ETC Ion purchase query

I could be wrong, but I don't think there is a physical upgrade for 4 ports, is there? You can upgrade the parameter count though. Standard is 1024, you can buy additional universes up to 3072 parameters.

Whatever node you choose, my advice is to choose something that says ETC Net 3.

Ueli

Like Ueli, I have never heard of an Ion with 4 DMX ports, as an option.

Mostly as Why ?.  If you need 4 universes, you end up running 4 separate DMX cables from console to, deck ?.  That's a pain. 

Easier to run a single Cat 5 backbone and distribute to nodes.  That gains you ultimate flexibility as you can distribute multiple universes of data to a lot of nodes, making the patch understandable yet staying within the address count of the desk.  

And as comment, you would not be purchasing Net 2 devices.  ETC has moved to Net 3 for new purchases.

Ueli and Steve are quite correct. There is no such thing as an Ion with 4 DMX ports on board. This would have to be done with a gateway and the relevant output count upgrade.

just to add to this and hopefully not confuse the matter. Keep in mind that the output count (1024) is a total parameter count that can be spread among any combination of DMX universes that you wish. So if you know that for your system layout, you need to be in 4 universes to make things fit the way you want, but you actually only use 1024 or less DMX slots, you can stick with the 1024 Ion and just get a 4 port Net3 gateway.

I only mention this as I have several times run into situations where I've had venues tell me that they can only user Universe 1 and 2 as they only have a 2 universe Ion.

grahamparker said:

Ueli and Steve are quite correct. There is no such thing as an Ion with 4 DMX ports on board. This would have to be done with a gateway and the relevant output count upgrade.

Ben beat me to it.

It might be unnecessary to upgrade the address count.  Recall that the system allows you to assign any of those initial 1024 addresses across 32 ?, 64 ? (can't recall) universes.  If you don't have a huge address/output count, but desire flexibility in the actual universes you send (1A Elec w/ 6 MAC700/s @ U2, 8 deck Desire 60's on U3, 24 Selador x8 channels on the cyc on U4, etc...) , no need to upgrade as long as you stay within the total address count.  And of course, you can always purchase more address capacity as needed.

One added comment from a new Ion user. We were able to use a combination of the DMX outputs on the board and an ethernet connection to a gateway to run 3 universes without losing our installed DMX runs to dimmers and an Opti splitter FOH that had been a single universe system. We configured the gateway for universes 2 and 3 and the 2 outputs from the board to universe 1. We only had to run one cat5 cable and install the gateway to more than double our capabilities.

Hi all

Thanks for the comments and feedback.

I think my typing might have confused people re ETC net 3 and net 2. I was referring to a 2 port unit that would run etc net 3. It obviously came out different when typing etc. Sorry about that.

I was also incorrect re the physical ports versus outputs issue. Seems I got confused too and mixed up the output count.

I agree with all in that the etc net gateway would be the best option. I have got a pricing on a 4port Net 3 gateway and it looks promising. It is most definitely something I wish to add to the list. I was looking for ways to expand the options with the desk and give the unit more flexibility as the venue is a mainly receiving house with a wide variety of users. It is always better to have more options to deal with situations.

I have recently put  a cat 5e patch system in to the theatre so this will work out quite handy.

I do think the 4port etc net 3 will be on the list!

thanks again

eamon

If you have Net2 nodes currently, they will run on Ion.  There's a switch in setup, it might be automatically ON, to enable Net2.  The console will simultaneously output Net3, so whatever nodes/gateways you use will work. 

I'm pretty sure ETC is only selling Net3 gear currently.  

You can still get tons of net2 nodes through eBay and google.great for times when budget is tight.  I have 12 net2 nodes of various flavors running with my ion.

You can still get tons of net2 nodes through eBay and google.great for times when budget is tight.  I have 12 net2 nodes of various flavors running with my ion.