Traditional matrix switchers have been the backbone of AV installations for decades, but AVoIP has steadily grown from a specialist option into the default consideration for most medium and large projects.
AV over IP (AVoIP) is not new. Technologies that run audio and video over standard networks have been widely deployed since the mid-to-late 2010s, and they have matured considerably in that time. What has changed is not that AVoIP has just arrived, but that faster, cheaper and more ubiquitous network infrastructure has pushed it from a niche choice to the starting point for most sizeable installations. If you are planning or upgrading a collaborative AV environment, understanding the difference between the two approaches is key, and it will directly affect your installation cost, scalability and long-term flexibility.
How Traditional Matrix Switching Works
A traditional AV matrix switcher is dedicated hardware that routes signals like HDMI, HDBaseT or similar from multiple sources to multiple displays. It is a fixed piece of hardware that sits in a rack or under a desk. The matrix has a set number of inputs and outputs, and everything is hardwired through it.
This approach has served the industry extremely well and remains common today, particularly in smaller meeting rooms, classrooms, courtrooms and installations where the signal routing requirements are fixed. Matrix switchers are reliable, low-latency and straightforward to operate. For a fixed installation like a boardroom with defined sources and displays that rarely change, they do the job cleanly and effectively. Plus, there are plenty of manufacturers making these devices, giving you plenty of choice.
The limitations start to show up when your needs evolve over time. Need to add another source? You may be constrained by the matrix's port count. Want to route video to a room that was not originally in the plan? You are running new cable. The rigidity that makes matrix switchers predictable also makes them inflexible.
How AVoIP Works
AVoIP encodes audio and video signals and transmits them as data packets over a standard IP network, which just so happens to be the same infrastructure you already use for data. Encoders sit at the source, decoders sit at the display, and your network switch does the routing. Established platforms such as SDVoE, Crestron NVX and Q-SYS have proven the approach across countless deployments over the past decade.
The practical implication is significant: any encoder can send to any decoder, and you can have as many of each as your network supports (basically infinite). Adding a new room means adding a decoder and plugging into the network. No new matrix hardware is needed, and there are most likely no dedicated cabling runs required either.
Matrix vs AVoIP at a Glance
Before we dig into the detail, here is a side-by-side comparison of how the two approaches stack up across the factors that matter most to an installation.
| Factor | Traditional Matrix Switching | AVoIP (AV over IP) |
|---|---|---|
| Scalability | Limited by fixed port count; scaling means a bigger matrix or expanders | Near-unlimited; add encoders and decoders as needed |
| Latency | Near-instantaneous hardware switching | Typically 50–200ms depending on compression; imperceptible for most use cases |
| Image Quality | Consistently high, no compression | 4K and 8K supported; quality depends on codec (JPEG 2000 or uncompressed is excellent) |
| Network Requirements | Minimal; self-contained hardware | Requires a managed switch with multicast support and adequate throughput |
| Management & Control | Hardware control panels or basic software; harder to scale | Software-based, often web-based; remote routing, monitoring and troubleshooting |
| Best Suited To | Small, fixed installations with no plans to expand | Multi-room, multi-site and evolving environments |
Comparing Matrix and AVoIP in Detail
Scalability. AVoIP wins clearly here. Scaling a matrix switcher means buying a bigger matrix or adding expanders. Scaling AVoIP means adding encoders and decoders and letting your network handle the rest. For large or multi-site deployments, this is a significant operational advantage.
Latency. This is where traditional matrix switching has historically had an edge. Dedicated hardware switching is near-instantaneous. AVoIP introduces encoding and decoding latency, typically in the 50–200ms range depending on the compression standard used. For most presentation and collaboration use cases this is imperceptible. For live production or broadcast environments, it will matter more.
Image Quality. Modern AVoIP systems support 4K and even 8K, with both compressed and uncompressed transport options. If you are running visually demanding content, look closely at the compression codec being used, because some sacrifice quality for bandwidth efficiency. High-quality 4K AVoIP systems using standards like JPEG 2000 or uncompressed transport deliver results that are indistinguishable from a matrix in normal viewing conditions.
Network Requirements. AVoIP does require a network that can handle the load. Uncompressed 4K video is bandwidth-intensive, and you will need a properly configured managed switch with multicast support and adequate throughput. This is a real consideration, but in most commercial environments the network infrastructure is already there or can be upgraded more cheaply than running dedicated AV cabling. Double check with the IT company or team looking after this hardware.
Management & Control. AVoIP systems typically come with software-based management, often a web interface or dedicated control platform. This gives you a visual overview of your entire AV environment. Routing changes, monitoring and troubleshooting can all be done remotely. Traditional matrix systems usually rely on hardware control panels or basic software tools that do not scale as elegantly.
When to Stick with a Traditional Matrix
If your installation is small and fixed, with a handful of sources, a defined set of displays and no plans to expand, then a traditional matrix switcher is a proven, cost-effective solution. This is why they remain the sensible choice in settings like classrooms, courtrooms and single meeting rooms. The setup is simple, the operation is reliable, and for smaller rooms there is no need to introduce network complexity. Keep it simple.
When to Go AVoIP
If you are building out a multi-room corporate campus, a university, a hospitality venue with distributed displays, or any environment where flexibility and scale are priorities, then AVoIP is the smarter long-term investment. You are building on infrastructure that already exists, you are not locked into a fixed port count, and you get software-driven control that is far easier to manage across a large fleet. Browse our full range of AV hardware to see what is available.
Our Main Takeaway
AVoIP has not replaced matrix switching, and it is not about to, because both still have their place. The real story is not a sudden arrival but a steady maturing: as network infrastructure has become faster, cheaper and more ubiquitous, AVoIP has moved from a specialist option to the default consideration for most medium and large AV projects. Matrix switching, meanwhile, remains a solid, cost-effective fit for smaller fixed installations. If you are designing a new installation or planning a significant upgrade, it is worth asking not just what you need today, but where your AV environment needs to be in five years.
And once your AVoIP infrastructure is in place, the final piece is giving people a clean, intuitive way to interact with the room. That is where a dedicated AV control panel makes all the difference. The Qbic TD-1070 is a purpose-built 10.1" PoE-powered touch panel that sits neatly outside the meeting room or on the table, giving users instant control over sources, displays and room settings without needing a laptop or a remote. See it in action here.
Powered by a single cable via PoE+, it is straightforward to install and fits cleanly into any AVoIP environment. For IT teams managing deployments across multiple rooms, it runs Android 12 with regular OS and security updates, and NFC/RFID support means access control and room booking can all be handled from the same device. Flexible mounting options, including a mullion mount, recess wall mount and tabletop stand, mean it adapts to whatever the room layout demands.
Browse the full Qbic range available through Leading Solutions to find the right fit for your installation, or get in touch with us directly to learn more.
