New IQ For Windows v5.0; USP2 Adapter; IQ Interface & Repeater All New From Crown

Crown Audio has just introduced several new products, including IQ for Windows software version 5.0, designed for configuring, controlling and monitoring Crown IQ Systems. It's available for free download at www.iqaudiosystems.com.

Compatible with Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000/Professional and NT 4.+, version 5.0 features a number of enhancements, including more graphical tools with which to design customized work surfaces, as well as the ability to create direct user controls free of confusing program elements.

Fully indexed help screens are available to guide users through system setup, and no programming language experience or training is required to quickly be up and
running.

Other new features in version 5.0 include:

More user-definable options - easier to customize
Now able to re-address units and user controls - no longer do new controls have to be created for every unit
New error reporting window - new logging style window
Added password protection on every user control panel now available
MIDI Time Code Scheduler - enables users to trigger Dataframes and scenes from MIDI time code (external generator required)
New USP2 listen bus manager
Additional user control panel features allow even more attractive user control pages to be generated
Includes control and monitoring capabilities for the new IQ-PIP-USP2/CN CobraNet?-compatible amplifier DSP module

IQ for Windows v5.0 is a 32-bit Windows application for operating an IQ System. In addition to control and monitoring of IQ components in a Windows environment, it also offers TCP/IP network support and other capabilities. IQ System hardware available can perform amplifier control and monitoring, digital signal processing (DSP), automatic mixing, routing, ambient noise system level control, and system and load monitoring. IQ for Windows software running on a host PC allows control and monitoring of an entire system from a central location.

New USP2 Adapter

Crown Audio now offers the IQ-PIP USP2 Adapter, allowing Crown's non-PIP compatible amplifiers to accept the IQ-PIP USP2 module.

The new device permits most older Crown PIP-compatible amplifiers, including the original versions of the Macro-Tech Series, Com-Tech Series and Studio Reference Series, to access the capabilities of the second-generation DSP-based IQ card.

The USP2 offers tools such as programmable DSP filters, signal delay, thermal limiter, auto standby, input signal compressor/limiter, clip eliminator, presets, error reporting, aux input/output, listen bus and signal routing. A series of eight adjustable DIP switches on the adapter card allows the USP2 module to recognize what amplifier it is residing in and appropriately scale itself for optimum performance. Because of these switches, a single adapter can be used universally with most PIP-compatible amplifiers.

And, because the USP2 Adapter does not actually make these amplifiers PIP2-compatible, standard USP2 features such as load supervision, peak voltage limiter, average power limiter and amp fault reporting currently remain unavailable.

Updated IQ Interface And Repeater

Crown has also introduced updated versions of two products designed for IQ System connectivity - the IQ-INT 3 Interface and IQ-RPT 3 Repeater.

The IQ-INT 3 Interface is a simple yet important piece of hardware that bridges the RS232 connector on a host PC to an IQ Bus loop(s) for communication with IQ System components. The new model differs from its predecessor, the IQ-INT II, by replacing its previous IQ Bus DIN connectors with common RJ-45 connectors for easier product wiring and serviceability, as well as offering 'Loop Status' LEDs on both the front and rear panels.

The most obvious change, however, is that the IQ-INT 3 now employs only four IQ Bus loops instead of eight. Jim Stembel, Crown Audio marketing director for IQ and networking, explains, "Thanks to IQNet Server, an increasing number of IQ users are implementing more IQ Interfaces in their installations and connecting equipment rooms together on Ethernet level rather than IQ Bus level. This means that installers are using
fewer IQ loops per interface in their installations. With that in mind, we chose to eliminate half of the connectors, which were infrequently used anyway, in order to dramatically drive down the price of the product for the customer."

The IQ-RPT 3 Repeater is a component that increases the length of a single IQ Bus loop. By reconstructing the data signal to prevent degradation, the IQ-RPT 3 can typically boost the operating distance of a IQ Bus by 1000 feet (305 meters) or more. Up to 57 repeaters can be added to a single loop, so total loop distance may reach 58,000 feet (17.7
kilometers) - or almost 11 miles.

There are two primary improvements on the IQ-RPT 3 over its former model, the IQ-RPT. As with the IQ-INT 3, the new model has eliminated its DIN connectors in favor of RJ-45s. Likewise, status LEDs can now be found on both the front and rear panels of the product.

The IQ-INT 3 and IQ-RPT 3 are each housed in an all-steel, 1U chassis, which now additionally sports a sleek brushed aluminum front panel. Both units also feature universal power supplies that range from 100 to 250 volts, 50/60 Hz.