Consoles and Monitors
This article discusses monitors used with the current generation of ETC Consoles: the Eos Family (Eos, Gio, Ion, Element, associated RPUs) and the Congo Family (Congo, Congo Jr, Congo Kid, Congo Light Server).
For a consolidated table display of acceptable monitor configurations for these consoles, RVIs, RPUs, and Light Servers, please visit Monitor Configurations
Related articles with monitor information for older consoles can be found in the links at the bottom of this page.
The current generation of ETC control consoles uses three different types of video connectors. When choosing a monitor, it is important to note that different connectors produce different results on different consoles.
Another factor to consider when configuring a system is that many monitors have multiple connector options included. For example, the ETC Inc. supplied PJM1003 17" monitor has both VGA and DVI-D connectors.
Connectors
VGA (Video Graphics Array) uses a 3-row, 15-pin connector. The signal is analog component RGBHV video.
DVI (Digital Visual Interface) can refer to different signals and different connectors:
- DVI-A is simply analog RGBHV in a funny connector. (RGBHV is the standard used in VGA and other analog PC computer monitors.) This connector is not used on any ETC console.
- DVI-D is a parallel digital standard, primarily used in computer monitors and other home entertainment type video displays.
- DVI-I is not really a signal type, but refers to a connector type which integrates DVI-A and DVI-D signals, meaning that DVI monitors can be used, or DVI to VGA adaptors can facilitate use of VGA monitors.
For a very in depth discussion of the DVI connector and signal standards see the following: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface
Eos
An Eos console has 3 single DVI-I connectors, which means that up to 3 monitors can be connected to the console. The monitors can be either DVI or VGA, though using VGA monitors requires a DVI to VGA adapter. Three of these adapters ship with an Eos console.
The connector on the back of an Eos will not fit a DVI splitter or "wye" cable. The pin configurations are different for a Dual DVI connector and a single DVI connector, so the maximum of 3 monitors assumes use of all three video ports on the console.
Ion
Depending on the console's motherboard, an Ion console has either 1 Dual DVI-D connector and 1 VGA connector or 2 single DVI-D connectors and 1 VGA connector. Despite having three connectors, only 2 monitors can be used on an Ion.
If a particular installation is using only one monitor it may be a DVI monitor or a VGA monitor.
If two monitors are being used in an installation, the simplest configuration uses two DVI-D monitors. The monitors are attached either to the dual DVI-D connector on the console via the supplied DVI splitter (in the case of older motherboards with the Dual DVI-D port) or to the two DVI-D connectors on the console with no adaptor or splitter (in the case of the newer motherboard with the 2 single DVI-D ports).
Alternatively, one DVI and one VGA monitor can be used.
You can not use two VGA monitors with Ion.
Element
The Element console has 2 DVI-D connectors and one VGA connector. As with the Ion console, only two of these connectors can be used.
If a particular installation is using only one monitor it may be a DVI monitor or a VGA monitor.
If two monitors are being used in an installation, the simplest configuration uses two DVI-D monitors. The monitors are attached to the two DVI-D connectors on the console with no adaptor.
Alternatively, one DVI and one VGA monitor can be used.
You can not use two VGA monitors with Element. DVI to VGA adaptors cannot be used.
Congo
The Congo console has three VGA connectors.
Congo Jr.
The Congo Jr. Console comes in two configurations:
Older Motherboard: One DVI-I connector. Using the supplied DVI splitter and VGA adapters Congo Jr. can support either 2 DVI or 2 VGA monitors.
Theoretically you could also have one VGA and one DVI monitor.
Congo Jr. also has a physical VGA connector. However, it does not work. If you hook a VGA monitor to it nothing will happen.
Newer Motherboard: Has the same connectors as the older motherboard, plus 2 onboard DVI and one VGA port. Only one of the onboard DVI ports can function at a time, and the onboard VGA port does not function.
We recommend using the same configuration for the newer motherboard as you would on the older motherboard: DVI splitter with DVI or VGA monitors.
Congo Kid
Congo Kid has 2 DVI-D connectors and one VGA connector. Any two of these connectors can be used.
If a particular installation is using only one monitor it may be a DVI monitor or a VGA monitor.
If two monitors are being used in an installation, the simplest
configuration uses two DVI-D monitors. The monitors are attached to the
two DVI-D connectors on the console with no adaptor.
Alternatively, one DVI and one VGA monitor can be used.
You cannot use two VGA monitors with Congo Kid. DVI to VGA adaptors cannot be used.
RVI / RPU / Congo Light Server
There have been two generations of hardware used in production for Net3 RVI, Eos Family RPUs, and Congo Light Servers.
First generation hardware (DVI Splitter)
These each have a dual DVI-I connector with splitter for 2 independent DVI or VGA displays, same as Congo Jr.
Second generation hardware (On-board DVI)
These each have two DVI-D connectors, as well as a VGA connector. Like Element or newer Ion consoles, any two of these ports can be used. Only one VGA monitor can be used, however, as the DVI-D signal cannot be adapted to VGA.
External Touchscreens
Eos Family consoles (Eos, Gio, Ion, Element), Eos Family RPUs, Net3 RVIs, support external touchscreens, as do Congo Family consoles (Congo, Congo Jr, Congo Kid), and Congo Light Servers running version 5+ software.
Specific touchscreen requirements can be found here: Touchscreen Monitors
The Gio console has different touchscreen requirements, please see this article: Gio Console and Touchscreens
Knowledge Base: