Tailored Networking for AV Environments
Founded in 1996, NETGEAR established a clear vision to make networking reliable, straightforward, and accessible. While many manufacturers focused primarily on highly standardised enterprise environments, NETGEAR concentrated on sectors such as small and medium-sized businesses, education, retail, and other cost-sensitive industries. These environments place a premium on predictable performance, pragmatic design, and simplified deployment; requirements that closely mirror those of professional audio visual systems.
As audio visual technology has evolved towards IP-based architectures, reliable networking has become a fundamental requirement for modern AV deployments. Historically, AV systems were often treated as exceptions within IT environments, creating complexity for both deployment and ongoing management. The introduction of the NETGEAR AV Line addressed these challenges by delivering switches specifically engineered for AV networks. Combining AV-focused software features with practical physical design considerations such as quiet operation, clean integration into AV racks, and simplified configuration, NETGEAR enables consistent, scalable deployment across complex AV environments.
As a NETGEAR DRIVE APEX Partner, Cinos brings extensive experience designing and delivering networked AV solutions across a wide range of sectors. NETGEAR provides the reliable networking foundation required for modern AV systems, while Cinos ensures that each solution is carefully designed, deployed, and supported throughout its operational lifecycle. Together, this partnership enables organisations to adopt network-centric AV solutions with confidence, reliability, and long-term performance.
If you are considering NETGEAR solutions for your AV or network infrastructure, our team can provide practical guidance tailored to your environment. Contact Cinos to discuss your requirements and explore how NETGEAR technologies can support your next deployment.
NETGEAR Managed Switches Built
for AV-over-IP Systems
NETGEAR M4250
AV Line
The NETGEAR M4250 AV Line provides a purpose built networking layer for professional AV over IP systems, designed to support the reliable transport of real time audio, video, and control traffic. The AV Line is available across a broad portfolio with a wide range of AV optimised switch variants, offering flexibility in port density, bandwidth, and power delivery to suit a wide range of AV applications.
Developed with direct input from the AV industry, AV Line switches address common challenges such as multicast handling, timing, and traffic segregation through AV optimised firmware and sensible default behaviour. Support for VLAN segmentation, Layer 2 and Layer 3 network architectures, and clean integration into enterprise environments makes the NETGEAR AV Line a stable, scalable, and supportable network foundation for operational AV systems.
Brochure
Why Cinos and NETGEAR?
Cinos has extensive experience designing, deploying, and supporting IP based AV infrastructures across control rooms, broadcast environments, and mission critical spaces. Our engineering teams understand both sides of the equation; the performance requirements of professional AV systems and the realities of operating within shared network environments.
NETGEAR’s AV‑focused approach aligns closely with Cinos’ design philosophy:
By combining NETGEAR’s purpose built AV networking platforms with Cinos’ system design, commissioning, and support capabilities, we deliver AV over IP solutions that are robust, supportable, and ready for long term operation.
Cinos and NETGEAR
Featured Updates
- Cinos BlogMarch 6, 2026
For NETGEAR, ISE 2026 proved to be a highly successful event with three new product launches receiving five show awards. According to NETGEAR, at least 228 partner booths across the exhibition floor displayed ‘Powered by NETGEAR AV’ signs, highlighting the scale [...]
For NETGEAR, ISE 2026 proved to be a highly successful event with three new product launches receiving five show awards. According to NETGEAR, at least 228 partner booths across the exhibition floor displayed ‘Powered by NETGEAR AV’ signs, highlighting the scale [...]
In The NewsFebruary 17, 2026Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2026 brought the AV industry together once again at Fira de Barcelona Gran Via and it proved to be another landmark year for the show. Cinos was well represented at the show, with 20 people from multiple [...]
Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2026 brought the AV industry together once again at Fira de Barcelona Gran Via and it proved to be another landmark year for the show. Cinos was well represented at the show, with 20 people from multiple [...]
- In The NewsSeptember 20, 2023
After winning the ‘Best Partner Event for 2022’ at the CRN UK Sales and Marketing Awards, Midwich’s Tech Xpo was back for its 13th year, and it is safe to say that once again it was a resounding success. Hosted over [...]
After winning the ‘Best Partner Event for 2022’ at the CRN UK Sales and Marketing Awards, Midwich’s Tech Xpo was back for its 13th year, and it is safe to say that once again it was a resounding success. Hosted over [...]
NETGEAR Networked AV
Frequently Asked Questions
The NETGEAR M4250 AV Line is a range of managed networked switches designed specifically for AV-over-IP deployments, supporting real time audio, video, and control traffic. The switches are available in a range of configurations and are designed for a clean integration with traditional rack-mounted AV equipment. A sleek, black display panel provides port and activity status in the front, with all power and network cabling neatly organised in the back.
The NETGEAR AV Line M4250 Series was developed in collaboration with professional AV specialists to address the specific requirements of audio and video over IP environments. Rather than adapting traditional IT switches, the AV Line range was purpose-built to support reliable, high-performance AV distribution, combining tailored hardware, simplified configuration, and dedicated AV-focused support. Key features of the NETGEAR AV Line include:
Cinos specifies AV Line where predictable performance, simple commissioning, and long term supportability are essential to the success of an AV over IP system.
The NETGEAR AV Line is purpose-built for audio visual environments, with firmware and configuration workflows designed specifically for AV applications. Unlike traditional enterprise IT switches, which are developed for general data traffic, AV Line switches reduce complexity by aligning their functionality with the needs of AV professionals rather than IT-centric networking tasks.
A key difference is that AV Line switches, including the NETGEAR AV Line M4250 Series, are supplied with AV-specific settings already in place. This allows devices such as encoders and decoders to be connected with minimal manual configuration, reducing installation time and the risk of misconfiguration. The user interface also reflects common AV terminology, making it more intuitive for AV technicians who may not specialise in enterprise networking.
Built-in profiles support widely adopted AV protocols such as Dante and AES67, enabling consistent, plug-and-play performance across compatible devices. In addition to software-level optimisation, the hardware itself is designed with AV deployment in mind, incorporating features such as rear-facing ports for clean rack integration and low-noise operation suitable for sound-sensitive environments including meeting rooms, studios, and control spaces.
Together, these differences make AV Line switches significantly easier to deploy and manage within professional AV systems compared to conventional IT networking hardware.
Yes. AV Line is well suited to control rooms, studios, and mission critical spaces, including sound sensitive and always on environments.
In many cases, yes. AV Line supports dedicated AV networks or clearly structured integration with IT networks, reducing friction and deployment risk.
Cinos designs AV Line networks as part of the overall AV system architecture, ensuring resilience, scalability, and clear separation where required.
Yes. Where needed, Cinos designs AV Line solutions to integrate cleanly with corporate IT networks while maintaining AV performance and stability.
NETGEAR AV networks are configured and managed using the NETGEAR Engage Controller, a dedicated software platform designed to simplify the deployment and ongoing management of AV infrastructure. Unlike traditional network configuration tools, Engage is built specifically for AV environments, using workflows and terminology that align with the way AV systems are designed and installed.
One of the key capabilities of Engage is its ability to streamline commissioning through pre-defined AV profiles and centralised management. Integrators can apply validated settings for widely used audio, video, and lighting protocols, reducing the complexity typically associated with configuring AV networks and helping to ensure consistent, reliable performance across connected devices.
More recent enhancements, including offline provisioning capabilities, further improve efficiency during project delivery. This allows complete AV networks to be designed and configured in advance, even before physical hardware is installed. Virtual switches and access points can be created within the platform, enabling a full system design to be prepared ahead of time. Once devices are connected on site, the system automatically identifies them and applies the preconfigured settings, significantly reducing installation time and minimising the risk of configuration errors.
AV Line provides a scalable foundation for evolving AV over IP requirements and aligns with Cinos’ long term system design approach.
Cinos combines deep AV engineering expertise with a dedicated enterprise networking capability. Our teams are experienced in integrating NETGEAR AV Line platforms into wider enterprise network environments where required, ensuring AV over IP systems coexist cleanly with corporate IT infrastructure. We don’t just specify the technology, we design, commission, document, and support it as part of a complete, secure, and operationally robust solution, from day one through the full system lifecycle.
