Qsonix Q100 System User Manual

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Qsonix Q100 User Guide

Version 3.01

Introduction

Welcome to Qsonix, an exciting new digital music management system. The Qsonix Q100 has been designed to make loading, organizing and playing your CD music collection a pleasurable experience. Qsonix allows you to quickly and easily load your CD collection directly to the internal hard drives of the system. Using its unique AlbumBrowser™ interface, Qsonix displays detailed information about each of your CDs, including the CD cover art. Qsonix supports a variety of compression quality options including CD Quality Lossless Compression. Lossless Compression significantly reduces the storage space required to rip CDs while still maintaining CD quality, making it possible to use Qsonix to store a library of hundreds of CDs on a single hard drive.

Qsonix also includes many other unique high-quality features, such as the user controllable SoftFade™ engine that delivers incredibly smooth cross-fading and soft volume transitions on all transport functions such as Play, Stop, Pause and Mute. Qsonix’s user interface has been carefully designed to take the work out of browsing your music, and building custom playlists using simple drag-and-drop operations with the Q100’s integrated touchscreen controller.

Setting Up Your Q100 System

In order to begin using your Qsonix Q100 system, you must first have it properly installed and integrated with your sound system. Begin by unpacking both packages that came with your system and identifying all of the cables that you will need for your installation

Confirm your package contents! Report any missing items to your installer/dealer. * = Qty

Q100 System Box Touchscreen Controller Box

-Q100 System (*1)

-Cable Package (*1)

-RCA Stereo audio cable (*1)

-Digital audio Coaxial cable (*1)

-Qsonix Touchscreen controller (*1)

-Power adapter (*1)

-Power cord (*1)

-D-sub 15-pin VGA signal cable (*1)

-RS-232 signal cable (*1)

-Touch monitor supporting bracket (*1) and screws (*2)

Attaching the Touch Monitor Support

To prevent the monitor from moving while using the touch screen, the touch screen

support should be attached.

Attach the touch screen support to the

rear of the monitor with the two

supplied screws as shown here.

Identifying your touchscreen controls

Power switch Turns the monitor on or off.

LED indicator

The indicator lights up in green when the

monitor is turned on, and lights up in orange when the monitor is in power saving mode.

AUTO button

Adjust the picture position and performance automatically. It is highly recommended that you press this button the first time you use the monitor or any time you have a calibration or image size issue.

UP button Activates the On-Screen Display menu.

Move the selected item clockwise.

Down button Activates the On-Screen Display

menu.

Move the selected item counterclockwise.

Increase button

Activates the On-Screen Display menu. Function as the “+” (increase)button when adjusting.

Decre e button

Activates the On-S Function as the “-” (decrease) button when adjusting.

creen Display menu.

Connecting your Q100 System and Touchsc roller

Please use the following diagram to assist you in making the necessary audio, video, power and network connections.

reen Cont

Step by Step cabling guidelines

1. Open the monitor stand (use fold switch), so you can locate the monitor on a flat surface suc

as a tabletop, on top of the Q100 unit or other suitable location. (Unit can be wall-mounted with optional mounting kit and professional installation – contact your Qsonix dealer)

2. Connect AC power cable to touchscreen power adapter.

3. Connect DC 12V mini connector from power adapter to rear of touchscreen DC 12V input.

4. Connect one end of the D-sub 15-pin VGA signal cable to the “Video” connector on the Q100

unit and the other end to the “VGA Input” connector on the back of the touchscreen.

5. Connect the DB-9 (square) end of the RS-232 signal cable to the “Touchscreen” connector on

the back of the Q100 unit, and the other end (round plug) to the serial/touchscreen connector on the back of the touchscreen.

6. Connect the Network port on the rear of the Q100 to your Network router, hub or switch using

a CAT5 Ethernet cable. (You may also use a 3

party passive Wireless bridge)

7. Using the supplied audio cables, connect the appropriate analog and digital outputs to the

line-level inputs of your amplifier, preamplifier or powered speakers.

Note: The Q100 can only operate in two-zone mode when connected using analog outputs.

Starting your Q

O y

nce ou have plugged in all the necessary cables, you are ready to power-up the system and begin

using i

ote: The Q100 has been designed to be left in the “Power on” state, and does not need to be turned e “power” b n

utto located in the center of the front panel.

Step 1: Turn on the Touchscreen’s power

Step 2; Turn on the Q100s power switch

off when not in use. The system may be completely turned off by pressing th

100 for the First Time

Tou

chscreen Basics

Your Qsonix Q100 system is operated through the use of the included touchscreen controller. Even if you have practice you will become comfortable in its use.

Keep the following in mind to get the most out of your Qsonix touchscreen system:

never worked with a touchscreen you will find that it is very simple and with only a little

♦ Don’t be afraid to press hard on the touchscreen glass, it is designed to withstand

considerable pressure. You will find that a slightly harder press will yield better control.

♦ a soft cloth lightly moistened with a mild

Clean the cabinet, glass, and controls with detergent solution. Do not use any type of abrasive pad scouring powder or solvent, such as alcohol o

♦ Do not rub, touch, or tap the surface of the screen with sharp or abrasive items such as a

pen or screwdriver. This type of contact may result in a scratched glass.

♦ Avoid using the touchscreen while your hands are wet or greasy, this reduces the

effectiveness of the touchscreen.

♦ Experiment a bit to learn what touch pressure and finger placement works best for you.

r benzene.

Completing the

Once the system has powered up, you will be presented with the “Welcome” screen and be asked to complete the “First Time Startup Wizard” which helps you to configure basic settings and preferences.

First Time Startup Wizard

Press the “Begin Startup” button located in the the welcome screen to begin, and follow the on-screen help

You will be prompted through a series of five setup screens which you must complete before you can begin using the system.

lower right of

The Q Us

The Qsonix user interface is divided into several main panels or areas that comprise the entire system. All of Qsonix’s features are accessible from this primary interface which has been designed to be simple, fast and fun to use.

This user guide will take you briefly through each of the systems key functions. Feel free to experiment!

sonix

er Interface

Load

In order to begi CDs into th

ing your CD Library

n using your Q100 system, you will first need to create a CD library by Loading your

e system. The Qsonix system has been designed to make this a very simple and

automated process. Grab a handful of at least four to five commercial CDs to load into the system and be sure that your Internet connection is available to the Q100 system.

Automatic Loading CDs (commercial CDs)

Step 1 : Open the CD drive tray in the front of the system by pressing the open tray button located just below the CD tray on the right side.

Step 2 : Insert the CD you wish to load into the CD tray

Step 3: Confirm that the CD displayed matches your CD and follow the on-screen instructions,

You may press “Yes Begin Loading” to immediately begin loading the CD you inserted.

Using the C

In order to handle custom compilation CDs “e.g. discs you have burned or created yourself”, and to handle discs not recognized by our system, the Q100 offers a quick and simple CD Loading Wizard that will allow you to input your own information using the touchscreen. Locate a custom compilation CD if you want to try this feature out.

Step 2 : Insert the CD you wish to load into the CD tray

Step 3: Follow the on-screen wizard that will allow you to enter all of the necessary information about your CD. Begin by pressing the “Next” button located in the lower right corner of the “Disk Information Not Available” screen.

D Loading Wizard (compilation or not-found CDs)

Step 1 : Open the CD drive tray in the front of the system by pressing the open tray button located just below the CD tray on the right side.

Using your Qsonix System

Qsonix Menu Bar

The menu bar extends acro access to important menus as well as access to the preferences menu.

View Mode Menu

The first drop down menu view the CDs loaded in your libra nu bar to open the menu, and then press one of the view mode words to activate that view.

 Album – View your library by Album Name  Artist – View yo  Genre – Browse  Cover – Browse  By Search – Sea  All – Browse all C

ss the top of the Qsonix application window and provides

that control what albums and songs you are viewing,

on the Tool Bar allows you to specify one of six ways to

ry. Simply press the button in the me

ur library by Artist Name

your library by Genre and Style

your library by CD cover/art

rch by Keyword

Ds in your library

Touch the Qsonix logo to enter preference

& settings

View Album

The View Album mode allows you to quickly navigate to a specific album/CD in your library. After selecting this view, you will be presented with a list of all of albums/CDs in your library listed by album name. browse to a partic list.

ular album, simply press its name in the

Use the scroll bar scroll through the

You may also use the alpha-sorter bar to quickly jump t albums beginning with different letters of the alphabet. For instance press the “A” to select an album name beginning with “A”.

s at the bottom of the list to quickly

albums.

View Artist

The View Artist mode a rary. After selecting this view, you will be presented with a list of all artists in your library listed by

rtist name. To browse all of the albums available by this artist, simply press on any

llows you to quickly navigate to a artist in your lib

artist name.

Enabling the “show all” checkbox will also include artists

t only appear on individual tracks of the albums/CDs,

tha

Use the scroll bars at the bottom of the list to quickly scroll through the artist list.

You may also use the alpha-sorter bar to quickly jump to artist names beginning with different letters of the alphabet. For instanc name beginning wi

The small number to t number of

CDs available in your library by this artist.

e press the “A” to select an artist

th “A”.

he right of each artist indicates the

View Genre

The View Genre all of the albums/CDs that have been classified in a given genre or style of music. Each CD is automatically classified when you load it into you library.

The left column indicates the “genre”, a quick

le-tap here will take you directly to all of the

doub CDs in this genre. When available, the right column will indicate “styles” that are available within the genre currently selected, giving y way to browse your music. Clicking on a “style” will take directly to all of the CDs classified in this genre/style combination.

Use the scroll bars and alph the list to quickly scroll through available genres and styles.

mode allows you to quickly browse

ou a more refined

a sorter at the bottom of

View Cover

The View Cover mode allows you to quickly navigate an album/CD in your library. After selecting this view, you will be presented with a list of all of the CDs in yo library using t you directly to a detailed view of that CD.

Use the “sort mode” button indicated by the arrow here to control whether the albums are sorted by Artist name or Album name.

Use the scroll bars at the bottom of the list to quickly scroll through the cover list.

You may also use the alpha-sorter bar to quickly jump to artist or album names begi the alphabet. For instance press the “A” to select an artist or album name (based on sort mode) beginning with “A”.

he cover art. Clicking on any CD will take

nning with different letters of

View Search

The View Search mode allows you to quickly search your entire library by keyword. After selecting this view, an onscreen keyboard w presented allowing you to type the keyword you are lookin Albums/CDs matching your search keywords will be displayed accordingly in the Album Browser area below. If there are no matches, you will be notified with a “No matches found” dialog.

g for. After pressing the “Search” the

ill be

Remember: The search function only searches for a to your search keyword in the “Artist Name”, “Album T

and “Track Title”.

example: A search for “Elvis artist Elvis, and all albums with the word Elvis in the Al Title or Track titles.

” will show all albums by the

atch

itle”

bum

View All

The View All mode allows you to quickly navigate throu your entire library. After selecting this view, you will be presented with a list of all of the CDs in your library.

Use the “sort mode” button indicated by the arrow here to control whether the albums are sorted by Artist name or Album name.

Use the scroll bars at the bottom of the list to quickly scroll through the cover list.

You may also use the alpha-sorter bar to quickly jump to artist or album names beginning with different letters of the alphabet. For instance press the “A” to select an artist or album name (based on sort mode) beginning with “A”.

Preferences

The “Preferences” system provides user control system settings. To access this system, simpl You will be presented with a series of tabs allowin and preferences. Follow the on-screen help to ch needs.

over

y click on the Qsonix logo in the menu bar.

all of the Q100’s preferences and

g you to specify important settings

ange these to fit your tastes and

Album Browser Display

The albu information about your albums. The Qsonix user interface will display two albums at a time. If there are at least two albums in your currently selected album set, if t will only see one album.

The Album Browser Display consists of the following areas:

Artist & Album Name – The top of the album browse

shows the “Artist Name” and

Show Album Detail – Pressing this bu

area, including Release Year, Genres, Styl

Album Menu – Pressing this button will reveal a menu that allows you to perform other functions to the selected album, including “delete album”, and “show track artists”.

tton will show more album details in the album browser

m browser display shows you detailed

here is only one album in your search filter, you

“Album Title”.

es and other relevant information.

Fast Previe the album browsers. You can start a preview at any time, even when you are lis

music in the “Now Playing” area. Qsonix will automatically fade any current playing mu

play several seconds of your preview track, then return to your already playing mu starts the preview at 30% into the song making it easier to identify the song. You may stop

the preview while it is in progress by “double-tapping” the previewing track again, or you can

start previewing another track immediately by double-tapping on a different track.

Album Cover and Details – By clicking on the cover art or using the

“Show Album Details” button, the system will show you are more details about the CD, including; Release Year, Encoding Quality, Genre,

Styles and Other details.

w – The Fast Preview function is controlled by “double-tapping” any track in either of

tening to

sic, and

sic. Qsonix

Track Number – The track number colum the

original CD that was loaded into the system.

Track Name – The “Track Name” column sed

on the original CD that was loaded into

Track Length – The “Track Length” colum This information is used to calculate the ing indicators in the “Now

Playing” area.

n displays the track # for each song based on

displays the song title or track title of each song ba

the system.

n, displays the length in mm:ss format for each track.

duration and time remain

Using Cover Art with Drag and Drop

Drag and Drop - You can add the area or “Now Playing” area by usin m into an

existing playlist in the “Playlists” area, or into the “Now Playing” area. The tracks will be

inserted at the point that you drop the album as indicated by the yellow insertion bar.

entire contents (all tracks) of an album to the “Playlists”

g the touchscreen to drag-and-drop the albu

Add to End of Now Playing – You may also add an album to the end

of the current playlist by dropping the album, or track onto the footer area (indicated in the yellow box of the Now Playing area. E.g. where

the “Tracks/Time Remaining indicator is located”

Album Browser C

The “Album Browser” Controls are located directly beneath the “Album Browser” display area, and enable you to navigate forward and backward through your current album selection based on yo display area indicates the Total n current selection as well as the numbers of the currently displayed albums. In this example “Albums 15 & 16 of 2089 total” are being displayed.

ontrols

ur view mode selection. The

umber of Albums in the

Pag

ing through your Albums

Use

the “Next” button to page forward and view the next two albums in your selection and use the

“Back” to view the previous two albums.

Rem determined by the current Artist, Genre,

ember that the albums available to page through are

Cover or Search menu selections described above.

Cue Bar Control

The “cue bar” control provides a visual referen the position

Changing

The “cue ba the cue pos location.

of the cue position knob.

current song position

r” can also be used to rapidly change locations in the current playing song. Simply drag

ition knob to a new location on the timeline and playback will change to the new

ce to the current playing song length, as indicated by

Playlists Panel

The “Playlists” panel provides a Qsonix’s playlist management and editing

nctions. A playlist is a collection of

fu individual tracks or songs and associated information necessary to play them back. This includes artist name, song title, album title and song duration. All playlists that have been previously saved are displayed here. If you have many playlists, you can use the scroll bar to scroll through the list.

When naming playlists be sure to use nam that are descriptive and provide you with a context such as style, mood, event, etc.

ccess to all of

Using your Playlists

To load a playlist into the “Now Playing” area for playback, simply drag the playlist from the “Playlist” area to the “Now Playing” area. The playli indicated by the yellow highlight. You may use Playing Area” to clear an exis playlist.

dding tracks to Playlists

ting playlist from the now playing area before dropping a saved

st will be inserted into an existing playlist at the point as

the “clear entire playlist” function in the “Now

Qsonix allows you to add tracks This includes individual tracks or albums from the album browser, but also includes the ability to drop items like an “artist”, or “genre” or can drop the genre “Jazz” onto a playlist, and all albums/tracks in playlist. Another example would be to Beatles will be added to your playlist. Experiment with different drag-and-drop operations using the touchscreen. The playlist area will indicate the number of tracks that each playlist contains. Y can alway

Caution dropping an entire artist or genre may include a large number of tracks, and may take a few

seconds, or be undesirable.

s use the “Playlist Edit” function to make changes later.

to a playlist by drag-and-dropping items onto an existing playlist.

“style” from the various view mode lists. For example you

this genre will be added to the

drag the artist “Beatles” onto a playlist, and all music by the

laylist Management Functions

Rename – The rename functio Simply highlight the playlist y select the rename option. This will bring up allowing you to enter a new name using th “Ok” button to accept the new name or

Delete – Clicking the “Delete” button will bri Be sure you want to delete the currently se “Yes” button. If you are unsure, or do not want to delete the currently selected, press “No”.

n allows you to rename an existing playlist.

ou want to rename, use the playlist menu to

e “Rename Playlist” dialog,

e onscreen keyboard. Click the

“Cancel” to leave the current name.

ng up a “Confirm Delete” dialog.

lected playlist, and click the

New – Clicking the “New” button will bring up the “New Playlist” dialog. Simply enter a descriptive name for the playlist that you would like to create using the onscreen keyboard and press the ok button. The playlist now appears in your “Playlist Area” in alphabetical order.

You may use the “Sort by Date” menu option in the playlist menu to sort

playlists by their creation date.

the

new

Edit– Clicking the “Edit Playlist” button fro display the “Edit Playlist” interface, allowing you to see and edit the contents of your playlist. From here you can re-arrange the order of songs, delete songs, and even add new songs using drag-anddrop.

You will receive a warning if you attempt to perform a function that

not allowed, or exceed the playlist size limit of 3000 tracks.

sing drag-and-drop

ou can move any track in the playlist by dragging it to a new

Y location, indicated by the yellow insertion bar. You may also freely add tracks from the “Album browser” directly into the edit list view.

m the Playlist menu will

Edit Playlist Functions

Delete – Clicking the “Delete

Move Up – Clicking the “Mov e playlist.

Move Down – Clicking the “Move Down” button will move the currently selected song down one position in the playlist.

Cancel – Click the “Cancel” button to exit the edit playlist interface without saving any changes you made to your playlist.

Save – Click the “Save” button to exit the edit playlist interface saving all of your changes.

” button will delete the currently selected song from the playlist.

e Up” button will move the currently selected song up one position in th

Now Playing Panel

The “Now Playing” panel controls the songs and song order used for playback. Any music that you want to play must be

d up in this area for playback. The “Now Playing” list

queue can be made up of any combination of “tracks” and “playlists”. This area also provides important information about your “Now Playing” playlist, such as total number of tracks, total duration, as well as nu the entire list.

Current Track – The purple highlighted track is the currently playing track and will only be highlighted when you are in

or Pause mode. Qsonix will keep this item in the center

Play

of the list whenever possible. Note that previously played

ems will appear dimmed in a light grey color.

sertion Point – When using the drag-and-drop features to

dd items to your playlist, a yellow horizontal line will

mber of tracks and time remaining in

indicate where you are inse

Zone 1 & Zone 2 Playlist Tabs – These tabs will toggle between two separate playlists that co what tracks are played in each zone output of the system. Two zone playback is only possible when con

will change colors to indicate which zone you are controlling. Each zone has it’s one playback controls and individual playlist that can be independently controlled.

Remaining / Total Indicator – Displays the number of remaining tracks and remaining total time left to play in your playlist. This display updates by counting down as you move through your playlist. This display rotates to is updated when you add or delete songs and playlists.

Drag and Drop – You can easily move any song in the playlist by dragging it to a new location, indicated by the yellow insertion bar. You may freely add tracks or entire albums from the album browser directly to the Now Playing list for playback.

figured for analog audio output (see preferences / advanced audio). The user-interface

rting the new items into the “Now Playing” list.

indicate the total number of tracks and total playtime for the entire playlist. It

ntrol

Now Playing Menu

You may also access key functions in the “Now Playing” area using the Now Playing menu including:

Delete Track from Playlist – Will delete the currently selecte

Save All to New Playlist – This is a very handy feature that will playlist from the current “Now Playing” list. You will be pro Enter a name and click “Ok” to save. This feature can also the “Playlist” area, by adding them both to the “Now Playing” a Playlist”.

Clear Played Tracks – Will remove any tracks that have alread playing track).

Clear Entire Playlist – Will remove all tracks from the “Now Pl clear your playlist. This will not delete a playlist from disk.

Hide Album Covers – This toggles whether mini album

you have saved in the playlists area or remove files

d track from the “Now Playing” List.

mpted to enter a playlist name.

be used to merge two playlists from

aying” area. This is the quickest way to

covers are displayed in the Now Playing List.

allow you to create a new

rea, and then “Saving to a New

y been played (above the current

Transport Controls

The Qsonix transport area provides control over song playback functions such as Play, Stop, Next Track, etc. Users of other audio playback devices and software should find

easy to operate Qsonix’s transport controls.

Play/Pause – The “Play” button is available when you are in stop or pa resume playback of the current track. The button will turn into a pause button during playback, to pause playback, click the button again.

Stop – The “Stop” button will stop playback of the current track immediately. Playback can be resumed by pressing the Play button.

Back Track – The “Back Track” button will start playing the previous track in the “Now Playing” list “Repeat Mode” is enabled and you press the “Back Track”’ button at the beginning of the list, you wil automatically loop to the last track in the playlist

Next Track – The “Next Track” button will start playing the next track in the “Now Playing” List. If “Repeat Mode” is enabled and you press the “Next Track” button and you are on the last track of the playlist, you will automatically loop to the first track in the playlist

use mode and will begin or

. If

Shuffle Playlist – Th current playing track at the top of the list. You can shuffle the list at any time.

t Mode – The “Repeat Mode” button is a toggle button that controls what happens when

Repea you use the track next and track back buttons to move through the When “Repeat Mode” is enabled, and you have selected “Play”, Qsonix will continue playing each track in your “Now Playing” list and automatically repeat from the beginning when it reaches the end of track.

e “Shuffle” button will randomize your current playlist, and place your

the last

Volume &

The volume and mute controls are located just below the transport controls and the Now Playing area.

Mute Controls

Adjusting Playback Volume

To adjust the volume of the currently pl desired volume level. Moving the knob to the right will increase volume, moving to the left will decrease the volume.

aying song, simply drag the volume control knob to the

Using the Mute Control

The “mute button” toggles back and forth between mute and un-mute modes. Qsonix will automatically use your SoftFade™ settings to softly

fade the volume up or down.

Fre

quently Asked Questions

Q; How do I use the SPDIF digital output on the Q100?

to the system preferences menu by clicking on the Qsonix logo in the menu Bar. Be sure you are on

A: Go

layback” tab, and click the “Advanced Settings” button. On this screen you will see the button

the “P

es for “Analog” or “Digital”. Choose Digital, and be sure your Q100 is connected to a an appropriate

choic digital capable sound system. NOTE: The Q100 can only output one zone of digital output, you must use analog mode if you are using both zone 1 and zone 2 outputs.

Q: My system has stopped responding or is not operating properly, what should I do?

A: If you experience any problems, you should reset the system by using the “reset” function in the “preferences/Information” screen, or recycle the power on the system. All music data, playlists and preferences are stored immediately, so you should NOT experience a loss of information.

Q: Why doesn’t my Q100 always recognize my CDs?

A: The CD recognition and data service is a comprehensive system, however given the number of CDs, slight variations and multiple releases of similar CDs, you are bound to experience a “Not Found” situation. Use the CD entry wizard to enter the information yourself.

Contacting Customer Support

If you have additional questions contact your installer/dealer, or f ebsite at

http://www.qsonix.com/support

other useful information.

or comments regarding Qsonix or your Q100 system be sure to

eel free to visit the support area our w

We maintain a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers and

The Qsonix firmware will be updated with new features and bug fixes periodically, so be sure to our news page at features and options.

Version 3,01

http://www.qsonix.com/news or contact your reseller to learn more about new

visit