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Does AV over IP need SMPTE’s open standard?

IPMX (Internet Protocol Media Experience) is based on SMPTE 2110 and the AIMS Alliance sees it as the future of AV Over IP.

IPMX is based on the SMPTE ST 2110 standard deployed throughout broadcast but adapted specifically for pro AV needs, with the addition of HDCP copy protection, network discovery and registration, and I/O management, including multichannel surround sound. IPMX is designed to be simple to deploy, requiring only basic networking equipment; it scales, supporting any bitrate with compressed or uncompressed streams; and is video format-agnostic.

“IPMX is a standard perfectly suited for pro AV and live production, built on a foundation of proven broadcast standards and specifications; extended with thoughtful additions that bring accessibility, flexibility, and affordability to AV over IP.”

The work around IPMX is being done by AIMS (Alliance for IP Media Solutions) whose members include AJA, Arista, Bosch, Canon, Cisco, Clear-Com, Macnica, Matrox, Panasonic, Sony, and Yamaha among other manufacturers and Disney and NBC Universal among end users. In addition to the 27 full members there are 48 associate members from a range of AV disciplines including Datapath, Focusrite, Magewell, NEC, and SSL.

SMPTE 2110 is now a mature standard and widely deployed in broadcast. AIMS Board Member Andrew Starks, director of product management at Macnica says the Pro AV group is focused now on extending the standard to the specific needs of AV–especially around our unique latency requirements, HDCP, EDID, KVM requirements, sync and timecode, AES67 integration, among others. The underlying codec (JPEG XS) is designed to support a worthy replacement for uncompressed video (while also supporting uncompressed). The other part of the equation for AV is the NMOS (Networked Media Open Specifications) from AMWA, which provide the “plug and play” capabilities needed to easily add and integrate devices in an IP media workflow. When a device is powered up, its resources become available to all devices on the network, removing the need for time consuming manual configuration of I/O parameters.

Can a broadcast-developed standard really help Pro AV? Starks says much has changed at SMPTE, “a certain humility” he ventures to say. The current media landscape changed how broadcast people saw the world, and brought them into the multicast mindset that Pro AV is already well familiar with. “Literally anybody can broadcast now, and they will be broadcasting over multiple platforms with multiple needs.” He says SMPTE 2110 reflects that reality and the needs for variable and scaleable flexibility around resolution, delay, and interactivity. He makes the point that in AV we accepted the HDMI experience, but there’s now reason to think we can do better.

What can people do to get engaged? At the moment, since IPMX is acquiring its AV chops, AIMS’ priority is bringing in manufacturers, whether for membership or just awareness. But integrators and consultants who want to anticipate (or chime in) are equally needed for this movement. “I would say the wave is coming, we’re probably 12 months away. IPMX is already there for production.” Now the AV Over IP piece is taking shape. It’s a good time to learn about it.

“What I like about SMPTE 2110 and NMOS is they are built on networking standards that are old as dirt, which makes them simple for IT departments to work with,” Starks says of the proven requirements that underpin these standards. AES67 is a natural partner.

TechFest 2021: Learn about IPMX

The Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS) is pleased to announce it will host AIMS TechFest 2021, a live interactive virtual event slated for March 9-10, with each day featuring four hours of programming. Day one of AIMS TechFest 2021 will focus on the IPMX (Internet Protocol Media Experience) proposed set of open standards and specifications, and the benefits for Pro AV workflows. Day two will explore remote audio production through a series of case studies and technical presentations. Registration details are available at www.aimstechfest.com.

“AIMS is committed to ongoing education around the use of open standards for media over IP, and this new virtual event will offer fresh perspectives on the value of IPMX in Pro AV workflows, as well as the latest strategies for implementing remote audio production,” said AIMS Chairman Mike Cronk. “We look forward to meeting up with peers from across the industry to discuss current approaches to standards-based IP deployment.”

In addition to providing presentations by industry experts, AIMS TechFest 2021 will also give attendees the opportunity for interaction and networking. Participants will be able to move freely in a dynamic, online environment including a reception area and main stage, two meeting rooms just for meeting up with industry friends and colleagues, and four rooms dedicated to lectures and discussions around AES67 and IPMX. Daily sessions will begin at 10 a.m. EST, with a coffee break at the halfway point.

Day 1: IPMX
Presentations on the first day of AIMS TechFest 2021 will include:
• An introduction to IMPX by Andrew Starks, AIMS Board Member and Director of Product Management, Macnica Americas Inc.
• IPMX Makes Networks Easy by Jean Lapierre, Senior Director, Advanced Technologies, Matrox Video
• JPEG-xs: Balancing Video Compression and High Visual Fidelity by Alain Champenois, Group Leader, ASIC & FPGA, Matrox Video and Andre Testa, Manager, ASIC/FPGA, Matrox Video
• The Pros and Cons (& Pros) of an AV-over-IP Standard by Gary Kayye, Co-Founder & Director | THE rAVe Agency

Day 2: Remote Audio Production
In a series of 35-minute segments, experts will share their insights on underlying technologies and current standardization activities, as well as their experiences on real projects and advice on how to avoid common pitfalls.
• AES67 Beyond the LAN by Nicolas Sturmel, Senior Technologist, Merging Technologies
• PTP over WAN by Daniel Boldt, Head of Software Development, Meinberg
• The Show Must Go WAN by Claudio Becker-Foss, Co-founder, CEO and CTO, DirectOut
• AES67 WAN Transport Utilizing the Cloud by Bill Rounopoulos, Business Development Manager, OEM and Partnerships, Ross Video

Further information and registration details are available on AIMS TechFest 2021 www.aimstechfest.com. More information about IPMX is available at www.ipmx.io.

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About the Alliance for IP Media Solutions
The Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the education, awareness, and promotion of industry standards for the transmission of video, audio, and ancillary information over an IP infrastructure, as well as products based on those standards. The group represents the interests of broadcast and pro AV companies and technology suppliers that share a commitment to facilitating the industry’s transition from baseband to IP through industry standards and interoperable solutions that enable the rapid evolution to open, agile, and versatile production environments.

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