AES67 Breaks Out at ISE 2016

Typically, when you think of a trade show in Amsterdam, you probably think IBC. Certainly the late-summer show is an important convention, but one geared specifically to broadcasters. Integrated Systems Europe (ISE), on the other hand, is aimed at the larger international Audio Video industry, with an emphasis on A/V technologies for live performance settings and business applications – anything from boardroom videoconference systems to the latest speakers for live venues.

It's interesting, then, that one of the key themes at this year’s show was AES67 - a technology that was first adopted in the broadcast realm. That's attributable in large part to the Media Networking Alliance - the organization whose mission is to promote the adoption of the audio interoperability standard across all segments of the audio industry. This was the MNA's first time displaying at ISE. Axia Audio - part of the Telos Alliance - was front and center at the MNA stand; the Telos Alliance is proud to help raise cross-industry awareness and adoption of the standard as a member of the organization.

"There is a lot of excitement about AES67, as was evident from the ISE show floor," says Marty Sacks, Vice-President of Sales, Support and Marketing for the Telos Alliance. "AoIP is not something that only broadcasters are excited about; the entire audio industry is embracing Audio over IP, and specifically this standard.” In fact, a number of the MNA’s more 25-plus member organizations are not specifically in broadcast, such as Yamaha.

In their stand at the show, Media Networking Alliance performed an AoIP demonstration of more than 20 components from more than 10 different manufacturers, representing the full spectrum of the audio industry. All this gear shared Audio over IP, demonstrating that the concept of audio interoperability is no longer just wishful thinking. “Real audio was being exchanged. Interoperability is really happening,” says Marty.

The MNA believes wider acceptance of the standard will have a huge impact on both the Pro Audio and Broadcast industries, with significant benefits for both. For one, interoperability offers greater choice and a wider array of offerings.

This is huge for the audio industry, which has long been fragmented by a plethora of competing technologies, making it a challenge to mix and match audio products from different manufacturers. Now, that’s all changing. “AES67 has opened up AoIP to a larger network, or ecosystem, of gear, giving users the benefits of large interoperable networks. Any gear that complies with it can share audio,” Marty adds.

And along with the obvious benefit of interoperable gear comes the added bonus of customer choice. Industry professionals can purchase new gear based on technical specifications and preference rather than whether or not it works with a specific AoIP protocol. In turn, this will likely result in more AoIP and AES67-compliant offerings coming down the pike.

Finally, the standard offers a great reduction in the amount of cable used for audio networking, which creates simpler installations, simplified systems, and drastically reduces the cost of building a facility.

The Telos Alliance is proud to be one of the organizations who led the charge toward the development of this important interoperability standard. For us, it was personal. Achieving the dream of interoperability was the vision of our founder, Steve Church.

AoIP is the future, and AES67 is the way there.

Telos Alliance has led the audio industry’s innovation in Broadcast Audio, Digital Mixing & Mastering, Audio Processors & Compression, Broadcast Mixing Consoles, Audio Interfaces, AoIP & VoIP for over three decades. The Telos Alliance family of products include Telos® Systems, Omnia® Audio, Axia® Audio, Linear Acoustic®, 25-Seven® Systems, Minnetonka™ Audio and Jünger Audio. Covering all ranges of Audio Applications for Radio & Television from Telos Infinity IP Intercom Systems, Jünger Audio AIXpressor Audio Processor, Omnia 11 Radio Processors, Axia Networked Quasar Broadcast Mixing Consoles and Linear Acoustic AMS Audio Quality Loudness Monitoring and 25-Seven TVC-15 Watermark Analyzer & Monitor. Telos Alliance offers audio solutions for any and every Radio, Television, Live Events, Podcast & Live Streaming Studio With Telos Alliance “Broadcast Without Limits.”