Audinate’s Dante – the AV-over-IP solution that dominates the world of professional audio – is a name that keeps popping in residential audio systems. Widely used by integrators in the commercial installed AV market, the technology was designed to deliver systems with hundreds of uncompressed audio channels over a standard Ethernet network.
Dante’s introduction to the residential market brings potential cost reductions and installation time savings thanks to the efficiency of leveraging Ethernet cables in lieu of proprietary, single-purpose analog audio cables. The technology enables audio to be routed over long distances without any signal degradation.
Dante is already offered in more than 2,000 commercially available products from more than 430 manufacturers, all with guaranteed interoperability. This means integrators can pick best-of-breed products for their particular installation with confidence that they will all network together seamlessly, while legacy audio gear can be brought onto the network using cost-effective Dante AVIO adapters. Dante integrates directly with computers using Dante Virtual Soundcard or Dante Via, allowing media streaming applications to play out up to 64 channels of audio using just built-in Ethernet.
At CEDIA 2019, Dante was featured in new products from JBL Synthesis, ELAN, and Powersoft, among others. New Dante enabled products at CEDIA 2019 included the new JBL Synthesis SDP-55 surround processor, SDR-35 AV receiver, SDA-7120 seven-channel amplifier, and SDA-2200 two-channel amplifier. The new Mezzo AD amplifier line from Powersoft also features Dante, as does the IP Amplifier line from ELAN.
“Our new JBL Synthesis AV Receiver, AV surround processor, and multichannel amplifiers all include Dante connectivity as a key component of their design,” said Jim Garrett, senior director, product strategy and planning, Harman Luxury Audio. “Dante enables us to provide simplified component connectivity along with advanced audio networking, and to be confident in the performance, reliability, and interoperability.”
Jeff Shaw, ELAN product manager concurred: “Dante is a vital part of our new ELAN IP Amplifier line, which simplifies multi-room audio for residential installations. Our accelerated performance plus Dante networking is a win-win for integrators and their customers alike.”
Echoing this sentiment, Francesco Fanicchi, brand director at Powersoft, said: “To have professional-grade audio networking applied to the custom home market is encouraging and exciting. Our Mezzo Units AD models include Dante, and also add an internal Gigabit Ethernet switch and a second port, meaning that multiple products can share the same network cable. This feature can be convenient in a retrofit, or if the user needs to share a network connection between a projector and an amplifier.”
Other Dante licensees that exhibited at CEDIA included, Atlona, AudioControl, Bosch, Bose, Control4, Devialet, Just Add Power, Legrand, Liberty AV Solutions, MSE Audio (SoundTube), MuxLab, Nortek, Radial Engineering, Trinnov, and Yamaha.
“For years commercial integrators have recognized the cost savings, ease of use and flexibility that Dante delivers, so it’s exciting to see the adoption of Dante in CEDIA taking off,” stated Joshua Rush, SVP of marketing for Audinate. “We look forward to working with CEDIA manufacturers and integrators to continue to deliver solutions that benefit the residential market.”
