What Is AV over IP? A Complete Guide for IT Managers

AV over IP is the approach of distributing audio and video signals across a standard IP network rather than through dedicated AV cabling and matrix switchers. Instead of running HDMI cables from every source to every display, you connect encoders to sources and decoders to displays, the network handles routing. For IT managers who already manage IP infrastructure, it is a fundamentally more familiar architecture than traditional AV signal distribution.

Quick verdict

AV over IP is compelling at scale, 20+ endpoints, where the cost and complexity of HDMI matrix switchers becomes prohibitive. For smaller deployments (under 10 endpoints), a traditional matrix switcher is simpler and often cheaper. The technology is mature enough in 2026 that latency and quality concerns that held back early adoption are largely resolved, provided you use a protocol appropriate to your use case.

The problem it solves

Traditional AV distribution relies on HDMI matrix switchers: a box with N inputs and M outputs, connected by dedicated HDMI cables. This works well when your source and display count is fixed and modest. Problems emerge when:

• You need to add a new display or source, you need a bigger (more expensive) matrix
• Source and display are far apart, HDMI has distance limits without costly extenders
• You want any source to reach any display, matrix size grows as N×M
• You are managing a building with multiple floors, dedicated AV cabling is expensive to run

AV over IP replaces the HDMI matrix and dedicated cabling with encoders, decoders, and your existing network. Adding a new display means adding a decoder and a network port, not replacing the entire matrix.

How it works

An encoder (transmitter) connects to a video source, a PC, camera, or media player, via HDMI or DisplayPort. It compresses the signal and sends it as IP packets across the network. A decoder (receiver) connects to the display, receives the packets, decompresses the signal, and outputs it via HDMI. A software controller manages which encoder streams to which decoder.

The network switch is critical: AV over IP is bandwidth-intensive, and most implementations require either dedicated VLANs or managed switches that support IGMP snooping (multicast management). This is where the IT team’s involvement becomes essential, AV over IP is genuinely an IT infrastructure decision, not just an AV one.

The main protocols

For general office AV distribution, meeting rooms, lobbies, digital signage, compressed protocols (H.264/H.265) are appropriate and bandwidth-friendly. For broadcast production or applications where a single frame of latency is unacceptable (live switching, esports events), SDVoE or NDI are the correct choices.

Key hardware vendors

• Crestron DM NVX, enterprise AV over IP, integrates with Crestron control systems
• Extron NAV, Extron’s AV over IP range, H.264 based, reliable for corporate installs
• ZeeVee HyperQ, JPEG 2000-based, strong image quality, popular in broadcast
• Black Box LPX, H.264 and H.265 encoders/decoders, good value for general deployments
• Matrox Maevex, H.264/H.265, widely used in corporate AV distribution

Network requirements

AV over IP will consume significant bandwidth. A 10-screen deployment using H.264 at 50 Mbps per stream uses 500 Mbps of switch capacity, manageable on gigabit infrastructure but requiring careful VLAN planning. Key requirements:

• Gigabit (or 10Gbps) managed switches with IGMP snooping enabled
• Dedicated VLAN for AV traffic (keeps AV multicast off your corporate LAN)
• QoS policy prioritising AV traffic
• Network documentation of encoder/decoder IP addressing

This is where IT and AV teams must collaborate from day one. AV integrators who treat the network as a given and IT teams who treat AV as someone else’s problem both produce poor outcomes.

When to choose AV over IP vs traditional matrix

• Under 10 endpoints, fixed layout, traditional matrix switcher is simpler and likely cheaper
• 10-50 endpoints or growing deployment, AV over IP starts to win on flexibility and cost
• 50+ endpoints or multi-floor/multi-building, AV over IP is clearly superior
• Frequent reconfiguration needed, AV over IP wins regardless of scale

For related reading, see our article on wireless HDMI vs AV over IP and our AV control systems buyer’s guide.