Application Guide
Using Q-SYS with Dolby® Atmos
Rev. A, 28 January 2019
2 QSC, LLC
Using Q-SYS with Dolby® Atmos
Q-SYS AND DOLBY® ATMOS.
The versatility and processing power of Q-SYS and Q-SYS Core Processors make them an ideal cinema audio infrastructure
to implement a Dolby Atmos system on. The QSC cinema core processor family comprises two models, the Core 110c and the
Core 510c.
USING Q-SYS WITH ATMOS
Q-SYS BEST PRACTICES FOR CINEMA
Use this check list to be sure you’ve adopted the best practices for launching a Q-SYS network for cinema.
• Use qualified, properly configured network switches. QSC now makes available a line of switches that are precon-
figured for most Q-SYS applications but also easily adaptible for more specialized ones. For more information on
Q-SYS NS Series network switches or for guidance on identifying and setting up third-party network switches,
see https://www.qsc.com/systems/products/q-sys-platform/products-peripherals-accessories/
network-switches/q-sys- networking-solutions/
• For information on general third-party switch requirements for Q-LAN, see https://www.qsc.com/resource-files/
productresources/dn/3rd_party_control/q_tn_sys_dn_qsys_generalswitchrequirements.pdf
• Use separate switches for each LAN unless you have the IT support resources available to set up VLANs on managed
switches.
• Disable PTPv2 (clock) on any network interface controller (NIC) that connects to the house/control network (typically on
LAN B).
• Use a separate PTP clock domain for each core processor.
• For sharing music, use WAN TX and RX.
• Isolate all Q-SYS devices into LAN A.
• There should be only one gateway per core processor.
• Do not duplicate any IP addresses or overlap any subnet ranges.
A typical cinema system with Q-SYS has three networks:
• QLAN, where all the Q-SYS components reside and are interconnected on LAN A.
• Management network, used by the theatre management system (TMS) to communicate commands, schedules, and status
with the individual components of each stadium.
• Media network, used exclusively for media or content transfer. Each server receives via this network both its media to be
played and also its key delivery messages (KDMs) that enable it to be played with the appropriate server features.
Enabling the cinema library in Q-SYS Designer
Software
1. Unlock the cinema library to gain access to the Atmos
receiver block. To do this, right-click on the Q-SYS
Designer Software application or shortcut.
2. Select Properties.
3. Select Shortcut.
4. Add /cinema to the Target address.
5. Click OK.
QSC,LLC 3
Application Guide
Disabling PTPv2 on LAN B in Q-SYS Designer
Software (5.4 to 7.0.1)
1. Go to File > Design Properties.
2. At PTPv2 Disable LAN B select Yes.
3. Match the setting in PTPv2 Domain to the setting
configured in the Dolby CP850.
4. Match the PTPv2 User Domain setting to the PTP
Domain Number configured into the Dolby CP850.
Disabling PTPv2 on LAN B in Q-SYS Designer
Software (7.1 and higher)
1. Open the design in Q-SYS Designer.
2. Select Tools > Show Q-SYS Configurator…
3. Click the core processor. Click Network Services.
4. A window will open showing all the network services
available for or configured for the core processor. Click
Edit and then clear Q-SYS Audio Enabled Peripherals
on LAN B. Click Save.
4 QSC, LLC
Using Q-SYS with Dolby® Atmos
Using design blocks for Atmos
Enabling the cinema library in the first step gave you access
to cinema-specific components and devices such as the
Atmos Receiver.
1. Add Atmos Receiver blocks to the design as needed.
Each block has eight outputs available.
2. Double-click each Atmos Receiver block to open its
interface window.
3. With the design running (either Save To Core & Run or
Emulate), set each block to Enable. Set each to a unique
Remote RTP Port as assigned by the Dolby CP850
processor or IMS3000 server.
4. Set each block’s Interface to LAN A.
Dolby CP850 and IMS3000 settings
1. Open a web browser and enter the IP address of the
Dolby CP850 processor in the address bar. Set up the
browser and Q-SYS Designer Software windows side-by-
side so you can match the settings between them.
2. Log into the server’s web interface. Select Dolby Atmos
connect.
Notes:
• The static source IP needs no modification. It is used by
Dolby.
• The PTP domain number must match that of the desti-
nation core processor but differ from the PTP domains of
the other core processors.
• Acceptable values for PTPv2 priorities are 1 through 253.
(For more information, see https://www.luminex.be/
improve-your-timekeeping-with-ptpv2/.)
• The destination multicast IP address here and in the
Q-SYS core processor must match. The Q-SYS default
is 239.81.83.67, but it can be changed in the Atmos
Receiver block in Q-SYS Designer Software, if necessary.
• The RTP destination UDP port must match the
Remote RTP Port number in the first Atmos Receiver
block. The port number in each successive additional
Atmos Receiver block must increment by 1. Q-SYS
defaults to these values, but you should check them to
confirm.
3. In Dolby Atmos connect, select unique RTP destina-
tion UDP ports and click apply.
NOTE: Make sure you have Dolby Atmos and AES67 enablement licenses or keys in the CP850 or IMS3000. These are
installed or enabled through a Key Delivery Message (KDM). Contact Dolby for information.
QSC,LLC 5
Application Guide
4. In Q-SYS Designer Software, with the Q-SYS design
disconnected (File > Disconnect or F7), go to File >
Design Properties…
5. At PTPv2 Domain, select User (4-127). Match PTPv2
User Domain in the Q-SYS design and PTP domain
number in Dolby Atmos connect.
SAMPLE SETUPS
NOTE: The following examples show networks set up with virtual LANs (VLANs) on managed switches. It is also acceptable to
use separate switches for each LAN, and it is recommended for cinema installations where there is insufficient IT support to
configure VLANs properly.
Atmos setup case 1.a
This is the simplest Q-SYS + Dolby Atmos scenario. It
comprises these components:
• Dolby CP850 processor
• Q-SYS Core 110c
• QSC DPA-Q power amplifiers
• Managed switches separating Q-SYS and management
into separate VLANs. Use separate switches for each
LAN if you do not have the IT support resources available
to set up VLANs on managed switches.
Blue—Q-SYS network
Green—Management network
6 QSC, LLC
Using Q-SYS with Dolby® Atmos
Atmos setup case 1.b
This is similar to Case 1.a, but with a Core 510c instead of a
Core 110c. It comprises these components:
• Dolby CP850 processor
• Q-SYS Core 510c
• QSC DPA-Q power amplifiers
• Managed switches separating Q-SYS and management
into separate VLANs. Use separate switches for each
LAN if you do not have the IT support resources available
to set up VLANs on managed switches.
Blue—Q-SYS network
Green—Management network
Atmos setup case 1.c
Here, the Dolby CP850 is integrated into the Dolby IMS3000
media server, with AES67 streaming configured within
the Dolby web interface. The system comprises these
components:
• Dolby IMS3000 media server
• Q-SYS Core 110c or Core 510c
• QSC DPA-Q power amplifiers
• Managed switches separating Q-SYS and management
into separate VLANs. Use separate switches for each
LAN if you do not have the IT support resources available
to set up VLANs on managed switches.
Blue—Q-SYS network
Green—Management network
QSC,LLC 7
Application Guide
REDUNDANCY: THE SHOW MUST GO ON
Even as rare as hardware failure is, the reliability of the Q-SYS network can be made even more solid by taking advantage
of the redundancy capabilities of Q-LAN and of Q-SYS core processors. Implementing a redundant network infrastructure
adds a high degree of fault tolerance, and the automatic switchover abilities of a Q-SYS core processor eliminate the need for
immediate human intervention to keep a cinema presentation going.
Reliability strategies can employ varying degrees of redundancy to suit various cost targets and a range of available resources.
For more information, please see the QSC white paper on Q-LAN architecture and redundancy at https://www.qsc.com/
resource-files/whitepapers/q_wp_sys_dn_qsys_qlan_networkredundancy.pdf.
© 2018 QSC, LLC. All rights reserved. QSC, and the QSC logo are registered trademarks in the
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and other countries.
(800) 854-4079 or (714) 957-7100
Outside the U.S. +1 (714) 754-6175
Fax: +1 (714) 754-6174
QSC, LLC
1675 MacArthur Boulevard
Costa Mesa, CA 92626 USA
qsc.com
