ETC Releases Updates to Congo and Eos Family Consoles

Time for some update to almost all of ETC’s family of consoles. ETC recommends that you download and update your console with the current version of the console software as these two release’s mainly deal minor issues that have been fixed since the last version update.

More from ETC’s announcement:

Congo v6.0.3

ETC is happy to announce the release of Congo v6.0.3 software for the Congo and Congo jr lighting control consoles, Congo Light Server and Net3™ Remote Video Interface units. This version is mainly to resolve issues that many users have encountered in the field with previous v6 releases. It is highly recommended that end-users currently running v6.0.0-v6.0.2 software update to v6.0.3 as soon as possible. This version has been rigorously tested not only in our labs, but in over 30 beta sites worldwide in varying configurations of stand-alone, server-backup and server-client systems. We believe this version addresses issues of “hour-glassing” and system slowdowns, as well as the unhandled crashes that caused us to pull v6.0.2 from our Web site.

Congo v6.0.3 software and Release Notes can be found in the Downloads section of www.etcconnect.com . There is also a v6.0.3 installer for Congo Offline Editor for Macintosh available for free download, as well. All consoles, Light Servers and RVI/Client PCs in a system must be updated at the same time.

Eos v1.8.1

ETC is also announcing a new version of Eos-family software. Version 1.8.1 is a software patch that fixes a number of issues, including system slowdowns caused by mirror mode (this can be evidenced even when mirror mode is not deployed), and Universal Wing startup issues. It is recommended that all Eos-family products be updated at the earliest convenience.

You can access the Release Note and software from the Downloads pages of Eos, Ion®, Element™, Eos and Ion RPU and Net3 RVI. This release does not require a new Macintosh offline build (users will still use v1.8), nor does it require a new manual or hotkeys document. You can download the Eos v1.8.1 software update from the download section of ETC’s website, www.etcconnect.com.

ETC Releases Congo V6… Again

I swear that I have written about this before… oh wait I DID! If you did not notice, ETC un-released Congo V6.  ETC found just a couple of things that made version 6.0.2 not hold up to ETC’s high standards. Have no fear, ETC has fixed the problem and has just re-released Congo V6.

Here is what Sarah Clausen, the Controls Product Manager has to say:

ETC is happy to announce the release of Congo v6.0.3 software for the Congo and Congo jr lighting control consoles, Congo Light Server and Net3 Remote Video Interface units. This version is mainly to resolve issues that many of you may have encountered in the field with previous v6 releases. It is highly recommended that any site currently running with v6.0.0-v6.0.2 software update to v6.0.3 as soon as possible. This version has been rigorously tested not only in our labs but in over 30 beta sites worldwide in varying configurations of stand-alone, server-backup and server-client systems. We believe this version addresses issues of “hourglassing” and system slowdowns, as well as the unhandled crashes that caused us to pull v6.0.2 from our Web site.

If you have experienced any of the problems above, we express our sincerest gratitude for your patience. We believe that v6.0.3 addresses these problems and that you can update your systems with confidence. As always, if you experience any problems with your system, please contact us either at Congo@etcconnect.com or by calling your local ETC dealer or our Technical Support departments in the USA, UK, Germany or Hong Kong.

Congo v6.0.3 software and release notes may be downloaded here. All consoles, Light Servers and RVI/Client PCs in a system must be updated at the same timer. There is also a v6.0.3 installer for Congo Offline Editor for Macintosh available for free download.

ETC Releases Congo Software Version 6

ETC just recently announced the release of the latest software for their Congo line of lighting consoles, Version 6.  The upgrade is a free download from ETC’s website, www.etcconnect.com and is for the Congo, Congo jr. and Congo LPC.

Here are some of the core updates to be found in version 6:

New Image Effects
ETC has added another powerful effect type to Congo: Image Effects. Image Effects use the Effect Playback concept from Congo v5 software to associate a layout of channels (which creates a graphical or positional relationship among included channels) with a source image or text. Parameters of the Effect Playback include positioning of the image on the layout, scale and aspect of that image/text, rotation, and effects like constant rotation, scaling or scrolling. Multiple effect playbacks allow for layered image effects.

Jam Mode
ETC has done a lot of work on Jam mode, making it easier for users to determine what data gets generated and where that data ends up in a play file. Users can also regenerate data quickly using the new Jam Mode Wizard. For those who like to experiment, we’ve added in Two Scene Masters where users can create a look “blind” using the top row of masters, then fade into that look in time using the Master Controls. The scene created on the top row of masters becomes “live” on the bottom row of masters, where additional adjustments can be made on the fly. This powerful feature of Congo v6 makes busking a breeze.

Masters
ETC has increased the number of Master Playbacks to 80 and made a lot of changes to the Masters, allowing once-global settings to be applied per master – including rubberbanding and exclude-from-record. And, there are new settings, such as the ability to choose what look a rubberbanding master returns to – this can be the previous state, or back to the main playback, or to a designated preset. Also improved is the Masters display and dock, allowing users to see a lot more information about the masters, including more steps of a sequence on a master.

Learn Profile
ETC has improved playback by incorporating the ability to learn a fade profile for crossfades in the Main Playback. Simply enable “Learn Profile” on a soft key and then move the faders in the manner you want the crossfade to happen. Also new is an indication of the current playback location (what’s in A and B) within the Sequence List editor.

Channel Views
The channel views have changed, giving users more options for the amount of information that is displayed within a channel box. There is also a new set of symbols in the Channel Layouts supporting more TV/film fixtures and adding special-purpose symbols as well. Now users can even draw circles!

Blind Editing
ETC also changed the way that blind editing is done, allowing for live moving-light controls to be used within blind views. This means that instead of using spreadsheet-style editing, users can view blind data and move encoders, use direct selects and other keyboard commands to select channels and enter data directly, as in Live.

New Docks
A number of new docks have been added, including the Designer Summary dock that collects important data about the main playback and/or selected channels and puts it in one compact location on-screen. A Timecode dock displaying a large clock for internal or external time code has been included. It enhances Congo’s functionality with support of the Net3™ Show Control Gateway for interaction with MIDI and SMPTE on the network, as well as adding an internal backup clock within Congo itself. There is also a new Selected – Live dock that shows the channels and effect playbacks users select in the Live tab.

Structural Changes
Congo has undergone some major structural changes including more Preset numbers – from 0.001 to 9999.999 – making it easier to organize shows that use multiple sequences. Also, finer timing resolution under ten seconds is now possible – 0.01 to 9.99 seconds. Lastly, 16-Bit intensity is now supported, providing improved control of automated fixtures and accessories that utilize high-resolution motor control and improved mastering of LED fixtures that use 16-bit color parameters.

You can view a preview movie of the new software code of the Congo by visiting ETC’s website, www.etcconnect.com/Congov6.

ETC Previews Congo v6 at ABTT & Showtech

ETC has been previewing the latest update to the Congo line of consoles, version 6. The ETC Light Minds Think Alike blog post some of the new features of version 6.

One of the interesting updates in v6 is that there are even more, yes MORE presets available from 0.oo1 to 9999.999.  Personally, I don’t think that will be enough as I need that 10,000.000 preset, makes numbering easier.

Here is a basic run down of some of the other updates and changes made in v6.

• Channels Views – Re-design of what information is shown in the channel box
• Blind Editing – moving light controls brought in.
• New Docks – Designer summary, timecode, live dock have all been added.
• Learn Profile – Learn a fade profile for crossfades in the main playback
• Masters, Masters, Masters – Updated to 80
• Jam Mode – Added Two Scene Maters to create a look blind
• New Image Effects – Uses the Effect Playback concept to associate a layout with channels with source image or text.

The new version 6 will be available for download sometime during the summer 2009.