Q-SYS 9.9.1

This topic covers release information for Q-SYS 9.9 and any maintenance releases.

Version 9.9.1 is a maintenance release of the Q-SYS platform. It includes these new features, updates, and resolved issues.

Note: The requirements for the upgrade path have been updated. Visit the Upgrade Path Requirements section to review the pathway.

Platform

Cores with v9.9.1 or higher will seamlessly detect and upgrade peripherals on versions 9.3 or lower, ensuring effortless compatibility and system maintenance.

The Maximum DSP property for Core 510i and Core 510c was deprecated in Q-SYS Designer v9.7 and later. Versions 9.9.1 and later will present a warning when opening a file produced in v9.6 or earlier that have this property set to “No” in order to provide a user decision whether to update the Design or not.

Video

Deadband allows you to tune the tolerance for reframing when faces change position in the current cropped frame. For more information, visit the Auto Framing section of Status/Control (Cameras).

Resolved Known Issues

  • Audio: Addressed an issue that could cause audible distortion on QIO or NL series outputs.
  • Video: The issue of the NV-21-HU cable detect LED flickering when switching between USB-C and HDMI, with only one of them connected (not both), has been fixed.
  • Video: Various improvements to Shift AV stability on NV-21-HU and NV-32-H.
  • Video: Improved performance with USB touch displays and NV-21-HU.
  • Video: NV-21-HU local Encoder output stability has been improved when streaming 4K60 video.
  • Video: The NV-21-HU Encoder no longer freezes and causes corruptions when it is wired to a decoder (NV-21-HU or NV-32-H) with an active Shift AV stream with 21x9 EDID.
  • Video: The issue with the NV-21-HU HDMI source showing a Video Format error after redeployment has been resolved.
  • Video: An issue where NV-21-HU occasionally failed to boot after a firmware upgrade, requiring a power cycle to recover, has been resolved.
  • Video: The USB-C cable no longer has to be physically disconnected for Windows OS (Windows versions 10 and 11) to respect EDID changes.
  • Video: Designs that involve an NV-21-HU on an Apple device, the USB-C HDCP output no longer causes HDCP noise.
  • Video: The issue of NV-21-HU USB-C video not functioning with a MacBook Pro 13" (2017) equipped with Intel Iris Graphics has been resolved.
  • Control: Addressed an issue that could cause control functions within Channel Groups not to update.
  • Control: Resolved an issue where heavy use of Dante control APIs via Lua script in DAPI could result in a runtime engine crash in specific conditions.
  • Platform: Addressed an issue that could cause QIO, NL, or NM series peripherals to remain stuck “Initializing” after deploying a Design.
  • Platform: Addressed an issue that could compromise redundant Core failover when user-supplied certificates are used.
  • Platform: Addressed an issue that could cause a loss of Flex I/O operation on Core 110f.
  • Platform: An issue that caused changes to not save in Designer when signed into Reflect has been resolved.
  • Platform: The fields within Administrator for Preambles and Messages Files for PA Commands are no longer blank.
  • Platform: Cores no longer show Idle in Core Manager after updating.
  • Platform: An issue that would cause AES67 Rx stream to fail after a design push has been resolved.
  • Platform: Addressed an issue that could cause the serial port on I/O-22 to stop functioning.
  • Management: Changes made in Administrator when Designer is signed into Reflect no longer experiencing saving issues.
  • Management: The time zone list has been updated to remove invalid time zones which would revert to the default of America/Denver if selected.

Version 9.9.0 includes these new features, updates, and resolved issues.

Note: The requirements for the upgrade path have been updated; visit the Upgrade Path Requirements section to review the new pathway.

Platform

Q-SYS 9.9 introduces AES67 and Dante support to the IO Monitor component. You can choose AES67 and Software-Dante-RX input/output as the channel in the IO Monitor Controls. Visit IO Monitor for more information.

Direct browsing of the media directory has been deprecated for security and privacy reasons. Access media via Core Manager or supported media APIs.

Explore the newly updated Designer Help Menu, which now features convenient links to the Q-SYS Training Website and Q-SYS Communities for Developers, while the previous QSC Training Website has been removed.

Software Dante has been optimized to enable 1 mS Software Dante latency on the platform. Each Dante receiver includes a user-adjustable amount of latency before playing out audio to account for any delay variation in the network or end device, ensuring all devices play out in perfect sync. For more information on changing the amount of latency, visit the Configuration Overview section in the Software Dante RX topic.

Improvements made to Configurator showing subtotals of devices by type / categories to quickly verify what has been discovered. You will see the device count in parentheses next to the device type.

Q-SYS 9.9.0 includes expanded scaling licenses for the Core 610 processor.

This license focuses on expanding media/WAN channel capacities and AEC processing. It also unlocks more all-purpose DSP processing power and expands the networked audio channel capacity for Q-LAN/AES67 to 384x384.

  Q-SYS Core 610
Base Configuration		 Base Configuration
+ Q-SYS Core 610 Scaling License

Q-LAN / AES67 network channels

256 x 256

384 x 384

DSP processing power (relative to Q-SYS Core Nano)

16x

24x

Softphones

64

64

AEC processors @ 200ms

64

96

Media / WAN network channels

64 x 64

96 x 96

To learn how to activate Q-SYS Feature Licenses on the Q-SYS Core processor, see the Licensing topic in Core Manager help.

Q-SYS 9.9.0 includes expanded Software Dante License Tier to 256x256 for Q-SYS Core 610 processor.

Software Dante License Deployed to Core

8x8, 16x16, 32x32

Core Nano

Core 8 Flex

NV-32-H (Core Capable)

Core 110f

Core 510i

Core 610

Core 5200

Core 6000 CXR

64x64, 128x128

Core 510i

Core 610

Core 5200

Core 6000 CXR

256x256

Core 610

Core 5200

Core 6000 CXR

512x512*

Core 5200

Core 6000 CXR

Audio

Additions have been made within the Controls of the CX-Q Amplifier to include a 'Disabled' button. By default, the front panel is Enabled; however, when the Disabled button is pressed, the front panel will not show any LEDs operating and the LCD screen will not work. For more information, visit the Controls section in the Amp Output (CX-Q, CXD-Q, DPA-Q Series) topic.

Video

Encoder and Decoder modes now allow for Shift AV processing in the compile check to allow you to fill the core with processing in a manner that is most flexible for your use case.

Note: In preparation for HDMI audio refactor and Core Mode Streaming, the Q-SYS Designer compile check for NV-32-H (Core Mode) has changed in 9.9 and above. For the "Signal Processing by Category" gas gauge, the "Cat 2" section has been absorbed by the "Cat 1 or Cat 2" section. Generic AV Sources and Generic Displays will now show increased "Cat 1" processing load when added to schematic. NV-32-H (Core Capable) retains the same DSP capability as previous versions.

Q-SYS Designer v9.8.2 and below: 

Q-SYS Designer v9.9 and above: 

Q-SYS 9.9 introduces support for camera Auto Framing on NC Series cameras, which is available from the Inventory > Video > Cameras category.

To learn more, see the Status/Control (Cameras) topic.

Control

Q-SYS Designer 9.9 introduces a tabbed view within Asset Manager. All plugins will feature tab-style categories with more information. The tabs will include Release Notes, Plugin Images, and Product Images below a short description of the item.

Q-SYS Designer 9.9 introduces expanded CEC functionality allowing you to better control consumer electronic devices without requiring additional hardware. You will find this expanded functionality in the CEC tab of a Generic HDMI display. For more information, visit CEC.

Management

Q-SYS 9.9 introduces support for creating, exporting, and deleting manual backups. Additionally, it introduces support for the option to restore from a backup, regardless if it is a manual or automatic backup. For more information, visit the Design Backup and Restore (Beta) topic in Enterprise Manager Help.

Enterprise Manager offers a Quick Status View that allows you to easily access comprehensive information about various statuses. You can access it through both the card and table views.

Enterprise Manager allows the option to create Webhook notifications for Teams, Slack, or a Generic Webhook. When enabled, a notification is sent whenever an alert is added to the Alerts table.

The product Serial Number has been added to Enterprise Manager Core Manager, and Peripheral Manager. This lets you quickly identify product age and warranty information without sending someone on-site to verify.

Enterprise Manager: This information will be on the "Status" tab under "Core Details".

Core Manager: This information will be on the "Status" tab under "Core Details".

Peripheral Manager: This information will be on the "Status" tab.

Note: Core processors manufactured before 2018-2019 do not have serial numbers within the software.

Additional Inventory Columns have been added to Core Manager and Enterprise Manager that allow you to filter and view by Serial Number, Firmware, Design, Date & Time, and/or Network. For more information, visit Inventory.

Q-SYS 9.9 introduces a UCI Links tab in User Control Interfaces that allows you to create http(s) link(s) to the UCI view and use it to embed the UCI to other apps, and/or hardware. For more information, visit User Control Interfaces.

Q-SYS 9.9 introduces support to create and export a CSV file, allowing you to download, customize, and save data to your computer. Select the Export as CSV option to export the Inventory table as a CSV file.

Resolved Known Issues

  • Audio: An issue that caused interruptions in the NM-T1 proximity sensor LED rings' fuel gauge functionality has been resolved.
  • Audio: An issue where the NM-T1 Mute button was not being added in a Snapshot Bank has been resolved.
  • Amplifiers: Designs that have a CX-Q amplifier no longer cause pilot tones to become disabled when choosing Save to Core & Run.
  • Loudspeakers: An issue changing the name of a Custom Voicing that is currently mapped to the 70/100 Speaker component has been resolved.
  • Loudspeakers: Designs that have Loudspeaker blocks (Tools>Group) no longer cause the Loudspeaker to disappear.
  • Control: Designs with QIO-GP8x8 components with design file names longer than 52 characters no longer experience deploying issues.
  • Control: An issue that would cause "Error 404 - File or directory not found" to pop up when dragging any QIO or NL Status component into the design, and pressing F1 has been resolved.
  • Platform: The issue where QIO, NL, and NM Series devices experienced lockups when downloading log files from the QPM utility page with 802.1x enabled is now resolved.
  • Platform: An issue that caused QIO, NL, and NM Series devices to lock up on bootup has been resolved.
  • Platform: QIO, NL, and NM Series devices can now change the device name with 802.1x certificates loaded without SSL web page errors.
  • Platform: An issue that caused QIO, NL, and NM Series devices to not work with Cisco ISE has been resolved.
  • Platform: The issue with how Core MAC lookup was inaccurately managed on L3 networks for QIO, NL, and NM Series devices has been resolved.
  • Platform: An issue that caused QIO, NL, and NM Series devices to show "Missing - In Use By Another Design" has been resolved.
  • Platform: An issue that would cause QIO, NL, or NM series devices to get stuck on "Initializing" after deployment has been resolved.
  • Platform: An issue that would cause the outputs of QIO devices added to a vCore to be unavailable has been resolved.
  • Platform: Designs containing locked elements no longer experience the issue of being unable to be unlocked.
  • Platform: An issue where pasting a text name from a text editor into Designer as a block name resulted in the name not being retained has been resolved.
  • Platform: Distorted graphics that appeared in the Controls of a Matrix Mixer in the VCA groups and Cue Busses have been resolved.
  • Platform: An issue that would cause an I/O USB Bridge to show an expired certificate has been resolved.
  • Platform: An issue that would cause NodeJS log errors has been resolved.
  • Platform: Designs using a Flattop Parametric Equalizer no longer mismatch the values when being copied between blocks.
  • Platform: An issue that showed 'CorruptedGainComponent Fault' in the System Controller Log has been resolved.

To support ongoing developments, Q-SYS’ licensing infrastructure provider is deprecating support for older versions of their platform. This deprecation affects the on-line activation of perpetual (node-locked) Q-SYS feature licenses on systems running Q-SYS Designer v9.4.3 and earlier, as well as Q-SYS Designer v9.5.x and v9.6.x. Examples include Q-SYS Scripting Engine, Software-based Dante, Multi-track Playback, and others.

Cloud-managed licenses (vCore and Reflect Enterprise Manager) are unaffected, regardless of version.

After March 31, 2023, Q-SYS perpetual (node-locked) feature licenses can no longer be activated using the on-line method while running affected versions.

Customers wishing to add feature licenses to systems running affected versions will either need to upgrade to v9.4.4 or higher, if using the LTS branch, or upgrade to v9.7 or higher of the mainline branch.

Note: Systems running affected versions will still be able to add feature licenses using the offline activation method. For instructions, see the Offline Activation section in the Licensing topic.

Q-SYS Version / Product Functionality Affected after March 31, 2023 Resolution

v9.4.3 and earlier

On-line activation of perpetual feature licenses will no longer work.

Upgrade to v9.4.4 LTS or later

– or –

Utilize offline activation method

v9.4.4 LTS and later LTS releases

Unaffected

  

v9.5.x through v9.6.x

On-line activation of perpetual feature licenses will no longer work.

Upgrade to v9.7 or later

– or –

Utilize offline activation method

v9.7 and later

Unaffected

  

vCore and Reflect

Unaffected

  

These features and options are planned to be discontinued in future releases. QSC highly recommends that you start transitioning now to the newer functionality, as noted, to ensure compatibility with future firmware releases.

Planned Deprecation: Q-SYS 9.10.0

Legacy Communications previously configured through Core Manager > Network Services has been deprecated in Q-SYS Designer v9.10.

The FTP Server was deprecated in Q-SYS Designer v9.3.

Note these requirements when upgrading the Q-SYS Core processor and Q-SYS peripherals.

  • If you are upgrading from version 9.1.x or later, no additional steps are necessary.
  • If you are upgrading from version 9.0.x:
    1. Upgrade to version 9.1.x.
    2. Upgrade to version 9.9.1.

Note: Cores running version 9.9.1 or higher will seamlessly detect and upgrade peripherals on versions 9.3 or lower.

If you are upgrading from any Version 8 release:

  1. Upgrade to version 9.1.x.
  2. Upgrade to version 9.4.x.
  3. Upgrade to version 9.9.1.
  • If you are upgrading from version 7.2.1:
    1. Upgrade to version 9.1.x.
    2. Upgrade to version 9.4.x.
    3. Upgrade to version 9.9.1.
  • If you are upgrading from version 7.2.0, 7.1.x, or 7.0.x:
    1. Upgrade to version 7.2.1.
    2. Upgrade to version 9.1.x.
    3. Upgrade to version 9.4.x.
    4. Upgrade to version 9.9.1.

If you are upgrading from version 6.2.x or 6.1.x:

  1. Upgrade to version 7.2.1.
  2. Save the design in QDS version 9.0.0 to upgrade the file format. (There is no need to upgrade the Core and peripherals to 9.0.0.)
  3. Upgrade to version 9.1.x.
  4. Upgrade to version 9.4.x.
  5. Upgrade to version 9.9.1.

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. (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.)
  2. Upgrade to version 7.2.1.
  3. Save the design in QDS version 9.0.0 to upgrade the file format. (There is no need to upgrade the Core and peripherals to 9.0.0.)
  4. Upgrade to version 9.1.x.
  5. Upgrade to version 9.4.x.
  6. Upgrade to version 9.9.1.

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. Save the design in QDS version 9.0.0 to upgrade the file format. (There is no need to upgrade the Core and peripherals to 9.0.0.)
  5. Upgrade to version 9.1.x.
  6. Upgrade to version 9.4.x.
  7. Upgrade to version 9.9.1.

CAUTION: Designs you create or update with a newer QDS 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 QDS.

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

  • Windows 10 Pro x64
  • Windows 11 Pro

If you are using a high DPI monitor resolution, such as 4K60, you might need to adjust the Windows Compatibility settings so that Q-SYS Designer Software displays properly:

  1. Right-click the Designer shortcut on the desktop and select Properties.
  2. In the Compatibility tab, click the "Change high DPI settings" button.
  3. In the DPI settings window, select the following:
    • Select "Use this setting to fix scaling problems...".
    • In the "Use the DPI..." drop-down menu, select "I open this program".
    • Select "Override high DPI scaling behavior".
    • In the "Scaling performed by" drop-down menu, select "Application".

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

These web browsers are tested to work with Q-SYS Core Manager and Q-SYS Reflect Enterprise Manager on Windows, MacOS, and Linux:

  • Microsoft Edge
  • Mozilla Firefox
  • Google Chrome
  • Apple Safari

Note: Internet Explorer is not supported.

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. Read these topics to understand the requirements and recommendations for implementing the Q-SYS Ecosystem on an isolated or converged Ethernet network environment:

Clocking, Audio, Video, & Control

Learn about the Q-LAN protocols, network consumption, and other parameters involved with clocking, Q-SYS Audio, Video, and Control.

Network Switches & Infrastructure

Learn about QSC's networking options for the Q-SYS platform, the requirements for selecting and manually configuring network switches for compatibility with Q-SYS, and the requirements and limitations for cabling, hop count, network diameter, and backbone bandwidth.

Network Interfaces, Services, & Protocols

Learn about the network interfaces (NICs), services, and protocols involved with Q-SYS networks.

Addressing & Routing

Learn about IP addressing and redundant routed network requirements.

Quality of Service (QoS)

Learn how to configure QoS DSCP values to prioritize for Q-LAN traffic only or Audinate (Dante) traffic.

Multicast Traffic

Learn about Q-LAN multicasting protocols, Q-SYS devices that support multicasting, and requirements for IGMP and PIM-SM.

Dante Audio

Learn about using Q-LAN with Dante hardware and the Software Dante components in Q-SYS Designer, including clocking, QoS, and redundancy requirements.

Other Networked Audio

Learn about the requirements for using Q-LAN with other networked audio protocols and applications, including AES67, AVB, SIP Softphone, and POTS (Analog Telephone).

Remote Connectivity

Learn about the requirements for connecting to the Q-SYS Core from a remote location.

Initial Discovery and Configuration

Learn about how to initially discover a Q-SYS Core processor, configure its IP settings, and configure the Q-SYS Designer design file to communicate with the Core.

Q-SYS Designer Software (QDS) releases follow a three-level numbering convention – major release.minor release.maintenance release (for example, 9.4.2). Additionally, you can view the specific build number of the release by clicking Help > About. Note that:

  • If you open a design file saved in a newer version of QDS than the one you are currently running (for example, a 9.5.0 design in version 9.4.2), you are warned that certain functionality within the design might not function. This is not recommended. Instead, install the version of QDS that matches the version of the design.
  • If you open an older design file in a newer version of QDS (for example, a 9.4.2 design in QDS 9.5.0) and then attempt to save it, you are warned that doing so might make the design not load correctly in the previous version.

CAUTION: Make sure your design files are backed up using your current release before starting the upgrade to a newer release.

Releases of Q-SYS Designer Software (QDS) sometimes add support for new hardware and remove support for EOL hardware, including Q-SYS Core processors, peripherals, loudspeakers, accessories, and other devices. This table provides a list of QDS releases, the hardware introduced with each release, and the hardware no longer supported with each release, as applicable. As a rule:

  • Hardware introduced in a release is compatible with future QDS releases until the hardware is deprecated and no longer supported.
  • Hardware introduced in a release is not backward-compatible with previous releases.
QDS Version Added Hardware Support Removed Hardware Support

9.9.1

No changes

No changes

9.9

No changes

No changes

9.8.2

NV-21-HU

No changes

9.8

SPA-Qf Series

No changes

9.7

Core 6000 CXR

NM-T1

No changes

9.6

Core 110f v2

Core 610

vCore

AD-C6T-HP, AD-C6T-HC

AD-DWL Series

Core 250i

Core 500i

I/O Frame 8s

PS-400

PS-800

CSM-12

CSM-15

PowerLight 1.0, 1.0HV, 1.4, 1.8

PowerLight 2 PL218(A), PL224(A), PL230(A), PL236(A)

PowerLight 2.0HV

PowerLight 3.4

PowerLight 4.0

PowerLight 6.0 and 6.0 II

PowerLight 9.0

9.5

NL-SB42

QIO-S4

QIO-IR1x4

No changes

9.4

CX-Q models shipped starting in the September 2022 time frame require v9.4 or newer, as indicated by a sticker on the front panel of applicable units.

NL-C4

NL-P4

QIO-ML4i

QIO-ML2x2

QIO-L4o

QIO-GP8x8

TSC-50-G3

TSC-70-G3

TSC-101-G3

No changes

9.3

NC-110

NC-12x80

NC-20x60

No changes

9.2

No changes

No changes

9.1

TSC-G2 models shipped after August 1, 2021, require v9.1.2 or newer.

No changes

9.0

Core Nano

Core 8 Flex

NV-32-H (Core Capable)

AD-S5T

No changes

8.4

No changes

TSC-3

8.3

AD-P.HALO

DPA-2K4Q

DPA-2K4Qn

DPA-4K4Q

DPA-4K4Qn

DPA-4K8Q

DPA-4K8Qn

DPA-8K4Q

DPA-8K4Qn

DPA-8K8Q

DPA-8K8Qn

No changes

8.2

No changes

TSC-8

8.1

NV-32-H

CX-Q 2K4

CX-Q 4K4

CX-Q 4K8

CX-Q 8K4

CX-Q 8K8

CX-Qn 2K4

CX-Qn 4K4

CX-Qn 4K8

CX-Qn 8K4

CX-Qn 8K8

No changes

8.0

No changes

No changes

7.2

CTEL4

No changes

7.1

No changes

No changes

7.0

Core 110c

DCIO

DCIO-H

TSC-55-G2

TSC-80-G2

TSC-116-G2

AD-S802T

AD-S162T

E215

Core 1000

Core 3000

Core 4000