ETC ION, Opinions?

[ndiaz]

Hello, Our school's LD wants us to get the ION, and after looking at it, It seems like it'd be pretty good for us. Its a step up from the Express 250 we have, and then we wouldnt have to rent a moving light bord. Right? I just wanted to know what the ION has that the 250 doesn't have.

[derekleffew]

Your question is probably best answered in this thread. If anyone on CB has actually taken delivery of an Ion system, I'm sure they'll let us know.

[soundman]

We have a demo of it on Tuesday, I'll post a trip report after. I dont know what they are brining with it for wings though. We will be tied in to conventionals and movers to get a feel for all of the features. Unforchently unless they bring some movers I wont get to see how it deals with shutters.

[soundlight]

First thing: download the offline editor (it's the EOS offline editor, and you run it as the ION option). Play around with it, see what you think.

Second thing: you can probably get a demo from your local ETC dealer. They can bring the desk out and plug it in to your rig, and you can try it out.

I've only played around with the OLE, but I like it. The moving light control is definitely a big step up from the Express (Expression software), and there are specific keys for ML functions (unlike the elaborate softkey menus of the express). However, I find that the drawbacks are in the lack of other buttons. Since the EOS operating system is equivalent to the Obsession operating system in the new ETC line, I compared it against an Obsession 600 (first gen). There is a serious lack of display keys. This is my major problem with the console. If you get it, make sure to get a fader wing or two.

[gafftaper]

From what I've seen in Demo's it's a great console for a school that occasionally uses lot's of intelligent lighting gear. Download the software and try it for yourself. Get a demo if you can.

[jmabray]

Originally Posted by soundlight

However, I find that the drawbacks are in the lack of other buttons. Since the EOS operating system is equivalent to the Obsession operating system in the new ETC line, I compared it against an Obsession 600 (first gen). There is a serious lack of display keys. This is my major problem with the console. If you get it, make sure to get a fader wing or two.

Can you define what you mean by a "serious lack of display keys"?

I only ask, because if you haven't seen the desk in person, you wouldn't realize that there are display keys, just not hard keys on the console.

There is a <displays> button. When you press that button the softkeys all remap to your various displays -patch, color picker, etc. There are also <Live> and <Blind> keys as well.

Let me know what you mean because I haven't found it to be lacking in display options.

If anyone has any specific questions, feel free to ask. I have been demoing the console all week and am pretty familiar with it....



Thanks!

Jeff

[soundlight]

Originally Posted by jmabray

Can you define what you mean by a "serious lack of display keys"?

I only ask, because if you haven't seen the desk in person, you wouldn't realize that there are display keys, just not hard keys on the console.

There is a <displays> button. When you press that button the softkeys all remap to your various displays -patch, color picker, etc. There are also <Live> and <Blind> keys as well.

Basically, I really, really like the direct access display keys on the Obsession. I was very sad to see them go in to softkeys. Something else buried in the layers. One more keystroke. I must say, however, that I'd love to get my hands on one of these for a few minutes. If I get the job that I'm applying for this summer, I'm pretty sure that the company will get a demo.

[Grog12]

Originally Posted by jmabray

Can you define what you mean by a "serious lack of display keys"?
I only ask, because if you haven't seen the desk in person, you wouldn't realize that there are display keys, just not hard keys on the console.
There is a <displays> button. When you press that button the softkeys all remap to your various displays -patch, color picker, etc. There are also <Live> and <Blind> keys as well.
Let me know what you mean because I haven't found it to be lacking in display options.
If anyone has any specific questions, feel free to ask. I have been demoing the console all week and am pretty familiar with it....
Thanks!
Jeff

Can you disable the "Slide on" windows so they just pop up as opposed to wasting prossecing power on a silly little graphical look?

[derekleffew]

Originally Posted by Grog12

Can you disable the "Slide on" windows so they just pop up as opposed to wasting prossecing power on a silly little graphical look?

Oh, come on! Your making it way two easy! Yore a graduate of which university? I'm guess it was a bassetball scholarship?

[Grog12]

Originally Posted by derekleffew

Oh, come on! Your making it way two easy! Yore a graduate of which university? I'm guess it was a bassetball scholarship?

Spelling's for the weak.