General Monitor Information

Connectors

VGA (Video Graphics Array) uses a 3-row, 15-pin connector. The signal is analog component RGBHV video.

DVI (Digital Visual Interface) can refer to different signals and different connectors:

• DVI-A is simply analog RGBHV in a funny connector. (RGBHV is the standard used in VGA and other analog PC computer monitors.) This connector is not used on any ETC console.
• DVI-D is a parallel digital standard, primarily used in computer monitors and other home entertainment type video displays.
• DVI-I is not really a signal type, but refers to a connector type which integrates DVI-A and DVI-D signals, meaning that DVI monitors can be used, or DVI to VGA adaptors can facilitate use of VGA monitors.

For a very in depth discussion of the DVI connector and signal standards see the following: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface

Display Port uses a connector with 2 rows of ten pins in a rectangular form factor. It is a digital signal, and can be adapted back to a variety of other formats. Some versions of Display Port can be directly adapted to single-link HDMI and DVI signals.

For a very in depth discussion of the DisplayPort connector and signal standards see the following:  Display Port

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is another connector used to send digital video signal (as well as other signals). It is commonly found on consumer equipment like televisions and video streaming appliances, as well as on computer monitors. It can be passively/directly adapted to DVI, as well as actively adapted to a number of other protocols. 

An in-depth discussion of HDMI can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI

Eos Titanium (Eos Ti)

The Eos Titanium (Ti) console has either 3 Display Port or 3 single DVI-I connectors, which means that up to 3 monitors can be connected to the console.

If the console has Display Port connectors, you would need an active adapter to convert the signal to HDMI, DVI, or VGA.  The ETC Part# for the DVI Active Adapter is M7400.  The ETC Part# for the VGA Active Adapter is M7410.  The ETC Part# for the HDMI Active Adapter is M7411.

The consoles with a DVI connection can support either DVI or VGA, though using VGA monitors requires a DVI to VGA adapter. The connector on the back of an Eos Ti will not fit a DVI splitter or "wye" cable.  The pin configurations are different for a Dual DVI connector and a single DVI connector, so the maximum of 3 monitors assumes use of all three video ports on the console.

Gio and RPU3

The Gio console and RPU3 processor have either 3 Display Port or 3 single DVI-I connectors, which means that up to 3 monitors can be connected to the console.

If the console has Display Port connectors, you would need an active adapter to convert the signal to HDMI, DVI, or VGA. The ETC Part# for the DVI Active Adapter is M7400.  The ETC Part# for the VGA Active Adapter is M7410.  The ETC Part# for the HDMI Active Adapter is M7411.

The consoles with DVI connections can support either DVI or VGA, though using VGA monitors requires a DVI to VGA adapter. The connector on the back of a Gio or RPU3 will not fit a DVI splitter or "wye" cable.  The pin configurations are different for a Dual DVI connector and a single DVI connector, so the maximum of 3 monitors assumes use of all three video ports on the console.

Gio@5

Gio@5 has two Display Port connectors, which means that up to 2 monitors can be connected to the console. 

You would need an active adapter to convert the signal to HDMI, DVI, or VGA. The ETC Part# for the DVI Active Adapter is M7400.  The ETC Part# for the VGA Active Adapter is M7410.  The ETC Part# for the HDMI Active Adapter is M7411.

Eos

An Eos console has 3 single DVI-I connectors, which means that up to 3 monitors can be connected to the console. The monitors can be either DVI or VGA, though using VGA monitors requires a DVI to VGA adapter.  Three of these adapters ship with an Eos console.

The connector on the back of an Eos will not fit a DVI splitter or "wye" cable.  The pin configurations are different for a Dual DVI connector and a single DVI connector, so the maximum of 3 monitors assumes use of all three video ports on the console.

Ion

Depending on the console's motherboard, an Ion console has either:1 Dual DVI-D connector (DMS-59) and 1 VGA connector, 2 single DVI-D connectors and 1 VGA connector, or 1 DVI-I, 1 DVI-D, and 1 Display Port connector. Despite having three connectors, only 2 monitors can be used on an any hardware version of Ion.

For models with the DMS-59 Dual DVI connector or 2 single DVI-D and VGA connectors

If a particular installation is using only one monitor it may be a DVI monitor or a VGA monitor.

If two monitors are being used in an installation, the simplest configuration uses two DVI-D monitors.  The monitors are attached either to the dual DVI-D connector on the console via the supplied DVI splitter (in the case of older motherboards with the Dual DVI-D port) or to the two DVI-D connectors on the console with no adaptor or splitter (in the case of the newer motherboard with the 2 single DVI-D ports).

Alternatively, one DVI and one VGA monitor can be used.

You can not use two VGA monitors with Ion. 

For models with the 1 DVI-I, 1 DVI-D, and 1 Display Port connector

The DVI-I adapter can be adapted to VGA with the use of a simple DVI-I to VGA adapter. The Display Port connection can also be adapted to a variety of signals using an active adapter (HDMI, DVI, VGA).

Element

The Element console has 2 DVI-D connectors and one VGA connector.  As with the Ion console, only two of these connectors can be used.

For models with the 2 DVI-D and VGA connectors

If a particular installation is using only one monitor it may be a DVI monitor or a VGA monitor.

If two monitors are being used in an installation, the simplest configuration uses two DVI-D monitors.  The monitors are attached to the two DVI-D connectors on the console with no adaptor.  

Alternatively, one DVI and one VGA monitor can be used.

You can not use two VGA monitors with Element. DVI to VGA adaptors cannot be used.

For models with the 1 DVI-I, 1 DVI-D, and 1 Display Port connector

The DVI-I adapter can be adapted to VGA with the use of a simple DVI-I to VGA adapter. The Display Port connection can also be adapted to a variety of signals using an active adapter (HDMI, DVI, VGA).

ETCnomad Puck

The ETCnomad Puck has either two HDMI connections or one HDMI connector and a mini-DisplayPort connector. 

If your Puck has two HDMI connections, these can be connected directly to a monitor supporting HDMI, or with a HDMI to DVI cable (passive), it can be connected to a DVI monitor. 

If your Puck has one HDMI connector and one mini-DisplayPort connector, the same HDMI recommendations apply. However, the mini-DisplayPort connector can be connected to a DisplayPort monitor or, with an active adapter, to a monitor supporting VGA, DVI, or HDMI. ETC includes a mini-DisplayPort to HDMI adapter in the box with this version of the Puck. 

Cobalt 20

The Cobalt 20 console has either 3 Display Port or 3 single DVI-I connectors, which means that up to 3 monitors can be connected to the console.

If the console has Display Port connectors, you would need an active adapter to convert the signal to HDMI, DVI, or VGA.

The consoles with a DVI connection can support either DVI or VGA, though using VGA monitors requires a DVI to VGA adapter. The connector on the back of an Eos will not fit a DVI splitter or "wye" cable.  The pin configurations are different for a Dual DVI connector and a single DVI connector, so the maximum of 3 monitors assumes use of all three video ports on the console.

Cobalt 10

The Cobalt 10 console has 3 Display Port connectors, which means that up to 3 monitors can be connected to the console.

If your monitor does not support Display Port natively, you would need an active adapter to convert the signal to HDMI, DVI, or VGA.

Congo

The Congo console has three VGA connectors. 

Congo Jr.

For models with the DMS-59 Dual DVI connector:

The VGA port is disabled. However, the splitter can be adapted to support either 2 DVI or 2 VGA monitors. Theoretically, you could also have one VGA and one DVI monitor.

For models with the 2 DVI and 1 VGA connectors:

If two monitors are being used in an installation, the simplest configuration uses two DVI-D monitors.  Alternatively, one DVI and one VGA monitor can be used.

You can not use two VGA monitors with Ion. 

For models with the 1 DVI-I, 1 DVI-D, and 1 Display Port connector

The DVI-I adapter can be adapted to VGA with the use of a simple DVI-I to VGA adapter. The Display Port connection can also be adapted to a variety of signals using an active adapter (HDMI, DVI, VGA).

Congo Kid

The Congo Kid console has 2 DVI-D connectors and one VGA connector.  As with the Congo Jr console, only two of these connectors can be used.

For models with the 2 DVI-D and VGA connectors

If a particular installation is using only one monitor it may be a DVI monitor or a VGA monitor.

If two monitors are being used in an installation, the simplest configuration uses two DVI-D monitors.  The monitors are attached to the two DVI-D connectors on the console with no adaptor.  

Alternatively, one DVI and one VGA monitor can be used.

You can not use two VGA monitors with Congo Kid. DVI to VGA adaptors cannot be used.

For models with the 1 DVI-I, 1 DVI-D, and 1 Display Port connector

The DVI-I adapter can be adapted to VGA with the use of a simple DVI-I to VGA adapter. The Display Port connection can also be adapted to a variety of signals using an active adapter (HDMI, DVI, VGA).