NETGEAR has announced an interoperability partnership with Panasonic Connect for the KAIROS IT/IP Platform for live video production.
NETGEAR and Panasonic Connect
Many people will know of NETGEAR because of internet routers and other networking products they use in their homes. However, NETGEAR is also the leading provider of network products for businesses of all sizes. In addition, Panasonic Connect is part of the Panasonic Group and plays a central role in the growth of the Group’s B2B (business-to-business) solutions.
KAIROS
KAIROS is an IT/IP Platform for live productions. IP stands for Internet Protocol and AV-over-IP products send audio and video signals via network cables. KAIROS gives professionals unlimited control to deliver content for broadcast, large screen display and livestreams.
ST2110
KAIROS also includes ST 2110 compatibility with its standard baseband and streaming connectivity for greater input/output flexibility. ST 2110 is a suite of standards developed by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) that define professional media over an IP network.
NETGEAR M4350 switches
NETGEAR’s M4350 series of managed switches use the NETGEAR AV OS. This unique interface provides a simple AV-friendly, template-based approach to switch configurations. This means that there is a quick learning curve for users. In addition, NETGEAR AV OS has preconfigured profiles for all major audio, video and lighting protocols. The M4350 series also includes redundant power supplies, Power over Ethernet (PoE), up to 90W per port and ultra-quiet fans. SMPTE ST 2110 is supported on the VSM4320C (copper) and XSM4344C (fiber) M4350 models.
Easy configuration
“NETGEAR has pioneered an easy configuration process to help Broadcast Pro AV engineers migrate from legacy workflows to IP workflows with more confidence,” said Tod Musgrave, senior broadcast BDM at NETGEAR. “There is no better platform to prove our interop capabilities than the Panasonic KAIROS system.” In addition, Kageyuki (Kenny) Fujimoto, lead manager of KAIROS Alliance Partners, said “We believe that the user-friendly design of the M4350 series with its template-based configurations will open up new opportunities for SMPTE ST 2110 in the video production market through our collaboration.”
What we think
Network cable-based AV-over-IP systems are becoming increasingly prevalent in the professional video world. A single network cable can carry power, video, audio and control for PTZ cameras. However, moving to the new technology can be a big adjustment for broadcast engineers who are used to more traditional AV systems. Hopefully, the partnership between NETGEAR and Panasonic, along with NETGEAR AV OS, will make the transition easier.
