SDVoE

In the first two parts of this blog series, we’ve looked at how Semtech’s BlueRiver® platform, the core technology that powers Software Defined Video over Ethernet (SDVoE™), can replace the traditional matrix switch for AV distribution, and with fully integrated USB connectivity, BlueRiver supports more advanced KVM switching applications, typically deployed in control centers and for remote desktop applications. In part three of the BlueRiver applications for Pro AV blog series, we’re going to explore how the powerful integrated image processing engine in the BlueRiver ASIC can enable cost effective video wall and multiviewer applications, removing the need for costly dedicated equipment, while still delivering a high performance, low latency IP-based AV distribution system.

The BlueRiver® platform is Semtech’s award winning technology for AV-over-IP, which is one of the fastest growing segments in the Professional AV signal distribution market. As the core technology that powers Software Defined Video over Ethernet (SDVoE™), BlueRiver has been demonstrated to be the only AV-over-IP technology that can provide matrix switch-like performance, delivering pristine 4K resolution video with imperceptible latency, along with multichannel audio and control signals, such as USB, Infrared and Consumer Electronic Control, all over standard 10 Gigabit Ethernet networks using a common control Application Programming Interface (API).

For this second installment in the BlueRiver applications for Pro AV blog series, we’ll take a look at how SDVoE enables the most cost efficient and feature-rich AV-over-IP systems for applications typically using the traditional matrix switch topology.

Since its official launch in early 2020, the BlueRiver® ASIC has been the bedrock of all new product developments for Software Defined Video over Ethernet (SDVoE™). From standalone encoders and decoders, to HDMI wall plates, the ASIC has provided a lower power and cost effective platform from which our customers can expand their product portfolios. With full integration of USB, designed for connecting and routing USB devices such as keyboards, mouse and track balls, BlueRiver sets a new benchmark for KVM over IP applications.

Semtech’s award-winning BlueRiver® platform was designed to address Pro AV market requirements in an efficient and cost-effective manner, enabling manufacturers to create complete AV-over-IP product lines at a variety of price points. BlueRiver is uniquely valuable in that it is a turnkey hardware and software solution. 

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in early 2020, there was a general feeling that it would all be over in six months. Few expected the global shutdown of live events and professional sports. Concert tours were postponed and sports arenas stood empty as the effects of the pandemic rolled on into the year. I had bought tickets to see the My Chemical Romance reunion tour in September 2020, for my son Max’s 18^th birthday. But of course, it’s been postponed (twice) and it looks like I’ll be taking him for his 20^th birthday instead! Pro sports are starting to open up in many countries, and people like me are itching to go to concerts to see our favorite bands, comedians and theater productions, and be immersed in the collective cheers and applause of the audience again. In the immortal words of the late, great Freddie Mercury, “the show must go on!”

Since starting out my career working at Dolby Laboratories in the early to mid-90s, I’ve often been referred to as “the audio guy.” However, I’ve actually spent the majority of my career working with video technologies, initially with the Serial Digital Interface (SDI), and more recently, with Software Defined Video over Ethernet (SDVoE™) which is powered by Semtech’s award-winning BlueRiver® technology for Pro AV. Still, I have a soft spot for all things audio and make a point of highlighting the audio features of my product lines, as some of these often get overlooked.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for higher education establishments to adopt hybrid styles of learning, providing the benefits of in-room learning to remote students. The Audio Visual (AV) experience is a major component of this hybrid approach, combined with the flexibility of high performance networks, to deliver the most stimulating and immersive experience for both teaching staff and students. As the world recovers and students go back to school, there may still be the need to reduce class sizes for social distancing purposes, and therefore, “extend” the teaching experience beyond the single classroom, with many students still participating remotely, either from different rooms or from home.

When it comes to AV signal switching and extension over standard copper category cabling, Semtech offers two high performance platforms: AVXT chipsets for point-to-point AV extension applications, and the BlueRiver® AVP series of devices for AV-over-IP and Software Defined Video Over Ethernet (SDVoE™) network-based applications. Both solutions take advantage of standard Ethernet technologies, typically operating at 10Gbps, to support transmission of high bandwidth 4K60 video with uncompressed image quality. However, when video bandwidth does not require the full 10Gbps, both AVXT and AVP can operate at the 2.5Gbps and 5Gbps Ethernet rates. The benefits at operating at these lower data rates includes significantly longer cable reach over high performance category cable, or reuse of existing network cable infrastructure designed to carry lower data rate Ethernet.

It’s been almost a year since the official launch of Semtech’s ASIC platform for Pro AV extension, routing and distribution. Two dedicated platforms were launched: AVXT for point-to-point AV extension applications over copper category cable and optical fiber, and the BlueRiver® AVP series of devices for AV-over-IP and Software Defined Video Over Ethernet (SDVoE™) network-based applications. And what a year it has been! Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, customer uptake and product developments have certainly exceeded expectations, and 2021 will see the launch of an exciting range of Pro AV products powered by the new AVXT and BlueRiver AVP ASICs.

For those of you that have been in Pro AV for decades, confusion is not something new. Remember the analog sunset? Remember HDCP? Remember going over-IP? Fortunately, confusion is a phenomenon that disappears over time.