range covers Kramer's 1Gb KDS platforms alongside ZeeVee's ZyPerUHD60 1Gb systems and ZyPer4K 10Gb SDVoE technology. This provides options ranging from meeting rooms and standard enterprise distribution through to large video walls, control rooms, production facilities and very large multi-endpoint deployments.
Kramer is continuing to integrate the portfolios, including new-generation ZyPer4K-XSE 10Gb SDVoE endpoints.
Where it fits best: GT would consider Kramer/ZeeVee particularly where scale and video distribution flexibility are the main requirements, especially where the system may contain a large number of sources and displays, video walls or require a choice between cost-efficient 1Gb and higher-performance 10Gb architectures. Compared with manufacturers primarily centred on meeting-room collaboration, ZeeVee's heritage is particularly strong in large-scale IP video distribution.
AMX SVSI
AMX SVSI is one of the longer-established networked AV platforms and provides several approaches to delivering video across enterprise IP infrastructure.
The current N2600 series supports 4K60 4:4:4 distribution alongside Dante AV-A, while the N3300 range uses H.264/H.265 and Dante AV-H to support applications where video may also need to extend beyond the local AV network to remote viewing, recording or WAN-based workflows.
AMX also supports large networked matrices, central management, USB/KVM and enterprise networking functionality.
Where it fits best: GT would consider SVSI where an organisation already has AMX/HARMAN infrastructure, where very large-scale networked video is required, or where streaming and lower-bandwidth distribution are as important as traditional room-to-room AV switching. Compared with platforms optimised mainly for local low-latency presentation video, the wider SVSI range provides useful options when content also needs to be streamed, recorded or transported across lower-bandwidth network links.
Atlona OmniStream
Atlona OmniStream provides 4K video, audio and control distribution across standard Gigabit Ethernet and can be combined with Atlona's wider switching, collaboration and Velocity control technologies.
The platform is designed around standard network infrastructure and has been deployed in corporate meeting environments, large venues and multi-room AV systems where sources need to be distributed flexibly rather than connected through a conventional fixed matrix switch.
Where it fits best: GT would consider OmniStream where a customer wants a 1Gb networked AV architecture without necessarily moving into a larger 10Gb environment, particularly when Atlona switching or Velocity control is already being used elsewhere in the project. It can provide a practical middle ground between traditional fixed AV distribution and the more infrastructure-intensive 10Gb AVoIP platforms used for highly demanding applications.
Which AV-over-IP Platform Is Right?
The best platform depends on what needs to be achieved rather than which manufacturer has the longest feature list.
Crestron DM NVX is particularly strong where video distribution and Crestron control need to form one enterprise ecosystem.
Q-SYS becomes attractive where video needs to operate alongside DSP, cameras and room automation.
Extron NAV suits highly engineered and standardised enterprise environments.
Lightware stands out where USB-C, BYOM and USB routing are central to the room design.
Visionary provides a strong option for 1Gb environments with close Dante and AES67 integration.
Kramer/ZeeVee offers considerable breadth for larger video-distribution systems across both 1Gb and 10Gb architectures.
AMX SVSI is particularly relevant to large networked estates and applications combining local distribution with streaming, while Atlona OmniStream provides a practical Gigabit Ethernet approach for scalable corporate AV distribution.
GT's role is to determine which of those approaches best fits the rooms, network, user experience, performance requirements and long-term support strategy, rather than designing the project around a manufacturer before the requirement is understood.
AV-over-IP Design & Installation Across the UK, Ireland & EMEA.
Gibb Technology provides AV-over-IP design, AV control system integration and networked AV installation for corporate meeting rooms, boardrooms, divisible spaces, town halls and larger workplace environments.
GT can work with internal IT teams, consultants, fit-out contractors and project teams to develop the signal flow, network requirements and AV architecture before equipment is selected.
From AV design and specification through supply, installation, commissioning and ongoing support, GT provides one accountable route from requirement to delivery.
Planning an AV Control or AV-over-IP System?
Whether you are designing a new boardroom, upgrading a divisible meeting suite, distributing content around an office or simply trying to determine whether AV-over-IP is appropriate, Gibb Technology can help establish the right approach.
Tell GT what you are planning and we can help determine whether AV-over-IP, HDBaseT, USB-C extension or a hybrid architecture is right for the space.
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