Network/AudioVideo convergence is not coming - it's here
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 08:34PM 3 years ago, we built a very advanced high-definition distributed video system. There were quite a few sources - about 30 overall - distributed to 12 different rooms. Across the entire video distribution system there were apx. 15 devices with network connections - the crestron controllers, Tivo's, Kaleidescape media server, AppleTV and a few others.
We're now in the middle of a new system, fewer sources - only 12, fewer rooms - just 10 - but the network address count is is over 70. That's just the video distribution system. Our overall network address count will be 200+. Every single box seems to have a network connection - the video reciever (Crestron Digital Media Fiber Optic boxes), the TV's, the audio processors, every single source....even the RF reciever for the remote controls have IP addresses (right now, it seems as if the gym headphones will in fact be without TCPIP connectivity.) Meanwhile, this house has 1/5th the wire we had in the 1st example house...and managed switches cost 1/10th per port what they did 36 months ago...
Now if I could only get all this stuff to not generate so much heat........