What's new in AV

Teams Rooms moves to passwordless sign-in

Passwordless Entra resource accounts are rolling out to Windows and Android Rooms devices, panels and phones, with a migration wizard in the Pro Management Portal. Microsoft now calls rooms, desks, panels and phones "intelligent spaces".

Why it matters: Engineers supporting Teams Rooms will need to plan account migrations. It's a good time to brush up on Entra and MS-721.

Pro AV Best in Market 2026 winners named

28 products won this year, including Crestron Collab Compute, Extron TLP Pro 35 Series touchpanels, Audinate Iris camera control, the Q-SYS RoomSuite Collaboration Bar and AIMS for IPMX.

Why it matters: A useful shortlist of the kit clients will be asking about in the next round of projects.

Matrox brings IPMX and KVM to IBC 2026

Matrox Video's MGX delivers 4K 4:4:4 video with very low latency over 1Gb networks using HEVC, and the company plans to make its IPMX software available to other manufacturers.

Why it matters: IPMX is moving from standard to shipping products. Network skills are becoming core AV skills.

Panasonic PT-RQ45 debuts at Lille Video Mapping Festival

Panasonic's new projector was the centrepiece of the projection on the Opéra de Lille at this year's festival.

Why it matters: Large-scale projection mapping keeps growing in events and attractions, a strong niche for live AV crews.

Sony launches IER-M500 in-ear monitors

New high-isolation in-ear monitors aimed at live performers and monitor engineers, with a secure fit for long shows.

Why it matters: Live and touring audio techs: worth a listen if you spec or supply IEMs.

Q-SYS launches RoomSuite Collaboration Bar

A Windows-based Teams Rooms bar with four cameras, a 16-element mic array and a 10.9-inch touchscreen, plus the Teams-certified QSP-11 scheduling panel that links to any Q-SYS system via Reflect.

Why it matters: Q-SYS is pushing further into the meeting room. Q-SYS and Teams Rooms skills together are a strong combination.

Crestron introduces Collab Compute

A new hardware core for professional AV rooms, built on an Intel Core Ultra processor with an on-board NPU for on-device AI features in conferencing software, and managed remotely through the cloud.

Why it matters: AI features are moving into the room hardware itself. Expect AI framing and voice features on more specs.

IPMX launches as a certifiable AV-over-IP standard

AIMS launched IPMX at ISE 2026 as an open standard built on SMPTE ST 2110, adding 4K60 over a single gigabit link, HDCP and NMOS-based control, with the first certified products on show.

Why it matters: An open alternative to proprietary AV-over-IP. Learn the basics of multicast, PTP and NMOS.

Pro AV forecast to reach $402 billion by 2030

AVIXA's latest outlook puts the industry at around $332 billion in 2025. Conferencing and collaboration is the largest area, broadcast AV is second, and AI-powered software is the fastest-growing product category.

Why it matters: Steady growth means steady demand for skilled people, especially in conferencing, broadcast and software.

Expo City Dubai, UAE

The Middle East's giant tech show. Summit on 7 December, expo 8–11. Big on smart cities, AI and digital signage.

Fira de Barcelona, Gran Via, Spain

Europe's biggest AV and systems integration show. Every integrator and manufacturer is there.

Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai, UAE

Broadcast, media and pro AV for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. Recent editions ran alongside Integrate Middle East.

Royal Armouries, Leeds

Free, friendly regional show for live events, lighting, sound and staging crews.

Grand Hall, Olympia London

Media Production & Technology Show: broadcast, post-production and live production kit and talks.

Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, USA

Show floor dates. AVIXA's flagship North American show.

Olympia, London

The UK's main show for live events, entertainment technology, lighting, audio and rigging.

RAI Amsterdam, Netherlands

The world's big broadcast and media technology show, with a growing pro AV and live production presence.