LAS VEGAS — As the professional audio industry gathered for InfoComm 2026, the intersection of legacy console power and modern, standards-based networking took center stage. Among the most anticipated technical releases on the show floor was the official production-ready launch of the AuviTran AV-HY64-AVB card, a specialized interface designed to bring Audio Video Bridging (AVB) capabilities to the esteemed Yamaha RIVAGE PM digital mixing ecosystem.
Distributed in North and South America through Synthax, the new card represents a significant leap forward for system designers and live sound engineers who have long sought to integrate Yamaha’s flagship console architecture into wider, low-latency networked environments.
The Core Innovation: Bridging Standards and Power
The AV-HY64-AVB card is more than a simple input/output module; it is a strategic expansion of the RIVAGE PM’s networking capabilities. By enabling native AVB connectivity, the card provides a direct digital pathway from the console to a variety of endpoints, including amplifiers, immersive audio processors, and stage boxes that rely on the IEEE 802.1 AVB standard.
For engineers, this shift is critical. Traditionally, integrating RIVAGE PM systems into complex, multi-vendor AVB environments often required secondary conversion stages or proprietary bridging hardware. The AV-HY64-AVB eliminates these "bottlenecks," reducing potential points of failure and simplifying the signal chain. By facilitating a more streamlined, low-latency digital path, AuviTran has addressed one of the most common requests from touring professionals and systems integrators alike.
Chronology: From ISE Concept to InfoComm Reality
The journey of the AV-HY64-AVB has been a carefully managed rollout. The product was first teased at ISE (Integrated Systems Europe) in Barcelona earlier in 2026, where it generated substantial interest from European integrators and venue operators. At that time, the hardware was in its final validation phase, with developers focusing on ensuring rock-solid clock synchronization and interoperability with the RIVAGE PM’s internal processing engine.
Following a successful testing cycle throughout the spring, the transition to a production-ready model was finalized just in time for the InfoComm 2026 showcase. The presence of the card at the Synthax booth in Las Vegas served as its formal introduction to the North American market. The shift from a prototype showcased in Europe to a shipping product ready for deployment in the U.S. marks a major milestone for AuviTran’s collaborative efforts with Yamaha’s open-architecture standards.
Technical Implications: Why AVB Matters
Audio Video Bridging (AVB) has long been the "gold standard" for professionals who prioritize deterministic networking—meaning the timing of the audio packets is guaranteed, a necessity for high-channel-count immersive sound installations and large-scale live productions.
Eliminating Conversion Layers
The primary technical benefit of the AV-HY64-AVB is the removal of unnecessary conversion stages. When audio signals are converted from one protocol to another, there is an inherent risk of latency jitter and potential degradation of digital clock integrity. By providing a native AVB interface, the card keeps the signal in the digital domain from the preamp stage through to the final output, maintaining the high-fidelity standard that the RIVAGE PM series is known for.
Enhanced Routing Flexibility
The card expands the routing capabilities of the RIVAGE PM beyond its original scope. In modern, flexible theater and house-of-worship installations, the ability to re-route signal paths instantly via a networked switch is vital. The AV-HY64-AVB allows these consoles to act as a primary node in a much larger, AVB-compliant network, allowing for shared inputs and outputs across various devices without the need for cumbersome analog or MADI-based patching.
Official Perspectives: The Vision for the Future
During the unveiling at InfoComm, Xavier Allanic, general manager for Digigram and AuviTran, emphasized that the card was designed with the user’s existing workflow in mind.
"With AuviTran’s AVB interface, RIVAGE PM users now have dedicated access to AVB workflows without changing the core of their mixing environment," Allanic stated. He noted that the goal was never to force a complete system overhaul, but rather to provide a seamless "add-on" that unlocks new capabilities for existing infrastructure.
"Moving from the ISE preview to production-ready hardware for InfoComm is an important milestone," Allanic added. "We are proud to bring this new connectivity option to audio professionals who are preparing their systems for increasingly networked live, installed, and immersive applications."
For distributors like Synthax, the addition of this card to their portfolio fills a crucial gap in their offering. By providing the bridge between Yamaha’s hardware and the broader world of AVB, they are positioning their distribution network to better serve high-end corporate AV, large-scale touring, and complex fixed-installation projects.
Impact on the Professional Audio Market
The introduction of this card is likely to have a ripple effect on how system designers approach new projects.
1. The Immersive Audio Push
As immersive audio—using formats like L-ISA, Dolby Atmos, and others—becomes standard in high-end venues, the requirement for stable, low-latency, and high-channel-count networking is paramount. The AV-HY64-AVB makes it significantly easier to connect a RIVAGE PM console to these immersive engines, ensuring that timing and sync remain precise across the entire system.
2. Longevity for Existing Consoles
By offering a card that works with "existing and future" RIVAGE PM systems, AuviTran is providing a longevity boost to current owners. Instead of needing to replace a console to gain modern connectivity, users can simply swap in the AV-HY64-AVB, protecting their original investment in the RIVAGE ecosystem while upgrading their networking capabilities.
3. Standards Adoption
While Dante has dominated the audio-over-IP market for years, AVB retains a strong hold in sectors that prioritize strict IEEE compliance and timing precision. The arrival of this card is a signal that Yamaha’s ecosystem is continuing to diversify its connectivity options, ensuring that the RIVAGE PM remains relevant in any facility, regardless of the networking standard preferred by the lead integrator.
Looking Ahead: Availability and Support
The AV-HY64-AVB card is scheduled to begin full-scale shipping in September 2026. Prospective users can reach out to Synthax for specific order information and local availability within North and South America. The support structure for this product will be integrated into the existing technical support networks for both AuviTran and Synthax, ensuring that users can receive assistance with configuration and troubleshooting as they integrate the card into their existing workflows.
As the industry moves toward a future defined by hyper-connected, software-defined environments, the ability to bridge hardware giants like Yamaha with robust networking standards like AVB is essential. AuviTran has clearly identified this need, and with the AV-HY64-AVB now entering the market, they have provided a powerful tool for the next generation of sound engineers.
Summary of Key Facts
- Product: AuviTran AV-HY64-AVB card.
- Compatibility: Designed for Yamaha RIVAGE PM series mixing systems.
- Key Function: Enables native AVB (Audio Video Bridging) connectivity.
- Market Availability: North and South America through Synthax.
- Shipping Date: September 2026.
- Primary Benefit: Low-latency digital transport, direct integration with AVB-compliant amplifiers and processors, and expanded network routing flexibility.
- Showcase: Debuted at InfoComm 2026 (Las Vegas) following a successful preview at ISE 2026 (Barcelona).
For professionals attending InfoComm 2026, the AuviTran and Synthax collaboration serves as a reminder that the most significant technological advancements often happen "under the hood." By focusing on the interface between console and network, the company is ensuring that the RIVAGE PM remains at the heart of the most demanding audio environments for years to come.
