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.
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.