The transition to IP based workflows in worship production has begun to transform facility design at a much faster rate than the transition from analog to digital consoles. The advent of SMPTE-2110 and the move to open standards and wider interoperability are fueling the transition to IP infrastructures as more and more manufacturers adapt their products to support these new standards and accommodate the functionality required for modern, integrated production infrastructures that support audio, video and metadata along with control and monitoring all on the same platform. Included as a subset of SMPTE-2110, AES-67 audio is now the standard for managing audio streams in the IP world. An all AES-67 based system would provide a standards-based solution that fosters interoperability between different brands and a path to future expansion for any facility. Once all audio and video signals reside on the switch fabric within a single campus or multi-city WAN, the workflow possibilities multiply. A control layer, such as Lawo’s VSM, unifies the audio, video, intercom, multiviewer, and IP routing control, eliminating the need for human intervention to access individual, disparate hardware and software packages to accomplish tasks.
Beyond the day-to-day operation and oversight of facilities and personnel, your technical staff will also be engaged managing the network, which requires new talents and tools. Lawo offers a unique solution in this arena with its SMaRT solutions, including Smart Scope and Smart Dash. Smart Scope is a stand-alone application that monitors, analyzes and reports performance of not just your network, but all of the edge devices you have connected. Smart Dash bridges the Production and IT Operations and visualizes the network telemetry and monitoring to help more quickly identify and resolve issues such as Packet Loss, Jitter, Oversubscription, and more.
A clear technology roadmap is essential to a successful transition, and it is important to carefully consider the decisions you make regarding infrastructure and workflow for your production facilities. Approach the transition and positive potential of this new generation of tools and techniques with all the passion that your team brings to every event and you will be rewarded with a new world of possibilities.
For additional information, please visit the company online at www.lawo.com.
