HARMAN Professional Introduces HiQnet System Architect™ Version 3.0, Featuring Audio Video Bridging (AVB) Capabilities at InfoComm 2011

At InfoComm 2011, HARMAN Professional today announced the introduction of its HiQnet System Architect™ Version 3.0 system configuration software, the first version of System Architect to provide Audio Video Bridging (AVB) capabilities. Version 3.0 offers AVB networked audio routing support, along with a host of additional functionality including support for the dbx® SC 32 and SC 64 Digital Matrix Processors and the BSS® Audio/NETGEAR® GS724T 24-Port Ethernet AVB Switch, the world’s first true networkable AVB devices.

“Audio Video Bridging is clearly the future of audio/video signal distribution, and our System Architect version 3.0 provides systems integrators and installers with an important new tool for designing and configuring AVB-based networked A/V systems,” noted Adam Holladay, Senior Market Manager, HARMAN Professional System Development and Integration Group (SDIG). “With System Architect version 3.0, the complexities of networked audio routing are greatly reduced.”

HARMAN HiQnet System Architect version 3.0 enables designers to efficiently and reliably configure a HARMAN AVB-based audio/video system using a vastly simplified graphical interface for audio routing. Signals are routed by dragging and dropping from a filterable list of all available source AVB signals onto the destination device icon in the main workspace – singly or multiple at a time. Releasing the mouse launches a pop-up routing dialog for the destination device and signals are assigned to available channel inputs. AVB enables time-synchronized, ultra-low-latency audio and video signals to be distributed over IEEE 802 Ethernet networks, offering the potential to greatly simplify A/V system wiring and installation while providing expanded signal-distribution and control capabilities.

System Architect 3.0 is compatible with all HARMAN AVB-ready products including the dbx SC 32 and SC 64 Digital Matrix Processors with the new AVB high-speed option card installed. The SC processors with the AVB high-speed option card are the world’s first truly-networkable AVB audio processors in that AVB signals may be routed over an AVB network. The System Architect 3.0 workspace also includes the BSS Audio/NETGEAR GS724T 24-Port Ethernet AVB Switch - the world’s first AVB switch for networking multichannel audio and video over standardized Ethernet. As with HiQnet devices, a representation of the switch may be loaded into the System Architect 3.0 Venue, and double-clicking will launch the NETGEAR management HTML pages in the default Windows browser so as to integrate control of the switches with the rest of the HiQnet system.

System Architect 3.0 is being demonstrated at HARMAN Professional Booth #743 at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL (June 15 – 17). Underscoring its support of Audio Video Bridging technology, HARMAN Professional is also exhibiting at the AVnu Alliance pavilion at Booth 383e in the Convention Center, and BSS Audio and dbx are co-sponsoring the AVnu Alliance contractor evening at the Rosen Center, Thursday June 16 from 5:00 - 6:30pm. More information on this event, open to contractors and consultants, will be available at the AVnu Alliance pavilion.

Recent versions of HARMAN HiQnet System Architect have also offered a host of significant enhancements An improved Custom Panel Designer (introduced in version 2.3) makes it easier for integration professionals to create customized control interfaces. Performance for metering controls has been improved, giving panel designers greater ability to monitor larger numbers of devices simultaneously. A simplified access control configuration interface was also recently introduced. This interface makes it easier to set up multiple user rights by providing a more immediate focus on the users, rather than the devices in the system. The redesigned interface is particularly useful for when System Architect is used as the day-to-day operator’s audio system control application with the new Kiosk Mode feature.

Harman HiQnet™ is the world's first connectivity and control protocol that integrates all product categories in the signal chain for professional audio systems of all types, size, and applications. Harman HiQnet no longer requires the user to manage multiple disparate operating systems or be responsible for programming individual signal processors, speaker controllers, wireless microphone systems, and mixing consoles. HiQnet was developed by engineers from across Harman’s Professional Division and is coordinated by the System Development and Integration Group (SDIG), a team of dedicated systems specialists based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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Harman Introduces HiQnet Performance Manager Software Tailored For Touring & Performance Venue Sound

At Prolight + Sound 2011, HARMAN Professional announced the introduction of its HiQnet Performance Manager™ software, a highly-refined user interface that facilitates the design of touring and live performance venue sound reinforcement systems. Designed especially for touring and theatrical sound engineering, HiQnet Performance Manager is an application-specific iteration of the category-leading HARMAN HiQnet System Architect 2 connectivity and control software application for professional-grade audio system integration.

“In touring, time is money and Performance Manager dramatically streamlines the system design, setup and tuning process, allowing the JBL VerTec® System Engineer to achieve a higher level of performance with more consistent results on a daily basis from venue-to-venue”, explained Paul Bauman, Director of Tour Sound Product Application and Application Engineering, JBL Professional.

HiQnet Performance Manager provides a comprehensive, step-by-step workflow that directly corresponds to real-world system configuration, taking the workflow paradigm introduced in System Architect 2 to a higher level of functionality for any live performance audio application. It is fully integrated with JBL’s Line Array Calculator II loudspeaker configuration and acoustic modeling software. The user begins by loading templates of the speaker arrays used in the system, and then runs Line Array Calculator II for each array as part of the initial sound design task of determining how many and which type of loudspeakers are required to cover a given venue. For each array, Performance Manager automatically loads the passive VerTec or powered VerTec DrivePack® DPDA line array configuration into the main application workspace – the first of many automated design processes native to the software application. Loudspeakers can also be manually loaded into the templates if desired.

Once the user defines the required amplifier parameters for the passive loudspeakers within the arrays, Performance Manager automatically loads the correct number of Crown Audio VRACK or other user-determined amplifier racks into the audio system. The software then associates the amplifier outputs with the bandpass crossover inputs for the selected array and programs the amplifiers with the correct JBL preset data, as well as gain shading and JBL Line Array Control Panel equalization parameters that are determined in JBL’s Line Array Calculator II as part of the modeling process to optimize sound pressure level and frequency response over the defined audience geometry.

“HiQnet Performance Manager greatly simplifies loudspeaker preset management as well as power amplifier networking, grouping, monitoring and control. It is the ideal complement to the Crown Audio® VRACK turnkey power amplifier rack solution for JBL VerTec line array systems and the automated generation of pre-configured control panels combined with a tablet-friendly, highly-intuitive user interface will be a huge timesaver for the touring sound engineer”, added Brian Pickowitz, Market Manager, Crown Audio International.

Representations of the bandpass inputs for each loudspeaker section are overlaid onto the arrays, enabling the user to easily visualize the array configuration, whether JBL DrivePack-powered or driven by external Crown Audio power amplifiers. Performance Manager software also significantly simplifies system networking configuration – the user can simply drag and drop devices discovered on the network onto the pre-configured devices within the Performance Manager workspace to synchronize all addressing and parameter values.

In addition, the Performance Manager graphical interface provides embedded control panels for array calibration, time alignment and system EQ which utilize input section digital signal processing resources available in either Crown I-Tech HD power amplifiers or JBL DrivePack-powered loudspeakers with DPDA digital audio input modules. Input attenuation, equalization, delay settings and bandpass controls are all readily-accessible directly within the main application workspace along with flexible grouping and comprehensive solo / mute functionality for system testing.

Once system tuning is complete, Performance Manager’s Show Mode display is optimized for the actual live performance offering appropriate adjustment control ballistics for equalization and dedicated monitoring interfaces for levels, speaker loads, thermal conditions and AC power requirements. The workspace for all stages of Performance Manager’s workflow has a common design motif, with monitoring functions overlaid on top of the same loudspeaker bandpass representations within the workspace, making visualization easier and more consistent across various workflow screens.

HiQnet Performance Manager is ultimately a product of Harman’s ongoing commitment to develop application-specific versions of the HiQnet® platform, addressing the day-to-day tasks of audio professionals in a broad range of markets. “By comprehensive analysis of the workflow of audio professionals in touring applications, HiQnet Performance Manager provides an enhanced productivity tool unlike anything else available,” summarized Adam Holladay, Senior Market Manager, HARMAN Professional System Development and Integration Group.

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Pro Sound News front page for new Sound Technology Project Team

Pro Sound News Europe gives front page coverage to Sound Technology's announcement of its new Project Team to service the needs of leading audio consultants and installers.

The newly created three man team is the technical cornerstone of Sound Technology's professional division servicing the commercial audio sector. Providing pre and post sales support for individual products and, critically, “engineered” system solutions, key customers of Sound Technology can now call upon the Project Team in the UK, which combined with additional resources from Harman's global support network, offers unprecedented back-up for their audio projects.

With experience in audio design assistance and delivery of world-class venues the team is headed by Sound Technology's chief project engineer Tom Williams. David Bradshaw, formerly Technical Manager at Ministry of Sound in London, and Sam Brandon, returning to Sound Technology Ltd for this role, complete a highly technical and experienced team.

"This team is in place to better support customers and consultants, not to rival them. We are a resource they can call on to help." says Tom Williams. “We’re here to make sure that the right information and support is readily available and easily accessible for anyone that is looking to use any Harman Professional products as part of a project, whether that is in the form of detailed design support on a project, technical product info or simply project pricing. Collectively we have practical experience of a wide range of differing audio applications and we’re here to help people have smooth ride when looking at Harman equipment for any potential project, whether it be a small café/bar or a large capacity stadium and everything in between. Basically we aim to help people looking for premium audio systems to have an easier life, whether consultant, contractor or venue.”

More information:
http://www.soundtech.co.uk/news/project-team
http://www.soundtech.co.uk/commercialaudio

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The single largest networked AV system in history? Harman Professional at CityCenter Las Vegas

In what is rumoured to be the the largest networked AV system in history, CityCenter Las Vegas contains a Harman Professional system featuring BSS Soundweb London networking, Crown amplification and JBl speakers throughout - on a mind-blowing scale.

The numbers speak for themselves - 750 BSS London networked DSP units, 700 Crown amps, and more than 5,300 JBL loudspeakers. The Soundweb London BLU-link network can send 256 channels of audio everywhere all at the same time, with a theoretical quarter of a million possible end-points.

See the article below courtesy of System Contractor News:

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I.E. publishes detailed look at HiQnet System Architect v2 in use for Burnley FC stadium design.

Last month Installation Europe magazine reported in the first use of Harman HiQnet System Architect v2 software at Turf Moor, the home of Burnley Football club. This month (November 2009 edition) they take an in-depth look at how software engineer Martin Barbour used the new package to design the audio installation at the stadium.

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