ETC spreads its wings
Published: PRODUCTS
Intended to greatly expand portable remote control options for lighting systems, ETC has debuted two budget-conscious programming wings in the shape of Eos and Cobalt. In particular, the Eos programming wing provides a portable physical control surface to ‘supplement’ ETC’s ETCnomad Puck software.
For touring applications, the programming wings fit into dedicated flight cases that can be checked in for flights. In addition to two powered USB ports, they also have a recessed port to store and secure the ETCnomad dongle. In terms of operation, they use the same layouts as the manufacturer’s Gio and Cobalt 10 face-panels, with playback and fader controls, parameter encoders, and level and rate controls. Connectivity comprises DMX512-A/RDM and Midi, a Contact Closure Trigger, and Littlelite connections. The wings can also be installed within a HOW, via a connection to an Eos/Ion RPU (Remote Processor Unit), RVI, RVI3 (Remote Video Interface) or a Cobalt Light Server.
The programming wings arrive at the same time as the Eos v2.3 and Cobalt v7.2 software updates and are compatible with Windows 7 or higher or OSX Mavericks or higher.
Also new from ETC is the ColorSource ThruPower cabinet for 230V territories, providing a relay and dimmer on each of the cabinet’s 12 or 24 circuits. Changing settings from switched to dimmed power, or vice versa, can be done locally with the cabinet’s interface, though remote control is possible via integrated Remote Device Management (RDM). DIN-rail accessories can also be added, including Ethernet, echo control stations or mosaic show controllers.