How iC-Net Works

How iC-Net Works | Sports Venues | Worship Spaces

IC-Net technology connects video displays through existing CATV cabling, eliminating the need to run additional control wiring for interactive control.

Control Software - display control software, such as iC Commander or iC-Web, or a custom control system includes databases, logic and user interfaces to manage displays. However, control commands need a pathway to communicate with the displays, requiring expensive, dedicated control wiring. That's where the iC-Net Head End comes into play.
IC-Net Head End - located at the CATV head end, the iC-Net Head End transforms Ethernet and RS-232 control commands from the Control Software into signals that can be carried over the cable system. Commands are transmitted to displays at 74.7 MHz, in the gap between TV channels 4 and 5. Intelligent 2-way iC-Net controllers send status information back through the iC-Net Head End at 5.6 MHz, below T-Channel frequencies. This architecture allows 2-way communication over existing RF cable without interfering with TV broadcasting.
iC-Net Protocol - able to travel over Ethernet, RS-232/422 control wiring, and CATV cable, iC-Net is a consistent, comprehensive language for display control. The open-architecture protocol is brand-agnostic - 95% of the commands are the same for all displays, regardless of brand, model, control format, or display type.
iC-Net Controllers - 1-way and 2-way units are available for TVs, Smart TVs, flat-panel displays, and video projectors. The controllers interpret the iC-Net protocol into the specific actions needed for the display, using an onboard library control "personalities" for most makes and models. For example, when sent a Power Off command, one controller send data to a Smart TV, another transmits a discrete IR command to an LCD display, and yet another releases an RS-232 Off code to a video projector.