Acts with RNA polymerase to initiate transcription from early gene promoters. Is recruited by the RPO-associated protein of 94 kDa (RAP94) to form the early transcription complex, which also contains the core RNA polymerase. ETF heterodimer binds to early gene promoters (By similarity). Heterodimer of a 70 kDa and a 82 kDa subunit. Part of the early transcription complex composed of ETF, RAP94, and the DNA-directed RNA polymerase (By similarity). All the enzymes and other proteins required to synthesize early mRNAs are packaged within the virion core along with the DNA genome. This is necessary because viral early mRNAs are synthesized within minutes after virus entry into the cell and are extruded through pores in the core particle (By similarity). Belongs to the poxviridae VETF large subunit family.