Professional audio/video installations are increasingly dependent on the quality of the network infrastructure. Conference rooms, corporate environments, live events, digital signage, broadcasting and hospitality venues now require networks capable of handling IP audio and video streams with low latency, operational continuity and configurations that are easy to replicate.
To meet these requirements, Grandstream has introduced new Pro AV features in the GWN7800 Pro series, a range of Layer 2++ managed switches designed to deliver scalable, secure and high-performance enterprise networks. The series supports high-speed SFP/SFP+ ports, advanced QoS features, VLANs, IGMP/MLD Snooping and flexible management options, including GDMS Networking, GWN Manager, an integrated web interface and CLI.
For resellers and system integrators, the key point is simple: the network becomes an integral part of the AV project, not just a supporting infrastructure.
Why the Pro AV sector needs smarter switches
In the professional audio/video sector, the network must do more than simply provide connectivity. It must be capable of handling multicast traffic, stream prioritisation, segmentation, synchronisation and service continuity.
In settings such as state-of-the-art meeting rooms, auditoriums, control rooms, hotels, retail outlets and educational environments, a sub-optimal configuration can lead to latency, packet loss, audio/video instability or difficulties with troubleshooting.
The Grandstream GWN7800 Pro series introduces features specifically designed to simplify these scenarios: AV presets per port, stream identification, dedicated QoS, and support for industry-standard protocols such as AES67, Dante, NDI and SDVoE
New graphical user interface for faster Pro AV setups
One of the most significant new features of the GWN7800 Pro series is the new graphical user interface, which is available both directly on the device and via the GDMS platform.
This GUI enables network administrators and AV installers to configure switch ports more intuitively, quickly applying functions designed for audio/video traffic. Instead of manually adjusting multiple network parameters, users can utilise templates and presets designed for specific Pro AV scenarios.
The operational benefit is clear: less complexity during configuration, faster deployment and greater consistency between similar installations.
Built-in presets for AES67, Dante and NDI
The Pro AV configuration of the GWN7800 Pro series is based on pre-configured templates that define the desired audio/video setup. Each port can be assigned to presets designed for the main protocols used in professional AV networks: AES67, Dante and NDI.
AES67: Audio interoperability over IP
AES67 is an open standard designed to facilitate interoperability between different IP audio systems. It is particularly useful in environments where devices and platforms from different vendors coexist.
For a systems integrator, this means greater design freedom and a lower risk of technological lock-in.
Dante: professional audio that’s easy to manage
Dante is a widely used technology in the Pro AV sector for audio transmission over IP networks. It is valued for its centralised configuration, automatic device discovery and ease of management.
In corporate, educational and live AV projects, this simplification can reduce set-up times, configuration errors and the need for post-installation support.
NDI: video and audio over Ethernet
NDI enables the transmission of high-quality video and audio over standard Ethernet networks. It is a particularly attractive technology for video production, streaming, small-scale broadcast setups, multimedia rooms and digital signage.
The integration of NDI presets enables the network to be set up more quickly to handle IP video streams with greater reliability.
Advanced QoS to prioritise audio/video streams
The quality of the AV experience depends on the network’s ability to handle critical data streams effectively. To this end, the GWN7800 Pro series incorporates advanced Quality of Service features, designed to prioritise the most sensitive network traffic.
In the Pro AV sector, QoS helps to ensure a more stable audio/video transmission, reducing the risk of interruptions, delays or performance degradation in the presence of competing data traffic.
This feature is particularly useful in environments such as:
- state-of-the-art conference and meeting rooms;
- auditoriums and performance halls;
- live events;
- broadcast installations;
- retail environments and digital signage;
- campuses, hotels and multi-purpose facilities.
For the channel, the message is clear: offering a switch with AV QoS means enhancing the perceived reliability of the entire project.
SDVoE support for more flexible AV networks
The GWN7800 Pro series also supports SDVoE scenarios, a technology that enables the distribution of audio/video signals via standard Ethernet infrastructure.
In a Pro AV project, this approach makes it possible to move beyond more rigid architectures and manage signal distribution in a more flexible way. The main advantages include:
- use of the existing network infrastructure;
- centralised device management;
- greater flexibility in signal control;
- scalability of the installation;
- compatibility with multi-vendor environments.
For installers and system integrators, SDVoE offers an opportunity to design AV infrastructures that are more modular, upgradeable and suited to complex professional environments.
GWN7800 Pro Series: where it can make a difference
The new Pro AV features make the Grandstream GWN7800 Pro series particularly appealing for projects where networking and audio/video need to work together reliably.
The most significant application scenarios include:
- corporate and meeting rooms, for video conferencing, presentations and collaboration;
- education, for multimedia classrooms, auditoriums and campuses with distributed audio/video content;
- hospitality, for hotels, event venues and conference facilities;
- retail, for digital signage and distributed visual communication;
- broadcast and live production, for high-performance IP audio/video streams;
- public sector, for boardrooms, control rooms and institutional settings.
In all these cases, the network cannot be treated as a secondary consideration. It must be designed in a way that is consistent with the AV requirements.
Because it is an attractive solution for resellers and system integrators
For channel partners, the GWN7800 Pro series presents a significant business opportunity: to extend Grandstream’s networking solutions into Pro AV projects, integrating switches, access points, IP telephony, UCC solutions and communication devices into a broader ecosystem.
From the perspective of a reseller or system integrator, there are three advantages:
1. Simpler configuration
AV presets reduce initial complexity and help standardise deployment.
2. Greater design reliability
QoS, VLANs, IGMP/MLD Snooping and centralised management support more organised, secure and high-performance networks.
3. Greater value in consultancy
The partner doesn’t just sell a switch, but a network ready for professional audio/video applications.
A network ready for modern Pro AV
With its new features designed for the Pro AV sector, the Grandstream GWN7800 Pro series is an ideal solution for professional audio/video infrastructures that require high performance, flexibility and simplified management.
The integration of a visual user interface, presets for AES67, Dante and NDI, advanced QoS and SDVoE support makes it easier to manage complex AV installations, reducing setup time and improving the stability of media streams.
For businesses, installers and system integrators, the message is clear: choosing switches designed to handle AV traffic means building infrastructure that is more reliable, scalable and ready to meet the demands of modern professional communications.
Discover Grandstream’s Pro AV solutions with Allnet.Italia
We support resellers, system integrators and ICT professionals in selecting the most suitable Grandstream solutions for networking, communications and Pro AV projects. To find out more about the GWN7800 Pro series or to assess the best configuration for your project, please contact the Allnet.Italia team