From Switches to Streams: A Practical Guide to IP Networking in ProAV

The world of professional audiovisual (ProAV) systems is rapidly migrating from traditional point-to-point video connections to IP-based infrastructures. As video resolutions increase and latency requirements tighten, understanding IP networking has become essential for AV integrators, engineers, and system architects.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to build a robust IP-based AV system: from choosing the right switches and implementing proper Quality of Service (QoS) settings, to understanding multicast protocols and managing bandwidth. Whether you’re designing a broadcast studio, a conference hall, or a live performance venue, these principles will help you ensure smooth, synchronized AV delivery over Ethernet networks.

Why Is IP Networking Critical in ProAV Today?

IP-based video offers scalability, flexibility, and reduced cabling compared to legacy systems like SDI or HDMI matrices. It allows for centralized management, remote control, and easy integration of various AV sources and sinks. With protocols like ST 2110, Dante AV, and IPMX, ProAV systems can handle video, audio, and metadata over a unified infrastructure.

But this convenience brings complexity. Misconfigured switches, unmanaged multicast traffic, or lack of QoS can cripple an otherwise capable system. Thus, engineering teams need to grasp not only AV formats but also networking fundamentals.

What Are the Network Requirements for Real-Time AV?

The core demands of IP-based AV include:

Low latency: Essential for live applications like stage performances or video conferencing.
High bandwidth: Especially for uncompressed or lightly compressed video (e.g., JPEG XS).
Synchronization: Frame-accurate timing across multiple streams.
Multicast support: For efficient stream distribution without unnecessary duplication.
Determinism: Predictable packet delivery, crucial for signal integrity.

How to Configure a Switch for ProAV Applications?

Start with managed Ethernet switches that support:

IGMP Snooping & Querier
QoS prioritization (DSCP, 802.1p)
VLAN segmentation
Jumbo frames (if using large packet sizes)
Port buffering and shaping

Configuration steps typically include:

Enable IGMP snooping on all VLANs used for AV traffic.
Assign higher priority to AV traffic using DSCP tags (e.g., EF for audio).
Segment AV traffic from control or IT traffic using dedicated VLANs.
Disable EEE (Energy Efficient Ethernet) on AV ports to avoid jitter.
Monitor bandwidth usage via SNMP or web UI.

These configurations help prevent packet loss, reduce jitter, and maintain consistent stream quality.

Unicast vs. Multicast: What Works Best?

Multicast is ideal when the same AV stream must be delivered to multiple endpoints. Instead of duplicating packets per destination, multicast sends one stream that switches and routers replicate where needed. Protocols like IGMP and PIM help manage multicast groups and route traffic efficiently.

Unicast may still be useful for monitoring or point-to-point diagnostics but scales poorly.

What is IGMP and Why Is It Important in AV over IP?

The Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) enables receivers (like displays or decoders) to signal their interest in a specific multicast group. IGMP snooping on switches ensures traffic only reaches subscribed ports, preventing unnecessary load on the network.

Without IGMP, multicast traffic can flood all ports, degrading performance and increasing latency. This makes IGMP essential for efficient AV stream delivery.

Synchronization: Precision Time Protocol (PTP)

When multiple devices need to play or capture video in lockstep, PTP (IEEE 1588) provides sub-microsecond clock synchronization. Used in ST 2110 and other AV standards, PTP ensures all endpoints share a common timebase, which is vital for lip-sync and multi-camera setups.

Many network switches offer hardware timestamping to improve PTP accuracy. It's important to design your network topology to minimize jitter and asymmetry.

Redundancy and Reliability

For critical installations, consider network redundancy via:

Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) or Rapid STP (RSTP)
Link Aggregation (LAG)
Dual network topology with failover mechanisms

Using dual switches or redundant paths ensures continuous operation even during equipment failure or cable disconnection.

Best Practices for Building an AV over IP Network

Use fiber links for long-distance or high-bandwidth connections.
Avoid daisy-chaining switches; use a proper star or leaf-spine topology.
Dedicate a separate control network for device management.
Label cables and ports clearly; document VLAN and IP schemes.
Plan for expansion with spare switch ports and modular designs.

Tools and Protocols to Know

ST 2110 / IPMX: Uncompressed AV over IP with precise sync.
NDI / Dante AV: Compressed, lower-bandwidth alternatives.
SNMP / Syslog: Monitoring and diagnostics tools.
LLDP / CDP: For switch discovery and device topology.

Common Mistakes in ProAV Networking

Using unmanaged switches or mixing managed/unmanaged types.
Overloading switches with insufficient backplane capacity.
Ignoring QoS tagging, causing jitter and packet drops.
Failing to test network performance under load.

Final Thoughts

IP networking is no longer just the domain of IT departments. In ProAV, it's a foundational skillset. Engineers must bridge AV expertise with networking know-how to deliver systems that are not only powerful but also reliable and future-proof.

By applying best practices in switch configuration, multicast management, QoS, and synchronization, you can build IP-based AV networks that meet the demanding expectations of modern broadcasting, event production, and corporate communications.

Want to build reliable IP-based AV systems? Promwad helps you design embedded hardware and software that integrates seamlessly into your AV over IP workflows.