Symetrix is now shipping the Cognio C20 Smart Processor, a compact networked audio DSP that gives AV integrators a new hardware platform for building distributed Cognio systems.

The C20 provides 64 Dante transmit and 64 Dante receive channels, eight channels of acoustic echo cancellation, 32 playback channels and eight record channels. It also includes 8×8 USB-C audio bridging with HID synchronization and supports 48 kHz or 96 kHz, 24-bit open-architecture signal processing.

For conferencing, classroom and other networked AV deployments, the C20 can bridge Dante systems with USB-equipped computers while handling room processing, echo cancellation, audio transport, media functions and control. Two 1 Gb Ethernet ports, one USB-C 3.2 port and one USB-A 2.0 port are included.

The Intel x86-based processor measures one-third rack width at 6.7 inches wide. It supports VESA, surface, podium and under-table mounting as well as installation in an optional rack tray, giving integrators the option to locate processing at the edge or use a more centralized architecture.

A single C20 can also run multiple independent Signal Flow Spaces, allowing its processing resources to serve multiple rooms. Cognio systems can be expanded with additional processors and endpoints as requirements change rather than permanently assigning processing capacity to a single room.

“Cognio gives AV professionals a fundamentally more adaptable foundation for designing and deploying systems,” said Mark Graham, CEO of Symetrix. “The C20 delivers substantial processing power within a compact form factor that can be deployed wherever it is needed, while Cognio’s distributed architecture allows the wider system to grow from processors to endpoints without forcing teams to redesign what’s already working. With the C20 now shipping and our first certification course available, consultants and integrators can begin putting this new approach into practice.”

Symetrix is supporting the C20 with Cognio DesignOps, software for designing, configuring, validating and managing Cognio systems. Its workflow allows integrators to organize systems by site, space and signal flow before hardware is finalized and allocate C20 processing resources as needed.

DesignOps includes code-free, browser-based control interface design, reusable themes and templates, offline system emulation, system validation, real-time monitoring and searchable event logging. The software also provides a grid-based canvas for creating and managing signal flows across rooms, zones, floors or buildings.

Symetrix has also launched Cognio DesignOps Essentials: Foundations for AV System Success, a certification course covering the platform’s software-first design workflow, hardware-independent signal flows, reusable templates, no-code control interfaces and offline testing. Completion provides one renewal unit for CTS, CTS-D, CTS-I and ANP credentials.

The Cognio C20 is available now through Symetrix and authorized Symetrix partners.