Introduction to Dante

For years, Dante quietly transformed the way professionals handle audio, replacing rack upon rack of analogue cabling with a single Ethernet connection. Now that same revolution is happening to video. Dante AV extends the platform into full audio-visual networking, and a new generation of hardware from manufacturers like Turtle AV and AJA is making it easier than ever to build unified, scalable AV-over-IP systems on infrastructure you already own.

What Is Dante?

Dante (originally short for Digital Audio Network Through Ethernet) is an AV-over-IP platform developed by Audinate, conceived in 2006. What began life as an audio networking protocol has since grown into one of the most widely deployed standards in professional AV. At its core, Dante replaces traditional point-to-point analogue and digital audio connections with a standard IP network, transporting uncompressed, sample accurate digital audio over standard Ethernet networks.

Dante works over standard off-the-shelf networking hardware and devices discover each other automatically using zero-configuration networking, with routing is managed through a free application called Dante Controller, which gives engineers a visual drag-and-drop interface for connecting sources to destinations across an entire installation. There are no physical patch bays to rewire; changes happen in software, in seconds.

Dante Audio vs Dante AV

Understanding the distinction between Dante Audio and Dante AV is key to understanding what the Dante platform can now deliver.

Dante Audio is the original and widely adopted protocol for transporting multi-channel digital audio over standard IP networks. Depending on the device and network configuration, systems can scale from a handful of channels to hundreds or even more than a thousand channels on a single Gigabit network while maintaining extremely low latency. Clock synchronisation is handled automatically using IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP), ensuring every device on the network remains accurately synchronised. The technology is now proven across live events, broadcast facilities, houses of worship, higher education, stadiums and corporate installations worldwide.

Dante AV extends the same principles to video. Rather than introducing a separate transport and management system, Audinate designed Dante AV so that audio, video, synchronisation and associated control data can all travel together across the same standard Ethernet infrastructure. Video sources and displays appear alongside audio devices in the familiar Dante Controller interface, allowing signals to be routed point-to-point or multicast to multiple destinations simultaneously. Crucially, audio and video remain locked together using the same precision timing architecture that underpins Dante Audio.

The fundamental challenge with video is bandwidth. While even high channel-count audio consumes relatively little network capacity, high-resolution video requires compression to operate efficiently over standard 1GbE networks. To address this, Dante AV is available in three performance tiers designed for different applications:

Dante AV Ultra

Dante AV Ultra is the highest-performance tier, delivering visually lossless 4K60 4:4:4 video over standard Gigabit Ethernet with deterministic sub-frame latency. Designed for applications where timing is critical, such as image magnification, live production and broadcast workflows, it maintains precise synchronisation between audio and video while supporting independently routable audio channels alongside video, USB and control signals.

Dante AV-A

Dante AV-A is designed to bring high-quality AV distribution to a wider range of installations, delivering visually lossless 4K60 4:4:4 video with sub-frame latency over a standard 1GbE network. It carries independently routable Dante audio channels alongside video and is well suited to corporate AV, higher education and live production environments that require premium performance without the complexity or cost of flagship solutions.

Dante AV-H

Dante AV-H extends Dante management and routing to products using standard H.264 and H.265 video compression, technologies already widely deployed in cameras, encoders and conferencing systems. Latency is higher than the hardware-based Ultra and AV-A platforms, typically measured in a few video frames rather than fractions of a frame, but this trade-off delivers significantly lower costs and broad compatibility. It is particularly well suited to meeting rooms, lecture theatres, digital signage and distributed display applications where absolute real-time performance is less critical than affordability and scalability.

All three variants integrate with the wider Dante ecosystem. Audio channels carried within a Dante AV stream can be broken out and routed to any compatible Dante-enabled audio device on the network using the same software tools and workflows that have made Dante the dominant audio-over-IP platform.

Broader Picture

Dante AV sits within a broader landscape of AV-over-IP standards, each solving the same fundamental problem in different ways.

NDI (Network Device Interface) is a widely adopted proprietary video connectivity standard developed by NewTek with strong traction in broadcast and production. Both are designed to operate on standard Ethernet networks, with many deployments running successfully on Gigabit infrastructure, but their philosophies diverge: NDI bundles its own codec, transport, and discovery mechanisms into a single software-driven package aimed at making video accessible to any device on a network, while Dante AV's defining advantage is the precision of its synchronisation and the depth of its audio integration, with audio-video timing constantly monitored and maintained by precise PTP clocking communicated device-to-device across the network.

SDVoE takes a different path, delivering visually lossless video over 10GbE with near zero latency.

IPMX is a younger ecosystem built on SMPTE ST 2110 and JPEG XS, targeting 1G to 25G infrastructure predominantly in broadcast-adjacent environments. What sets Dante AV apart is its audio heritage: Unlike many AV-over-IP systems that package audio and video together, Dante AV maintains independently routable Dante audio alongside video. Although IPMX also supports separate audio and video streams, Dante AV's advantage lies in extending the familiar Dante audio workflow across both media types. That means the audio from a video source can be split off and sent to a completely different destination, a DSP processor, an amplifier zone, a mixing desk; without touching the video path, and vice versa. Both signals are managed through Dante Controller alongside every other Dante-enabled device on the network, whether those devices carry video or not.

No single protocol wins in every situation, the best fit will depend on the project. NDI's software-driven approach and broad device compatibility make it a natural choice for production environments built around computers, software switchers and rapidly changing workflows, it's easy to get running and widely understood in broadcast circles.

IPMX is one to watch for larger broadcast and enterprise deployments where open standards matter more than ecosystem convenience.

Dante AV makes the most sense where audio is as important as video, integrated installs, houses of worship, live events, corporate campuses and particularly anywhere that already has Dante audio in place, where the case for a unified platform essentially makes itself.

Turtle AV arrived at ISE 2025 with 24 products and a world first, embedding Dante Controller directly into hardware. Until that point, Dante Controller had always been a piece of software, something you installed on a laptop or desktop, kept updated, and had to have running whenever you needed to make routing changes. By moving it into hardware, Turtle AV allows all Dante devices on the network to be controlled from any web browser on a laptop, tablet, or smartphone, with no software installation required. The practical implications for installers are significant: a system can be fully managed, re-routed, and handed over to an end user without a dedicated control PC in the rack. The built-in API also enables integration with Q-SYS, Crestron, Control4 and other control systems, allowing the entire Dante network to be automated and programmed from within the platforms installers already use.

With a further 17 products launched at InfoComm 2026 Turtle AV builds infrastructure products that extend Dante from traditional networked audio into immersive audio, video transport, connectivity and control.

Dante Domain Bridge

Dante Domain Bridge Connects separate Dante networks while keeping them isolated. It allows audio to pass securely between different Dante domains, supports sample rate conversion between networks running at different settings, and provides redundancy for mission-critical installations. Typical use cases include connecting broadcast, corporate, or venue audio networks without merging them completely.

Top Features:

• Bridge separate Dante domains 
• Dante Network Redundancy 
• PoE Redundancy
• 8x8 in both directions at the same time (32 channels in total)
• Sampling rate conversion (up to 96kHz 24bit)
• AES67 support
• Customise devices and channel names
• TAA compliant
• 5 year warranty

Mineola Range

A family of Dante audio bridges and I/O devices designed to bring analogue audio into Dante networks and vice versa. Available in multiple channel counts (2x2, 4x4, 8x8, 16x16), Mineola products are intended for scalable audio transport, routing, and integration in live sound, installed AV, and production environments.

• 2, 4, 8 or 16 x XLR to Dante, 2, 4, 8,16 x Dante to XLR
• 48V Phantom Power on all XLR inputs
• PoE & 12V DC
• Primary and Secondary Dante network ports
• Locking etherCON connectors
• 2, 4, 8 or 16 x XLR/1/4” TRS combo ports.
• Includes rackmount kit
• TAA Compliant
• 5 Year Warranty

The Mineola range offers the ultimate solution for demanding setups requiring two - sixteen inputs and outputs. Designed to bridge digital Dante and analogue XLR audio seamlessly, it provides exceptional performance for large-scale productions. Ideal for live events, broadcast studios, or permanent installations, the Mineola range delivers pristine audio and unparalleled flexibility for professional environments.

Wall Plates

Network-connected wall-mounted audio interfaces that bring Dante connectivity directly into rooms and meeting spaces. These provide convenient connection points for audio inputs, outputs, or Bluetooth connectivity without requiring rack-mounted hardware nearby.

This architectural interface enables professional Bluetooth integration into Dante audio networks, available in US 1-Gang Decora and standard EU Wall Box form factors. Beyond high-fidelity audio conversion, the device features a comprehensive networked API that grants control systems full command over connection states, including programmable discovery, pairing authorization, and forced disconnection. The API supports bidirectional control for playback management and provides real-time metadata extraction for artist and track information. Available in black or white finishes, this wallplate delivers a managed, secure, and clean endpoint for commercial audio installations.

DOWNTOWN

DOWNTOWN brings Dolby Atmos and DTS to Dante, supporting Dolby Digital, DD+, Atmos, DTS:X, and PCM up to 9.1 channels. Each channel appears as a separate Dante audio stream, giving engineers flexible routing in Dante Controller.

DOWNTOWN enables immersive audio content to be distributed, routed, mixed, or processed across networked audio systems while maintaining compatibility with modern AV workflows.

Pass through uncompressed 8K60 video with full support for HDR formats like Dolby Vision. The onboard HDMI input includes a loopout for local monitoring or display without signal loss.

Why it matters:

• Rock‑solid reliability: PoE redundancy, primary/secondary Dante network failover, and a dedicated control network.
• Interoperability: AES67 support and full API control for seamless integration.
• Versatility: Ideal for theme parks, theatres, stadiums, and broadcast environments.
• Peace of mind: TAA compliant and backed by a 5‑year warranty.

Chazy

The Chazy range is Turtle AV’s Dante-native AV-over-IP platform, combining video transport, audio networking, USB extension, and centralised control into a unified networked AV ecosystem. The Chazy family consists of five core units designed for scalable corporate, retail, and entertainment environments:

Darwin Control

The Darwin HD Family is designed for distributing 1080p 60Hz resolution in 4:4:4, with hardware acceleration for H.265 encoding, to deliver exceptional video quality at reduced bitrates. Compact form factor, PoE or DC power options and support for one-to-one or one-to-many configurations make it perfect for any AV environment where you need video content on screens.

Adding Darwin Control hardware to your Darwin cluster adds a ton of advanced features and simplifies management. Darwin Control enables centralised WebGUI management, API support, and robust security with AES256 encryption, HTTPS, and SSH login. Dual network ports separating AV and control will keep the IT admins happy, while dual RS-232 ports and 4-channel GPIO control enable precise device management and trigger automation. Drag-and-drop routing with video previews and advanced video wall management makes managing your network of Darwin HD Transmitters and Receivers a breeze.

2 CH Bluetooth Input Adapters

This adapter enables seamless conversion from two-channel Bluetooth audio to Dante 2CH digital audio, supporting Bluetooth V5.1 with SBC, AAC, APTX, APTX-LL, and APTX-HD codecs for high-fidelity audio up to 24-bit/192kHz. The Dante audio output is sampled at 24-bit/48kHz, ensuring exceptional sound quality. With configurable Dante audio delay options of 1, 2, or 5 milliseconds, this adapter delivers precise, low-latency performance. Powered via PoE or USB-C, it offers flexible power solutions for any professional audio setup.

• Two-channel Bluetooth audio to Dante 2CH digital audio
• Supports Bluetooth V5.1, SBC/AAC/APTX/APTX-LL/APTX-HD, up to 24bit/192KHz
• Dante audio sampling rate supports 48KHz@24bit
• Configurable Dante audio delay with support for 1, 2, or 5 milliseconds
• Analogue audio input with support for 5-level gain adjustment
• PoE and USB-C power options
• TAA compliant
• Made from 90% recycled plastic, including 5% Ocean Bound Plastic

Video Wall

The Turtle 8x8 Video Wall can be configured as a 1x8 Video Wall, 8x8 Matrix, or dual 4x1 Multiviews. Each input and output supports up to 4K60, 4:4:4 video via HDMI 2.0 with seamless scaling, and audio embedding / de-embedding via optical or line in/out over Phoenix connectors. With WebGUI controls and API integration, it’s the ultimate versatile solution for professional AV environments.

The Turtle 8x8 Video Wall offers a wide range of configurations. Build impressive 4x4 walls, dynamic 2x2 grids, or large 3x3 setups. Create unique layouts like 1x8 panoramas, 2x4 grids, or combine zones for mixed displays. With support for a variety of modes, this system provides the flexibility you need for command centers, public spaces, live events, and more. All in stunning 4K60 resolution.

JEF Dante Enabled Mic Preamp

Mic Preamp. Dante Networked Audio. Remote Control. Advanced Audio Processing.

JEF converts microphones directly to Dante with low noise mic preamps, onboard DSP, and full network and power redundancy. Remote microphone control. Simplified. Designed for boardrooms, stadiums, and broadcast environments, JEF integrates seamlessly into any Dante or AES67 workflow. Signal processing is handled onboard, reducing reliance on external DSP and simplifying system design.

• Mic Preamp with 48V Phantom Power
• Primary and Secondary Dante Networks
• Dual PoE
• Locking etherCON connectors
• 8 Band Parametric EQ
• Dante and AES67
• Aircraft Grade Aluminium housing
• Compressor & Expander
• 5 filters including high pass and low pass
• WebUI and API control
• TAA compliant
• 5-year warranty

AJA & Dante

AJA's Dante-enabled product range bridges professional SDI and HDMI infrastructure with modern IP audio and video networks. From high-density rack-mounted audio embedders and disembedders to full 4K AV-over-IP transport solutions, the range is designed to integrate cleanly with existing broadcast workflows while opening the door to flexible, scalable IP distribution using standard network infrastructure.

DANTE-12GAM

The DANTE-12GAM is a high-performance Audio over IP converter that embeds and disembeds audio between SDI and a Dante network. Equipped with 12G-SDI input and output and dual etherCON GigE ports, the single-channel version handles up to 32 channels of audio simultaneously (16 in, 16 out), while the dual-channel upgrade options expand that to 64 channels in a compact mini-converter form factor. It also supports AES67 and SMPTE ST 2110-30, making it a versatile bridge between Dante, traditional SDI infrastructure, and broadcast IP networks. The unit includes a front-panel LCD, physical controls, PoE+ on the primary Ethernet port, and a web UI for remote configuration.

OG-DANTE-12GAM

The OG-DANTE-12GAM is the openGear card equivalent, designed to fit AJA's OG-X-FR and OG-3-FR rack frames. It provides dual 12G-SDI inputs and outputs with 64 channels of simultaneous SDI/Dante audio bridging per card, and supports AES67, RAVENNA, and SMPTE ST 2110-30 in addition to Dante. The density argument is compelling: a fully populated OG-X-FR frame with ten of these cards delivers 640 channels of SDI/Dante audio bridging in a 2RU rack footprint, making it well suited to OB vans, fly kits, and permanent broadcast facilities. Like its standalone sibling, it supports HDR pass-through and redundant Dante network connections via primary and secondary GigE ports.

Dante AV 4K-T

The Dante AV 4K-T converts 12G-SDI and HDMI sources to Dante AV Ultra, Audinate's protocol for transporting uncompressed video and audio over a standard IP network. It is the transmitter half of a matched pair, designed to work alongside the Dante AV 4K-R receiver. This product moves beyond audio-only Dante by carrying full 4K video and audio together over the network, making it suited to AV-over-IP installations in venues, corporate environments, and broadcast facilities that are already running Dante audio infrastructure.

Dante AV 4K-R

The Dante AV 4K-R is the receiver counterpart, converting incoming Dante AV Ultra streams back to 12G-SDI and HDMI outputs. Together with the 4K-T, it forms an end-to-end 4K Dante AV Ultra transport solution, allowing high-quality video and audio to be distributed across a standard network without dedicated video cabling. Both the 4K-T and 4K-R are listed under AJA's IP Converters category and share the broader Dante AV ecosystem compatibility.