New and Changed Features in version 3.1

For full details see Complete release notes (PDF)

New Hardware in Q-Sys

Core 250i and Core 500i
The Core 250i/500i Integrated Cores are designed for applications requiring fewer channels than the larger Cores. Integrated Cores have the capability of directly accommodating eight Q-Sys input and/or output cards for a total onboard channel capacity of 32 channels (more if AES or CobraNetâ„¢ cards are used). As with the larger Cores, channel count may be further expanded by the addition of Q-Sys I/O Frames and other peripheral devices. Select the Core model in Q-Sys Designer Core Properties to match your hardware.

Page Station Gooseneck Model
The Q-Sys Page Station (Gooseneck) is now available. Operationally, it is exactly like the handheld models, with the exception that there is no push-to-talk button on the gooseneck microphone. You can mount the gooseneck model at a 30° angle to a horizontal surface using the included angled mounting bracket, or if the surface is already angled, like a podium, you can flush-mount directly to the surface with the optional flush-mount bracket.

Page Station Expander (PS-X)
The Page Station Expander is designed to be mounted on a wall and connects directly to the rear of a Q-Sys Page Station via Cat 5e cable. Voice input is provided through a handheld dynamic push-to-talk microphone. Combining the Page Station Expander and the Page Station provide multiple inputs for a common zone, for example both the kiosk and jet-way of an airport gate can easily be served by this combination. To select the PS-X, place a Page Station in the Schematic, then set Enable Expander to Yes in the Page Station Properties.

Type 2 Hardware

Type 2 hardware provides new cables and connectors between the I/O cards and main boards in Cores and I/O Frames. Due to this change, the Type 2 hardware is not physically compatible with the older hardware. You can still integrate the new I/O Frames and Cores in the same system with older hardware, but the I/O cards are not interchangeable. Type 2 hardware can be identified by a yellow label on the back of the Core and I/O Frame, and the bottom of the I/O cards.

Changed Hardware Functionality in Q-Sys

Page Station
The Page Station software has been modified to make the Page Station "beep" when it is time to speak.

DSP Usage Capability Doubled
Optimization of the firmware used on the Q-Sys Cores now provides double the amount of Digital Signal Processing (DSP) power for all Core models. The primary need for this optimization is the addition of the AEC component which uses 50% (25% on Cores 3000 and 4000) of the available DSP processing when one or more AEC components are added to the design. DSP usage is based on the number and types of DSP components in your design. DSP processing available is based on the Core model. You can check your design's usage by pressing Shift+F6, or from the Main Menu, File > Check Design…

Core Flex Network Audio Channels
For Cores 250i, 500i and 1000, you can divide the network audio channels (NAC) between In and Out. Core 250i supports 64 In/Out NACs, Core 500i and Core 1000 support 128 In/Out NACs.

New Components in Q-Sys Designer

Please read the following information carefully. There are many changes and additions for Q-Sys Designer Release 3.0, some requiring your attention when you upgrade Q-Sys Designer to this release. As with any upgrade containing major changes, there may be a substantial impact to current designs. Before you upgrade be sure you understand the changes that are required for your system, and be sure you backup your design files.

Inventory

Core 250i and Core 500i
The Core 250i and 500i are now options in the Model Property of the Core Inventory item. The Core's Properties list expands when you select either of these models to present the eight I/O slots available on these units. Note that these models support only Type 2 I/O cards (mentioned above).

I/O-22
The I/O-22 is a POE (Power Over Ethernet) device similar to the Q-Sys standard I/O Frame. The I/O-22 has two Mic/Line In connections, two Line Out connections, eight digital GPIO connections (two 6-pin connectors), a DE-9 (a.k.a. DB-9) RS-232 port, and a 10W audio amplifier for a local loudspeaker. The I/O-22 is redundant network capable. The Q-Sys Designer components associated with the I/O-22 are: Status, Analog Input, Analog Output, GPIO, and the RS-232 Serial Port.

Page Station Gooseneck Model
The Q-Sys Page Station (Gooseneck) is represented in the Inventory list by the same Items as the handheld model. For Q-Sys Designer, there is no difference between the two units.

Page Station Expander (PS-X)
The Page Station is not represented in the Inventory list, you must select it in the Properties of a Page Station. To select the PS-X, place a Page Station in the Schematic, then set Enable Expander to Yes in the Page Station Properties. The PS-X does not have a proxy in the Inventory list.

User Control Interfaces

Inventory Status
The Inventory Status UCI, is a system-generated UCI that lists the status of all components in your inventory that have a Status field available. This UCI can not be modified other than by adding or removing items from the Inventory.

Audio Components

Acoustic Echo Canceler Component
The Q�Sys multi�channel Acoustic Echo Canceling (AEC) component is used in conference rooms and other installations where people call in from remote locations. The remote caller's voice is broadcast over loudspeakers in the conference room. The sound is picked up by microphones in the conference room and echoed back to the Far-End caller. The purpose of the AEC is to eliminate these echoes while at the same time allowing the Far-End caller to hear clearly, what people in the room are saying.

Audio Streaming Components

URL Stream Receiver Component
The URL Stream Receiver component allows you to decode audio from a valid URL that is streaming a UDP MPEG Transport Stream. The stream can also include video when meant for other destinations that can decode audio and video. However, only the MP3 or AC3 audio within the stream will be utilized within the Q-Sys design. The component can support mono, stereo or any number of channels up to 16 from one stream.

Control Components

Control Router Component
The Control Router component allows you to route control signals. You can route any of the available inputs to a given output.

Layout Components

Popup Button Component
The Popup button displays a popup window when double clicked. You can place objects like controls, graphics, and so on, into the window. This new component allows you to hide these objects when they are not needed. This is particularly handy in a User Control Interface where space is limited.

Minimum Hardware Requirements:

1. IBM PC compatible computer (Windows PC)
2. Intel Pentium 4 CPU or better
3. CPU speed of 2.1 GHz or faster
4. 1 GB of RAM or greater
5. Hard drive with at least 1 GB of space available
6. Display resolution of at least 1024x768
7. CD-ROM drive for installing Q-Sys Designer
8. Network Interface Card (10/100/1000 Mbps)
9. OS: Windows XP Pro or Vista

Software Requirements:

• Microsoft Windows 7 (64 or 32 bit), Windows Vista SP1, Windows XP Professional Version 2002 SP3 or Microsoft Windows 8
  • Required
• Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1
  • Required
  • Installed with Q-Sys Designer - Internet access require
• For web panel requirements, please see the release notes