Inside the KissBox Ecosystem: Flexible Control Interfaces for AV Integration
From MIDI and DMX to serial communication and analogue and digital I/O, KissBox provides a flexible way to bring control signals onto standard Ethernet networks.
AV and entertainment systems can involve many different types of equipment, each with its own control requirements. MIDI, DMX, RS232/422/485, LTC timecode, contact closures and analogue control signals all continue to play an important role.
The KissBox range provides networked interface endpoints that allow these control signals to be sent and received over standard Ethernet infrastructure, helping integrators build distributed control systems without abandoning the protocols and equipment they already use.
One Network, Multiple Control Requirements
The KissBox ecosystem includes dedicated transceivers alongside modular I/O products, giving integrators different ways to connect equipment to the network.
The MIDI2TR transports MIDI over Ethernet using RTP-MIDI, while the DMX1TR distributes DMX-512 and can operate using ArtNet or the TCP-IP KissBox protocol. The TC2TR provides network distribution for SMPTE LTC timecode and MTC MIDI timecode.
For applications requiring analogue or digital I/O, the IO3CC and IO8CC Card Frame provide a modular approach, with cards available for digital inputs and outputs, analogue inputs and outputs and relay control.
Where Does the Kiss-IP Protocol Fit In?
Different applications call for different protocols, which is why KissBox products aren't tied to a single method of network communication.
The Kiss-IP protocol provides TCP or UDP-based communication for compatible KissBox I/O devices. Depending on the product and firmware, the wider range can also work with established protocols including RTP-MIDI, ArtNet and Modbus over IP. This gives integrators the flexibility to select the communication method that suits the wider system rather than building the entire installation around one proprietary approach.
Making Integration Simpler
A key part of the KissBox approach is keeping the network infrastructure straightforward. KissBox devices work with standard network hardware and can be integrated point-to-point, point-to-software or point-to-hardware. They can also integrate with control platforms including Crestron, AMX and Q-SYS.
Power over Ethernet is supported across many of the products, which can further simplify installation by allowing power and network connectivity to use the same infrastructure. The result is an ecosystem that can support anything from a single control connection to a more complex distributed system across studios, live events, museums, theme parks and professional AV installations.
Building the Right KissBox System
There isn't one standard KissBox configuration. An installation might need MIDI in one area, DMX in another and digital or analogue I/O elsewhere. The range allows those requirements to be addressed individually while using the same underlying Ethernet infrastructure.
For AV integrators, that provides a practical way to connect different control technologies while keeping systems flexible and easier to expand.
