ISE 2026 felt different from the moment we hit the show floor. The noise had dialled down, the messaging was clearer, and the focus was firmly on practical, deployable technology. Less hype, more substance, and far more attention on how systems actually perform once they leave the booth and land in real environments.
AI was still present, but it no longer dominated every area. Instead, it appeared where it genuinely added value, sitting alongside broader themes of quality, accessibility, reliability, and long-term system design. That shift made much of what we saw feel far more relevant to the real challenges our customers face.
One idea surfaced repeatedly across the show floor: technology that’s ready to be deployed and supported in real environments, not just demonstrated. From meeting room systems to signage platforms and IP video, the focus was on solving real installation and operational challenges.
One of the clearest signals at ISE this year was how firmly IPMX has moved from concept to foundation for AV-over-IP.
IPMX builds on the broadcast-grade SMPTE 2110 framework but wraps it in a way that actually fits the AV world. Vendors are now aligning around IPMX as the layer that brings expected AV behaviour into IP-based media workflows, including HDMI signal handling, EDID management, and HDCP support, all delivered within a standards-based IP architecture.
For customers, this is a meaningful shift. Instead of forcing AV systems to behave like broadcast environments, IPMX allows IP-based video to behave the way AV systems are expected to behave, while still benefiting from the scalability and openness of SMPTE 2110 underneath. The result is media-over-IP that feels predictable, interoperable, and far easier to deploy in real projects.
We saw this approach reflected in real products, including solutions from Matrox, reinforcing that IPMX is no longer experimental, but a practical way to bridge traditional AV signals with IP-based workflows.
For our customers, this translates into greater confidence investing in IP infrastructure, with systems that can scale, integrate cleanly with existing AV equipment, and evolve over time without being locked into proprietary approaches.
On the display side, the improvements were clear and tangible, particularly in areas that previously felt more experimental.
Samsung continued to refine their glasses-free 3D displays, and the progress from last year was obvious. What once felt like a proof of concept now feels far more refined and usable, especially for interactive spaces, museums, and experience-led environments.
For customers, this opens up new ways to create engaging, immersive experiences without adding complexity for end users.
LED also stood out, particularly at the premium end of the market. We saw clear gains in COB LED quality, with improved smoothness between panels, pixel density, colour reproduction, and overall consistency. For customers, this means greater confidence using LED in spaces that demand close viewing and visual precision, such as boardrooms, control rooms, and experience centres.
ScreenCloud stood out for how flexible the platform feels, particularly when thinking about larger, multi-site signage deployments.
The combination of apps, integrations, and customisable layouts makes it easy to adapt signage across very different environments, from public-facing screens to internal communications and wayfinding, while still maintaining consistency across all sites. For customers managing multiple locations, that balance between centralised control and local flexibility is critical.
ScreenCloud’s approach of pairing software with dedicated hardware options also simplifies deployment and long-term management, helping reduce operational overhead and support effort at scale.
It was also great seeing where the platform is heading next with their AI tools and spending time with the ScreenCloud team. Their openness to working with integrators and developers like ourselves gives confidence that the platform can adapt to bespoke workflows and more complex environments as needs evolve.
Shure had a strong showing, with a clear focus on simplifying systems without compromising performance. The ANX4 wireless receiver stood out as a smart evolution for high channel-count systems, significantly reducing rack space and infrastructure requirements. For customers, this means cleaner racks, simpler installations, and easier expansion.
We also saw Shure’s new all-in-one Microsoft Teams Room bar, combining audio, cameras, and compute into a single device. For organisations standardising meeting spaces, this kind of consolidation can reduce installation time, simplify support, and improve consistency across room types.
The Q-SYS RoomSuite Modular System was another highlight, particularly for larger offices. Its modular approach makes designing and deploying meeting rooms faster, more repeatable, and easier to support.
For customers managing large room numbers, this results in reduced design effort, more predictable outcomes, and simpler long-term maintenance, while still allowing flexibility where it genuinely matters.
As ever, the Q-SYS experience added some welcome personality, with a quiz-style game show challenge with Jasper and an immersive experience tour led by Jac, balancing technical depth with approachability.
Bringing more of the Hamilton Robson team to ISE this year made a real difference. Viewing technologies through technical, creative, and operational lenses led to stronger insights and more balanced evaluations. That same approach carries directly into our projects, especially as systems become more interconnected and need to scale across multiple rooms, buildings, or sites.
ISE 2026 was not about disruptive leaps, and that feels like a positive sign. If last year was about what might be possible, this year felt far more focused on what is ready to be deployed, repeated, and supported. For our customers, that means more reliable systems, clearer upgrade paths, and technology choices designed to last.
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