AIMS, VSF, and EBU schedule second IPMX certification in Geneva

The introduction of HKEP and HDCP certification marks a critical transition for IPMX from a technical specification to a commercially viable replacement for proprietary AV-over-IP silos. By enabling interoperable, multi-vendor content encryption, the standard addresses a primary requirement for corporate and broadcast facilities managing high-value media. This development strengthens the competitive position of IPMX against established protocols like NDI and SDVoE, particularly for integrators seeking a standards-based, license-free alternative that bridges Pro AV and broadcast ST 2110 environments. Watch for the August results to determine if the manufacturer base expands beyond the 11 companies currently certified.

The surge in IPMX activity follows its formal market launch at ISE 2026 in Barcelona, where the Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS) transitioned the protocol from an emerging specification to deployable infrastructure. According to reporting from AV Network in February 2026, the certification framework was launched alongside a public registry to allow integrators to verify multi-vendor compliance. This movement is part of a broader industry shift toward 'pragmatic' IP standards that do not require the strict, costly PTP timing infrastructure mandated by SMPTE ST 2110. Per AVNation (February 2026), the initial certification wave included 48 products from 11 manufacturers, such as Matrox, Panasonic, Evertz, and intoPIX.

Technically, IPMX functions as a Pro AV-optimized profile of SMPTE ST 2110, specifically designed to support 4K60 video over standard 1 GbE networks using JPEG XS compression. Per insights from Craftwall in May 2026, the major differentiator is the inclusion of features like native HDCP support and the ability to operate asynchronously, which makes it more compatible with IT-centric enterprise environments than pure broadcast standards. Recent developments, such as the intoPIX Titanium App Suite reaching Version 1.1 in early 2026, indicate that software-based implementations are now keeping pace with hardware gateways, further expanding the potential for software-defined production environments.