When global supply chains falter and tariffs drive prices up, Aurora Multimedia stands out by staying local. In this video, we highlight how our commitment to U.S.-based design, engineering, and manufacturing gives us — and our customers — a serious edge. From our AV over IP systems to SmartSpeak units, every product is built in-house at our Morganville, New Jersey facility. The result? Faster lead times, better customization, and consistent pricing — all without relying on unpredictable overseas logistics. While others scramble to respond to international delays and cost surges, Aurora is shipping on time and on budget. This isn’t just a talking point — it’s a competitive advantage grounded in quality, reliability, and control. Made in America isn’t just a slogan. It’s how we work.

On the recent Webinar Wednesday, Chuck Espinoza of Aurora Multimedia, joined by Netgear’s Alex Pendleton, challenged attendees to rethink how AV over IP systems really begin—not with hardware, but with content.

Chuck walked viewers through the foundational components of AV over IP design and explained that most people mistakenly believe the encoder is the starting point. “You’ve got to go back even further, homie,” he said. The true beginning? The content itself—the audio, video, or multimedia data being transmitted.

Why does it matter? Because the type of content being transported impacts everything downstream: the type of compression needed, latency tolerance, bandwidth requirements, and even the quality of experience for the end user. Chuck emphasized scenarios like iMAG, which requires ultra-low latency, or 4K broadcast, which demands high compression and bandwidth integrity.

By reframing the design process to start with content, AV pros can make smarter decisions about everything else—encoders, switches, network configuration, and more. Both Chuck and Alex stressed that understanding what you’re moving is just as important as how you’re moving it.

On the recent Webinar Wednesday, Chuck Espinoza of Aurora Multimedia was joined by Alex Pendleton from Netgear to break down one of the most critical—and commonly misunderstood—components of AV over IP system design: the endpoints. Together, they explored how encoders and decoders vary dramatically in capability, and why selecting the right one isn’t just a matter of price, but purpose.

Chuck emphasized that “not all encoders and decoders are created equal.” While budget units might move video from point A to point B, higher-end models offer advanced features like fiber support, monitoring, and easier integration. He advised viewers to look beyond price tags and evaluate based on feature set, deployment needs, and total network goals—comparing it to choosing between a basic pickup truck and a Ferrari.

Alex echoed the importance of smart endpoint selection, highlighting Netgear’s experience deploying hundreds of Aurora-powered networks. “Once the network is solid,” he shared, “you plug in Aurora devices and you’re off and going.” Their joint message: endpoint choice is where network performance either succeeds—or suffers.

On the recent Webinar Wednesday, Chuck Espinoza emphasized one of the most overlooked yet critical components in AV over IP systems: cabling. Drawing from years of service experience at Aurora Multimedia, Chuck explained that nearly 75–80% of service issues ultimately trace back to cabling—not the hardware or software, but what he calls “meatware”: the human element.

Whether it’s poorly terminated Ethernet, HDMI cables bent at harsh angles, or fiber links improperly installed, cabling mistakes wreak havoc on network reliability. Chuck shared his three rules—hardware, software, and meatware—stressing that while hardware and software issues account for only a small portion of problems, user error and mishandling dominate the landscape.

He drove the point home with real-world examples, including a VPX device damaged by an upside-down HDMI jammed repeatedly into a port. For fiber, he warned that cheap cables or bad termination can cause spanning tree protocol failures, destabilizing an otherwise solid network.

The takeaway? Always certify your cables, use proper tools, and test from the physical layer up. It’s not glamorous, but it’s mission-critical.

On our recent webinar, Chuck invited on Alex Pendleton from Netgear to demystify AV over IP in a hands-on, no-fluff session.

Chuck Espinoza, Global Director of Education at Aurora Multimedia, walked attendees through how to design AV over IP systems that span multiple switches and integrate seamlessly with a Dante audio setup.

The session delivered practical insights on:

• Configuring network switches
• Setting up AV over IP gear
• Making it all work together — smoothly

This webinar set the stage for a deeper-dive class with Chuck and Netgear, offering a valuable sneak peek into what's next.

Whether you’re an AV pro, IT lead, or just looking to level up your knowledge, this session was packed with actionable takeaways. Same bat time. Same bat channel.

Stay tuned for what’s coming next.

Join Chuck Espinoza, Global Director of Education at Aurora Multimedia, on July 16th for a hands-on, no-fluff session designed to demystify AV over IP.

Register here.

In this live webinar, Chuck will walk through how to design AV over IP systems that span multiple switches and integrate seamlessly with a Dante audio setup. You’ll get practical insights on:

• Configuring your network switches
• Setting up AV over IP gear
• Making it all work together — smoothly

This session sets the stage for an upcoming deeper-dive class with Chuck and Netgear, so consider this your sneak peek.

Whether you're an AV pro, IT lead, or just hungry to level up, this is one you won't want to miss.

Register here to save your spot.

Same bat time. Same bat channel. See you there.

Are you missing out on InfoComm 2025? Get a rapid-fire tour of Aurora Multimedia’s latest innovations with Global Education Director Chuck Espinoza. From powerful AV over IP solutions like the VPX and IPX series to audio standouts like the DTX-AMP25 and modular DSPs, Chuck highlights how Aurora is redefining performance and simplicity across control, audio, and video. Discover new launches like Core Studio for Mac and Windows, Dash AV as the successor to IPBaseT, and the RXT-4DV SmartSpeak unit combining mic, speaker, encoder, and control into one sleek package. Whether you're into SDVoE, Dante, or HTML-based control, Aurora has something that just works — smarter.

The Aurora Multimedia team is set and ready to go at InfoComm 2025! From getting the booth prepped to powering up the latest tech, we’re bringing innovation, energy, and real-world solutions straight to the show floor. Come meet the team, see the products in action, and discover why Aurora is the name behind AV systems that just work. Visit us at Booth 2342 — we’re ready for you!