1
Introduction
I
NTRODUCTION
Visionary Solutions 4K UHD over IP cinema quality, ultra-low latency [~1 frame - visually lossless] encoder and decoder bypass the
constraints of traditional switch matrix distribution systems by harnessing the flexibility and scalability of converged IP networks.
With the growing demand for 4K UHD video, professional AV designers and IT directors–in an increasingly converged AV/IT
environment–can use Visionary Solutions products as an alternative to conventional distribution systems.
PacketAV E4200/D4200 is nothing short of a paradigm shift for networked AV. True convergence is finally here; a single platform to
support audio and Video over IP. Integrate 4K UHD video over IP into your audio network and bypass the constraints of traditional
switch matrix systems by harnessing the flexibility and scalability of converged IP networks.
Visionary’s PackeTV® and PacketAV® products can be deployed on any industry standard IP network. They can be used on existing
enterprise IP networks or on a physically separate parallel network [private network] to offload traffic, using the same network
protocols, methods, and devices but without intermingling video traffic with data or voice, and with equal ease of installation.
An encoder is connected to an [HDMI] AV source signal [a camera, STB, media player, PC or server, BluRay player, or digital signage
player, etc.]. The signal is converted into a packetized network stream that is compatible with off-the-shelf IGMP enabled Gigabit
Ethernet (GbE) switches (Jumbo Frames enabled). Using an existing CAT 5/6 infrastructure, users can connect CAT 5/6 to any decoder
anywhere on the same GbE network. The decoder takes the IP packets received over CAT 5/6 cables, converts them back into an
HDMI signal connecting directly to a display, delivering visually lossless video along with USB over IP (KVM) and RS-232 over IP
controls. A signal from any encoder can be sent to any decoder on the same network. The signals can easily be controlled with our
Vision Lite software to create different outputs on the display side, including video wall or matrix switching.
N
ETWORK
AV
I
NFRASTRUCTURE
P
REREQUISITES
This section is intended to provide a basic understanding of applicable networking technologies and the infrastructure requirements
needed for a successful Visionary Solutions E4200/D4200 system installation, and to ensure a rapid deployment and seamless
integration. Many network issues can be minimized or solved before they occur with appropriate knowledge and proper planning.
The E4200/D4200 will work with most non-blocking, IGMP with IGMP Snooping, 8K or better Jumbo Packet 1GbE network
switches. At least one layer-3 switch with IGMP-query capability is required. For PIM (multicast routing) of E4200/D4200 video
streams, the network switches would need to be capable of PIM (Sparse, Dense, or Sparse-Dense).
Do
not
connect
any
encoders
or
decoders
to
a
switch
until
the
switch
is
configured
for
multicasting
and
IGMP
Snooping
is
enabled.
Check with your switch manufacturer for the default configuration settings.
N
ETWORK
P
ROTOCOLS
All data on a network is encapsulated in packets, according to the TCP/IP protocols. Data packets are routed through the network to
their destination(s) by switches using information in the header of IP packets. Transmission can be unicast or multicast. Unicast
transmissions are point-to-point, from a single source to a single destination. Multicast transmissions originate from a single device
and are received by a group of devices on the network, according to the Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP). Multicast
transmission is ideal for bandwidth-intensive application such as media distribution as it allows for efficient use of network
bandwidth. Only a single copy of the data is distributed to multiple destinations. On the other hand, unicast distribution of media to
multiple destinations is an extremely inefficient use of network bandwidth because duplicate copies of the data are sent, point-to-
point, from the source to each destination. E4200/D4200 devices make use of the multicast protocol.
More information concerning IGMP may be found here at:
http://docwiki.cisco.com/wiki/Internet_Protocol_Multicast#Internet_Group_Management_Protocol
