Upgrading Eos Family Output Counts

Last updated
Save as PDF

Overview

All Eos family devices and ETCnomad dongles have an output count, which is the number of patched addresses that the device can output at one time.

If you need more output from your device, the output count may be upgraded up to a maximum value that depends on your device type. This article will discuss how to check your device's current output count, its maximum output count, and how to purchase and apply an output count upgrade.

Checking Output Count

To check your device's current output count, press the [Clear] key (Backspace on ETCnomad) to clear the command line, then press the [About] key (Y key on ETCnomad).

The output count will be displayed at the top of the About window, after "System Count".

In a multiconsole system, disconnect the device from the network before checking its output count. While connected, the System Count displayed may not match the device's programmed output count; see this article for more information.

Maximum Output Counts by Device

To check if this output count is lower than the maximum possible output count for your device type, see Eos Family Console Output Counts.

Unlike other Eos family consoles, the Element has a fixed output count of 1024 which cannot be upgraded. Instead, Element consoles may be upgraded from 250 channels to 500 channels. The channel count on an Element is displayed in the same location as the System Count shown above, and the upgrade procedure is the same.

Obtaining an Upgrade Code

If your device's output count is lower than its maximum, it can be upgraded to the maximum with an upgrade code. To purchase an upgrade code, contact your ETC Dealer with the following information:

Serial number of the device (see Eos Family Serial Number Locations)
Console ID of the device (see steps 1 through 5 below)

Your dealer will provide you with an upgrade code which must be entered on your device to unlock the new, higher output count.

Upgrade Procedure

A Windows PC must be used to upgrade an ETCnomad dongle's output count. Once a dongle is upgraded, the upgraded count will be recognized on a Mac running ETCnomad, but a Mac cannot be used to perform the upgrade.

Connect a USB keyboard to the console. This will be required to enter the upgrade code.
Go to the Eos Configuration Utility (ECU or "shell").
1. If you are currently running Eos software, press the [Displays] key (F9 key on ETCnomad) to open the browser, then double click on Exit.
2. If the console is currently off, you can reach the shell by clicking on the "Launching in …" countdown box while the console is starting.
Select {Settings} from the main shell menu.
Select {Maintenance} in the top right corner.

Select {Upgrade Console} from the menu on the left side. If you are running ETCnomad on a PC, select {Upgrade Dongle...} instead. The Output Upgrade Utility window will display:

The Console ID displayed in this window is required by your ETC dealer to generate an upgrade code.

Enter the upgrade code provided by ETC into the field and select {Upgrade}.
A popup will appear to acknowledge the successful upgrade and new output capacity. Select {OK} in this popup to close it.
Select {Close} to close the Output Upgrade Utility window.
Select {Accept} at the bottom of the Maintenance window to exit back to the shell menu.