In an effort to drive the movement toward a common protocol for audio networking, Calrec has joined the AVnu Alliance, an industry consortium dedicated to the development and promotion of a professional-quality streaming standard for networked audio and video content based on the IEEE 802.1 Audio Video Bridging (AVB) standards.

“The AVB standard addresses Ethernet’s most serious shortcomings as a transport for streaming audio,” said Calrec Technical Director Patrick Warrington. “We know a lot about audio networking and have already brought two solutions to the table because we want to ensure that our customers’ needs are well-represented in the new protocol.”

“We are very pleased to welcome a broadcast audio leader like Calrec to AVnu Alliance,” said Lee Minich, AVnu Alliance Marketing Work Group chair and president of Lab X Technologies. “This underscores the desire for robust, standards-based networked AV transport guaranteed by AVnu-certified AVB devices for the broadcast industry.”

The first industry forum to lead the adoption of an Ethernet-based open networking standard, the AVnu Alliance certifies AVB devices for interoperability and provides member companies with certification tools to pre-test AVB-based devices before entering the formal testing procedures. The AVnu Alliance is joined by more than 50 manufacturers that include some of the largest AV, automotive, and semiconductor companies.

“Reliable interoperation is crucial for AVB’s success,” Warrington said. “We hope that AVnu accreditation will come to be recognized as a stamp of quality. Customers who buy products with the AVnu seal of approval will have confidence that they will connect together without any problems.”

Information about Calrec and its products is available at www.calrec.com and www.community.calrec.com