ARRI introduces the SkyPanel S120-C & Firmware 2.5 at IBC 2016

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An interview from the 2016 International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam with Mike Wagner of ARRI. ARRI is the world's leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of motion picture camera, digital intermediate (DI) and lighting equipment. The ARRI Group comprises a global network of subsidiaries and partners that covers every facet of the film industry, including worldwide camera, grip and lighting equipment rental through ARRI Rental; turnkey lighting solutions through the ARRI System Group; lab services, postproduction and visual effects through ARRI Film & TV; and film distribution through ARRI Worldsales. In this interview Mike talks with us about ARRI's latest fixture the SkyPanel S120-C LED soft panel, as well as the SkyPanel Remote & Firmware 2.5.

The highly acclaimed ARRI SkyPanel series of LED soft lights is growing, with the new SkyPanel S120-C joining the S60 and S30 family of products. The S120 is twice as long as the S60, but weighs nearly the same. Its larger light aperture makes a great soft light even better. Retaining the same features and color tuneability as its smaller counterparts, the S120 consumes less than 400 watts, yet it is slightly brighter than the S60-C and has an outstanding efficacy of 90 lumens per watt.

A large surface area is a crucial feature of a good soft light. With an aperture of 1290 mm x 300 mm (50.8” x 11.8”), the S120 outputs a beautifully soft, even beam of light that has a wide range of uses. The long aspect ratio wraps light around objects and is perfect for vertical lighting of people. In addition the S120 works well as an overhead light for large areas, with the increased dimensions meaning that fewer lights and less cables are required.

Released alongside the S120 are all the accessories needed for sculpting and controlling the light. Among the S120 accessories are honeycombs, eggcrates, barndoors, diffusion panels, the SkyBender and a new fabric barndoor called the FlexDoor. This wide range of accessories makes the S120 more versatile and easier to control.

Inspired by the requests of users, the SkyPanel Remote adds new flexibility and ease-of-use for the popular SkyPanel line of luminaires. This handheld remote connects to any SkyPanel via a USB cable and allows for full control of the fixture remotely. This is particularly useful if the SkyPanel is high up on a light stand or in a position where the onboard control panel is difficult to access.

SkyPanel Firmware brings new features to the SkyPanel, improves the experience of using the remote and adds various other enhancements. SkyPanel Firmware 2.5 introduces five key new features: master/slave mode, expanded gel library and DMX protocol, xy coordinate DMX protocol, battery low voltage warning and control panel lock.

The new master/slave mode allows for one SkyPanel to control several other SkyPanels via DMX. When this mode is enabled, any SkyPanel connected to the master fixture by DMX cable will mimic adjustments made to the master’s control panel. LEE Filters 700 Series is now implemented in the SkyPanel, bringing 41 new colors into the SkyPanel gel library for an increased total of 318 colors. Using the familiar CIE 1931 color space chromaticity diagram, this x,y protocol allows users to select x and y coordinates to produce a particular color within that color space. If using a battery to power the SkyPanel, Firmware 2.5 now gives a warning if the battery voltage has dropped below a user-defined value, taking the guesswork out of battery changes.

For more information please visit: www.ARRI.com