2022 China Stage Film and Television Lighting Research and Analysis Report - Computer Lights

From September 2022 to March 2023, the Stage, Film and Television Lighting Professional Committee of the China Illuminating Society organized 40 industry experts into 6 research groups, and went to 26 companies in Guangdong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Beijing and other places to conduct research. The research content covers lighting, hanging, control, engineering and other aspects. Experts conducted in-depth discussions with various companies on industry technology development, corporate technology research and development ideas, business philosophy and market segment needs, etc., and formed 14 research reports on computer lights, conventional lights, hanging control, engineering applications, and special effects devices. This article summarizes and analyzes the contents of the computer lights involved in the survey. Due to space limitations, the lamps listed in the report are only reference representatives of individual cases and are not unique.

Companies related to this article include: Guangdong Huachen Film and Television Stage Professional Engineering Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as: Brilliance Film and Television), Guangzhou Caiyi Lighting Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as: Caiyi), Guangzhou Baiyi Seiko Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as: Baiyi Seiko), Guangzhou Xiangming Stage Lighting Equipment Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as: Xiangming), Guangzhou Shenglong Lighting Equipment Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as: Shenglong), Guangzhou Haoyang Electronics Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as: Shenglong) : Haoyang), Guangzhou Zhujiang Lighting Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as: Zhujiang), Guangzhou Penglin Lighting Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as: CKC), Guangzhou Ouma Lighting Equipment Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as: Ouma), Foshan Yifeng Electrical Industrial Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as: ACME), Foshan Feida Film and Television Equipment Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as: Feida Film and Television), Guangzhou Zhumeng Lighting Equipment Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as: Zhumeng) , Guangzhou Desheng Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as: Desheng), etc.

1 Light quality and light efficiency continue to improve

The development of science and technology promotes the technological progress of stage, film and television lighting. Enterprises not only focus on developing new products and new functions, but also strive for excellence in basic optical quality. As more and more scenes use computer lights as high-precision surface lighting fixtures, users have higher requirements for light quality details, and the optical indicators of computer lights have become more optimized and perfect.

1.1 Better light color consistency

The Ra, R9, TLCI and other indices of various brands of LED computer lights generally reach more than 90, the dimming frequency reaches more than 25 kHz, and the pattern and spot uniformity reach more than 85. Haoyang's SL5000 LED computer light series (see Figure 1), color rendering index R1 to R15 are all greater than 96, TLCI ≥ 98, Rf ≥ 93, Rg ≥ 100; Caiyi's FINE 1700LH BSWF (see Figure 2) Ra, R9, and TLCI are all greater than 95; CKC's V20 has Ra ≥ 95; Feida Video's PH-LED1700BSWP has R15 ≥ 96 and R9 ≥ 90; Shenglong's Panda 12 has a spot uniformity of 92%.

The key indicators of linear dimming and dimming process are stable, which is the basic guarantee of visual stability. Zhujiang’s Jade 3500 (see Figure 3) and Zhumeng’s DREAM L1600P FLAG have designed 4 types of dimming curves and more than 3 types of dimming response speeds; Caiyi’s FINE BSWF, Zhujiang Jade, Omar's P7ll, CKC's ZP480FC, Haoyang's Teboli SMART and other computer lights use dynamic adjustment technology to achieve automatic light and color correction to ensure consistent color temperature and color, and a stable CRI during the dimming process, Ra≥95.

1.2 Lamps are more efficient

With the advancement in the design of light sources, lenses and optical systems, the efficiency of lamps has improved. With the same power light source, the luminous flux of the lamp is higher than that of the previous generation product; the light source power required to achieve the same luminous flux is smaller. The structure of the lamp in terms of size, weight, heat dissipation, etc. has also been optimized.

The efficiency of lamps has developed from about 45% in the past to the current maximum of more than 60%. According to reports, the efficiency of Shenglong's Panda15 LED computer lights (see Figure 4) has exceeded 65%; the efficiency of Haoyang's COBRA laser light source beam pattern computer lights has reached 60% to 70%.

1.3 Stronger beam

The light output diameter is larger, the beam angle is narrower, and the beam effect is significantly enhanced. Caiyi's FINE 450 BEAM (see Figure 5) has a light outlet diameter of 200 mm and a minimum beam angle of 1.5°; Shenglong's FF42GII moving light has a light outlet diameter of 200 mm and an illumination of up to 880,000 lux at 10 m; CKC's Proxima IP and Zhumeng's J300B IP 260 (see Figure 6) and other laser moving lights have a light outlet diameter of 230 mm. Large-diameter lamps are brighter, the beam is parallel and full, the edge of the spot is sharp, and the visual effect is more powerful.

2 Function improvement extensions are an eternal theme

With the advancement of electromechanical materials and processes, the application and control technology of new light sources have matured. Powerful functions and rich effects are the development trend of computer lights. Originally used to integrate application technologies between different scenarios, more new design concepts and patented technologies have emerged.

2.1 Continuous expansion of motion functions

The X/Y axis motion accuracy of the scanner reaches 16 bits, and the motion angle reaches more than 270°/540°. CKC’s Proxima IP has a maximum X-axis movement angle of up to 630°. In the past, infinite rotation of the lamp body was common in small effect lamps. Haoyang's GLW1960FX IP 1200 W four-in-one LED waterproof wash lamp (see Figure 7) has successfully achieved horizontal and vertical infinite rotation on high-power lamps.

Zhujiang's Jade 3500 computer light uses a non-contact high-precision magnetic encoding device for X/Y axis rotation positioning. The light body is lightweight in design, runs smoothly, and positioning is accurate and fast.

2.2 Each protective function has its own characteristics

With the recovery of the cultural and tourism industry, the demand for high-protection computer lights has increased. Some stage lighting fixtures have also improved their protection levels, and architectural lighting technology has been integrated into stage lighting fixtures. Zhujiang’s Excellence 260 Marine Enhanced Scanner (see Figure 8) has a patented air bag for fully enclosed airbags and is anti-salt spray; Shenglong’s FF42GII has harsh environment protection; Haoyang’s GL12WP Protection grade IP65, normal operation at -20°C. When there is no signal, the lamp head automatically adjusts its direction to avoid direct sunlight; Desheng and Zhujiang's laser computer lights have a low-temperature automatic preheating function, can intelligently preheat, start at low temperatures, and can work in a -15°C environment; ACME's XA 1000 BSWF IP, Zhujiang's waterproof version of Smart 380 and other computer lights have a waterproof rating of IP66.

2.3 Effect functions continue to improve

Cutting, prism, atomization and other functions are more abundant, and dyeing computer lights are beginning to be equipped with full-width cutting functions; the functions of various pattern and color effect disks are enhanced and the number is increased. Many lamps have three or more prisms, atomization mirrors and pattern disks. Dream L1400R2 FLAG (see Figure 9) four-piece full cutting system, with dual rotating gobos, double prisms, double fogging, linear dimming system, can be infinitely rotated and cut; Xiangming's Exp700 four-piece full cutting system, the cutting pattern can be rotated 180°; Haoyang's COBRA laser computer lamp's patented gobo structure design, dynamic effect disk and 4 prisms can be used in multiple layers, with the number of patterns up to 92; ACME's XA1000, CKC The V20 (see Figure 10) cutting blade can completely close the light and rotate at multiple angles in a single piece; Zhujiang's jade series' unique patented stepless rotation cutting technology can achieve 360° stepless rotation of the cutting blade with forward and reverse speed changes to generate any four-sided graphics.

2.4 Silence and heat dissipation optimization

The heat dissipation capacity is related to the stability and reliability of the lamp. Good heat dissipation capacity can improve the stability and life of the lamp. The main source of noise is the cooling system. The computer light cooling system is mainly optimized from several aspects such as heat source, heat dissipation method and heat dissipation components, intelligent temperature monitoring and adjustment, etc. Some lamps are also designed with high-brightness, silent and other working modes to suit different occasions.

Shenglong’s Panda 15 light source uses full heat pipe and intelligent heat dissipation control technology for light source cooling, with an optional silent mode; Haoyang’s Teboli SMART has a variety of intelligent cooling modes, from fanless and completely silent to ultra-high brightness; Zhujiang’s Jade 3500 uses a double-layer heat pipe active cooling device; Zhujiang’s Jade 3000 (see Figure 11) can choose theater mode or standard mode, and the noise in theater mode is not higher than 40 dB; Caiyi's FINE 1700LH BSWF supports three noise control modes. In low-noise mode, the overall noise is as low as 36 dB. Through efficient thermal conductive materials and intelligent fan control technology, it can work stably in a 35°C environment; Feida Film and Television's PH-LED1700BSWP (see Figure 12) has a noise as low as 35 dB in ultra-quiet mode.

2.5 Macro functions are more widely used

Macros bring convenience to operators. The built-in macros of computer lights are not only applied to color and temperature, but also extend to lamp functions and working modes, which can effectively improve device programming efficiency and broaden device usage scenarios.

CKC's Wash ZP480FC moving head cutting and dyeing light has more than 130 built-in LEE Filter and Rosco Filter color macros. CKC's Soft Panel 600TW has independent 8-segment control and presets 15 built-in effects, such as police lights, flames, clouds, party, etc., which are convenient for users to call with one click.

Haoyang's AYRTON ZONDA 9 FXLED dyeing effect lamp has a variety of built-in macro effects, which can quickly achieve a variety of preset dynamic lighting effects.

Shenglong’s Black Mamba BL1240 multi-function effect light and Zhumeng’s L650BSWF four-in-one computer light have built-in multiple color macro and effect macro functions.

Zhujiang's Jade 3500 has built-in color temperature fixed value macros and standard LEE color number color macros; it can set multiple specific specifications of fixed-focus imaging light and zoom imaging light modes in silent mode with one click.

2.6 Platform modular design is more efficient

The platform-based lighting design and modular functional units effectively improve design and production efficiency, reduce parts types, reduce R&D and production costs, and make equipment maintenance and replacement combinations more convenient. Caiyi’s FINE 450 BEAM adopts a platform-based structure and thermal design. The same platform is suitable for 371 W, 380 W, and 420 W. W light sources of different powers, product upgrades only require the replacement of bulbs and rectifier modules; Ouma's P7ll (see Figure 13) and other models of computer lights are designed with light source modules of different powers and color rendering properties, and only need to simply replace the light source modules according to different needs; Haoyang's Teboli SL5000PH cutting light adopts a multi-dimensional modular design, and users can freely choose different functional module combinations according to needs, quasi-customized production.

2.7 Special effect lights have richer functions

Special effect lights are designed for a specific purpose. Strip effect lights can achieve multi-level lighting effects by superimposing main light sources and auxiliary effect light sources. The main light sources are mostly high-power single lamp beads arranged to achieve dyeing and beam functions; personalized effects from various passive viewing angles such as rainbow, strobe, starry sky, imitation tungsten wire, etc. enrich the lighting design methods; some special effects lamps also have two-dimensional movement and multi-angle splicing functions, which can achieve strong and shocking dynamic effects and large-area dynamic matrix effects.

ACME's TB 1060 (see Figure 14), Shenglong's Black Mamba BL1240 (see Figure 15), Haoyang's GLB12FX IP and other strip special effect lights are zoomable, Y-axis rotatable, and splicable; they have beam, dyeing, motion and other effect functions. The main light source uses RGBL/RGBW four-in-one LED lamp beads, and the auxiliary area uses an independently controllable LED light source, which can be controlled at a single point or a single color. It has special effects such as beam, dyeing, strobe, starry sky, gradient, and flow chasing. Multi-light splicing can achieve large-area rendering of the venue or dynamic matrix background.

2.8 The function of computer lights is extended to regular lights

The combination of conventional lamps and computer lights effectively solves the problem of accurate light alignment in special locations such as high altitudes, and improves dimming efficiency and safety.

Feida Film and Television's three-action spotlight series (see Figure 16) combines a film and television spotlight and a computer light rocker into one. It has a high-precision X/Y-axis self-locking function when power is turned off. The solenoid valve lock ensures that the lamp is maintained at a fixed point. The lamp color temperature range is 3 000 K ~ 5 700 K, Ra ≥ 95. Baiyi Seiko's electric swing arm (see Figure 17) adopts a large torque design, can move horizontally/vertically infinitely, has accurate positioning, real-time status display, and has rotation angle memory, point memory, and locking functions. It has high installation compatibility and can be used in conjunction with imaging lights, spotlights, and flat panel lights, making basic lighting control computerized.

Brilliance Film and Television's computer spotlight (see Figure 18), on the premise of meeting the requirements of illumination, high color rendering index, uniform spot, and no noise, has eight electric functions of horizontal, pitch, focus, four leaf pages and lamp mouth rotation, which better realizes quick lighting.

3 Light source optimization improves the quality of lamps

Various types of light sources are widely used in computer lights, each with its own characteristics and adapted to the needs of different users. The light quality, efficiency, luminous density and control methods of LED light sources have improved, providing users with more choices; traditional high-pressure gas discharge light sources continue to be used in narrow-beam lighting applications; laser light source computer lights have outstanding features and are developing rapidly; high-power LED light sources are becoming increasingly mature, and the luminous flux has increased significantly. Companies have launched many high-power, high-brightness lamps suitable for cultural tourism, sports and outdoor long-distance use.

3.1 LED white light source and multi-color LED light source

Achieving high-quality white light is one of the main tasks of LED computer lights. Currently, there are two ways to achieve white light with LED integrated light sources: white light source and multi-color light source. White light sources are brighter, and multi-color light sources are mixed to obtain white light and colored light through color management technology. The spectrum is complete and light color adjustment is more convenient.

At present, most high-power LED computer lights use white light sources to effectively achieve high brightness, and the color temperature adjustment is the same as traditional light source computer lights.

CKC's Wash ZP480FC moving head cutting and washing lamp (see Figure 19) uses RGBAL single multi-color LED integrated light source. Through the light color management system and automatic light color correction function, it outputs white light and any color light close to the continuous spectrum, ensuring the consistency of color temperature and color. The lamp has a simple mechanical structure, without components such as CMY, CTO and color disk. It is small in size, light in weight (25.4 kg) and low noise (35 dB), Ra≥90, the whole light flux is 14 000 lm.

3.2 High display/high brightness selection mode light source

Dual display computer lighting means that one lamp can meet different color rendering index and brightness requirements at the same time, and you can choose high color rendering index or high brightness mode. There are several different ways to realize dual display of computer lights: using high-brightness LED light sources, configuring high color rendering index color filters, and switching modes through the console; providing high color rendering index and high brightness light source modules respectively, and users can select light sources according to needs; two sets of light sources are installed in the lamp at the same time, and users can select high color rendering index or high brightness light source mode through the settings of the console or lamps.

Xiangming's MF9 (see Figure 20) is equipped with two 800 W LED light source modules. In high-brightness mode, the lamp outputs a luminous flux of 31,800 lm. In high color rendering index mode, Ra≥96, R9≥97; Zhumeng's DREAM L1400R2 FLAG and CKC's V20 both use 1,400 W LED white light dual display module, with high display/high brightness switchable mode, high color rendering index mode Ra≥95.

ACME's XA1000 (see Figure 21) is equipped with a high color rendering index filter, and the high display/high brightness mode can be remotely switched by the console; Pearl River's Jade 3500 has a progressive correction color rendering index mode, which smoothes the light and color transition of the spot and corrects the problem of the decline of the color rendering index at low brightness. R9 can be improved from 79 to 90 through correction.

Zhumeng’s DREAM L1600P FLAG (see Figure 22) uses a 1 600 W LED white light source, and you can choose to install a high-brightness or high color rendering index module; in response to users’ needs for light source replacement and maintenance and upgrades, Omar has designed a drawer-type light source module, and users can choose the type of light source to replace or upgrade.

3.3 Traditional light source and LED light source

Short arc gas discharge light source is closer to point light source than LED light source, with mature technology and low cost. Xiangming's Exp700 (see Figure 23), Shenglong's FF42GII (see Figure 24), Zhumeng's 550 W HID, Zhujiang's Smart 380 and other computer lights have high brightness, good light quality, and strong beam perception. They are all mature and excellent gas discharge light source beam lamps.