CQC 1.6.15 released

Charmed Quark Systems, Ltd

is proud to announce the 1.6.15 release of CQC (the Charmed Quark Controller), its software-based control and automation system.

Version 1.6.15 is an update release that brings in some moderate fixes and features that didn't make it into the original 1.6 release. A couple of the new features though were very much requested. The most significant new features are:

- Metadata Browsing. In previous versions, metadata was only available for the currently playing media, but now you can add metadata repository browsing widgets to your interfaces so that you can preview media before playing it.

- Omni Pro II Driver. There is a new ethernet based driver for the widely used Omni Pro II automation panel, so CQC now has strong support for both the Elk M1 and HAI Omni panels.

- Dynamic Field Assignment. The user interface system now supports dynamic field assignment which allows you to reuse a single interface template for multiple zones or multiple devices, and other situations where multiple identical templates would have been needed before, the only differences being the device/fields referenced.

- User Action Event. A new broadcast event has been added that allows button presses on controlled devices to invoke a configured CQC action. Some devices provide such buttons that are just intended to cause user defined actions, and if the driver can be informed of those button presses, it can send these events.

- DVDO VP30 Driver. There is a new driver for the DVDO VP30 video scaler/switcher, the followup to the iScan HD which CQC also supports.

- System Volume/Mute. You can now control the Windows volume level and mute settings, for those folks who are using CQC in an HTPC type configuration.

- Slider Widget. The interface system now supports a slider widget which can be used to set or display device values graphically, complementing the exising rotary volume knob widget.

- Interface Variables. You can now set variables in the interface system, which can subsequently be used in other invoked operations. This allows for a lot of flexibility, particularly when used in conjunction with the previously mentioned dynamic field assignment capability.

Here are some example user interfaces, to give you a feeling for what can be done. These are not fixed interfaces, they were drawn using our Interface Designer, to create a solution that has the appearance, flow, and features that the particular customer desired.

The product is available in a 30 day unencumbered form, so you can use it to it's fullest extent during that time, in order to see if it works for you. If you decide to buy, you can just license your existing installation, so that you won't have any interruption of your work done during the trial period. To download the installer, click the Try/Buy tab of the main web site menu, or the Try It button in the upper right hand corner.

------------------------------------- Dean Roddey Chairman/CTO, Charmed Quark Systems