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Electronic Theatre Controls Inc

Paradigm Original Mk1 and Mk2 product comparison

Introduction

Alongside the Paradigm v6.0.0 release, ETC is introducing new Mk2 hardware, which includes all-new more-capable processors and rack hardware. The information below compares the original (aka Mk1) product with the Mk2 product, and calls out important points of consideration for upgrading existing systems.

Important-Icon.png All original P-ACP hardware is still supported and capable of running Paradigm v6.x.
Original P-ACPs can co-exist in the same system as new Mk2 processors in separate enclosures.

Processor Hardware

The Mk2 line includes a direct replacement for the original P-ACP used in ERn/DRd Enclosures, but also adds a new DIN form factor. The Mk2 processors have the same features as the the original P-ACP, with improvements in several aspects.

  P-ACP (Mk1) P-ACP-E / P-ACP-D (Mk2)
Channel Count 1024 2048
Station Count 128 128 (in v6.0.0)
256 (doubled in future software release)
NSPS Count (requires 5.0.0+) 5 5 (in v6.0.0)
10 (doubled in future software release)
DMX Ports 2 (input/output configurable) 2 (input/output configurable)
Local Contact I/O 4 4* (P-ACP-E only)
RS-232 Connector DB9 DB9 (P-ACP-E)
3-pin connector (P-ACP-D)
Network Speed 10/100 mbps (100Base-T) 10/100/1000 mbps (1000Base-T)
Display Monochrome Monochrome, with color to be added in a future software release
External Media Port 1x USB-A and 1x SD 1x USB-A

* P-ACP-D does not include local contact closures. If contacts are needed for that processor then a Unison Heritage Contact Interface (UHCI) is required.

Rack and Power Supply Hardware

The Mk2 P-ACP-E draws more power than the original P-ACP, so Mk2 variants of the ERn power supply (PSU) or DRd Dimming Engine are required to use the new processor. Additionally new Mk2 right and left I/O cards for both racks are required, and are not compatible with the original P-ACP. They are physically different so a P-ACP cannot be accidentally plugged into a Mk2 rack, and a P-ACP-E cannot be accidentally plugged into an original rack. The right I/O card has also been updated to use the blue 3-pin connector for DMX wiring.

Additional important points to consider:

  • Older P-ACPs cannot be installed in the new ERn/DRd racks, and the new P-ACP-E cannot be installed in older ERns or DRds without being upgraded.
  • Kits will be available to upgrade existing ERn/DRd racks to Mk2 rack hardware to support P-ACP-E.
  • ERn4 racks cannot have a mix of old and new processors.
  • Existing Redundant Power Supply (ERN-RPS) in an ERn will need to replaced with the new Mk2 variant.
  • Existing Unison RideThru Option (URTO) in ERn or DRd will need to be replaced with the new Mk2 variant.
  • Existing Unison BatteryPack Option (UBPO) in ERn are incompatible with P-ACP-E. ETC is still working on a Mk2 replacement.
  • Mk2 Dimming Engines have been shipping since Fall 2021, so some DRd racks already have partial compatibility (less the right and left I/O). Compatible Dimming Engines have a Mk2 notation near the test switch.
    • The new Mk2 CPU2 Dimming Engines are not required for P-ACP-E.
  • Existing ERn Ethernet Switch (ERn-NET) modules will continue to function with P-ACP-E, but only communicates at 10/100 mbps (100Base-TX) speeds.

Station Power Supplies

All existing station power supplies (P-SPM, P-SPM-E, P-REP, P-DREP, P-NSPS-D) will continue to function with both original and new Mk2 processors. A new DIN-mounted power supply (P-SPS-D) has been added to the family, which typically resides next to a P-ACP-D for local connectivity of 63 LON stations. Just like the P-NSPS-D, the P-SPS-D does not include 24vdc aux power.

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