What is the correct pc program

to control from your own hardware (pc or mac), download "Eos Family Nomad Software v2.2.0 for PC" or "Eos Family Nomad Software v2.2.0 for Mac" from here: http://www.etcconnect.com/product.downloads.aspx?ID=22179

as an alternative you can buy a mini-PC called Nomad Puck, which runs the same software but in dedicated hardware and with a locked down OS.

so you have Nomad installed, now you need two more things: the dongle and an output interface.

the dongle is the size of a USB-plug and it provides the license. the smallest license is 256 output addresses, the biggest one 2048. this is only the license, this does not provide hardware to output.

as output interface you have different choices: output through USB by a product called ETC Gadget. this provides one universe of output (if you have a license of at least 512 addresses), only one gadget can be connected to a PC or a Mac. or you output through network with either sACN or ArtNet as protocols. in this case you can use ETC Net3 DMX Gateways (1, 2 or 4 ports) or products by another manufacturer.

you can use Nomad also to backup an exisiting Primary console or as client. when using it as a backup, you need to be aware that the output capacity of your whole system will be determined by the lower license of backup and primary.

Replying to all actually.

I do want to add I am mobile, venue to venue, concerts and theatrical so there is no permanent install in my case, which applies to the universe section primarily. However I do have opportunities to make suggestion to venues for purchase so good to know options.

Thank you for the info. I have purchased two different programs/dongles in the past to control lighting from my laptop in order to save all the time, space and security of my ION with wings, monitors, etc, I have not successfully been able to use either of them comfortably. So, money down the drain and this is a really great thing, however looks a bit pricy.

It looks like for me since I currently have nothing I will need to get the dongle however here's one thing still confusing. ION has two 512 universes. What do we do about each universe since of course my patch is on both?

Now tied with that I do have one older stlye two port Node I seldom use because of having to power it by either my Power Injector or a 24V power supply. All it really does is eliminate one dmx run and strike. So it hasn't been worth using for the work comparison. We did install them in my church and I use them all the time because they are permanent. So if I use the Node would I have two universes at 512 each as it is currently programed through the network if I purchase the 1024 or higher dongle?

If I purchase a Gadget then I am definitely limited to one universe no matter how much output I purchase, correct?

the confusion is probably due to different manufacturers using different terminology.

for ETC, a dongle is a tiny USB thingy (think USB drive). it provides the license to output, not the place to plug your dmx cable. so that's the first thing you need. whithout it, your nomad software is the replacement for the previous Offline Editor and will stay offline.
the second thing you need is something to plug your dmx cable. this can either be an ETC Gadget, which is a small box with an USB connector on one side and a dmx female on the other side. instead of the Gadget you could also use something that converts the network protocals sACN or ArtNet to dmx. you're not bound to ETC products in case of network protocols.

better?

Hi Robin, Eos Nomad = Software you install on Laptop that opens files from any Eos Console. Nomad Dongle (USB) you must purchase in order to be able to output DMX from laptop. Comes in 256, 512, 1024 and 2048 (DMX Outputs) versions. Stick this USB Dongle into Laptop with Eos Nomad Software and your software is allowed to output DMX. Now you need a way to get the DMX Output to your light. Your laptop most likely has no standard DMX XLR Output port like it does for Ethernet or USB. You have two options: a. you connect via network to any sACN Gateway/Node like ETC's Net3 DMX Gateways and then those convert your DMX from Network sACN into DMX on XLR Outputs for your lights b. you purchase Gadget which is a box that connects via USB cable to your laptop and outputs 1x DMX Universe via its XLR Output. All clear now?

Thanks guys. Very clear now. Too bad though. $237 for a gadget which is useless without $2000 dongle/license. Avolite Titan mobile is a $200 dongle with dmx connection. Thats it. ETC is the greatet consoles and eos software great but need to re think mobility solutions.

I tend to disagree Robin.

If you by a Titan One you get one universe of output over DMX, that's it. What if you want to use your existing nodes, or what if you want more universes? You can't! ETC's offering allows you to just connect your laptop to an existing network and control up to 4 universes worth. If you do want a USB to DMX device the Gadget is available if you want it.

Cheers

Dan

there is no denying the advantages of more universes, But sometimes you just need to be down and dirty with the one universe which is more than adequate to run 20 or thirty LEDs and a few movers for an one off outdoor show. Once i set up a magic sheet or direct Selects, Namad/Eos is great for this.......Buuuut. if i need to buy a $2000 license dongle to make it run...then that for me defeats Mobility. you last point re Gadget being available......are you saying if i just have the gadget, then i can use Nomad to output live, but just the one universe. If so this is exactly what i want. please confirm.

You still need the dongle because that is the bit that permits output. The gadget is merely a USB to DMX device if you need that. I'm not 100% sure on US pricing, but I'm pretty convinced a 512 output dongle isn't $2000 though.

Dan, i don't know the pricing either, but i'm pretty sure, there is no Nomad 512. there's 256, 1024, 1536, 2048.

Dongle for 256 Outputs is US$480-$500.....Not a full universe.....Next up is two universe at $1520 ....add Gadget at $250 Which doesnt provide as there is only one out put. http://www.musson.com/nomad-dongle.html. So the cheapest thing for anything useful with only one DMX universe(not Net) is nearly $1800. Now compare with Titan Mobile, and Titan one. Titan Mobile is a $4000 Mini console, with faders , encoders and 4 universes. and no additional software licensing. The Titan licensed Dongle and DMX interface for output from laptop, is $200. im not trying to sell Titan, I want ETC to do better with their pricing. its a licence for pete's sake, not hardware that understandably will have manufacturing costs.

ETC are missing the 1 universe license, this isn't the first time someone has asked why they're selling the Gadget but not a license to fit it.

But ETC should not be in a race to the bottom of price point. When you buy hardware or a software license you're paying for future development, testing and tech support not just the special USB key.

Precisely Nick. ETC Has the best Hardware and software out there.....Why not beat all the markets. And one of them is the one universe, laptop run a show market......I would pay more then the Titan one $200 (which i use now) to run Nomad instead. maybe $300.....hell i would even spring for a touch screen monitor to plug into my laptop. This would give me a really viable solution when i go on the road.

The reason is that $300 nowhere near covers what you're getting. That is a 1 universe lighting desk you have with all the control of an Eos Ti, just no physical hardware. Software has become vastly undervalued, it's as expensive if not more expensive that hardware.

Also Titan then lower their price to undercut ETC and then it's a race to the bottom again.

Manufactures are only producing these products in the hope that you then move on to  real hardware which pays for future software and product development. It's expensive just keeping up with the fixture library.

Titan 1 software with dongle is preciesly that. All the power of any Avolite desk without the hardware . GrandMA have the same thing albeit a bit pricier. And of course they offer this solution hoping one will move up and get hardware. But tgey also offer it so that their users that alresdy have or are familiar withier product via hardware, dont switch when they are on the road.

We are releasing a 512 output dongle shortly (I don't know the time frame). Gadget originally was introduced as a way to configure the Desire series of LED's that are RDM capable. Something to remember too Robin is with that usb dongle you're buying you also get a level of customer support that no other company can provide.

guys ....you dont have to sell me on ETC....ETC is the best, it has the most user friendly and capable machines for theatre work. and yes i have surely benefited from its 24/7 excellent customer support. A 512 dongle will be a definite step forward.

guys ....you dont have to sell me on ETC....ETC is the best, it has the most user friendly and capable machines for theatre work. and yes i have surely benefited from its 24/7 excellent customer support. A 512 dongle will be a definite step forward.