While you can connect to a Dante network via Wi-Fi for control and monitoring purposes, Dante audio and video transmission is not supported over Wi-Fi networks.
Understanding Dante and Wi-Fi Compatibility
Dante (Digital Audio Network Through Ethernet) is a technology developed by Audinate that provides uncompressed, multi-channel digital audio and video networking over standard IP networks with very low latency. It is primarily designed and optimized for wired Ethernet connections due to the stringent requirements for reliable, synchronized, and high-bandwidth real-time media transmission.
Why Dante Audio/Video Transmission is Not Supported Over Wi-Fi
The core function of Dante—transmitting real-time audio and video signals—requires a robust and predictable network environment that Wi-Fi typically cannot guarantee:
- Real-time Requirements: Dante relies on precise timing and extremely low latency for seamless audio and video synchronization across devices.
- Wireless Instability: Wi-Fi networks are prone to variable latency, packet loss, and susceptibility to interference from other wireless devices. These characteristics can disrupt the critical timing and data integrity required for real-time audio and video streams, leading to dropouts, jitter, or synchronization issues.
- Bandwidth Limitations & Reliability: Although modern Wi-Fi standards offer significant theoretical bandwidth, the shared wireless spectrum and varying signal strength can lead to unpredictable actual throughput. This makes Wi-Fi unreliable for consistent, high-channel count audio or video transmission that Dante demands.
For these reasons, Dante's core audio and video transport functionality is strictly designed for and requires a wired Ethernet connection.
How Wi-Fi Can Be Used with a Dante Network
Despite the limitations for audio/video transmission, Wi-Fi can play a valuable role in managing your Dante network:
- Dante Controller Access: You can use a Wi-Fi-enabled device (such as a laptop or tablet) running the Dante Controller software to connect to and manage your Dante network. This capability allows you to:
- Discover Dante devices connected to the wired network.
- Route audio and video streams between devices (the streams themselves will travel over the wired network).
- Monitor the status of Dante devices and the overall network health.
- Configure various device settings, including sample rates and clocking.
- Setup for Wi-Fi Management: To enable wireless control, a Wi-Fi access point (such as a Wi-Fi router) must be physically connected to your wired Dante network. This access point acts as a bridge, allowing your wireless device to communicate with the wired Dante devices for control and monitoring purposes.
- Example: You would connect an Ethernet cable from your Wi-Fi router to a network switch that is part of your Dante network, or directly to an available network port on a Dante-enabled device.
The following table summarizes Wi-Fi compatibility with Dante:
| Aspect | Supported Over Wi-Fi | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Dante Audio/Video Transmission | No (Not Supported) | Dante's core function of streaming real-time audio and video requires the stability, reliability, and low latency of wired Ethernet connections. |
| Dante Controller Management | Yes (Supported) | Allows wireless devices running Dante Controller to connect to the Dante network for purposes of device discovery, routing control, monitoring, and configuration. Requires a Wi-Fi access point physically connected to the wired Dante network to bridge the wireless and wired segments. |
In summary, avoid attempting to transmit Dante audio or video directly over a Wi-Fi connection. However, leveraging Wi-Fi for remote management through Dante Controller offers a convenient solution for overseeing and configuring your wired Dante network.
