Dante AV networked video serves as the backbone for a centralised AVoIP networking project at Samsung's UniverSE Training Center, connecting 130 classrooms and a broadcast studio.
At the time that Samsung's UniverSE Training Center in Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, was first built nearly 15 years ago, it was considered far ahead of its time. The facility consists of two large buildings – a training centre and a dormitory – with roughly 70 classrooms and 60 lecture halls, each equipped with a combination of analogue AV systems and a few contemporary digital devices. However, although technology was rapidly evolving, little effort was made to replace or update the equipment over time and meanwhile, the limitations of the ageing infrastructure soon became apparent.
Turning Point
A particular issue was the fact that classrooms operated independently, and lacked the ability to share audio or video between them. Staff had to move from room to room to make adjustments to devices or troubleshoot issues. Although the central broadcasting room was operational, it did not have the necessary network infrastructure to oversee and manage AV systems across the more than 130 rooms.
The turning point came when the training building, which includes the broadcasting studio, required a network upgrade. Centralised control, remote access and better integration across classrooms became priorities rather than optional features.
System integrator Seoul Visual Tech was hired to support the project when the training centre recognised the need to transition from fragmented analogue systems to a digital AV-over-IP solution prepared for the future. Their goal was to create a centrally managed, stable AV system that could scale and support current and future needs while adhering to a constrained budget.
Network Overhaul
The centralisation plan began with the training building. While much of its internal structure and some classroom AV hardware would remain, the AV network itself would be completely overhauled. Meanwhile, the dormitory building was scheduled for full interior renovations to include classroom spaces, followed by the installation of new AV equipment that will all be network-based.
The need to connect over 130 classrooms meant that this would be one of South Korea's largest AV integrations of its kind. Furthermore, a project of this scale created a constant need for flexibility and problem-solving, with the team navigating product availability, firmware updates and complex device configuration. Budget constraints also pressured the team to shift from a full replacement approach to a hybrid strategy that combined older, still-functional devices with up-to-date new AV equipment. Consequently, every decision had to consider not only functionality but also the interoperability of each piece of equipment.
Network-Based
Seoul Visual Tech designed and implemented a new system featuring a fully integrated, network-based solution centred on Dante AV. Itself a suite of networked video solutions, Dante AV transports video alongside audio over standard IP connections, always aiming for low-latency response and high output quality.
All of the networked Dante AV devices and software using the same video codec are interoperable between different manufacturers. Dante AV’s independent audio, video and ancillary channel routing allows a high level of signal routing flexibility, and Dante audio channels are instantly compatible with thousands of Dante-enabled audio products, giving users a wide choice. At the same time, operators only need to negotiate a single tool, Dante Controller, to configure and route all devices. Connectivity is via standard Ethernet on 1 GbE networking infrastructure.
Device Management Across Domains
Serving as the hub of the Samsung UniverSE system is Dante Domain Manager, developed specifically for network management and emphasising security, scalability and control in AV-over-IP systems. Users can segment their organisations’ Dante networks into manageable domains – which are independent, non-interfering groups of audio and video devices – improving reliability and giving an independent view into each space.
Dante Domain Manager helps integrators and IT teams maintain stable, secure audio networks across campuses, venues and enterprise facilities. It supports robust user authentication and role-based permissions so that each staff member views and changes only the setting that they need. In the case of Samsung UniverSE, Dante Domain Manager was used for real-time monitoring, device management and clock synchronisation across four dedicated VLANs.
In the broadcasting room, for instance, a Q-SYS Core 610 DSP serves as the audio matrix, while the AMX NMX 2600 Dante AV-A series encoders and decoders are used to manage video transmission between classrooms. Netgear AV Line switches, pre-configured with AV-specific settings, simplify the installation and management of the complex network structure. These switches have specialised interfaces that use familiar AV terminology and have built-in profiles for protocols like Dante and AES67.
In total, over 130 Dante AV-enabled video devices were installed, using the AMX control system to manage classroom power, device control and AV routing. With managed API integration with Dante Domain Manager, video routing could now also be handled externally within the custom control system.
Digital AVoIP Transformation
The training centre now operates a modern AVoIP solution that meets the specific needs of the UniverSE Training Center for high-quality, stable, centrally controlled audio and video transmission across the entire campus. The days of staff having to walk from room to room are over. Now, from a single centralised hub, operators can immediately monitor, manage and control audio and video in every classroom.
Not only did the system address the original issues, but the team also regularly discovers new ways to increase efficiency and save time that they hadn't anticipated. The network-based design makes the system scalable and adaptable, equipping the centre to keep up with future growth and technological advancements.
The success of the UniverSE project opens the door for further Dante implementations at other large-scale sites. Seoul Visual Tech has already deployed Dante and Dante Domain Manager in several Samsung Semiconductor facilities and is exploring more advanced Dante-based configurations.
For the UniverSE Training Center, this project was not just an AV upgrade – it represented a full digital transformation. Through careful planning, partnerships and continuous problem-solving, the team constructed one of South Korea's most sophisticated AVoIP infrastructures. Moreover, they recognised the need to focus not only on the technology but also on the experiences of the people who use it including students, instructors and operators. www.getdante.com
