Cobalt, Congo ?

Nik,

Yes, Cobalt software is replacing Congo software and the later is no longer being developed. http://community.etcconnect.com/forums/t/13367.aspx

Congo, Sr. has been discontinued and that hardware is no longer being produced :( The Congo Jr, Congo Kid and Congo PC are still in production, but are now listed in the ETC Entertainment Controls pages under the Cobalt Family consoles. As you'll see, there is no Congo page and the Sr Console is no longer shown.  http://etcconnect.com./products.controls.aspx

It is probably a good idea to start familiarizing yourself with Cobalt, even if you are not comfortable running it in a production environment. I'm sure it has undergone extensive beta testing, but it is impossible to cover all possible operational scenarios because the software is so powerful and different users can achieve the same result in many ways. There are some early reports of various problems, but that is always the case with software. Even though Congo software has been in development and production use for such a long time, the existing Congo version 6.4.1 has a bundle of issues, Take a look at the release notes for 6.4.1; there's over a page-and-a-half of know issues beginning on page 10. http://www.etcconnect.com/docs/docs_downloads/relnotes/Congo_v6.4.1_RelNote_RevB.pdf.

You can check on some reports of problems right in the forums pages. Many times, "issues" are actually due to user error, but in some cases, users actually uncover previously unknown "bugs". For a list of known issues with Cobalt 7.0.0., check out the release notes at http://www.etcconnect.com/docs/docs_downloads/relnotes/Cobalt_v7.0.0_RelNote_RevA.pdf.       Beginning on page 8, you'll find around two pages of known issues. If anything on that list would seriously hamper the way you use your console for productions, it might be wise to wait until 7.0.1 or beyond to see if it gets fixed. Better yet, voice your concerns in this forum and to your ETC tech support contacts. The forums are monitored and issues raised are often addressed. 

ETC says Cobalt software will continue to run on Congo hardware "for the foreseeable future". The new hardware and software make extensive use of touch screens, so you may find it helpful to add a touch screen or two to get best functionality from your existing console. If a console upgrade is in your future, it might not be worth the expense of adding a touch screen to your existing Congo. Be sure to check out compatible touch screens if you plan to acquire one, as Congo has a very specific touch screen technology requirement and a Windows 7 or 8 touch screen likely won't work. In the long run, the meager Pentium processor in the Congo Sr is long out of date and will eventually not be able to keep up. Best to start making plans for a hardware upgrade somewhere down the line.

Good luck!

Keith

Hi Keith

Thanks for your reply, all very informative. Gives me plenty to discuss with the managment pursestrings!

Nik

Hi Nik,

I did run Cobalt software on my congo sr.  and I did use a Cobalt 20.  

ETC made a good job!! 

The software brings us ahead. The Sr. didn't have performance problems ! There is no need to get nervous about this,

It is a good idea to test the cobalt offline! You will feel home!

Hi Tobias

Thanks for your reply, I'm in the process of getting the software downloaded, it may take a while, I have a fairly intransigent IT dept to get around on the way, also getting a touchscreen or two past finance might be an issue, but with positive comments such as yours should help to justify my requests.

Cheers

Nik

Hi Tobias

Thanks for your reply, I'm in the process of getting the software downloaded, it may take a while, I have a fairly intransigent IT dept to get around on the way, also getting a touchscreen or two past finance might be an issue, but with positive comments such as yours should help to justify my requests.

Cheers

Nik