Why Now? Trinnov’s Deliberate Approach to Audio over IP

Professional Experience First

Park Road Post Production in New Zealand - legendary facility of Peter Jackson - uses Trinnov MC processors with Dante.

Trinnov has not been absent from the AoIP conversation. Since 2018, we have supported Dante® in professional markets, where large-scale audio distribution and interoperability are common. That experience taught us how to address clock domains, jitter, and routing in mission-critical environments.

But for residential projects, we chose to wait. Not because we couldn’t implement AoIP, but because we wanted to do it right. At Trinnov, new technologies are introduced only when they enhance performance, reliability, and long-term system value. 

That is why AoIP arrives on our residential platform today, in the form of the Altitude^CI.

Engineering a Reliable Foundation

Integrated by Design with Native Dante and AES67

In the Altitude^CI, AoIP is part of the core architecture from the ground up. This approach makes it possible to address one of the most complex challenges in modern AV: multiple unsynchronized clock domains. HDMI brings one clock, AoIP brings another. Without proper management, those streams can drift, causing jitter or instability.

To resolve this, Trinnov developed its own software-domain Asynchronous Sample Rate Converter (ASRC) for Ravenna/AES67. This in-house work took years to complete, and it ensures real-time reconciliation of independent clocks without compromising transparency. We chose the software approach because we wanted every Altitude^CI to support both Ravenna/AES67 and Dante natively. That way, integrators know their needs are covered from the start, without having to make protocol choices upfront or invest in additional hardware they might not need.

The AltitudeCI’s Three-Port Network Architecture

ASRC itself is common in AoIP, but Trinnov’s custom software implementation is what sets the Altitude^CI apart, delivering both stability and flexibility while maintaining our long-standing standards for signal integrity.

Three-Port Network Architecture

Another part of this foundation is the Altitude^CI’s three-port Ethernet design. The processor includes one RJ45 port and two SFP cages, which support either copper or fiber connections. By default, Port 1 is isolated from Ports 2 and 3. This means control traffic and AoIP audio can live on separate networks, a best practice that reduces congestion and prevents interference.

At the same time, all three ports are fully configurable. They can be assigned to different roles, combined for redundancy, or adapted to fit unique topologies. This flexibility ensures the Altitude^CI can integrate smoothly into anything from a single-room theater to a complex yacht installation, it also makes the Altitude^CI well-suited for high-security environments.

Making AoIP Practical for Integrators

DirectLink as a Shortcut

With the DirectLink approach, one can link the AltitudeCI directly to the Amplitude16 with a single Ethernet cable

In some projects, the challenge with AoIP is not the protocol itself but the risk of congestion when audio traffic shares space with heavy network activity. DirectLink addresses this by creating a dedicated path between the Altitude^CI and an Amplitude¹⁶ equipped with the Dante input board. By isolating AoIP traffic from the client’s main network, it ensures audio runs smoothly while keeping setup straightforward and repeatable.

DirectLink is not a new technology, but a method made possible by the Altitude^CI’s flexible three-port network architecture. Because each port can be configured independently, integrators can separate control, internet, and AoIP traffic in a way that fits the project.

It is important to see DirectLink for what it is: a practical shortcut. It makes integration easier and more predictable, but it does not replace best practices. Long-term reliability still comes from understanding how to design proper AoIP networks, which is why Trinnov continues to invest in training and education to empower integrators with that knowledge.

Real-World Advantages

With AoIP implemented at the core of Altitude^CI, integrators gain practical benefits that translate directly into better projects:

• Scalability: from 8 to 32 channels today, with 64-channel builds available from 2026.
• Output flexibility: hybrid routing with analog, AES/EBU, and Dante/AES67 outputs.
• Cleaner racks: fewer converters and less cabling bulk.
• Space efficiency: easier deployment in tight environments, such as yachts or compact rack rooms.
• Compatibility: Dante preferred for outputs, AES67 for inputs, particularly when integrating with devices like the Dolby CP950 or IMS3000 cinema servers.
• Consistent quality: the Altitude^CI and Amplitude¹⁶ share the same DAC architecture, so whether conversion happens at the processor or the amplifier, sound quality remains seamless and transparent.

Software-First, Pay Only for What You Need

AoIP does more than simplify cabling or enable higher channel counts. It also unlocks a new value model for integrators and end-users.

Because the Altitude^CI is built on a software-based architecture , outputs are licensed in 2-channel increments. Whether you start with 8, 12, or 20 channels, you pay only for what the project requires today. When it’s time to expand, additional channels can be unlocked via software, with no need for new hardware, expansion boards, or unnecessary upfront costs.

This flexibility reflects Trinnov’s software-first approach: we invest in developing our own solutions and routing architecture so integrators gain precise scalability without compromise. The result is a processor that adapts to the system, not the other way around, redefining what an AV processor can deliver in terms of both performance and long-term value.

Ready for Today, Built for Tomorrow

Hybrid Freedom

AoIP is not replacing analog. It is expanding what is possible. The Altitude^CI supports hybrid topologies where analog, AES/EBU, and AoIP outputs coexist.

Every speaker or subwoofer output can be routed to any output, regardless of its type, ensuring consistency while leaving integrators free to choose the most appropriate path.

This flexibility makes it easier to design transitional systems that combine legacy hardware with future-ready infrastructure.

Why Now Matters

For Trinnov, the timing of AoIP adoption was not about being first to market. It was about being ready. AoIP, done properly, requires more than protocol compliance. It requires engineering at the platform level, a vision for long-term scalability, and the responsibility to empower integrators who must deliver reliable systems to their clients.

That is why AoIP enters Trinnov’s residential portfolio now, not as an experiment, but as a mature solution embedded in the Altitude^CI. It is ready for today’s projects and built to grow into tomorrow’s.

Takeaway

Audio over IP marks a turning point in residential AV. It introduces efficiency, scalability, and new design freedoms, but it also demands careful engineering and new expertise. Trinnov’s deliberate timing ensures that AoIP can be embraced by everyone without compromise.

By building AoIP directly into the Altitude^CI, supporting both Dante and AES67, and providing methods like DirectLink alongside education and training, we give integrators the tools they need to succeed in this new era.

AoIP isn’t just here. It’s ready.