A couple months ago, I got to convert my JOSC to the new network option. Full disclosure- the creators gave me the module to invite my feedback. If you are considering buying either the upgrade or debating between the USB only or ethernet versions, I’d like to share my experience. However, this is not a review. I’m not a reviewer, I have not tested this exhaustively. But I’ve now used it on set every day for an entire feature shoot and I feel like I know how it works and who this is good for.
What Does it Do?
The upgrade adds network functionality including Power Over Ethernet to the already well known device. The advantage for a certain type of worker and work flow (spoiler alert- that’s me) is significant. I am already very comfortable with network setups, so being able to use one cable for power and data is awesome. It solve an annoyance where the USB version would need to be powered up after Eos for it to shake hands. In my Nomad Case setup, the Eos was always the last thing up, so it was frustrating to have to unplug and replug the JOSC every day. This solved that issue.
Retrofit Experience
The retrofit option is not for the faint of heart or the weak of soldering skills. I am NOT a good enough solderer to feel confident when it comes to circuit boards, so I bribed a good friend (the amazing Chris Balo) to help me. I’m very glad I did, as about two steps in I would have been over my head. Perhaps a good metric for those of you trying to decide: If you ordered the fully built system (like I did), maybe the upgrade isn’t something you should install yourself. That said, the instructions were clear and the process was well thought out. It took Chris a couple hours working slowly and methodically to do the first one.
Firmware upgrade
Of course, to make use of this new function, you need to upgrade the firmware. Again- the documentation is clear and the process is painless. One small thing to note- it may be just my system, but the little pinhole that allowed you to poke the button on the Teensy that put the device into boot loader mode doesn’t line up any more. I now need to remove the back cover to upgrade firmware. I always have to carry a hex set on my cart anyway, so this isn’t a big deal to me.
The Firmware
I like the functionality adds. (Full confession- some of these settings may have already existed and I may have not noticed. Also- please excuse the dust. It was a very windy day on set with lots of dirt flying around.)
Display Settings give you the ability to customize the backlight and the timing of the backlight shifting to low.
Encoder Sensitivity goes from 1-9 with 1 being the finest control. I could be wrong, but I feel like the encoder now has a higher resolution on setting 1, and I like that a lot. Doing CCT on the encoder felt jumpy with each tick jumping a 75 points often. I also appreciate that you can set sensitivity for Pan and Tile separately from the four encoders on the right. I would LOVE an option like MA and Maxxyz where you had an icon by each encoder to change the sensitivity on the fly, but maybe in the future.
Encoder Data I honestly ignored as I don’t actually understand what the menu is trying to tell me and I haven’t had down time to play around without being on set and needing to program for my gaffer.
Network Settings is where everything gets set for your network function to work.
OSC USB/IP is where you choose whether to operate in USB or network. The rest of the functions are pretty obvious- you need to assign an IP address to the JOSC, tell it the IP address of Eos as well as the RX and TX ports. One interesting thing- I had to tell Eos what IP address to listen to for all of this to work in Setup>System>Show Control>OSC> OSC UDP TX IP address. This makes sense because Eos needs to send information to JOSC constantly for parameters to show up in JOSC. But it wasn’t obvious at first.
Final Thoughts
If you aren’t comfortable with networking, this upgrade isn’t for you. If you aren’t a very good solderer and you can’t convince a more skilled person to help you, this isn’t for you. But if neither of those things are a problem- I think very well of this product. It solves a problem and simplifies my every day on set. Are you thinking about getting the upgrade? Let me know in the comments.