ISE 2026 Barcelona

ProAV trends 2026: From technology to functional room concepts

The trade fair clearly showed that ProAV is developing into an integral room solution. Demand is shifting from ‘installations’ to standardised, maintainable and scalable environments – for meeting rooms, showrooms, event spaces, brand rooms and public buildings.

From our perspective, the relevant innovations at ISE 2026 can be summarised in five key development areas – particularly eye-catching were new all-in-one and fine pixel pitch LED walls, large-format micro-LED and LCD displays, AI-supported camera and collaboration systems, scalable audio-over-IP platforms and significantly advanced control, monitoring and automation solutions, which were strongly represented at the trade fair.

1. Experience technology is becoming more mainstream – when it works without explanation

Immersive display technologies were omnipresent at ISE. However, the decisive factor is not the wow effect, but the question: Can the technology be integrated into communication and brand spaces without complex additional systems or barriers to use?

Samsung Spatial Displays (32‘, 55’, 85") enable three-dimensional content without glasses or additional hardware. The spatial representation is immediately understandable – a relevant advantage for brand communication, product presentation and visitor experiences.

Areas of application: Showrooms, trade fairs, retail, experience centres, brand spaces

Added value: High attention, emotional brand impact, innovative digital signage without barriers to use

Samsung Micro RGB TV (130 inches) Premium large screen with high detail fidelity

The Micro RGB TV impresses with its exceptionally precise colour reproduction, homogeneity and premium appearance. It offers an alternative to the classic LED wall for high-quality corporate and brand environments – especially where design and image quality are crucial.

Areas of application: Boardrooms, experience centres, premium lounges, corporate showrooms

Added value: Premium quality, design-oriented integration, high-quality alternative to LED concepts

2. Projection remains relevant – especially where flexibility and cost-effectiveness count

Despite the LED boom, projection remains a stable factor for large rooms and changing usage scenarios. ISE 2026 showed that modern projection solutions are impressive where daylight, room size and flexible space requirements put classic displays under economic pressure.

Epson EB-XQ2030B – High-performance projection for large rooms

High brightness and reliable performance ensure visibility even in difficult lighting conditions – a crucial factor for auditoriums and event spaces.

Areas of application: Auditoriums, event spaces, educational institutions, corporate communications

Added value: Planning reliability, flexible use, high visibility. High image quality without unnecessary system complexity

Panasonic PT-HTQ20 – Economical projection with reduced maintenance

This compact projector combines good image quality with low complexity and reduced service requirements – a clear advantage for organisations that prioritise stability and cost-effectiveness.

Areas of application: Corporate presentation rooms, museums, simulation, visualisation

Added value: Efficient solution without unnecessary system complexity

3. LED technology is maturing – moving away from the ‘tech look’ towards a natural image effect

LED walls have long been standard, but ISE 2026 showcased an important development: the image effect is becoming more natural, more homogeneous and more architecturally integrable. This is crucial for permanent installations in corporate headquarters, public buildings and representative communication areas.

Unilumin U-Natural – LED displays with realistic colour reproduction

U-Natural technology significantly reduces the typical LED look. Colours appear more natural and surfaces more homogeneous, which facilitates integration into professional communication environments.

Areas of application: Reception areas, corporate communication, company headquarters, permanent installations

Added value: Reputable LED solution with high-quality image appearance

INFiLED double-sided LED panels – maximum visibility with minimum space requirements

Ultra-thin double-sided LED panels enable content to be displayed in two directions with just one structure – ideal for trade fair and architectural concepts with a limited footprint.

Areas of application: Trade fairs, open space concepts, architectural installations

Added value: Maximum range with the same space requirements

4. Collaboration is becoming standardised – meeting rooms must be scalable and supportable

Hybrid work remains a driver, but the trade fair showed one thing above all: companies do not need ‘particularly clever’ meeting rooms, but standardised, maintainable and supportable systems. The key trend is the decoupling of AV components, computing and control – so that rooms remain updatable in the long term and operating costs are reduced.

Shure IntelliMix Bar Pro Kit – audio without technical stress

The solution combines microphones, DSP and loudspeakers in one system. This reduces the likelihood of errors and ensures better speech intelligibility in hybrid meetings.

Areas of application: Standard meeting rooms, video conference rooms, hybrid work

Added value: Easy operation, stable audio quality, less support effort

Crestron Collab Compute – Scalable meeting room standards

Crestron separates computing, AV and control in a structured manner. This enables standardised rollouts and facilitates long-term operation in large organisations.

Areas of application: Companies with many meeting rooms, IT-driven organisations

Added value: Maintainability, scalability, operational reliability

Q-SYS RoomSuite – flexible, software-based room concepts

Modular AV setups that can be adapted to changing requirements without having to rethink the installation.

Added value: Future-proofing, flexible room utilisation, investment protection

5. Operation & monitoring are becoming the core of modern ProAV strategies

The decisive change is less visible, but strategically central: ProAV is increasingly being viewed as IT infrastructure. This means that monitoring, automation, transparency and remote management are becoming prerequisites for reliable operation.

Stack Control – stable content control for complex ProAV systems

With automation and monitoring functions, Stack Control supports stable content playback in complex AV and digital signage setups.

Added value: operational reliability, transparency, scalability

Audio & architecture: technology becomes more invisible – quality remains audible

Another relevant trend: audio technology is increasingly disappearing into architecture and design. Integration is becoming more inconspicuous, control more network-based.

Fohhn Dante and PoE loudspeakers – audio technology integrated into architecture

Fohhn enables high-quality audio solutions that are visually unobtrusive yet deliver professional sound.

Areas of application: Foyers, corporate buildings, public spaces

Added value: Sound quality without visible technology

Hybrid formats: Professional video quality without personnel costs

Hybrid events, training courses and corporate streaming remain relevant. The trend is clearly towards intelligent PTZ solutions with auto-tracking to enable high-quality results without a camera team.

Canon CR-N350 & CR-N400 – PTZ cameras for hybrid formats

Automated camera control combined with professional image quality.

Areas of application: Hybrid events, training courses, corporate streaming

Added value: Professional video quality without additional personnel

Conclusion: ProAV solutions must function effectively rather than impress

ISE 2026 makes it clear that it is not the number of new features that matters, but the ability to operate rooms reliably and economically. ProAV is evolving into an operational strategy – and thus a factor in productivity, brand impact and communication quality.

SIGMA develops precisely such solutions: well-thought-out ProAV concepts that support users, reduce complexity and function reliably in the long term – from consulting and planning to integration and operation.