In today’s evolving AV landscape, AV over IP, or AVoIP, has become an increasingly popular solution for video distribution due to its flexibility, scalability, and capability to handle high-resolution video over standard network infrastructure.
It works by converting traditional video and audio signals into data packets that are transmitted over a standard network infrastructure. This offers several advantages, including:
BZBGEAR offers a three unique AVoIP solutions: BG-IPGEAR-4K, BG-IPGEAR-PRO, and BG-IPGEAR-ULTRA. These systems provide advanced AV distribution, but they are tailored to slightly different use cases and offer varying levels of performance. In this article, we will compare these three systems to help you determine which best fits your specific needs.
First, let’s meet our base AVoIP offering, the BG-IPGEAR-4K. This model supports 4K@30Hz while BG-IPGEAR-PRO and BG-IPGEAR-ULTRA support 4K@60Hz. BG-IPGEAR-4K consists of a multicast transceiver (BG-VOP-MT) and a smart controller (BG-VOP-CB).
BG-VOP-MT (4K UHD AV over IP Multicast Transceiver):
BG-VOP-CB (Smart Controller):
Now, let’s dive into and compare our more advanced 4K@60Hz models: BG-IPGEAR-PRO and BG-IPGEAR-ULTRA.
BG-IPGEAR-PRO: Supports up to 4K 60Hz (4:2:0) video resolution. This makes it a highly suitable option for environments where 4K UHD video quality is essential, but the higher color depth (4:4:4) might not be as critical. For most professional AV setups, such as corporate offices, retail spaces, and education settings, this level of video quality is sufficient and offers an excellent balance of performance and bandwidth usage.
BG-IPGEAR-ULTRA: Offers a step up by supporting 4K 60Hz (4:4:4) with full-color fidelity. This means you get uncompressed, pristine video quality, ideal for environments where high detail and color accuracy are critical, such as medical imaging, high-end broadcast production, or high-performance digital signage. The BG-IPGEAR-ULTRA is also designed for installations requiring higher levels of video quality without sacrificing performance.
BG-IPGEAR-PRO: Designed for low-latency video transmission, the PRO system provides near real-time video distribution, which is perfect for most professional settings like presentations, video walls, and collaborative environments. It delivers reliable performance, with a good balance of video quality and network efficiency.
BG-IPGEAR-ULTRA: The ULTRA system, however, is designed to offer ultra-low latency transmission, making it a better option for time-sensitive applications like live events, gaming, and control rooms where every millisecond counts. Its more advanced architecture ensures minimal lag between input and output, providing a seamless, real-time experience.
BG-IPGEAR-PRO: This system supports basic video wall setups and allows for custom video wall configurations across multiple displays. Its multiview capabilities let users display multiple sources on a single screen, but it is optimized for more straightforward video distribution scenarios.
BG-IPGEAR-ULTRA: The ULTRA system is more advanced in this aspect, offering sophisticated multiview and video wall capabilities with seamless transitions between sources. It can handle complex video walls and multiview layouts with ease, making it the preferred option for large-scale installations, control rooms, or any environment requiring more robust video management and switching between multiple sources.
BG-IPGEAR-PRO: Offers KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) support, enabling users to remotely control a computer or server across the network. This makes it ideal for conference rooms, control rooms, or other settings where remote access to a computer is necessary. Additionally, the system supports USB 2.0, allowing for basic peripheral connections.
BG-IPGEAR-ULTRA: Like the PRO system, the ULTRA supports KVM, but it also features enhanced USB 2.0 capabilities for faster peripheral connectivity, which can be beneficial in scenarios requiring multiple USB devices or faster data transfer. This includes use cases like remote control of multiple computers, as well as more demanding setups that require reliable and fast USB connections.
BG-IPGEAR-PRO: The PRO system is designed to run over a standard 1G Ethernet network, which is common in most professional environments. This makes it cost-effective and easy to deploy using existing network infrastructure.
BG-IPGEAR-ULTRA: Similarly, the ULTRA system runs on a 1G network, but it offers both fiber and copper connectivity options. This adds an extra layer of flexibility, allowing the ULTRA system to operate in more diverse network environments, including those that require longer transmission distances or more robust fiber-based networking solutions.
BG-IPGEAR-PRO: Supports Power over Ethernet (PoE), allowing devices to receive power through the network cable. This simplifies the installation process by reducing the need for additional power cables.
BG-IPGEAR-ULTRA: Also supports PoE, but with the added benefit of a more efficient power consumption model, especially useful in larger installations with multiple devices where minimizing power consumption is a priority.
BG-IPGEAR-PRO: Offers control via a web interface and integrates well with third-party control systems. The BG-IPGEAR-PRO-C controller allows for centralized management, enabling matrix switching and video wall control through a user-friendly interface.
BG-IPGEAR-ULTRA: The ULTRA system takes control further with advanced centralized control options. The BG-IPGEAR-ULTRA-C controller allows for real-time event monitoring, drag-and-drop source management, and more sophisticated video wall configurations. It also offers seamless matrix switching for high-demand environments.
In choosing between the three, it’s important to consider the specific demands of your AV installation. If you require top-tier performance, particularly for live events, high-end digital signage, or detailed video applications, the BG-IPGEAR-ULTRA is the choice. For most pro AV applications where 4K video, reliable performance, and cost-effectiveness are important, the BG-IPGEAR-4K and BG-IPGEAR-PRO will meet and exceed expectations.
