Recently, Commercial Integrator caught up with Kathryn Taub of Audinate to discuss audio-over-IP and the latest Dante developments. Taub is, of course, product marketing manager, audio, with Audinate. The company developed the Dante network platform for AV connectivity.
Early in the conversation, Dan Ferrisi, group editor, commercial and security, Emerald, asks Taub for key trends she is watching. She points to networking now becoming more standard. “We see IP really fully replacing those traditional point-to-point AV connections, even ones that maybe we didn’t think 10 years ago could be replaced,” she opines. As examples, she cites microphones and speakers. Now, Taub says, they are becoming direct to IP, as well.
Then, she points to continuing convergence, including IT hardware like servers becoming more amenable to AV operations. And Taub points to the fact that APIs and SDKs are becoming more prevalent. “And [those in our industry] can drive customized, flexible user experiences that way,” she observes.
Audinate and Dante: Tip of the Spear for Audio-over-IP and AVoIP
Asked about Audinate and Dante’s position as the tip of the spear for audio-over-IP and AVoIP, Taub says, “I think we’re in a really great position to provide engineering resources.” Continuing, she points to the prevalence of security concerns on IT networks. “We’ve recently introduced media encryption,” Taub explains. “So, we’re rolling out firmware to manufacturers with that. And that’ll be interoperable between Dante devices.” Moreover, she gets into Dante Director — a SaaS version of Dante management — and Dante Domain Manager.
Finally, Taub adds, Audinate is “…rolling out APIs and SDKs that can work across Dante devices regardless of manufacturer, moving beyond the traditional things you think about Dante with.” That is, they can go beyond audio transport and video transport and control.
Later in the conversation, Taub articulates users’ preference for systems that are easy to deploy and free from vendor lock-in, reinforcing the value of flexible networks that interoperate seamlessly.
Watch the full conversation with Kathryn Taub of Audinate on the topics of audio-over-IP, AVoIP and more by clicking on the embedded video below.
