AV Integrators typically respond negatively to USB for a variety of reasons, but should that perception change? We think so.
Let’s start by outlining the pros and cons of USB.
Cons to USB:
- Cable length restrictions
- Cannot make custom length cables and terminate onsite
- Impossible to share multiple devices to multiple locations at once, as only one host can communicate and/or control a device at any given time
Pros to USB:
- Allows for easy transfer of information from a device to a computer as USB video and audio classes are built in and supported
- Easy to use – “plug & play” as no drivers are required (PC and Mac)
- Understood by AV and IT professionals
- Provides multiple channels of audio and video capability
- Can be used for audio, video and control applications
Why is USB cool? Ease of use. Simply plug your device – such as a headset or camera – into your computer and you are ready to go. USB operates off-the-shelf so you do not have to train staff on its application, allowing for mass adoption.
How does QSC utilize USB? Unlike other manufacturers, QSC does not use USB for distributing media over long distances. And QSC uses USB as both a host and a device. For example, USB devices can be connected to the Q-SYS™ system via a Core 110f and be controlled, allowing the USB device to be integrated into the AV system. Likewise, a PC can also connect to the Core 110f as a device.
How does QSC integrate USB devices within a rack? Using a computer that is co-located in a Core 110f rack, USB can be used as the access point for audio bridging. No USB extenders or other equipment is required, because Q-SYS networked devices can be located wherever USB access is needed.
How does QSC integrate USB devices from a tabletop? QSC has the ability to provide video from Q-SYS PTZ-IP cameras and two-way audio from a tabletop device into the Q-SYS system via USB. Simply connect your BYOD, such as a laptop, via USB to the QSC TSC-7t Tabletop Touchscreen and instantly you have audio and video bridging.
QSC provides an IT-centric approach to utilizing USB in the Q-SYS Platform. USB is an ideal supporting technology for transferring audio, video and control because of its flexibility and ease of use. For longer distances, Q-SYS uses a standard networking protocol. More importantly, the mixture of these two technologies allows us to utilize the best of both worlds in the right scenarios – USB for short hauls, and network cable for long hauls.
When you think AV for IT, think QSC.
QSC unveiled its new revolutionary Q-SYS AV-to-USB Bridging solution at InfoComm 2016. Learn more here.