Extron Electronics VN-Matrix 200 Series - Manual (Page 11)

Multicast RTP
This method uses a real-time variation of UDP (User Datagram Protocol), called RTP (Real-
time Transport Protocol). Multicast RTP allows a source to be displayed on any number of
displays.
VN-MATRIX VN-MATRIX
VN-MATRIX
VN-MATRIX
VN-MATRIX
(encoder) (decoder)
(decoder)
(decoder)
(decoder)
NETWORK
SOURCE DISPLAY
RTP RTP
RTP
RTP
RTP
RTP
Encoder sends data using RTP
to a multicast group
Any number of decoders can be
part of the multicast group
Figure 5. Multicast RTP
The source encoder uses RTP to send data to a multicast group. The source encoder does
not need to know the IP address of any decoders that use that source.
RTP provides very low latency which is important for video transport. Unlike other
protocols, RTP packets include a timestamp. Therefore, if packets are received in the
wrong order they can easily be sorted into the correct order for display, or discarded if the
timestamp is out-of-date.
However, because RTP is a connectionless protocol, data delivery is not guaranteed. Where
data packets are lost (for example, due to excessive network traffic) the VNC 200 carefully
manages the data stream to minimize any image disruption.
Unicast RTP
Like multicast RTP, this method uses a real-time variation of UDP protocol, called RTP. This
method can be used where the network infrastructure does not support multicast traffic.
Unicast RTP should be used as a point-to-point configuration (that is, single source to
single display) but can be used for up to four displays.
VN-Matrix 200 Series • Introduction 6