MNA Joins Leading Broadcast Industry Bodies in Staging IP Showcase at IBC

The Media Networking Alliance (MNA) -- the non-profit trade association, established to promote the adoption of the AES67 standard -- is a visible presence at IBC2017; the key activities of the alliance and its members centering on the IP Showcase (Room E.106) and the exhibition floor. IBC2017 runs September 15 - 19 at RAI Amsterdam.

Following its successful participation in staging the IP Showcase at NAB this year, the MNA is once again an official partner -- together with the AES, AIMS, AMWA, EBU, IABM, SMPTE, and VSF -- in the IP Showcase at IBC2017. The MNA's direct involvement in organizing this event highlights the role of AES67 in defining the audio element of the new SMPTE ST 2110 suite of standards for real-time media transport over IP, acknowledging the rapid and widespread adoption of AES67 in providing signal interoperability across all of the current leading IP based audio networking protocols.

This time 14 MNA member companies are participating in the major demonstration of real-world IP interoperability based on the SMPTE ST 2110 standards and AMWA NMOS specifications, that is a key feature of the IP Showcase event. With over 50 participating vendors, interop demonstrations are divided into logical application pods, including live production signal flows, contribution and playout signal flows.

The 14 MNA member companies whose AES67 enabled systems and devices feature in the various application pods that comprise the SMPTE ST 2110 interop demonstration at IBC, are Artel Video Systems, Calrec Audio, Coveloz Technologies Inc., Digigram, Focusrite Audio Engineering, Lawo AG, Merging Technologies, Riedel Communications, Solid State Logic, Harman International, The Telos Alliance, Ward-Beck Systems, Wheatstone Corporation, and Yamaha Commercial Audio.

In conjunction with the interoperability demonstration in room E.106, the IP Showcase Theater (being run by IABM) features a running schedule of expert sessions, from representatives of industry bodies, developers, vendors, and end-users of IP systems in broadcast and AV media, exploring and explaining the business, technical, and creative benefits of IP workflows. Several of these are presentations by MNA members, specifically focusing on audio issues.

Antony David, managing director - Solid State Logic
Two Installs Using Audio over IP for TV Production
September 15, 1:10 - 1:30pm
September 16, 5:00 - 5:20pm
September 17, 5:00 - 5:20pm

Andreas Hildebrand, technology evangelist - ALC NetworX GmbH
ST 2110 and AES67: The Audio Parts of ST 2110
September 15, 4:10 - 4:30pm
September 16, 5:40 - 6:00pm
September 18, 3:20 - 3:40pm

Greg Shay, CTO - The Telos Alliance Media Networking Alliance
Practical Benefits Through AES67 Deployment in the Broadcast Industry
September 17, 5:20 - 5:40pm
September 18, 10:00 - 10:20am

MNA vice-chairman Terry Holton is a member of the IP Showcase Board, organizing the NAB and IBC editions. "The IP Showcase is a collaboration between a number of highly respected and influential industry organizations and it is a great honor for the MNA to be included among them," he states, describing it as "the most impressive and effective event the MNA has participated in."

"The NAB event was a tremendous success in proving interoperability of AES67 devices in the wider context of broadcast IP workflows, and specifically in relation to the new SMPTE ST 2110 standard," he continues, "The second edition of the IP Showcase at IBC presents MNA member companies with the further opportunity to demonstrate their products as part of what we expect will be the most significant interoperability event of its kind in the world to date."

As a major destination for visitors to IBC, the IP Showcase provides a one-stop destination where everyone, from broadcast / IT engineers and CEOs to TV producers, can learn everything they need to know to unlock the full potential of using IP for real-time media. It stands as a demonstration to the broadcast and media world that real-time IP production is a practical, flexible and highly efficient reality, rapidly taking hold in mainstream operations. IP is no longer a "future" -- it is here and now.

Meanwhile, no fewer than 22 MNA member companies and organizations are showing some of the latest AES67 product developments on their booths.

Focusrite Audio Engineering -- 8.A52
Harman Professional -- 8.D60
Lawo -- 8.B50
The Telos Alliance -- 8.D47
Yamaha Commercial Audio -- 8.C71
ALC NetworX -- 8.F57
Artel Video Systems -- 5.A65
Audio-Technica Europe -- 8.D61
BBC Research and Development -- 8.G10
Calrec Audio -- 8.C61
Coveloz Technologies -- 11.B08
Digigram -- 8.C51
Direct Out Technologies -- 8.E85
Genelec -- 8.D61
Luminex Network Intelligence -- 10.F42
Merging Technologies -- 8.E96
NTP Technology -- 8.B52
Riedel Communications GmbH & Co. -- KG10 A31 / 0.C03
Shure -- 8.B35
Solid State Logic -- 8.D83
Ward-Beck Systems -- 2.A41
Wheatstone Corporation -- 8.C91