Last week, Bechtle teams were in Barcelona for ISE 2026, engaging with partners, exploring new ideas and taking stock of where the AV market is heading. The event offered both inspiration and clarity, highlighting how emerging technologies can be shaped into practical, customer‑focused solutions. In this blog, Onno Janssen, Solution Advisor AV, shares his perspective on the most relevant developments. “The real value was in the conversations and the insight they gave into how the AV market is evolving. It’s not about hardware alone, but about designing a user experience that genuinely makes a difference.”

A mature market with more choice and higher standards.

At ISE (Integrated Systems Europe), it became clear that the AV landscape continues to evolve. As Onno explains: “Alongside the established market leaders, we’re seeing other vendors making clear progress. There is visible investment in innovation and integration, broadening the landscape and making it more competitive.”

At the same time, the established players are not standing still. Their solutions have clearly matured, with tighter integrations, more stable performance and more consistent end‑to‑end offerings. Differences remain, but the baseline across the market is clearly rising. AV solutions are becoming easier to compare, even if they are not yet truly equivalent.

AI comes of age and portfolios broaden.

Another clear takeaway from ISE was how AI is now being positioned. The big marketing claims have largely disappeared, replaced by a more functional and considered use of the technology. As Onno puts it: “AI is increasingly under the bonnet. And that’s exactly where it belongs.”

In cameras, we’re seeing automatic optimisation of framing, lighting and context. In audio, echo cancellation, noise reduction and speech processing have improved noticeably. The difference is no longer in the messaging, but in the experience itself. Less emphasis in communication, more impact in practice.

“We’re also seeing a clear broadening of portfolios. Shure is a good example of this,” says Onno. “Traditionally strong in audio, the brand is now taking a serious step into video with the introduction of the IntelliMix Bar.” This is an integrated video bar that combines Shure’s audio expertise with an advanced camera system, positioning the company firmly in the video bar market.

From innovation cycles to consolidation.

ISE 2026 shows that the AV market is entering its next phase. There is less focus on isolated innovations or eye‑catching product launches, and more emphasis on maturity, stability and integration.

The market is converging, with the baseline clearly rising. Solutions are becoming more consistent, easier to manage and more tightly integrated into existing IT architectures. As Onno explains: “Technology is being applied more subtly and is less visible on the surface, but more effective in practice. This isn’t a spectacular revolution. It’s something more important: progress that lasts.”

For end users, this translates into one thing above all: hybrid collaboration that is more reliable, more predictable and easier to use. Less dependence on individual components and fewer disruptions, but greater calm and focus in the meeting room. And that reflects how we define innovation at Bechtle: not by novelty, but by what delivers real value in practice.

Curious what these developments could mean for your meeting rooms or your Modern Work strategy? Get in touch with Onno to discuss your requirements. You’ll find his contact details at the end of this blog.

Product deep dive – The standout solutions from ISE 2026.

What does this mean in practice? Less hype, and more choices that stand the test of time. Solutions that fit into existing IT architectures, scale effectively and remain manageable over the long term. At ISE, our focus was therefore on real‑world applicability. Below are the solutions that stood out—not because they were the loudest, but because they make a tangible difference in practice.

Logitech – Rally Camera AI and Rally Camera AI Pro.

Logitech is clearly targeting larger and more complex hybrid spaces with these solutions.

  • Dual cameras with RightSight 2 framing for dynamic speaker tracking
  • Integration with existing Rally Plus and professional audio systems
  • USB or single‑cable connectivity options, and centralised management via Logitech Sync
  • New in‑wall mounting option for discreet integration into the room

Suitable for boardrooms, training spaces and long‑table layouts where varying speaker positions and visual detail matter.

Huddly – C1 and L1 multi‑camera with AI Director.

Huddly is placing a strong emphasis on on‑device AI.

  • AI Director runs directly on the cameras, automatically selecting the best shot
  • Dynamic switching between speaker focus and a group view
  • The C1 video bar works as a standalone solution or as a hub for multiple L1 cameras

Well suited to medium‑sized spaces where a more directed, broadcast‑style video experience is desired, without relying on external processing.

Jabra – PanaCast 55 and scalable Room Kits.

Jabra is positioning itself more clearly in the segment of integrated Microsoft Teams Rooms solutions.

  • The PanaCast 55 is a video bar with its own Android layer, positioned in the same class as solutions from Logitech, Neat and Yealink, and designed for small to medium‑sized rooms with integrated AI video and audio
  • PanaCast Room Kits are modular systems built around the PanaCast 55 and expandable with 1, 3 or 5 Huddly L1 cameras for medium to larger spaces
  • The PanaCast SpeakerMic is an additional audio extension with UTP connectivity, enabling more even voice pickup and extended audio coverage in larger rooms

With this approach, Jabra is clearly focusing on scalability within a single ecosystem, from huddle rooms through to larger meeting spaces.

Owl Labs – Meeting Owl 5 Pro.

A new generation with a clear focus on enterprise use and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) scenarios.

  • 4K UHD video
  • HDMI passthrough for direct display output
  • Updated port layout with USB‑C, Ethernet and HDMI

Designed for straightforward installation and single‑cable connectivity

Epson – 30,000-Lumen 4K projector.

With this model, Epson takes a step forward in high‑brightness projection, offering a more compact and lighter solution in this performance class.

  • 30,000 lumens in a relatively compact form factor
  • Suitable for immersive installations, digital signage, corporate events and education
  • Enhanced cooling design for improved reliability

A good fit for large‑scale installations with a strong visual presence.

SpectralBot – AR and AI‑supported AV diagnostics.

  • Augmented‑reality‑based troubleshooting with system status, error messages and guidance displayed directly on physical equipment via a mobile app, either in‑app or visually overlaid in AR
  • A brand and device‑agnostic approach supports a wide range of audiovisual components and network infrastructure
  • Real‑time incident resolution for rapid identification and remediation of problems, even without in‑depth technical expertise
  • Support for integrators and service teams reduces downtime and simplifies maintenance in complex AV installations

Xyte – Device Cloud Platform.

A vendor‑agnostic management platform for AV and IoT environments.

  • Real‑time monitoring of rooms and devices
  • Asset and lifecycle management
  • Usage analytics and API integrations with existing platforms
  • Support for managed services and SLA reporting

A particularly interesting choice for multi‑vendor environments with larger room portfolios, where centralised, data‑driven management is becoming increasingly important.

Google Beam.

3D video communication with a highly realistic, immersive experience.

  • Advanced technology and impressive visuals
  • High investment threshold, aimed at enterprise environments, executives and specific use cases

More a glimpse of what technology can do rather than a solution for your average meeting room.

Colleagues at ISE 2026
Selfie at ISE 2026

Experience AV solutions hands on.

Looking at tech on a trade show floor is one thing. Experiencing how it actually works within your organisation is quite another. Curious what these solutions could mean for your meeting rooms, IT architecture or Modern Work strategy?

Talk with our AV specialists or arrange a visit to the Bechtle AV Experience Center. We’ll show you what works. In practice. In your context.

Bechtle. Not hip. But happening.