Q-SYS has introduced the first virtualised processor for its audio, video and control platform.
The company has also added the Q-SYS Core 610 network processor, which combines the Q-SYS OS with an enterprise-grade Dell server, and the Q-SYS AV Bridging feature licence, enabling plug-and-play USB connectivity on the Q-SYS TSC Series Gen 3 touchscreen controllers.
The vCore processor presents a subset of scalable Q-SYS functionalities in a software-based format via a PC/server hypervisor. When paired with the new Q-SYS control feature licence, vCore allows integrators and end users to enlist their own computer devices to add Q-SYS control capabilities to provide enhanced control, automation, UX capabilities, remote monitoring and helpdesk features to systems.
It is ideal for less complicated systems that do not require dedicated Q-SYS audio or video functionality, or those features that are already fulfilled with standalone hardware, legacy audio-only DSP, as well as those that need to replace ageing control systems. Using the same standards-based IT architecture as the rest of the Q-SYS processing portfolio, the vCore also utilises the same Q-SYS Designer Software to build, design and deploy systems, allowing the Q-SYS control programming to be ported with minimal effort.
Additionally, the Q-SYS vCore plus Q-SYS Control feature licence creates a bridge for less complex rooms that typically have disparate pieces of hardware, to enable cloud-based remote monitoring and management capabilities with Q-SYS Reflect Enterprise Manager.
The Q-SYS Core 610 processor combines the powerful Q-SYS OS with an enterprise-grade Dell commercial off-the-shelf server, delivering a flexible and scalable audio, video and control solution to serve mid-tier applications that require high-density channel counts. As a fully networked solution, the Core 610 allows users to centralise processing for multiple spaces or zones, while distributing network I/O closer to the endpoints, for a more streamlined system design. This makes it equally suited for collaboration applications, as well as larger hospitality, entertainment or transportation venues. The new Q-SYS Core 610 Scaling licence which broadly scales most capacities by 50%, including general purpose processing power, network I/O channels, AEC processing channels and more.
The AV Bridging feature licence expands the functionality of the TSC Series Gen 3 network touchscreens, allowing the user to connect a PC via USB directly to the touchscreen controller to integrate Q-SYS audio and camera feeds for convenient BYOD/BYOM conferencing connectivity. Users can enable UC platform connectivity without the need for any additional hardware or specialty drivers, saving time in configuration and installation, as well as infrastructure, costs.
Jatan Shah, Q-SYS’s president and chief operating officer, said: “Since its inception in 2009, the history of the Q-SYS platform has been forged through software innovation, starting with the industry’s first standards-based real-time audio, video and control platform. As Q-SYS enters the next evolution of the platform and greater ecosystem, we are elevating the role of software when it comes to specifying, building and experiencing audio, video and control solutions. These latest innovations will also aid in reducing the industry’s supply chain challenges and continue to transcend the traditional limitations of bespoke hardware with the power of a robust, software-based audio, video and control platform.”
Q-SYS has also added two 6.5”, two-way ceiling-mount loudspeakers that cater for challenging environments to the AcousticDesign Series. The AD-C6T-HC is ideal for high ceilings or reverberant spaces such as ballrooms, airports, atriums and lobbies, while the AD-C6T-HP offers higher SPL at standard ceiling heights, and is suited to high-energy restaurants, retail spaces and larger meeting facilities.
As well as blind-mounting, integrators can take advantage of Q-SYS Intrinsic Correction to simplify the tuning process, with custom Q-SYS loudspeaker voicings via the Q-SYS cloud-manageable audio, video and control platform enhancing the performance and speed of installation.
