Lightware

Lightware specialises in professional signal management technologies that enable organisations to distribute, extend, switch and control audio, video and USB signals across a wide range of AV environments. With more than 25 years of experience, the company develops solutions that simplify connectivity, improve system reliability and enhance the user experience in meeting rooms, classrooms, boardrooms, collaboration spaces and mission-critical control rooms.

At the heart of the Lightware portfolio is a focus on solving common AV challenges. Its solutions help organisations streamline room connectivity, support BYOD workflows, extend signals over longer distances, integrate USB peripherals and create more intuitive meeting experiences. Products such as the Lightware Taurus family enable users to connect a laptop with a single USB-C cable, providing access to displays, cameras, microphones, audio systems, network connectivity and charging through one connection.

For more complex environments, Lightware provides advanced signal management and AV-over-IP technologies that ensure high-quality audio, video and USB content can be distributed securely and reliably across multiple rooms, buildings or operational spaces. Combined with room automation, centralised management and integration with leading collaboration platforms, Lightware solutions help organisations reduce technical complexity, improve meeting productivity and maximise the value of their AV investments.

The Lightware Taurus UCX is a universal matrix switcher designed to simplify connectivity and collaboration in modern meeting rooms. Built around USB-C technology, it enables users to connect their laptop to the room using a single cable, providing access to displays, cameras, microphones, speakers, network connectivity and laptop charging through one intuitive connection. This eliminates the need for multiple adapters, cables and complicated setup processes, helping meetings start quickly and run more efficiently.

Designed to support BYOD workflows, Taurus UCX allows users to join meetings using their preferred platform, including Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Cisco Webex and Google Meet, while leveraging the room’s existing AV peripherals. Host switching, content sharing and device connectivity are managed seamlessly, creating a consistent user experience regardless of the laptop or operating system being used.

Beyond simplifying connectivity, Taurus UCX also incorporates advanced capabilities such as room automation, USB peripheral management, dual-screen support and secure signal handling. Available in a range of models to suit different room sizes and requirements, it provides organisations with a scalable solution that enhances user experience, reduces support overhead and delivers a more reliable collaboration environment.

The Lightware Taurus product family is designed around a consistent user experience while addressing different room sizes, connectivity requirements and deployment scenarios. Whether supporting a standard meeting room, extending signals across larger spaces or building an AV-over-IP environment, each Taurus solution delivers intuitive USB-C connectivity, BYOD support and seamless integration with modern collaboration platforms.

The Taurus UCX is designed for small to medium-sized meeting rooms where simplicity and ease of use are key. Built around a single USB-C connection, it enables users to connect their laptop to the room’s displays, cameras, microphones and other peripherals while also providing device charging. Taurus UCX helps eliminate cable clutter and reduces the complexity often associated with meeting room technology.

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For larger meeting rooms, boardrooms and training spaces, Taurus TPX extends the capabilities of UCX by enabling USB-C, video, audio and control signals to be transported over distances of up to 100 metres using a single CAT cable. This provides greater flexibility for room design while maintaining a consistent user experience.

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Taurus TPN is designed for the most demanding environments, providing a UC-over-IP and AV-over-IP platform built on SDVoE technology. It enables organisations to distribute video, audio, USB and control signals across 10G networks while centrally managing endpoints through the TPN Matrix Management Unit (MMU). This makes it ideally suited to large campuses, lecture theatres, command centres and complex enterprise deployments.

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In simple terms, UCX is ideal for standard meeting rooms, TPX adds long-distance signal extension for larger collaboration spaces, and TPN provides a fully managed AV-over-IP platform for enterprise-scale deployments. By offering a common user experience across all three solutions, Lightware enables organisations to standardise collaboration technology while selecting the right platform for each space.

Lightware Taurus solutions are designed to integrate seamlessly with leading unified communications platforms including Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Cisco Webex and Google Meet. By combining USB-C connectivity, intelligent host switching and room automation capabilities, Taurus enables users to connect their own devices while taking full advantage of the room’s professional cameras, microphones, speakers and displays, regardless of the meeting platform being used.

For Microsoft Teams Rooms environments, Taurus enhances the native meeting room experience with advanced BYOD functionality, support for multiple content sources and centralised room control. Users can connect a laptop via USB-C to access room peripherals, share content during Teams meetings and even use alternative platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet or Webex while benefiting from the room’s installed technology. Features such as up to 100W laptop charging, intelligent USB host switching and integrated control of room devices help create a more flexible and user-friendly meeting environment.

For Cisco Webex deployments, Lightware extends the capabilities of Cisco Room Kits and Room Devices by adding additional HDMI and USB-C connectivity, transparent signal extension and advanced room control. Through integration with Cisco Room Navigator touch panels, users can control displays, projectors, lighting and other room elements from a single interface, while also enabling BYOD workflows that allow Cisco devices to function as USB cameras and speakerphones for third-party meeting platforms.

Google Meet integration is another key differentiator, with the Taurus UCX family recognised as the first AV matrix switcher natively supported by Google Meet hardware. Users can connect and share content through a single USB-C cable, switch seamlessly between Google Meet and BYOD modes, and manage Taurus devices directly through the Google Admin Console. This creates a simple and reliable experience for both end users and IT administrators while supporting a wide variety of devices and workflows.

The same benefits extend to Zoom Rooms deployments, where Taurus integrates with platforms such as Poly Studio X systems to provide intuitive source switching, room control and BYOD access. The result is a platform-agnostic collaboration environment that gives organisations the flexibility to support different meeting technologies while delivering a consistent user experience across every room.

Lightware Gemini GVN is a powerful AV-over-IP platform designed to distribute high-quality video, audio and USB signals across standard Gigabit Ethernet networks. Delivering visually lossless 4K60 video, low-latency performance and centralised system management, it provides a flexible and scalable foundation for organisations looking to deploy professional AV systems without the complexity typically associated with large-scale AV infrastructure.

One of the key advantages of Gemini GVN is its ability to transport 4K60 4:4:4 video, audio and high-speed USB connectivity over existing network infrastructure while maintaining image quality and responsiveness. With support for seamless switching, low latency, USB and KVM extension, and optional Dante audio integration, the platform is well suited to enterprise meeting rooms, lecture theatres, classroom environments, control rooms and operational spaces where performance and reliability are critical.

At the heart of the solution is the GVN Matrix Management Unit (MMU), which simplifies the deployment and management of AV-over-IP systems. The MMU automatically discovers connected devices, manages configuration settings and provides a central interface for monitoring, control and troubleshooting. This reduces installation time, simplifies ongoing management and allows organisations to scale from a handful of endpoints to large multi-room deployments with confidence.

For enterprise and education environments, Gemini GVN also offers practical operational benefits. Using standard CAT cabling and PoE-capable network infrastructure helps reduce deployment costs, while centralised management and flexible system architecture make it easy to adapt the platform as requirements evolve. With support for modern collaboration spaces, campus-wide AV networks and mission-critical environments, Lightware AV solutions such as Gemini GVN provide an efficient, future-ready approach to AV signal distribution.

Lightware Advanced Room Automation (LARA) is a built-in room automation platform that enables organisations to control and automate meeting room technology through a single, intuitive interface. Integrated directly into compatible Lightware devices, LARA eliminates the need for dedicated room control processors, allowing users to manage displays, projectors, cameras, microphones, lighting, blinds and other room assets from touch panels, physical buttons or collaboration device interfaces.

Designed to simplify deployment for organisations of all sizes, LARA provides multiple configuration options to suit different levels of technical expertise. The LARA Wizard enables AV professionals, IT teams and integrators to create fully functional room automation workflows without writing code, while more advanced users can customise solutions using modular components or JavaScript-based programming. This flexibility allows organisations to create tailored room experiences while reducing deployment complexity and commissioning time.

For meeting participants, LARA helps deliver a seamless user experience. Users can simply walk into a room, connect a device and begin collaborating, while automation routines handle functions such as source switching, display power management and device control in the background. The platform also integrates with leading collaboration environments including Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex, Zoom and Google Meet, helping organisations create consistent, intuitive meeting experiences across their estate.

The latest evolution of the platform, LARA 2.0, introduces enhanced processing capabilities, support for larger and more sophisticated room configurations, resource monitoring tools, improved logging and password-protected user panels. These enhancements make it easier for consultants, integrators and support teams to design, deploy and maintain scalable room automation environments while providing greater visibility into system performance and operational health.

Lightware Device Controller (LDC) is a professional software application that provides a centralised interface for configuring, monitoring and managing Lightware AV devices. Available for both Windows and macOS, the software enables AV professionals, system integrators and IT teams to commission systems, monitor device status and make configuration changes through an intuitive graphical interface. Unlike LARA, which focuses on room automation and user control, LDC is primarily designed for system administration and technical management.

One of the platform’s core capabilities is its dynamic crosspoint view, which provides a clear visual overview of device connections, signal routing and port status. Administrators can view signal presence, connection health and input/output assignments from a single screen, while making multiple routing changes simultaneously. The software also includes streamlined preset management, allowing configurations to be saved and recalled quickly across supported devices.

LDC further simplifies system support through advanced diagnostic and monitoring tools. Its built-in error log translator converts technical error codes into plain-language descriptions, helping engineers identify and resolve issues more efficiently. Additional features such as signal analysis, frame detection and event management provide valuable insight into system performance and operational status, helping reduce troubleshooting time and improve system reliability.

The software also includes Lightware’s Advanced EDID Management tools, enabling users to review, edit and create EDID profiles for connected displays and source devices. Combined with device monitoring, configuration management and diagnostic capabilities, Lightware Device Controller provides a powerful platform for maintaining high-performance AV systems throughout their lifecycle.

As a Lightware certified partner, Cinos has extensive experience designing and deploying signal management and collaboration solutions across a wide range of sectors, including government, corporate, education and mission-critical environments. Our expertise spans everything from small meeting rooms and collaboration spaces through to complex AV infrastructures, helping organisations deliver intuitive user experiences while simplifying room connectivity, content sharing and device integration.

Having deployed Lightware solutions across hundreds of meeting spaces, we understand how to maximise the value of the Taurus product family. Our team combines deep audio visual expertise with proven experience in collaboration technologies, networking and workplace transformation, ensuring each solution is designed around the operational needs of the organisation rather than simply the technology itself.

A notable example of this expertise is our work with the Government Property Agency (GPA), where Cinos developed the AV Standards Version 3 meeting room standard that has since been deployed in more than 600 meeting rooms across the GPA estate. At the heart of the solution, Lightware Taurus TPX technology enables users to connect via a single USB-C cable for content sharing, access to room peripherals and laptop charging, while supporting a consistent BYOD experience across every meeting space. This approach simplifies the user experience, reduces support requirements and allows employees to use their preferred collaboration platform with confidence.

From initial consultancy and solution design through to deployment, user adoption and ongoing support, Cinos provides a trusted partnership that helps organisations create reliable, future-ready collaboration environments built around Lightware’s market-leading signal management technologies.