Connectivity has become a critical part of any live production. Networked audio, video, control, lighting, servers and distribution systems increasingly rely on data links that must withstand frequent setups, vibration, dirt, moisture and continuous connection and disconnection.
At PLASA Show 2026, Neutrik focused many of its new developments precisely on this area, introducing new solutions designed to bring Ethernet, USB-C and fibre optics to production environments where mechanical robustness and available space can be just as important as bandwidth itself.
Ethernet, USB-C and fibre within a single connectivity approach
One of the main new developments was the TRUE1 DATA Connector Series, based on Neutrik's Unicorn platform.
The range includes three types of connectivity:
- etherCON TRUE1, for RJ45 CAT6A connections.
- mediaCON TRUE1, designed for USB-C with speeds of up to 5 Gb/s.
- opticalCON TRUE1, for DUO fibre-optic links.
For rental, touring and integration companies, the appeal lies not only in bringing different standards together within a single family, but also in enabling professional data connections to be implemented in racks, stage boxes, panels, mobile equipment and systems where space is limited.
As live systems carry increasing amounts of signal and control over IP infrastructure, connector density is becoming a design consideration. Reducing the space occupied by each connection point makes it possible to build more compact racks and panels without sacrificing interfaces designed for professional use.
When RJ45 or USB-C has to work on stage
One of the challenges of bringing IT standards into technical production is that the original connectors were not always designed with touring in mind.
A conventional RJ45 port or USB-C connection works perfectly well in offices and IT equipment, but may be more vulnerable when it has to withstand mechanical loads, pulling, frequent handling or daily setups.
This has led to the development of systems that house this type of connectivity within more robust formats suitable for production environments.
In professional audio, lighting and video, this approach is particularly relevant given the proliferation of Dante, AES67, Art-Net, sACN, IP control, video interfaces and USB devices connected to production systems.
Rear mounting and water protection
PLASA also marked the first public presentation of the new xlrCON DR Series and etherCON DR Series families.
Their distinguishing feature is the combination of rear-panel mounting and water protection. Although this may seem like a minor construction detail, the mounting method has a significant impact on the manufacture and maintenance of racks, stage boxes, connection panels and OEM equipment.
Rear mounting makes it possible to replace or work on certain connectors without necessarily modifying the front of the equipment, while environmental protection can be particularly useful at festivals, outdoor stages, sporting events and temporary productions exposed to dust, rain or moisture.
Fibre rarely fails due to a lack of bandwidth
The other interesting aspect of Neutrik's presence at PLASA was not a new product, but maintenance.
To coincide with opticalCON's 20th anniversary, the applications engineering team held practical fibre-optic connector cleaning demonstrations every two hours throughout the show.
This is a relevant issue for rental and touring because many optical-link problems do not originate in the cable or transmission system, but in something seemingly simpler: contamination of the optical surfaces.
Dust, particles or improper cleaning can introduce losses, increase attenuation or cause intermittent connections.
In systems where a single fibre can carry large amounts of audio, video, data or control signals, a very small physical issue can ultimately affect a significant part of the production.
Cleaning is also part of network design
The demonstrations covered the handling, cleaning and maintenance of opticalCON connectors, as well as best practices for fieldwork.
For companies that regularly use fibre, establishing proper inspection and cleaning procedures can have a direct impact on reliability, system lifespan and the reduction of incidents during setup and operation.
This becomes even more important in touring and rental environments, where the same cables and connectors may travel for months, pass through the hands of different technicians and be used repeatedly under widely varying environmental conditions.
More networking, more data and greater responsibility for infrastructure
The new solutions Neutrik brought to PLASA also reflect a broader evolution within the industry. The distinction between audio, lighting, video and data cabling is becoming increasingly blurred. Many of these signals ultimately share IP technologies, fibre optics or common digital interfaces.
For sound, lighting and video technicians, as well as systems engineers, this means that connectivity is no longer an auxiliary element but a critical part of the production architecture.
Choosing the right connector, protecting it mechanically and maintaining it properly can be just as important to a show's reliability as selecting the switch, console or processor connected at the other end.
