Over the last couple of years some of the most exciting innovations in cinema technology have been in lighting. LED technology has vastly improved, allowing for the evolution of full RGB light fixtures with a wide variety of features. We often joke that cameras today are like little computers, and now this is also true for lights.

The Astra 6X Bi-Color is the next iteration of Litepanels' popular 1x1 LED fixture. More powerful and versatile than the previous versions, the light has evolved into a much used fixture in the industry.

LiteGear is known for their flexible LED fixtures that can be rolled, folded, or otherwise shaped, and mounted in scene-specific locations where other fixtures can't fit. To really appreciate these unique lights, you have to see them in action. So, I decided to try out the LiteTile, LiteMat, and LiteRibbon in a few different scenarios.

Recently, I had the opportunity to test some of the new features of the version 4 firmware for ARRI SkyPanels. In the first video, I take a look at the four new lighting effects, which include Explosion, Fluorescent Flicker, Process, and Welding. This now brings the SkyPanels to seventeen pre-programmed lighting effects, an amazing amount of options in one light source.

That's a wrap on Cine Gear 2018! Join Newsshooter's Eric Naso, Ted Sim from Aputure, and myself for a freewheeling discussion of what we saw and heard at what is rapidly becoming the most industry-focused trade show each year.

In this video, I speak with Jon Miller from Hive about the new C-series single point-source LED fixtures featuring their Omni-Color technology.

Matt Allard from Newsshooter talks to Mike from ARRI about the new features in firmware version 4.0 for the ARRI Skypanels. Topping the list is an innovative color mode, Extended Color Control, that allows DPs and Gaffers to intuitively dial in colors using a matrix-like interface familiar to those who’ve done camera shading or painting. Color temperature and saturation can also be controlled in this mode.

On Saturday, October 7, we held our Chicago Cinema Tech Expo. We expanded the event into a new space so that we could include more gear, workshops, panels, and unique community programming. Over twenty manufacturers were in attendance, with booths filling up the large ballroom at Cinespace. Over the course of the day, our technical specialists were able to visit the booths and get a closer look at some of the most exciting gear that was on display.

The Hive Wasp 100-C is the first LED light fixture from a company best known for their high quality plasma lights. The fixture is small, lightweight and very affordable. It fits well into a large variety of productions.