Since the launch of the standard in May 2006, most of the world's leading hardware and software vendors for industrial video have unveiled GigE Vision compliant products. These products - cameras, video IP engines, converters, video servers, video receivers, control applications, and management entities - all interoperate seamlessly over the Ethernet platform.

What are the benefits?
The GigE Vision standard benefits everyone involved in the design, deployment, and maintenance of video applications by:

• Allowing Ethernet-based vision products from different vendors to interoperate seamlessly, without time-consuming and costly integration issues;
• Making it easier to leverage the native performance attributes of the Ethernet platform, such as its networking flexibility, scalability, high throughput, long-distance reach, and full-duplex, dedicated connections;
• Making it simpler to implement applications on affordable and widely available Ethernet network elements, such as switches, network interface chips/cards, and Cat-5/6 or fiber cabling; and
• Delivering a standardized environment for the delivery of new-generation, networked video applications based on switched Ethernet architectures.

How does the GigE Vision standard compare to other video interfaces?
GigE Vision is the only video transfer standard that meets growing demand for real-time switched video networking. It supports throughputs of up to 10 Gb/s - more than enough to handle the latest generations of high-speed vision sensors, with room to grow. Pleora has produced a comprehensive TABLE that compares the GigE Vision standard to five other high-speed video interfaces. The data in the table is analyzed in this ARTICLE authored by Pleora for a recent issue of Quality Magazine.

How is it managed?
The GigE Vision standard is administered by the Automated Imaging Association (AIA), a non-profit trade association for the machine vision industry based in Michigan, USA. The AIA publishes the GigE Vision standard text and oversees the compliance process. Technical evolution is handled by the AIA's GigE Vision Technical Committee, made up of representatives from every major sector of the vision systems industry.

Where can I get a copy of the standards?
GigE Vision is an open standard. Anyone can purchase a copy from the AIA, regardless of whether or not they are an AIA member..

Is GigE Vision only for machine vision?
No. It is being used successfully in video applications for the military, medical diagnostics, aerospace, traffic monitoring, and other industries.

How is interoperability validated?
Interoperability is validated through the AIA compliance process and an ongoing series of international plug fests.

How do the same types of compliant products from different vendors compare?
Products that comply with GigE Vision follow a specific set of protocols for video transport and device control. Other product attributes - such as reliability, recovery from packet loss, deterministic real-time operation, and precisely timed triggering - are vendor specific. This approach ensures vendors have room to differentiate their products and gives users the broadest possible selection of compliant products with which to work.

What is GigE Vision Version 1.2?
Version 1.2, ratified in January 2010, is the latest release of the standard. It accommodates networked video applications that leverage switched Ethernet client/server video networks. A wider selection of network elements can be registered as compliant products, including hardware-based video receivers like Pleora's vDisplay IP engines, software-based video servers, and network-controlled devices. By contrast, earlier versions of the standard focused on standardizing products for point-to-point connections between cameras and PCs.

What is Pleora's role?
Pleora co-founded the GigE Vision initiative in 2003 and still plays a critical role in defining and shaping its evolution. A Pleora representative serves as Vice-Chair of the AIA GigE Vision Standard Committee and Pleora makes significant contributions to all of the standard's technical subcommittees. Pleora chaired the subcommittee that drafted Version 1.2 of the standard. It also leads the development of the automated GigE Vision Validation Framework for GigE Vision devices.

When can a vendor use the GigE Vision logo?
To use the logo, vendors must register compliant products with the AIA. Video transmitters, such as cameras, must comply with an automated GigE Vision Validation Framework. The GigE Vision Technical Committee is looking at developing additional validation tools. In the meantime, other products must be self-certified. Any compliance issues must be fixed within a timeframe determined by the AIA.