AV I/O (NV-21-HU)

Use the AV I/O Decoder component to configure AV video and audio routing in Q-SYS.

NV-21-HU as an Encoder or Decoder

For NV-21-HU Network Video Endpoints, the AV I/O component represents a single NV-21-HU device configured as an Encoder or Decoder for sending or receiving AV signals over the network.

Q-SYS Shift Networked AV Streaming

  • An Encoder takes source AV signals and places them on the network in streams. Encoders can process a single stream up to 4K60.
  • A Decoder processes incoming network AV signals and sends them to a display. Decoders can process a single stream up to 4K60.

Local HDMI Switching

  • For Encoders, use HDMI Output 1 as a “courtesy monitor”, displaying at resolutions up to 4K60.
  • When set to a decoder and in USB-C operating mode, the HDMI out can show network content or local content from the USB-C input up to 4K60
  • For Decoders, toggle between network streams or locally connected AV sources (single 4K60 or dual 1080p60 sources).

USB-C

USB-C cables must meet the following minimum requirements for proper operation with the NV-21-HU:

  • Thunderbolt 3 supporting ≥ 65W
  • Thunderbolt 4 supporting ≥ 65W
  • USB-C 3.2 Gen 1/3.2 and Gen 2 supporting ≥ 65W and DisplayPort Alt Mode (DP 1.4)
  • USB4 supporting ≥ 65W
  • A USB-C cable and source device must support a minimum of USB superspeed (5Gbps) for AV bridging.

Note: DisplayPort to USB-C cables are not supported.

HDMI 

  • The use of signal extension solutions (for example: HDBaseT extenders, HDMI distribution amps, and active/optical HDMI cables and keystones) in-line with NV Series HDMI ports may introduce handshake issues or signal attenuation-related issues. QSC does not test any configurations with these products.
  • To maximize HDMI signal reliability, use Premium or Ultra High Speed certified cables.

Note: The input and output pins shown depend on the Q-SYS hardware and component Properties.

Input Pins

HDMI AV Input

There is one HDMI input on the NV-21-HU. Connect this pin to a Generic AV Source component HDMI AV Output pin.

USB-C Input

There is one USB-C input on the NV-21-HU.

Output Pins

AV Output

The AV Output pins send combined video and audio signals over the Q-LAN network. The output correspond to a respective AV Input pin.

HDMI AV Output 1

If enabled in the component Properties (HDMI Output Mode is set to "HDMI 1"), this pin outputs a selectable signal from the one HDMI input on the NV-21-HU. Connect this pin to a Generic HDMI Display HDMI AV Input pin.

Note: The HDMI output supplies up to 120mA on the +5v signal line.

HDMI 1 Channel 1, 2

If enabled in the component Properties (HDMI Output Mode is set to "HDMI 1"), select the number of audio pins to expose – from 0 to 8 – for routing to other Q-SYS audio components, such as a network amplifier. This audio corresponds to the HDMI Output 1 source you select in the Encoder control panel.

Input Pins

AV Input 1, 2, 3

The AV Input pins receive the combined video and audio signals from the Q-LAN network. Connect an AV Input pin to an AV Output pin on the I/O Encoder component.

HDMI AV Input 1

Each pin represents one of the two HDMI inputs on the NV-21-HU. Connect this pin to a Generic AV Source component HDMI AV Output pin.

Output Pins

HDMI AV Output 1

This pin output a selectable signal from any of the AV I/O inputs, including the AV inputs and local HDMI inputs. Connect this pin to a Generic HDMI Display HDMI AV Input pin. By default, a single HDMI AV output pin is exposed.

Note: Each HDMI output supplies up to 120mA on the +5v signal line.

HDMI 1, 2 Channel 1, 2

If enabled in the component Properties (HDMI Output Mode is set to "HDMI 1 + HDMI 2"), select the number of audio pins to expose – from 0 to 8 – for routing to other Q-SYS audio components, such as a network amplifier. This audio corresponds to the HDMI Output 1 or 2 source you select in the Decoder control panel.

Tip: These pins automatically send audio for whatever HDMI video source is selected for display. No additional programming is required to align audio and video signals.

In this example, a single display is being used in a small conference room.

In this example, Room B is acting as an overflow for Room A. This design is using NV-21-HU as an Encoder and NV-32-H as a Decoder.

In this example, two inputs are multiplexed onto one output stream in the Encoder.

In this example, the room contains an HDMI AV source, and a USB-C AV Source. Each can display a separate network AV source.

Tip: You can also route audio to a display by exposing audio input pins for that display. This can be useful, for example, for inserting audio from a Q-SYS PA system (pages) for output on a display's internal speakers or a connected speaker bar. For more information, and to see an example, see Generic HDMI Display.

Network Video Endpoint Properties

Name

The Name may contain ASCII letters 'a' through 'z' (case-insensitive), the digits '0' through '9', and the hyphen. Names cannot begin or end with a hyphen. No other symbols, punctuation characters, or blank spaces are permitted.

Note: This name must match the Hostname for the Core as defined in Core Manager. If you use Telnet or third-party external control, you must enter the Name exactly as it is entered here.

Location

User-defined name that groups the component with other components in the same physical location – for example, "Rack 1" – or in the same organizational scheme.

Is Required

Select your Q-SYS Core processor model. See AV I/O (NV-21-HU) for a list of selectable Core models.

Dynamically Paired

Indicates that this virtual component can be paired with the same type of hardware without changing the network id of the hardware, or the name of this component. Refer to the Q-SYS Core Manager Dynamic Pairing topic for more information.

External USB Audio

When enabled, you can connect an external audio device to the USB input and route audio to and from that device. See External USB Audio Device In and External USB Audio Device Out.

HDMI / Shift AV

Device Type

Can set the NV-21-HU as a Decoder or Encoder.

AV Input Count

For Decoders only, this property determines the number of exposed AV input pins, from 0 to 480. The default is '3'.

HDMI Output Mode

This property determines the functionality of the NV-21-HU HDMI outputs.

HDMI 1: Video and audio output is enabled for the HDMI 1 output connector.

HDMI 1 Audio Pins

If enabled in the component Properties (HDMI Output Mode is set to "HDMI 1 + HDMI 2"), select the number of audio pins to expose – from 0 to 8 – for routing to other Q-SYS audio components, such as a network amplifier. This audio corresponds to the HDMI Output 1 or 2 source you select in the HDMI I/O control panel.

Tip: These pins automatically send audio for whatever HDMI video source is selected for display. No additional programming is required to align audio and video signals.

AV IP Streaming

For Encoders only, this property determines the network streaming method for Q-LAN AV streams:

  • Compiler Choice: (Default) Select this option to allow Q-SYS Designer Software to determine whether unicast (one-to-one) or multicast (one-to-many) is best for your configuration. This is the recommended option.
  • Unicast: Select this option when your design contains one-to-one AV routing, meaning that each AV output pin in your design is connected to a single AV input pin.
  • Multicast: Select this option when your design contains one-to-many AV routing, meaning that an AV output pin is connected to multiple AV input pins.

HDMI Output Mode

This property determines the functionality of the NV-21-HU HDMI outputs.

  • None: (Default) Video and audio output is disabled for the HDMI output connector.
  • HDMI 1: Video and audio output is enabled for the HDMI 1 output connector.

USB Bridging

These properties appear based on the USB bridging capabilities of the Q-SYS device. Refer to the USB Video Bridge and USB Audio Bridge topics to see what Q-SYS Core processors and peripherals support USB bridging.

USB Bridge Name

User-defined name given to the USB Bridge, from 1 to 24 characters. The Name may contain ASCII letters 'a' through 'z' (case-insensitive), the digits '0' through '9', and the hyphen. Names cannot begin or end with a hyphen. No other symbols, punctuation characters, or blank spaces are permitted. This option only appears when the NV-32-H is set to Core Mode; it does not appear when set as an Encoder or Decoder.

Zoom Compatibility

If you are using the HID Conferencing component to control a remote computer running Zoom, set this property to 'Enabled.' Otherwise, when controlling another conferencing app such as Skype for Business, set to 'Disabled' (default). When this property is enabled, the USB Bridge Name property is disabled, and the USB Bridge automatically uses the name of the device for compatibility with Zoom's allowed device list – for example, "Q-SYS Core 110f" or "Q-SYS NV-32-H".

Tip: Enabling Zoom Compatibility may improve the user experience with macOS conferencing solutions.

USB Video Bridge

Enable the USB Video Bridge to bridge Q-SYS Mediacast streams to USB, enabling you to view Mediacast video on a connected computer. This exposes the USB Video Bridge component in the I/O-USB Bridge Inventory tree. To see what Properties are available when the USB Video Bridge is enabled, see USB Video Bridge.

UVC Camera Control

When this is enabled (disabled by default), the camera can be controlled by far-end third party applications which support Relative Movement Commands. When disabled, the cameras cannot be controlled by the applications.

Video Formats

See Video Formats for more information.

USB Audio Bridge

Provides the capability of passing audio via USB. When this is set to anything except 'Disabled', you can drag the Speakerphone and/or Sound Card components from the device's Inventory tree into your design. To see what Properties are available when the USB Audio Bridge is enabled, see USB Audio Bridge.

  • Disabled: (Default)
  • Speakerphone (1 x 1): Provides a speakerphone with an input and output component, each having 1 audio connection.
  • Sound Card (2 x 2): Provides a sound card with an input and output component, each having two (stereo) audio connections.
  • Speakerphone and Sound Card: Provides one speakerphone and one sound card with the same capabilities as described above.
  • Advanced – If supported, allows up to any combination of four speakerphone / sound cards.

Speakerphone Mode

This selection is available only when Speakerphone or Speakerphone and Sound Card is selected in the USB Audio Bridge property. Indicates if the Q-SYS design has Echo Canceling (EC) or Non-Echo Canceling (NEC). This information is provided to the PC or Mac operating system so it can determine whether or not to use its own echo canceling.

Graphic Properties

Label

Use the Label property to change the name of the component in the schematic. The Label property defaults to the component name. To learn more about renaming schematic elements, see Organizing Your Design.

Position

The coordinates reference a specific place in the schematic - for example,"100,100" (horizontal, vertical). 0,0 is the upper left corner of the schematic.

Fill

Sets the fill color of the component in the schematic.

Script Access Properties

Code Name

Displays the currently assign name for control access. You can use the auto-assigned name or customize it. Q-SYS will automatically check all Code Names in the design to ensure name is unique.

Script Access

Defines whether the component will be accessible by script and/or externally, or not at all. Choices include All, External, None (default), and Script.

Tip: Use Script Programmer Mode to quickly view the Script Access setting directly on the component in the design schematic without the need to disconnect from the Q-SYS Core processor.

Note: Available controls depend on the Supported Q-SYS Hardware, mode, and whether the AV I/O component is configured as an Encoder or Decoder (if applicable).

Input Select HDMI

This enables or disables the NV-21-HU HDMI input.

When set to true, HDMI source content is routed into a single AV stream and can also be selected on the Encoder's local HDMI output.

When set to false, USB-C source content is routed into a single AV stream and can also be selected on the encoder’s local HDMI output.

Note: Switching between USB-C and HDMI modes is not seamless. It is a hard switch that allows for USB-C content or HDMI content, not both simultaneously. It can take up to 5 seconds for connections to recover when changing the Input Select HDMI toggle button.

Encoder Network Settings

Source

Displays the AV Stream in which it is wired.

IP Streaming

LED indicates whether the Encoder is actively transmitting AV audio and video data to a Decoder via SRTP on the Q-LAN network. This applies to both unicast or multicast streams.

SRTP Address

Displays the IP address that the Encoder is using to send AV network audio and video streams directly to Decoders:

  • For unicast streams, this is the Encoder's IP address.
  • For multicast streams, this is the multicast address assigned in Core Manager.

Bitrate (Mbps)

Specify the maximum average network video bitrate the Encoder can use to send AV streams to Decoders, from 50 to 800. The default is 750.

Lower bitrates consume less network bandwidth, but at the expense of compromised video quality during fast motion and transitions. For acceptable video quality:

  • 4K60 stream – set the bitrate to at least 650 Mbps.
  • 1080p streams – set to the bitrate so that each stream can use at least 250 Mbps.

Note: The Bitrate value is shared across all AV streams. For example, if you set the Bitrate to 600, the first AV stream can use a maximum of 600 Mbps. If a second stream becomes active, both streams can use 300 Mbps. If a third stream becomes active, each stream can use 200 Mbps.

Ref Frame Interval

This value determines how often video artifacts introduced by network errors are eliminated in the video stream. The value, between 90 and 255, is the number of video frames before a complete refresh occurs. The default is 90. A longer interval results in a lower video bitrate (thus consuming less network bandwidth), but at the expense of video artifacts persisting during the interval.

Encoder Mode

This property determines the maximum allowed AV stream resolution and what happens when the Encoder video streaming capabilities are exceeded.

  • 4K60 max - One Hot Plug Event: (Default) This option allows a maximum stream resolution of 4K60. However, because an Encoder is limited to processing a single stream at resolutions above 1080p60, a request from a Decoder to process an additional AV stream on another input triggers a "hot plug event": Any Encoder input EDID with a resolution greater than 1080p60 is automatically re-negotiated down to 1080p60 maximum, thus allowing the Encoder to provide up to three streams. When this occurs, there is a momentary disruption of video processing across all AV streams. (This negotiation and disruption mimics what occurs when unplugging and plugging back in an HDMI cable, hence the term.) When all AV inputs become idle, the source EDIDs then reset to allow resolutions greater than 1080p60 again.
  • 1080p60 max - No Hot Plug Events: This option limits all streams to 1080p60 maximum. Because an Encoder can process three simultaneous streams up to 1080p60, there is no EDID re-negotiation when a Decoder requests subsequent streams.

HDMI Output 1 Source

This section only appears when the HDMI Output Mode component property is set to "HDMI 1". Select which source to output through the Encoder's HDMI AV Output 1 pin. You can select a source using either the drop-down menu, numeric input, or trigger buttons. The Active HDMI LED indicates what sources are active and selectable.

  • Graphic 1, 2, 3: Toggle a graphic to display that you assign in Q-SYS Core Manager. Numeric input values are 1, 2, and 3.
  • Local In 1, 2: These inputs correspond to the sources connected to the HDMI AV Input pins 1 and 2. Numeric input values are 4 and 5.

HDMI Outputs

Input Select HDMI

This enables or disables the NV-21-HU HDMI output.

When set to true, HDMI source content can be selected on the decoder’s local HDMI output.

When set to false, USB-C source content can be selected on the decoder’s local HDMI output.

Note: Switching between USB-C and HDMI modes is not seamless. It is a hard switch that allows for USB-C content or HDMI content, not both simultaneously. It can take up to 5 seconds for connections to recover when changing the Input Select HDMI toggle button.

HDMI Output 1

Select which sources to output through the Decoder's HDMI AV Output pins. The Active AV LED indicates what sources are active and selectable.

  • Graphic 1, 2, 3: Toggle a graphic to display that you assign in Q-SYS Core Manager. Numeric input values are 1, 2, and 3.
  • Local In 1, 2: These inputs correspond to the sources connected to the HDMI AV Input pins 1 and 2. Numeric input values are 4 and 5.
  • AV 1 - n: These inputs correspond to the sources connected to the AV Input pins, where n is the value specified for the AV Input Count property. Numeric input values range from 7 to 9, depending on what is specified for the AV Input Count property.

Note: Available controls depend on the Supported Q-SYS Hardware, mode, and whether the HDMI I/O component is configured as an Encoder or Decoder (if applicable).

Pin Name

Value

String

Position

Pins Available

Network

Input 1

Source

0

n

0

n

0.000 to 1.00

Output

SRTP Address

  

(text)

Output

Streaming

0

1

false

true

0

1

Output

Encoder Mode

-

4K60 max - One Hot Plug Event

1080p60 max - No Hot Plug Events

-

Input / Output

Ref Frame Interval

5 to 255

-

0.000 to 1.00

Input / Output

Video Bitrate

50 to 800

-

0.000 to 1.00

Input / Output

Input Select HDMI

0

1

false

true

0

1

Input / Output

Pin Name

Value

String

Position

Pins Available

Output 1

Active

        

AV 1, 2, 3

0

1

false

true

0

1

Output

Local In 1, 2

0

1

false

true

0

1

Output

Select

        

AV 1, 2, 3

0

1

false

true

0

1

Output

Graphic 1, 2, 3

0

1

false

true

0

1

Input / Output

Local In 1, 2

0

1

false

true

0

1

Input / Output

Source

0

n

0

n

0.000 to 1.00

Output

Source Type

 

(text)

 

Output

Select by Name

-

Graphic n

Local In n

-

Input / Output

Select by Number

n

(1 to n)

 - -

Input / Output

Input Select HDMI

0

1

false

true

0

1

Input / Output