Just Add Power is set to debut a new addition to its MaxColor platform dubbed the MaxColor USB 2.0 over IP Device (or MC-USB for short).
Joining the likes of the MC-QX 4K60 Tiling & Warping Encoder and the MC-TX1-RACK Rackmount Encoder, the MC-USB is designed to work across the entire MaxColor series, with the device adding new options for controls across integrated systems.
Once connected in, the MC-USB provides direct control over all computers on a 4K60 Ultra HD system with a built-in keyboard, video, mouse (KVM), touchscreen and webcam interface.
The device features one USB-C 2.0 port on the back and two on the front, as well as two USB-A 2.0 ports, also on the front, with everything being connected over an RJ-45 1 gigabit Ethernet (GbE) LAN port. It also provides hotkey support for integrators, adding to the ease of access and flexibility it aims to provide when controlling remote computers.
“Our focus remains on empowering our partners with solutions that not only meet today’s demands but also anticipate tomorrow’s needs,” says Ed Qualls, CEO of Just Add Power.
“It’s not just about delivering pristine 4K60 video; it’s about providing the freedom and flexibility to manipulate content in ways previously unimaginable, creating truly immersive and engaging visual experiences for any application.”
AV-over-IP’s Growing Presence in Multiroom Audio Installations
These launches arrive amid an AV-over-IP landscape that’s steadily gaining ground—interweaving tighter integration of IT and AV, software-defined routing, and system flexibility.
While early studies like Futursource in 2017 cited a 130% year-over-year sales spike for AV-over-IP encoders/decoders, adoption was still nascent. Fast-forward to roughly four years ago, and CE Pro’s AV market deep dive revealed that roughly one-in-four multi-room projects employed AV-over-IP with nearly 29% still using traditional matrix switchers.
Much of this has to do with the fact that integrators themselves are increasingly seeking components that enable more flexible system designs while keeping the entire installation process efficient.
Part of this might have to do with the overall profitability of multiroom installations (which often benefit from AV-over-IP equipment). While still profitable for integrators, the margins of these projects can sit lower than others (26% as per CE Pro’s 2021 market assessment as opposed to the mid-30s often seen in traditional home theater and control projects).
Solutions that can save on cost—both in parts and the labor of setting it up—have seemingly become a main differentiating factor. This holds true for most project types, but can be exceptionally true for those with tighter margins.
Early Public Previews of the MC-USB
With the launch of the MC-USB coinciding with that of CEDIA Expo/CIX 2025, Just Add Power will be giving exclusive previews of the product to attendees at the show, alongside the MC-QX encoder and MC-TX1-RACK.
Attendees of both the CEDIA Expo and CIX shows will be able to stop by booth #C1309 in Denver to get a quick look at the new MC-USB offering and how it interacts with the rest of the MaxColor ecosystem September 4 – 6 at the Rocky Mountain Convention Center in Denver, Colorado.
