What is the Difference Between Gio Enhanced and Original Gio
In 2018 ETC made some major changes to the Gio console. We called the updated version of the Gio the "Enhanced Version."
The original non-enhanced Gio base output count was part number 4240A1012 with three DVI ports on the back. We then changed to a newer ("UCB") motherboard with three display port connectors, and this was 4240A1212.
The enhanced Gio with base output count is part number 4240A1312.
Gio Enhanced cannot be downgraded below v2.6.4 due to facepanel hardware incompatibilities.
Explanation
When we moved to the Enhanced version of Gio we made the following changes:
All internal circuit boards are now made by ETC. This means the fader buttons, half moon buttons, and face panel keyboard all changed to different circuit boards and their physical buttons were changed to Cherry buttons.
Face panel metal was changed to accommodate the installation of these new circuit boards.
The encoders were changed to match those being used in Gio @5. The new encoder design has a button in the center; in the original encoder design, the entire encoder is pressed.
The I/O card was changed to have four DMX ports and no MIDI, just like the Gio @5. Original GIOs (4240A1012, 4240A1014, 4240A1016) have two DMX ports and two MIDI ports.
There was a brief period of time when Gio switched to the 4-Port DMX board before becoming fully enhanced.
Thumb rests (area surrounding level and rate wheels) were changed to a plastic molded part.