Replacing SDI and distributing audio, video and data within a video production facility can be done using standard Ethernet protocols (IP) or using a modified version called Audio Video Bridging (AVB). At the SMPTE Fall Conference, Jan Eveleens of Axon Technologies gave a very nice summary of the features of AVB and the state of development.
He started by noting that Ethernet speeds are now common at 10, 40 and even 100 Gbps, but by 2020, speeds of 1 Tbps are forecast. SDI will never be able to do that over a single wire, which means Ethernet or AVB solutions will be far less complex than SDI.
AVB runs over conventional CAT 5/6 cable but the protocols are different. This means that off-the-shelf networking gear can
