Migrating to Q-SYS 8.x Releases
Q-SYS 8.x releases include the new Q-SYS Core Manager, which replaces many Q-SYS Administrator functions and all Q-SYS Configurator functions for Q-SYS Core processors.
Read the following sections carefully before upgrading to or downgrading from Q-SYS 8.x. See the Upgrade Path Requirements section for special requirements when upgrading from specific versions.
Design File Compatibility
CAUTION: Before upgrading, save a backup copy of system designs.
Design files saved in version 8.x cannot be opened in Q-SYS version 7.2 or lower.
About Q-SYS Core Manager
Q-SYS Core Manager replaces most Q-SYS Administrator functions and all Q-SYS Configurator functions for Q-SYS Core processors.
- UCI user PINs, event log management, audio file management, SNMP configuration, and camera management have all moved from Q-SYS Administrator to Q-SYS Core Manager.
- Configuration of LAN adapters, changing the Q-SYS Core's time and date, rebooting the Core, downloading logs, installing Q-SYS Feature Licenses, and configuring Network Services are all now handled within Core Manager.
To learn how to access Q-SYS Core Manager after upgrading, and to see a list of all its management functions, see Q-SYS Core Manager.
Core Device Passwords
CAUTION: After upgrading, the Q-SYS Core is unprotected. To restrict access to the Q-SYS Core, you must create users and assign permissions in Q-SYS Core Manager.
The Core Device Password is not used in Q-SYS 8.x, and has been replaced with individual users and passwords configured in Q-SYS Core Manager. The Core Device Password is not automatically converted to a user in Q-SYS Core Manager.
- Before upgrading, use Q-SYS Configurator to clear the Core Device Password to avoid being prompted for user credentials. If you are prompted for user credentials when upgrading, use "admin" for User Name, followed by the Core Device Password.
- The ability to 'Save to Core & Run' (including firmware updates), and 'Load from Core & Connect' are restricted by Q-SYS Core Manager Access Control. Only users with 'Administrator' and 'Technician' roles can perform these actions.
- Peripheral Device Passwords are unchanged in Q-SYS 8.x.
To learn how to enable Access Control and create users in Q-SYS Core Manager, see the Users topic in the Q-SYS Core Manager help.
User Control Interface PIN Protection
CAUTION: To restrict UCI access after upgrading, you must create new PINs and assign them to UCIs in Q-SYS Core Manager.
User Control Interface (UCI) access control via Q-SYS Administrator users is removed when upgrading to Q-SYS 8.x. To learn how to create PINs and assign them to UCIs in Q-SYS Core Manager, see the User Control Interfaces topic in the Q-SYS Core Manager help.
Redundant Core Configuration
Core Users
In Q-SYS 8.x, Core users (created in Q-SYS Core Manager) are not synchronized between redundant Q-SYS Cores. In a redundant Core setup, you must enable Access Control and create users on both the primary and secondary Core. (User names do not have to be the same).
Event Logging
In previous Q-SYS versions, Q-SYS Administrator merged the Eventlog for each active/standby pair in a redundant Core configuration, which made it difficult to diagnose complex issues across a pair of Cores. In Q-SYS 8.x, the Eventlogs are no longer merged, so you can now view each Core's Eventlog separately to see what events occurred while Active. (No events are recorded on the Core when in Standby state.)
Q-SYS Administrator Changes
Access Control
Access to Q-SYS Administrator is now governed by Q-SYS Core Manager users and user roles:
- If Access Control is enabled, only users with 'Administrator' or 'Technician' roles can use Q-SYS Administrator and its functions.
- If Access Control is disabled, anyone can access Q-SYS Administrator and all of its functions.
- Page-by-page access control is no longer supported in Q-SYS Administrator.
To learn how to control access in Q-SYS Core Manager, see the Users topic in the Q-SYS Core Manager help.
Function Migration to Q-SYS Core Manager
UCI user PINs, event log management, audio file management, SNMP configuration, and camera management have moved to Q-SYS Core Manager.
The following functions remain in Q-SYS Administrator in version 8.x:
- PA administrative functions, including PA Global Settings, Page Stations, PA Zones, Commands, and Command Scheduling.
- PIN users for Page Stations, External Control Protocol, and File Management Protocol.
Audio File Management
In Q-SYS 8.x, audio file management is available in the new Q-SYS Core Manager > Audio Files page.
Note: The ability to manage audio files is determined by Q-SYS Core Manager permissions. If Access Control is enabled, any user with the Administrator or Technician role can manage audio files. If Access Control is disabled, anyone can manage audio files.
To learn how to manage audio files in Q-SYS Core Manager, see the Audio Files topic in the Q-SYS Core Manager help.
Emulation Mode Changes
Q-SYS Core Manager is not accessible from Q-SYS Designer when running a design in Emulation mode. Core Manager can always be accessed via network connection and web browser.
Design-specific parameters that remain in Q-SYS Administrator (PA Global Settings, Page Stations, PA Zones, Commands, and Command Scheduling) are still accessible in Emulation mode.
Downgrade Requirements and Considerations
If you choose to downgrade from Q-SYS 8.x to an earlier version, note the following:
- Before downgrading, disable Access Control in Q-SYS Core Manager, or create an Administrator user called "admin". Earlier Q-SYS versions will prompt for the "admin" password (but not the username) when saving and running the design.
Note: Disabling Access Control removes all Q-SYS 8.x users from the Q-SYS Core. If you do not disable Access Control, these users are retained (but are not used) on the Q-SYS Core after downgrading. If you later decide to upgrade again, you will need to remember these credentials.
- In the earlier Q-SYS version and design file, open Administrator and temporarily set the Guest account Administrator parameter to 'Yes' and the Load from Core & Connect parameter to 'Yes'. After downgrading, you can set these parameters back to 'No', if desired.
- Downgrading the Q-SYS Core to previous firmware does not automatically restore legacy UCI PIN protection for UCIs. You must load a backed up design file, saved with a previous Q-SYS version, that has UCI protection enabled in Q-SYS Administrator.
What's New in 8.1.1
Version 8.1.1 is a maintenance release of the Q-SYS platform. It primarily includes fixes to issues affecting version 8.1.0.
Resolved Known Issues
- Streaming I/O: Softphone – Selecting TCP or TLS as the Transport protocol no longer defaults to UDP.
- Streaming I/O: AES67 – An issue with parsing invalid SAP announcements has been fixed.
- Audio-Video I/O: The Generic HDMI Display's dBFS audio meters now display the proper level immediately after deploying a design.
- Audio: An issue causing loss of low frequency with Custom Voicing and CXD-Q and DPA-Q amplifiers has been resolved.
- Control: Text alignment (both horizontal and vertical) is now reflected properly in the HTML5 browser-based UCI viewer in Q-SYS Core Manager.
- Control: Text color is now reflected properly in the HTML5 browser-based UCI viewer in Q-SYS Core Manager.
- Control: UCI Viewer now properly reconnects to a User Control Interface if the PC's LAN connection is disrupted and resumed.
- Control: Text field controls configured with the "No Background" property selected now display properly in a UCI if the design is upgraded from a pre-8.1 version.
- Control: A polygon with an assigned Control ID now properly shows its Off Color in Q-SYS Designer.
- Control: Setting an EventHandler to PAZoneStatus (for example, when scripting a PA Router with Control Script) no longer causes Designer to close unexpectedly when emulating.
- Control: Designer no longer closes unexpectedly when loading a design with a UCI page containing no layers.
Other Updates
Core 110f USB Audio Bridging
QSC recommends that users with designs containing a Q-SYS Core 110f with USB Audio Bridging enabled – especially designs with heavy signal processing usage – upgrade to version 8.1.1, as DSP utilization efficiency is improved in this release compared to 8.1.0.
Softphone Domains
As part of a Softphone known issue fix, support introduced in 8.1.0 for having separate Softphone domains has been removed. If you specify a Domain (optional), the Proxy address must be in the same domain. This behavior is the same as releases prior to 8.1.0.
What's New in 8.1.0
Version 8.1.0 includes these new features, updates, and resolved known issues.
Inventory / Q-SYS Hardware
CAUTION: Q-SYS 8.1.0 includes updated Generic Speaker and Generic 70/100 V Speaker component properties. These changes affect upgrading existing designs and downgrading to previous versions. Read Generic Speaker Changes and Generic 70/100 V Speaker Changes before upgrading or downgrading.
Support for NV Series (NV-32-H) Network Video Endpoint
The new Q-SYS NV-32-H is a network video endpoint native to the Q-SYS Ecosystem, serving as a multi-stream, software-configurable HDMI encoder/decoder that enables network-based video distribution. Optimized for the meeting room, the NV-32-H delivers the right balance of high quality (supporting resolutions up to 4K60 4:4:4), low-latency and network-efficient video distribution across a standard gigabit infrastructure.
The NV-32-H is available from the Inventory menu in the new 'Video' category. To learn more about the NV-32-H and its related Q-SYS Designer components, see NV-32-H Network Video Endpoint.
Note: 4K60 4:4:4 requires an HDMI 2.0 cable capable of 18 Gbps. For the initial release, the NV-32-H only supports RGB 4:4:4 video sources.
New 'Video' Category
The Inventory menu has been reorganized to include a new Video tab, which contains all video-related peripherals:
- I/O USB Bridge
- NV-32-H Network Video Endpoint
- PTZ Cameras
- Generic HDMI Display and Source
Support for CX-Q Series Network Amplifiers
The new CX-Q Series network amplifiers combine a legacy of robust power amplifiers, advancements in high-efficiency output devices, and native network transport, control and monitoring capabilities of the Q-SYS Ecosystem. CX-Q Series features four-and eight-channel models, capable of delivering customized power output loading and a total maximum power of up to 8000 W. Low impedance, 70 V or 100 V direct drive are available on all channels.
CX-Q amplifiers are available from the Inventory menu in the Amplifiers category. To learn more about CX-Q amps, see the CX-Q Series product page on the QSC website.
Generic Speaker Changes
The Generic Speaker component includes new properties that allow you to specify the direct parameters for limiters: RMS Threshold, RMS Attack, RMS Release, and Peak Voltage. These properties replace the Speaker Impedance, RMS Power, Voice Coil Diameter, and Compression Driver properties found in previous releases. When upgrading to 8.1.0, the old parameters are converted to the new parameters automatically.
CAUTION: If you downgrade an 8.1.0 system to a previous release, the new 8.1.0 properties are erased and replaced with the previous release's properties and default values.
For more information on these properties, see Generic Speaker.
Generic 70/100 V Speaker Changes
The Generic 70/100 V Speaker component includes a new Line Voltage property. This property sets the amplifier's gain to output the specified voltage (70V or 100V) when an input voltage is applied at input sensitivity.
Note: This property changes the gain of some connected CXD-Q and DPA-Q amplifiers. DataPort models are not affected.
CXD4.2Q / DPA4.2Q – No gain change. (These models only support 70/100V when the outputs are configured for A+B C+D. For more information, see 70V, 100V Mode.)
CXD4.3Q / DPA4.3Q – If set to 70V, gain decreases. If set to 100V, gain increases.
CXD4.5Q / DPA4.5Q – If set to 70V, gain decreases. If set to 100V, gain stays the same.
For more information on Generic 70/100 V Speaker properties, see Generic 70/100 V Speaker.
New Inventory Grouping Option
A new 'Group by Enterprise Manager' option sorts inventory items based on Q-SYS Reflect Enterprise Manager licensing requirements. From the Inventory pane, click { } > Group by Enterprise Manager.
Note: Q-SYS Reflect Enterprise Manager is a cloud-based monitoring and management tool available later in 2019.
Adjustable GPS Clock Baud Rate
You can now adjust the baud rate for external GPS clocking devices connected to the Q-SYS Core's GPIO pins.
For more information, see Clocking.
User Control Interfaces (UCIs)
Support for CSS UCI Styles
You can install custom Cascading Style Sheet (.css) files to a design, and then apply a selected style to a UCI. This makes it easy to apply the same style to multiple UCI elements. It also allows for UCI design uniformity throughout an organization, since the same styles can be used for multiple designs.
To learn more about this feature, see UCI Styles.
Web Browser UCI Viewer
The HTML5-based UCI viewer is officially released in Q-SYS 8.1.0. Access UCIs from Q-SYS Core Manager:
- From the navigation menu, go to System Management > User Control Interfaces.
- Select a UCI from the list, and then click Open.
Note: The web browser UCI viewer does not currently support CSS UCI Styles.
Inventory Status UCI Removed
The default Inventory Status UCI has been removed, as its function is replaced by the Q-SYS Core Manager > Status page, which provides a listing of inventory items and their statuses.
Note: Designs created in previous versions and opened in version 8.1.0 still include the Inventory Status UCI, but you can optionally select it and delete it.
Q-SYS Core Manager
Open User Control Interfaces from Core Manager
Open, view, and interact with Q-SYS UCIs directly from Q-SYS Core Manager.
For more information, see User Control Interfaces in the Q-SYS Core Manager Help.
New Responsive Design and Web Layout
Q-SYS Core Manager now features a responsive design web layout for better performance on touch-based devices. The navigation menu now collapses to an icon listing whenever the window size is significantly reduced.
New 'Video Endpoints' Page
Use the System Management > Video Endpoints page in Q-SYS Core Manager to manage network settings, image content, and EDID files for the NV Series Network Video Endpoints in your design.
For more information, see the Video Endpoints topic in the Q-SYS Core Manager Help.
New 'Reflect' Page
Use the Core Management > Reflect page in Q-SYS Core Manager to test your Q-SYS Core's ability to connect to the Reflect servers. A successful test indicates that your Core has a valid connection for future monitoring with Q-SYS Reflect Enterprise Manager.
See the Reflect topic in Q-SYS Core Manager Help to prepare your Core for monitoring and test your connection.
Note: Q-SYS Reflect Enterprise Manager is a cloud-based monitoring and management tool available later in 2019.
Improved 'Network Settings' Page
The Network Settings user interface has been improved, including new messaging that advises against configuring a default Gateway on more than one LAN adapter.
For more information, see Network Settings in the Q-SYS Core Manager Help.
Audio Components
Flattop Graphic Equalizer
The new Flattop Graphic Equalizer component is similar to the standard Graphic Equalizer, but offers asymmetrical filtering for more precision tuning of loudspeaker responses. It allows you to specify how quickly a response transitions from the non-gain region to the gain region or vice versa.
To learn about this component, see Flattop Graphic Equalizer.
Flattop Parametric Equalizer
The new Flattop Parametric Equalizer component is similar to the standard Parametric Equalizer, but offers asymmetrical filtering for more precision tuning of loudspeaker responses. It allows you to adjust both lower and upper transition bandwidths and frequencies independently.
To learn about this component, see Flattop Parametric Equalizer.
Control and Scripting Components
Event Logger
Use the new Event Logger component to place custom event messages – with a specified severity – into the Q-SYS Core's event log. Log entries can optionally include argument strings from the control pins of other design components.
To learn about this component, see Event Logger.
Block Controller – Support for Named Components
Named components in a design can now be scripted in Block Controller. If your design contains named components, a new Named Components drop-down menu is available within the block editor.
For an example, see Working with Named Components.
Text Controller, Control Script – Support for Virtual Serial Ports
The Text Controller and Control Script components now support virtual serial port output pins. These outputs emulate the functionality of Q-SYS hardware Serial Port components for connection to remote serial server devices. Use these pins with the new SerialServerPorts Lua scripting library.
Monitor Components (New)
Ping
Use the new Ping component to check whether a device is reachable on the network based on defined parameters.
To learn about this component, see Ping.
SNMP Query
Use the new SNMP Query component to monitor up to 16 OIDs obtained from an SNMP-enabled device's MIB file. You can set conditions for monitoring each OID.
To learn about this component, see SNMP Query.
Preferences, Design Properties, and Compiler
Preferences: Design File Auto-Save
The new 'File Recovery Save' option, if enabled, allows Designer to save a backup of your design file every 1 to 120 minutes. In the event of a problem forcing Designer to close, you are prompted to select one or more design files to recover (if any were saved) at the next Designer start-up.
To learn more, see Preferences.
Design Properties: PTP and MTU Properties
New design properties assist with complex PTP environments and network requirements:
- PTP Priority 1, 2: You can now set two PTP priority levels to help determine which device will be the PTPv2 Grandmaster. If multiple designs share the same value for Priority 1, then Priority 2 is used as a backup.
- PTP Force On: You can now enable PTP for a selected LAN interface when it would not otherwise be required by the design – for example, if you have configured a Loop Player component for GPS External as the time source.
- MTU Value: The maximum transfer unit (MTU) is the largest unit of data Q-SYS can transact on the Ethernet network before fragmenting packets. If your network is incompatible with the default MTU value of 1500, you can now manually change it.
To learn about these new properties, see Design Properties.
Compiler: License Requirements
File > Check Design now shows details for all Q-SYS Core and Enterprise Manager license requirements.
Lua Scripting
Ping
Use the new Ping library in Lua to check whether a device is reachable on the network.
For more information, see Ping.
SNMP
Use the new SNMP library in Lua to monitor OIDs obtained from an SNMP-enabled device's MIB file.
For more information, see SNMP.
SNMPTrap
Use the new SNMPTrap library in Lua to receive trap notifications from an SNMP-enabled device.
For more information, see SNMPTrap.
SerialServerPorts
Use the new SerialServerPorts library to emulate the functionality of a Q-SYS hardware Serial Port component, while internally redirecting connection state and data bidirectionally to and from a remote serial server device. SerialServerPorts is supported by the Text Controller and Control Script scripting components.
For more information, see SerialServerPorts.
Network.Interfaces – Additional Values
The Network.Interfaces function now returns the IP address (.Address), MAC address (.MACAddress), broadcast address (.BroadcastAddress), gateway (.Gateway), and netmask (.Netmask) for each interface.
For more information, see Network.
System.LockingId
The new System.LockingId function returns the Q-SYS Core's Locking ID, which is used for Q-SYS feature license activation.
For more information, see System.
Telephony
Softphone: Support for Mid-call Codec Changes
Q-SYS Softphone now supports a codec change while a call is in progress. (Previously, a mid-call codec change could cause audio distortion.)
Softphone: Support for Separate Domains
In the Softphone configuration in Q-SYS Core Manager, if you specify a Domain (optional), the Proxy address is no longer required to be in the same domain.
External Control
PA Remote API Enhancements
PageStatusnow returns the audit (recorded) filename.ZoneStatusnotifications now include more information, including the PageID, message name, and the audit filename of the currently executing request.- A new
PA.GetConfigAPI call retrieves the configured Zones, Tags, and Priorities. PageIDis now unique between connections and always returnsCommandIDwith responses.
For more information, see Q-SYS PA Remote API (PARAPI).
Resolved Known Issues
The following issues affecting Q-SYS version 8.0.0 are fixed in version 8.1.0:
- Audio: Flattop Parametric Equalizer is now officially released and supported.
- Audio: Loop Player can now work as intended when configured to use GPS External as its Time Source: You must enable 'PTP Force On' in the Design Properties.
- AV Bridging: You can now connect a Q-SYS Core 110f or Cinema Core 110c to a USB 3.0 host, with a USB 3.0 cable, for Audio and Video Bridging.
- Control: Configuring Block Controller to use a Named Controls block no longer produces an error in the Debug Output window.
- Core Manager: On a Q-SYS Core 250i, 500i, 1100, or 3100 with a media drive upgrade installed, clicking the Audio Files tab in Q-SYS Core Manager no longer produces an error.
- Core Manager: In Static mode, if you attempt to set a LAN adapter's default Gateway value to "0.0.0.0", you can now save the configuration.
- Core Manager: A search for inventory items containing special characters no longer produces a blank page.
- Core Manager: In a Core-redundant system, a Backup Core with normal status in Q-SYS Core Manager no longer shows as "Missing" in Q-SYS Designer.
- Touch Screen: TSC-3 touch screen controllers now boot properly when the network contains multiple Q-SYS Core processors with differing firmware versions.
Q-SYS Support Update
The Q-SYS Support email address (qsyssupport@qsc.com) is being decommissioned. Visit the QSC Self Help Portal to create support cases. For more information, see Support.
Upgrade Path Requirements
Note the following requirements when upgrading to release 8.x. In all cases, Q-SYS Core processors and peripherals must be at version 7.2.1 before upgrading to 8.x.
CAUTION: Designs you create or update with a newer Q-SYS Designer version and then open in an older version are likely to be incompatible and unusable with the older version of software. Before upgrading, create backup copies of your Q-SYS design files for both the current version and older versions, and back up all media on your Q-SYS Core processor. To avoid overwriting design file backups, do not open backup files with newer versions of Q-SYS Designer.
Upgrading from Versions 7.2, 7.1, 7.0, 6.2, 6.1
If you are upgrading from versions 7.2.0, 7.1.x, 7.0.x, 6.2.x, or 6.1.x:
- Upgrade to version 7.2.1.
- Upgrade to version 8.x.
Upgrading from Version 5.x
If you are upgrading from version 5.4.x, 5.3.x, 5.2.x, 5.1.x, or 5.0.x:
- Upgrade to version 6.0.0. See the version 6.0.0 Release Notes for upgrade requirements for that version.
- Upgrade to version 7.2.1.
- Upgrade to version 8.x.
Note: There is no need to update peripherals to version 6.0.0 in advance of updating to 7.2.1. Once the Q-SYS Core is running 7.2.1, it will update connected peripherals running version 5.x to version 7.2.1.
Upgrading from Version 4.1 or Earlier
If you are upgrading from a version earlier than 4.2:
- Upgrade to version 4.2. See the version 4.2 Release Notes for upgrade requirements for that version.
- Upgrade to version 6.0.0. See the version 6.0.0 Release Notes for upgrade requirements for that version.
- Upgrade to version 7.2.1.
- Upgrade to version 8.x.
Software Requirements
For software and firmware updates, see the QSC Software and Firmware page.
Operating System
- Windows 7 PRO 64-bit
- Windows 8.1 PRO 64-bit
- Windows 10 PRO 64-bit
Note: Windows 32-bit operating systems and Windows 8.0 PRO 64-bit are no longer supported.
Bundled Components
The Q-SYS Designer installation program automatically installs:
- Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5. (Internet access required.)
- Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6.2 Client Profile
- Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6.2 Extended
- Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Runtime
Ethernet Switch Requirements
Q-LAN relies on the performance of modern network switches to ensure real-time delivery and synchronicity of media streams across all connected Q-SYS devices. See Ethernet Switch Requirements to understand your options in choosing a network switch, as well as the requirements for compatibility with Q-LAN.
Design File Compatibility
Q-SYS Designer release numbering convention is a three-level system – major release.minor release.build number (2.2.100). Larger numbers indicate a newer release. If the "major.minor" release number of a design file and Q-SYS Designer software are the same, the "build" number doesn't matter. You will have to upgrade/downgrade your hardware to the same "build" number as the Q-SYS Designer software to Run the design on the Core processor.
You cannot open a design file with a newer "major.minor" release number than the Q-SYS Designer software. For example, you cannot open a 4.2.nnn design file with 3.3.nnn Q-SYS Designer software.
You can open a design file with an older "major.minor" release number than the Q-SYS Designer software. For example, you can open a 3.3.nnn design file with Release 4.2.nnn Q-SYS Designer software. If you save the file with the newer software, you cannot save it back to an older release.
Note: Make sure your design files are backed up using your current release before starting the upgrade to a newer release.
