Table of Contents
- What Is AV over IP?
- Requirements for AV System in Sports Bars
- Signal Source and Display Equipment
- Audio System
- Control System
- Cost of System Deployment
- Reliability and Stability of System Operation
- Required Services Provided to Customers via the AV System
- Benefits of Deploying AV over IP Systems
- What Makes a Good AV over IP System
- AV Access IP Solutions for Sports Bar
Sports bars have always been a popular place for sports fans to gather, enjoy games and cheer for their favorite teams. Therefore, how to integrate audio and video systems is a key consideration to improve the customer experience in a sports bar. Currently, the application of AV over IP technology in this market has become increasingly common. Here we’ll delve into the AV system requirements for sports bars, the benefits of AV over IP and what features a good AV over IP system should have.
What Is AV over IP?
AV over IP refers to the transmission of audio and video signals over an Internet Protocol (IP) network. Unlike traditional AV systems that rely on dedicated cables, AV over IP makes full use of the distributed nature of IP networks to distribute high-quality audio and video contents. Deploying an AV system becomes more flexible, scalable and economical.
Requirements for AV System in Sports Bars
Signal Source and Display Equipment
In order to ensure that the audience can watch the game clearly, sports bars generally attach great importance to the clarity of the signal source content and display equipment. Correspondingly, the AV system is required to transmit high-definition video signals, such as full HD signals and 4K signals.
At the same time, in addition to centralized placement, signal sources sometimes need to be placed individually according to actual conditions, and the number of signal sources and display devices will continue to increase as the business grows, which places requirements on the flexible deployment and scalability of the AV system.
Audio System
Sports bars often need to deploy distributed audio systems, with multiple speakers strategically placed throughout the bar to ensure even coverage and adequate volume. These speakers are typically placed around bar areas and seating areas to provide customers with a consistent audio experience no matter where they are. Therefore, the AV system needs to transmit audio signals to designated speakers smoothly and reliably on demand.
Control System
The sports bar needs an easy-to-operate control system with a simple and intuitive interface and functions to facilitate the staff to control and adjust the AV equipment. For example, the TV can be turned on and off remotely at the opening and closing time of each day, customers require timely switching of channels, etc.
AV Access 4KIP200 series AV over IP solutions are designed with a user-friendly and intuitive visual control software, called “VDirector”. You can install it on your computer, smartphone or tablet to build a distributed IP matrix, create a video wall or perform other settings. It is perfect for sports bar staff to use even if they were not exposed to any IP technology before.
Cost of System Deployment
For AV over IP systems, in addition to equipment costs, the cost of network equipment and system installation and maintenance costs are also important considerations. On the premise of meeting high-quality audio and video effects, the smaller the system’s requirements for network bandwidth, the higher the utilization of switch ports, thereby reducing costs.
In addition, AV over IP technology spans the fields of AV and IT. In particular, it has high requirements on personnel’s IT knowledge. Whether the system can simplify the management and maintenance of IT equipment and reduce the burden on IT managers is also an important consideration.
Reliability and Stability of System Operation
Since sports bars are usually places with a large flow of people during peak hours, the AV system needs to be able to operate stably and provide continuous service. Especially in the event of equipment failure, it is particularly important to be able to quickly locate and replace the faulty equipment.
Required Services Provided to Customers via the AV System
- Distribute high-quality video and audio contents to the whole bar’s displays and speakers as needed to ensure that patrons can watch the game clearly no matter where they sit. For larger bars, they are generally divided into zones, with dedicated service staff and specific facilities in each area to provide customers with differentiated services and experiences.
- Video wall application: The video wall is made up of multiple screens, creating a large seamless display that can create an immersive viewing experience for customers, making them feel like they are immersed in the game. The large size of the video wall needs to ensure that the game or event is clearly visible no matter where it is located in the sports bar.
- During a busy sports season or when multiple important matches are going on at the same time, multiple matches need to be played on the screen at the same time.
- Some sports bars will also cooperate with sports betting companies to allow customers to place bets in separate compartments of the sports bar. This application not only increases customer engagement, but also creates an additional revenue source for sports bars. In order to facilitate customers to track multiple games at the same time, this application also needs to display multiple events on the screen at the same time.
Benefits of Deploying AV over IP Systems
In addition to providing the functions mentioned above in the sport bar market, such as matrix, video wall, multiviewing and other applications, the AV over IP system has unique benefits in the following aspects:
- Flexibility and scalability: AV over IP can easily distribute audio and video contents to multiple displays and speakers throughout the bar through a distributed network. This flexibility allows them to accommodate more screens, ensuring patrons have a clear view of the game no matter where they sit. Additionally, the scalability of AV over IP means sports bars can easily expand their AV systems to match business growth or the emergence of new technologies.
- Simple and easy-to-use control interface: Restaurant employees usually can use BYOD devices to visually select sources for display devices, turn on and off the TV, adjust TV volume and other daily operations. At the same time, they can monitor the operation of the signal source in real time through the preview video screen. These ensure high work efficiency and timely understanding of abnormal situations.
- High reliability of the system: Due to the use of a distributed system, if a single device fails, it can be quickly isolated and replaced without affecting the overall operation of the system. In addition, network switches generally have extremely high reliability, which together ensure the entire high reliability of the system.
What Makes a Good AV over IP System
As mentioned earlier, AV over IP can better meet the sport bar market than traditional AV systems. However, to meet the current sport bar needs, a good AV over IP system must also meet the following requirements:
- Supports the transmission of 4K UHD content and provides a fast and seamless source switching experience. For video wall applications, it is required to ensure synchronization between screens.
- For centralized signal sources, in order to reduce the installation space requirements, compact encoder equipment should be provided; at the same time, single-channel encoder products should be provided to facilitate access to signal sources scattered in various locations.
- Reduce the requirements for network bandwidth and improve port utilization as much as possible. For example, for compact encoder equipment, you can use advanced image compression algorithms to reduce the bandwidth of each code stream and use a single Ethernet cable to transmit multiple code streams to achieve this.
- Reduce the requirements for switches. At present, there is still a big difference in price between managed and unmanaged switches. For example, AV over IP systems can technically adopt technologies such as general TCP/IP unicast protocol instead of multicast protocol, which can avoid excessive technical requirements for switches. This reduces switch purchase costs and subsequent management and maintenance costs.
- In terms of device management, it should support grouping of receiver devices to achieve good support for partitioned applications.
- The multiviewing application. It can provide a vertical three-screen layout application. This layout can display three screens on a single screen, ensuring a larger screen window and screen clarity while ensuring that the screen is not visually deformed.
AV Access IP Solutions for Sports Bar
AV Access has a series of AV over IP products, including 4KIP200E/D 4K HDMI encoder/decoder, 4KIP204E 4K 4-in-1 HDMI encoder, 4KIP200M 4K multiview decoder with quad view, etc. These products can work together via a universal Gigabit Ethernet switch, both managed and unmanaged. You don’t need to configure IGMP to build a distributed IP matrix with video wall. Whether you are an installer or end-user, you can easily complete installation, even if you were not exposed to any IP knowledge before.
Adopt the 4KIP200 series AV over IP solution in your sports bar, to meet all your needs for AV extension, distribution, switching, video wall and mobile centralized control. It ensures your patrons enjoy the best screen viewing experience possible.
That’s all for the article. If you have any questions or inquiries, please feel free to email us via info@avaccess.com.
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