Q-SYS 9.0.1

This topic covers release information for Q-SYS 9.0 and any maintenance releases.

Version 9.0.1 is a maintenance release of the Q-SYS platform. It includes these resolved issues and other updates.

Resolved Known Issues

  • Audio: CXD-Q, CX-Q, and DPA-Q amplifiers with Standalone Mode enabled now properly route audio from inputs to corresponding outputs after a power cycle.
  • Audio: Timeline [BETA] now plays back audio as expected when External Sync is enabled.
  • Audio: In Q-SYS Administrator > Commands > Add PA Play Message Command, browsing audio files in the Messages folder is once again possible when Access Control is enabled on the Core.
  • Audio: Loop Player now works as expected when using an LTC time source.
  • Video: For designs that contain a large number of NV-32-H Network Video Endpoints, copying and pasting or deleting AV stream wire tags no longer causes Designer to temporarily freeze.
  • Video: I/O-USB Bridge stability has been improved.
  • Core Manager: File playback from the Audio Files page is now possible when a Core has Access Control enabled.
  • Core Manager: Renaming files and playlists on the Audio Files page now occurs without delay.
  • Designer: Canceling a Core firmware update and then attempting to update the firmware again no longer causes the progress meter to hang at 0%.

Other Updates

Q-SYS Core Manager and Enterprise Manager have recently received a number of new features for easier uploading, downloading, management, and previewing of audio files and playlists. However, to facilitate custom software applications and the automation of playlists and media file management – outside of Core Manager or Enterprise Manager – QSC has introduced two new, dedicated APIs for those purposes.

API Notes and Requirements

  • Download the APIs from the Q-SYS Designer Software page on the QSC website.
  • The new RESTful APIs allow the user to upload, download, and delete audio files on the Q-SYS Core processor as well as build and modify playlists from those files.
  • The APIs also describe how to authenticate with Q-SYS Cores where Access Control is enabled.
  • For security purposes, QSC recommends that these APIs are implemented using HTTPS.
  • The new Media Management APIs work on any Cores running Q-SYS v9.0.0 or higher and will be updated in the future with improvements and further new features.

Deprecation Notice

With the introduction of the new Media Management APIs, these old and rarely used capabilities will be deprecated starting with Q-SYS v9.3:

  • cgi-bin calls for media file management — This impacts anyone using the existing Q-SYS PA Remote API (PARAPI) or other custom software using the cgi-bin calls. Use the new Media Management APIs for audio file transfers instead.
  • The ability to access and traverse the /media file directory using a web browser — Q-SYS Core Manager now provides a much richer user experience.
  • The ability to enable an FTP server on the Core for media file management — Q-SYS Core Manager now provides a much richer user experience.
  • HTTP server on the Core — Transition all custom applications to HTTPS for security reasons.

Note: If you are using any of the methods described above within your Q-SYS systems, or custom software connecting to Q-SYS, QSC highly recommends that you start transitioning now to the new, supported APIs to ensure compatibility with future firmware releases. If you encounter any compatibility issues with the new APIs, contact Support.

Q-SYS Help includes new and updated guides for integrating Q-SYS with third-party telephony and video telepresence devices:

  • A new Hosted SIP Configuration topic provides general information about integrating Q-SYS Softphone with third-party providers.
  • Separate guides for Avaya, Cisco CUCM (single and multi-phone configurations), Cisco SX20 Codec, Jive, Nextiva, RingCentral, Vonage, and Zoom provide targeted setup content for these providers and devices.
  • The Q-SYS Softphone and SIP Overview topic includes revised and new content for learning about Q-SYS Softphone and the SIP protocol.

See the new Conferencing Integration page for a complete list of topics.

The Q-SYS Core Manager or Enterprise Manager > Audio Files page no longer restricts uploaded and downloaded file types.

The Help > About splash screen in Q-SYS Designer Software now displays the Q-SYS build number in addition to the version number.

Version 9.0.0 includes these new features, updates, and resolved issues.

Microsoft Teams Rooms Support

You can now integrate Q-SYS with a Microsoft Teams Room compute PC and room console. This integration includes multiple software elements:

  • Q-SYS Control for MTR application – .msi installed on the Microsoft Teams Room compute to enable Q-SYS UCIs on the Teams Room console.
  • MTR component in Q-SYS Designer – aids with setting up the Q-SYS Control for MTR application.
  • Q-SYS Software Feature License for Microsoft Teams Rooms – a single SKU purchase that enables both the Q-SYS Scripting and UCI Deployment licenses on the Core (for the same cost as the Scripting and UCI Deployment licenses combined). This is required for any Q-SYS-based Microsoft Teams Room deployment.
  • Microsoft Teams Sample Design File – contains certified DSP signal flow and DSP settings, including a Mobile Device Companion App UCI for optimizing room parameters. This is designed to be the basis for any Q-SYS-based Microsoft Teams Rooms deployment.
  • Microsoft Teams CSS Style – included with the Sample Design and also via Asset Manager, it provides a simple, repeatable method to make Q-SYS UCIs match the aesthetic of the native Teams UI.

To learn more, see Microsoft Teams Room (MTR).

Q-SYS Hardware

Q-SYS Designer Software includes support for three new Q-SYS Core processors and a new QSC loudspeaker.

The Core 8 Flex audio, video and control (AV&C) processor offers 64 x 64 networked audio channels plus eight on-board Flex channels and eight GPIO on-ramps to integrate analog audio and control devices into the Q-SYS Ecosystem.

To learn more, see Core 8 Flex.

The Q-SYS Core Nano audio, video and control (AV&C) processor offers purely network AV&C processing with 64 x 64 networked audio channels (no on-board analog audio channel support).

To learn more, see Core Nano.

The NV-32-H (Core Capable) is a multipurpose, software-configurable video endpoint native to the Q-SYS Ecosystem that offers two distinct operating modes:

  • Core Mode: Consolidated Q-SYS AV processor, control engine, and local HDMI video switcher to support video collaboration in small and medium sized meeting rooms and classrooms.
  • Peripheral Mode: Native HDMI and audio distribution without the need for additional control processors, bridges or complicated programming.

To learn more, see NV-32-H (Core Capable).

Note: The NV-32-H (Core Capable) is new hardware. Existing NV-32-H network video endpoints cannot be upgraded to add Core capability. You can identify whether an NV-32-H unit is Core Capable from the label on the underside of the unit. Core Capable units also have a Mode selector on the Core Manager or Peripheral Manager > Utilities page.

The AD-S5T is a 5.25-inch 2-way, 115° conical DMT loudspeaker. Add voicing for this new loudspeaker from the Q-SYS Designer Inventory > Loudspeakers > AcousticDesign - Surface Mount category.

  • To learn more about loudspeaker support in Q-SYS, see the Loudspeakers topic.
  • To see more AD-S5T features and specifications, see the AD-S5T product page on the QSC website.

Q-SYS Reflect Enterprise Manager

The new Enterprise Manager Professional Tier subscription includes two major system management and control features:

Click the new Sign In button in the top-right corner of the Q-SYS Designer interface to sign in to Q-SYS Reflect Enterprise Manager. This allows you to load from and save to Q-SYS Core processors remotely with no additional network configuration required.

To learn more, see the Loading and Saving Designs topic.

Access and control User Control Interfaces (UCIs) remotely from Enterprise Manager. To remotely manage a UCI in Enterprise Manager, go to Sites > Systems > User Control Interfaces.

To learn more, see the User Control Interfaces topic in Enterprise Manager Help.

Alert notification emails now indicate the time zone of the alert as specified in Alerts & Notifications > Settings. (Formerly, alert emails displayed the UTC time.)

To learn how to configure alert notification emails, see the Alerts & Notifications topic in Enterprise Manager Help.

Q-SYS Core Manager

Note: These updates also apply to the Enterprise Manager Sites > Systems pages.

The Audio Files page contains multiple improvements for audio file management:

  • Drag and drop files from your PC directly into an Audio Files folder.
  • Move files to playlists by simply clicking and dragging.
  • Easily move files by clicking and dragging to a subfolder or to a parent folder in the breadcrumbs.
  • Download files to your PC directly from the Audio Files page.

To learn more, see the Audio Files topic in Core Manager Help.

You can now configure multicast address ranges for Cameras, Video Endpoints, and AES67 Transmitters from a single location.

  • To learn more about multicast address assignment, see the Multicast topic in Core Manager Help.
  • To learn about the Q-SYS network requirements for multicasting, see the Multicast Traffic topic.

From the Utilities page, select whether a Core 510i or NV-32-H (Core Capable) functions as a Q-SYS Core processor ('Core' mode) or peripheral ('Peripheral' mode - formerly 'IO' mode).

Note: These mode options are also shown in Q-SYS Peripheral Manager.

To learn more, see the Utilities topic in Core Manager Help.

The HTML5-based UCI viewer within the User Control Interfaces page now supports UCIs with CSS styles applied.

To learn how to apply CSS styles to your UCI, see UCI Styles.

Q-SYS Peripheral Manager

In Q-SYS Configurator, all peripherals upgraded to version 9.0 include a link to Peripheral Manager (first released in v8.4 with limited functionality). In v9.0, Peripheral Manager now includes tabs for Network Settings and Utilities, which replaces the functionality formerly in Q-SYS Configurator.

  • Configure peripheral hostnames and LAN adapter settings, including mode (Auto, Static, Off) and static routing.
  • For NV-32-H devices, configure PoE capability.

To learn more, see Network Settings in Peripheral Manager Help.

  • Download the Log Archive.
  • For the NV-32-H (Core Capable) and Core 510i only, configure the Mode: Core or Peripheral.
  • Reboot the peripheral.

To learn more, see Utilities in Peripheral Manager Help.

Q-SYS Designer

Click the new Sign In button in the top-right corner of the Q-SYS Designer interface to sign in to Q-SYS Reflect Enterprise Manager. This feature is part of the new Q-SYS Reflect Enterprise Manager Professional Tier subscription.

To learn more, see Professional Tier: Remote Designer.

The File > Load from Core & Connect dialog contains many improvements:

  • F8 now opens the Load from Core & Connect dialog.
  • Discovered Cores now show the discovery method – LAN/Local, Hard Link, or Q-SYS Reflect.
  • Status icons provide an at-a-glance summary of discovered Cores and whether they are available to load from.
  • A new Manage icon/button links directly to Core Manager or Enterprise Manager for the selected Core.
  • Filter discovered Cores by discovery Path, Organization, Site, and Search term.

To learn more, see Loading and Saving Designs.

For devices that are discoverable but not on the same subnet (red status), you can now click the device to see its known IP address.

To learn more, see Configurator.

Audio

  • In addition to the existing support on the Core 110f, Software Dante is now supported on the Core Nano, Core 8 Flex, NV-32-H (Core Capable) in Core Mode, Core 510i, and Core 5200.
  • Multiple Software Dante TX and RX components can now be placed in your design with 8, 16, 32, or 64 channel sizes (depending on the Core model).

See the Software Dante TX or Software Dante RX topics to learn about Software Dante channel and stream usage for your Core model.

See the Licensing topic to learn about Software Dante licensing, including requirements for your Core model.

  • A new Hold option in the Q-SYS Core Manager > Softphones > Shared Settings section can be toggled off in cases where call audio does not resume after taking a call off hold. Enabled by default, toggling off this option forces compatibility with phone systems that do not properly use the Hold function.
  • For increased security, TLS 1.0 and 1.1 support has been removed from Q-SYS Softphone.

To learn more about Softphone parameters, see the Softphones topic in Core Manager Help.

Video

Toggle the new Video Mute control in the Generic HDMI Display component to replace video output with a black screen while still maintaining sync with the display. This is useful in situations where the user needs to briefly black the display - for example, when switching slide decks during a presentation.

To learn more, see Video Mute in the Generic HDMI Display topic.

The Generic HDMI Display component Idle Mode and Sleep Mode now have state LEDs that indicate if one of these modes is currently active. Use the associated control pins to trigger events in your design - for example, UCI page changes.

Control

You can now route USB HID signals to and from a Q-SYS I/O-USB Bridge. A common application is extending a keyboard & mouse or smart display touch screen to networked devices.

In support of this feature, the I/O-USB Bridge inventory tree now includes these components:

  • USB Input – Provides a visual representation of what is connected to the USB-A ports on the I/O-USB Bridge.
  • USB Output – Provides a visual representation of the USB-B connector on the I/O-USB Bridge, and indicates any issues or missing connections between the I/O-USB Bridge and the connected host.

Use these components in conjunction with the existing USB Router component.

Three HID components are now available from the I/O-USB Bridge inventory tree:

  • HID Keyboard - Trigger keystrokes on a remote computer connected to the I/O-USB Bridge.
  • HID Media - Control media application playback on a remote computer connected to the I/O-USB Bridge.
  • HID Conferencing - Control a conferencing application, such as Skype for Business or Zoom, on a remote computer connected to the I/O-USB Bridge.

User Control Interfaces that have CSS styles applied are now supported in the HTML5 UCI viewer in Core Manager and Enterprise Manager. See User Control Interfaces: UCI Viewer Support for CSS.

Inspector now indicates how much memory is currently being used by scripting components and plugins.

To learn more, see Inspector.

Use the QRCode library to generate a QR code graphic that links to a specified URL. For example, you could generate a QR code for a UCI button that, when scanned with a smartphone, takes the user to a website that provides instructions for using a conference room.

To learn more, see QRCode.

Host OS Support

  • Windows 7 PRO x64 is no longer supported as a host operating system for Q-SYS Designer Software.
  • You can now use Parallels to host Q-SYS Designer Software on a Mac. To learn more, see Software Requirements.

Resolved Known Issues

  • Audio: DCIO and DCIO-H GPIO inputs are no longer inverted if used with external 3.3 voltage.
  • Video: Specifying a Video Endpoint multicast address range in Core Manager or Enterprise Manager between 224-226 or 228-229 no longer produces an error.
  • Video: In a redundant Core configuration, Video Endpoint graphic images now sync properly between the Primary Core and Backup Core.
  • Video: PTZ camera status now properly shows as 'Not Present' if the 'Is Required' property is set to 'No' and the camera cannot be discovered.
  • Video: When controlling a PTZ camera using UVC from Zoom Rooms for Windows, pressing the zoom in (+) and zoom out (-) buttons and then releasing them now correctly stops the zoom movement.
  • Control: UCI layers now display properly in the HTML5 UCI viewer in Core Manager.
  • Control: Floating/undocked schematic and UCI pages can now accept control ID/settings transfers from other schematic and UCI pages.
  • Management: In Core Manager and Peripheral Manager, uploading a CSR template is now successful after clicking the Reset Form button.
  • Management: SSH can now be disabled for individual LAN adapters in Core Manager and Enterprise Manager.
  • Management: In Peripheral Manager > Status, the Device Model is now indicated properly for a Core 510i configured in Peripheral mode.
  • Management: To increase security against malicious file types, HTML and executable files can no longer be uploaded to the Core.
  • Management: In a redundant configuration, uploading large audio files (approx. 300 MB in size) in Enterprise Manager no longer results in an error.

Note these requirements when upgrading to release 9.0.x.

There are no special upgrade path requirements. You can upgrade directly to version 9.0.x.

If you are upgrading from versions 7.2.0, 7.1.x, 7.0.x, 6.2.x, or 6.1.x:

  1. Upgrade to version 7.2.1.
  2. Upgrade to version 9.0.x.

If you are upgrading from version 5.4.x, 5.3.x, 5.2.x, 5.1.x, or 5.0.x:

  1. Upgrade to version 6.0.0. See the version 6.0.0 Release Notes for upgrade requirements for that version.
  2. Upgrade to version 7.2.1.
  3. Upgrade to version 9.0.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.

If you are upgrading from a version earlier than 4.2:

  1. Upgrade to version 4.2. See the version 4.2 Release Notes for upgrade requirements for that version.
  2. Upgrade to version 6.0.0. See the version 6.0.0 Release Notes for upgrade requirements for that version.
  3. Upgrade to version 7.2.1.
  4. Upgrade to version 9.0.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.

For software and firmware updates, see the QSC Software and Firmware page.

  • Windows 8.1 PRO x64
  • Windows 10 PRO x64

Q-SYS Designer Software has been tested to work when running in a virtual Windows 10 environment via Parallels Desktop for Mac. Use the following test environment and settings as a guideline for your setup.

Mac Hardware

  • Mac Mini
  • 3.2 GHz 6 Core Intel I7 processor
  • 16 GB RAM

MacOS

  • Version: Catalina 10.15.7
  • To preserve RDP access, disable Energy Saver.

Parallels

  • Version: Parallels Desktop 16 for Mac
  • To preserve RDP access, deselect Pause Windows.
  • Make sure that Devices > Network > Bridged Network (Ethernet) > Ethernet is selected.
  • Reserved RAM space for Windows 10: 8 GB

Windows 10 Virtual Environment

  • Version: Windows 10 Enterprise
  • To preserve RDP access, disable sleep settings.

Other Notes

  • If you have no intent of using Remote Desktop (RDP), you can leave the sleep / Energy Saver settings for all three layers at their defaults.
  • If you change any network settings (for example, switching network NICs), you must restart Parallels.
  • Hard Links have not yet been tested in a virtual Windows installation.
  • Big Sur (MacOS 11.1) has not yet been tested by QSC as a host MacOS version for a virtual Windows installation.

The Q-SYS Designer and Q-SYS Administrator installation programs automatically install the following components if not currently installed on the Windows PC. Internet access is required to download these dependencies.

  • Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 (includes 2.0 SP2, 3.0, and 3.0 SP2)
  • Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6 SP2
  • Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8
  • Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime 14.16 (2017)
  • Microsoft Windows Installer 3.1
  • Microsoft XML Parser 6.0

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 Network Switches & Infrastructure to understand your options in choosing a network switch, as well as the requirements for compatibility with Q-LAN.

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.