AUDIO PROTOCOLS

AUDIO PROTOCOLS

Top three Media protocols for transporting professional media over IP networks:

 

DANTE  -  SMPTE 2110  -  AVB

 

1. Dante (Digital Audio Network Through Ethernet):

  • Overview: Dante is a proprietary audio networking technology developed by Audinate, widely used for transmitting high-quality, low-latency audio over standard Ethernet networks.
  • Key Features:
    • High Channel Count: Dante supports many audio channels (up to thousands) on a single network.
    • Low Latency: It offers very low latency audio transmission (sub-millisecond).
    • Scalability: Dante networks can easily expand by connecting devices to switches or hubs.
    • Easy Setup: Devices with Dante support auto-discovery, making it simple to configure and manage.
    • Interoperability: It is used across a range of industries, including live sound, broadcast, and installation.

 

2. SMPTE 2110 (ST 2110 - Professional Media Over IP Networks):

  • Overview: The SMPTE ST 2110 suite of standards is a set of guidelines for transporting professional media (including video, audio, and data) over IP networks, developed to replace legacy broadcast systems like SDI (Serial Digital Interface).
  • Key Features:
    • Separate Audio, Video, and Data Streams: ST 2110 separates video, audio, and ancillary data into independent streams for more flexible routing and handling over IP.
    • IP-Based Transport: This standard allows real-time transmission of high-definition and ultra-high-definition video and audio over standard Ethernet networks.
    • Precision Synchronization: It requires highly accurate synchronization (using PTP - Precision Time Protocol) to ensure that video, audio, and data streams remain in sync.
    • Adoption in Broadcast: It is increasingly used in broadcast environments where high-quality, low-latency media over IP is essential.

 

3. AVB (Audio Video Bridging):

  • Overview: AVB is a set of IEEE standards (IEEE 802.1) that enables synchronized, low-latency audio and video streaming over Ethernet networks. It aims to provide deterministic networking for time-sensitive applications.
  • Key Features:
    • Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN): AVB is built on TSN, which guarantees reliable, time-sensitive data transmission over Ethernet.
    • Synchronization: It ensures that audio and video streams stay in sync, often used in live performances or installations where timing is crucial.
    • Deterministic Latency: AVB networks are designed to have predictable and low latency, ensuring that audio and video arrive on time.
    • Open Standard: Unlike proprietary protocols, AVB is an open standard, allowing different manufacturers to interoperate.
    • Primarily for Professional Audio/Video: AVB is widely used in pro audio, automotive, and industrial applications.

 

Summary of Differences:

  • Dante is a proprietary protocol focused on audio networking with low latency and scalability.

 

  • SMPTE 2110 is a standard for transporting media (audio, video, data) over IP, commonly used in broadcast and production environments.

 

  • AVB is an open, standards-based approach for time-sensitive media transport over Ethernet, ensuring synchronization and low latency for professional audio and video applications.

 

Each of these protocols addresses different aspects of professional audio/video networking and is suited to specific environments based on their requirements for latency, synchronization, and scalability.