Eos and Cobalt Family Output Counts
This article is about consoles. For information on ETCnomad dongle output counts, see this article
Introduction
All Eos and Cobalt/Congo family consoles have an output count, which is the number of patched DMX addresses that the console can output at one time. Each console hardware type has a minimum and maximum output count, and if a console has less than the maximum, it can be upgraded using a software code.
Eos 2.6.0 and Cobalt 8.0.0 introduced a change to the way that output counts were sold. Before, output counts were sold in increments (512, 1K, 2K, 4K). We simplified this and changed the way units in the field were handled - now there is only a base count and an unlocked count.
This does not permanently change the output count– if you downgrade to Eos 2.5.2 / Cobalt 7.3.1 or lower, you’ll revert to whatever output count was there before.
Rules
Rule 1 - If current output is lower than (or equal to) "base", it will increase to (or remain at) the "base" output count.
Rule 2 - If your current output count is higher than "base", but lower than "unlocked", it will increase to the "unlocked" count.
Rule 3 - If your current output is higher than "unlocked", nothing is changed - it will stay at the higher amount.
Note: Current Eos-Family consoles (Ion XE, Gio@5, Apex) only have "base" and "unlocked" counts. If an ETCnomad dongle is plugged into them, the output count may be reduced to match the dongle's programmed output count.
Eos Family Consoles
Cobalt and Congo Family Consoles
In addition to output count, Cobalt and Congo consoles have a control channel count. This cannot be upgraded (except Congo Kid, see below), but the user can reduce it for neatness when desired. Channels can be renamed up to 9,999
| Console | Base Count | Unlocked Count | Channel Count |
| Cobalt 20 (all versions) | 4,096 | 16,384 | 5,000 |
| Cobalt 10 | 4,096 | 16,384 | 5,000 |
| Cobalt Light Server | 4,096 | 16,384 | 5,000 |
| Congo Jr (Windows XP and Windows 7 based) (1) | 1,024 | 6,144 | 3,072 |
| Congo Sr and Congo Light Server (1) | 1,024 | 6,144 | 3,072 |
| Congo Kid |
Congo Kid has a fixed output count of 1,024 and cannot be upgraded. Congo Kid instead has a control channel count of either 256 or 512 channels. If 256, this can be upgraded to 512 by purchasing a code. |
N/A | 256 or 512 |
(1) Because Cobalt v8 software cannot be installed on consoles running Windows XP, these consoles are not included in the new system of base count vs unlocking. Please contact your local ETC office for further information.
Hardware Upgrades
Several Windows XP based consoles were eligible for the now-discontinued hardware upgrades to Windows 7. Of these, only the Ion and Ion RPU have different unlocked counts. If the console was unlocked before the upgrade, it will remain unlocked afterwards, at the higher output count (6,144 instead of 3,072).