LiteMatTM

FAQs

  • Q: What is the PWM frequency
    1. A: 39khz
  • Q:  What is the power per engine?
    1. A: approximately 50W
    2. A: The output and power is approximately the same as LiteMat Plus.
  • Q: What’s the longest cable between ballast and head? 
    1. A: It’s been tested to 100 ft without issue
  • Q: How does the ballast communicate with the head? 
    1. A: We use a proprietary communication protocol called LiteNet running a 1Mhz. LiteNet uses that same technology as DMX, with error detection.
  • Q:  Will it be compatible with previous LiteMat Accessories, if so which ones?
    1. A: Yes, Plus+ compatible accessories are compatible. The LiteDimmer Spectrum DC200 is the exact same size and capability as the Plus+ version. For Spectrum, only the head, cable, and ballasts are new. 
  • Q:  How is the head, ballast and cable different than Plus+?
    1. A: The head is identical but add RGBA LEDs to increase color capabilities.
    2. A: The ballast is the same as LiteDimmer Plus+ DC200, but has two knobs in place of 4. It also has a PDX output connector in place of the PL7 found on the Plus+ unit
    3. A: The cable is all-new. It is called PDX which stand for Power and Data over Xlr. 
  • Q:  What’s PDX?
    1. A: PDX is the name for the head-extension and is all-new. It is called PDX which stands for Power and Data over XLR. 
  • Q:  How does LM Spectrum compare to other available lights?
    1. A: Rosco DMG: 
      1. Spectrum Advantages
        1. Softer, more even light
        2. Better color mixing in low end
        3. Lightweight
        4. Broader source
        5. More Rigging/mounting options
        6. Large-format Pixel Capability
        7. Much Longer length of cable extension 
        8. Ballast functions as Transmitter and Receiver
  • B: A: Kinoflo Freesyle:
    • Spectrum Advantages
      1. Better fixture size options
      2. Softer Light
      3. More Rigging Options
      4. Large-format Pixel Capability
      5. Longer cable extension without Color shift
      6. Ballast functions as Lumen Radio Transmitter and receiver
  • A: Arri Skypanel: The new LiteMat Spectrum may be the perfect companion fixture to the Arri Skypanel. Sometimes opposites do attract. Thin, lightweight, a soft-edged, LiteMat may be the best intimate and near-camera light fixture available. LiteMat Spectrums color and white-balance abilities “meet” and often exceed Skypanels very capable features making the two a great complimentary match. 
      1. Spectrum advantages
        1. Lighter
        2. Softer Light
        3. Multiple rigging options
        4. Ballast transmits and receives Lumen Radio
  • Q:  How do you describe the new product in 5 seconds?
    1. A: LED LiteMat, the ultra-thin and mount anywhere light fixture has been the choice of thousands of professionals worldwide. This next generation is more capable than ever, with full color control, expanded Kelvin Temperature range, Plus / Minus green correction and pixel control. 
  • Q:  What accessories are available?
    1. A: A the same a LiteMat+ Plus
  • Q:  Can the user upgrade software/firmware? 
    1. A:  Yes!
  • Q:  What are the casing options?
    1. A: LiteGear recommends the lite-duty kit bag for nearly all purchases. However, LiteGear will offer Tenba brand cases, an ATA approved and a medium-protection option great for trucks and carts. 
  • Q:  Will the Spectrum be a Sales item only or Rentals as well?
    1. A: LiteMat Spectrum kits will be available for sale or rent.
  • Q:  Will there be a trade-in program if I just purchased a Plus Litemat it? 
    1. A: No, sorry
  • Q:  Will spectrum controls be able to control other spectrum products? Or do they just control spectrum LiteMats?
    1. A: Spectrum controls such as the LiteDimmer Spectrum DC200 unit that will be a part of the original kits are what we call PDX compatible. Ballasts, cables and head units are to be identified as PDX compatible in the same way Plus+ units are “Plus+ 200w” rated. A PDX followed by the wattage such as PDX-200 will indicate the power rating on a controller (up to 200w of PDX capable) or a head requiring PDX-200 or larger controller to operate. As of March 16, 2019 it is our intent to develop PDX compatible fixtures such as LiteTile Spectrum, LiteTile XL Spectrum. All will use the same controllers, and cables. 
  • Q: Will there be a series of controllers?
    1. A: Yes, the initial controller (ballast) is the DC200 and looks like the Plus+ Duo units but plans include a few others. 
  • Q:  Does spectrum use RDM?
    1. A: The initial units have not yet achieved RDM control, but this feature is on the product roadmap. 
  • Q:  Does spectrum use Artnet and sACN
    1. No, the hardware does not support it.
  • Q:  What is spectrum input voltages?
    1. A: The ballast (DC200) input voltage is 10 to 36v.
  • Q:  What IP rating does spectrum have?
    1. A: IP20
    2. A: An indoor rating. Indoor, dry locations only
  • Q:  Why would a user choose the LiteMat Spectrum over a competitors model.
    1. A: It’s pre-production friendly.
      1. During prep time, deciding what gear to use can be a challenge. Because LiteMat Spectrum can adapt to suite nearly any location or stage rig, its a safe choice that can cover those what-if moments. It can also help smooth pre-rigging stages with it’s flexible color abilities.
    2. A: It’s production friendly
      1. During principal-photography, speed is a major consideration. LiteMat Spectrum is lightweight and easily adaptable for practical locations and offers low-impact riggability. It’s also ideal for up-close setups right next to camera. Its wide color gamut easily allows you to augment nearby light or create the perfect white-light relative to the cameras white-balance.
    3. A: It’s post-production friendly
      1. Once shooting is finished, this is where LiteMat Spectrum really is a life saver. Because of it patenteded color process and “color space compliant” output, colorists have the freedom to color-correct the image without limits. Full-spectrum color saturation and Rec 709 / 2020 colorspace compliance save valuable time and money by allowing for improved post-production workflows. 
    4. A: LiteMat Spectrum is the most camera compliant LED light fixture available. It can accurately reproduce any shade of white that the camera considers correct. That can be anywhere between 2,000K and 11,000K with +/- 8 points of tint correction. LiteMat Spectrum can also augment its white light with color accents. Saturated color can be delicately added with 100 shades of depth. LiteMat Spectrum can also improve post-production workflows. It is the first lighting system to be certified color-space compliant. That means taking the guesswork out of color mixing for digital cinema. It’s unique and patent-pending color processing engine also provides wide color gamut desaturation.
    5. Because only a LiteMat is a LiteMat. The “best” thing about LiteMat Spectrum may be “It’s a LiteMat”, with modern output features.
  • How did we develop the Spectrum system?
    1. This part was simple, start with the proven Cinema Series white color-space found in LiteMat and LiteTile. It is the core of how Spectrum series fixtures work. No other full-color light fixture can be built on such a strong foundation. Then we added red, green, blue, and amber to augment the cinema chips and extend the systems CCT abilities from 2000K to 11,000K. The key here is the amber chip. It is simply not possible to achieve the best white-balanced color without it. Building from the most accurate white point possible, we then developed a method that uses that white-point as the method of desaturating color. What is the best method of de-saturating a beautiful red, green, or blue chip? The very best full spectrum, color correct, and white-balanced white light color of your choosing. Anything less is simply too much of a compromise. And the US patent office agrees. 
    2. But that’s not all. How we blend those red, green, and blue chips with amber also has a huge impact on image capture. Cinema cameras are capable of capturing light within a defined color-space such as Rec 2020, or Rec 709. The new Spectrum series is the very first system to be certified Rec 709 color-space compliant, meaning it can create colors within the limits of the camera taking the guesswork out of color mixing for cinema. This also significantly impacts post production workflows by streamlining the color-grading process. 
  • Q:  What are the DC powering options with Spectrum ballast? (gold mount, vmount, block?)
    1. A: The DC200 ballast can operate on DC voltage between 9 and 36 volts through its PL4 input connectors. The battery accessories from the Plus+ Duo line are all compatible and include V-lock, Gold-mount, Block-battery adapters/holders. Additional battery adapters can be of offered or customer-created as needed. Important! All DC power adapters, batteries and sources must be capable of the power required by the head unit PLUS up to 40% of headroom (additional capacity). An example is a LiteMat Spectrum 2 (or Plus+ 2) requires a 100 + 40% = 140w minimum rating for battery, cables and connectors if 12v input is used. If 24v and above is provided then, 30% headroom is recommended.
  • Q:  What lengths of head feeders will be available?
    1. A: 25 and 50 foot
  • Q:  Are there DMX profiles for ETC, Whole Hog, and other DMX console devices?
    1. A: In progress.
  • Q:  What are the physical dimension and weight of the ballast?
    1. A: The ballast measures 2.77” (70.4mm) High X 6.10” (154.9mm) Wide X 12.08” (306.8mm) Long. It weighs 4.2 pounds (1.9kg).
  • Q:  What are the dimensions and weight of the light fixtures? 
    1. A: LM1 0.9” (23mm) X 11.5” (292mm) X 21” (533mm), 2.6 lbs (1.2kg).
    2. A: LM2 0.9” (23mm) X 21” (533mm) X 21” (533mm), 3.9 lbs (1.8kg).
    3. A: LM2L 0.9” (23mm) X 11.5” (292mm) X 40” (1016mm), 3.9 lbs (1.8kg).
    4. A: LM3 0.9” (23mm) X 21” (533mm) X 30.5” (775mm), 4.9 lbs (2.2kg).
    5. A: LM4 0.9” (23mm) X 21” (533mm) X 40” (1016mm), 6.3 lbs (2.9kg).
  • Q:  How many lumens is the fixture?
    1. A: LM1 is 2548 lumens
    2. A: LM2 is 5096 lumens
    3. A: LM2L is 5069 lumens
    4. A: LM3 is 7644 lumens
    5. A: LM4 is 10192 lumens
  • Q:  Is there bluetooth control?
    1. A: No, not at this time. 
  • Q:  Are the units UL approved or CE compliant?
    1. A: The ballast and light fixtures will be undergoing testing to get UL approvals for Canada and the US and for CE compliance.  
  • Q:  How do the fixtures compare to the Skypanel, the MIX or the FreeStyle in light output?
    1. A: Watt for Watt the LiteMat Spectrum is a little brighter than these fixtures (based on published data for each of these manufacturers)
    2. A: Comparing LiteMat Spectrum 4, rated at 200W, with no diffusion, vs the Skypanel S30-C, also rated at 200W, with the standard diffusion; LiteMat Spectrum 4 is about 14% brighter. The difference is that the Skypanel has an 11.8” X 14” light emitting surface vs 18.8” x 37.8” for LiteMat Spectrum 4. We spread the light over a larger area to produce beautiful soft light. The Skypanel S30-C weighs 16.3 lbs vs 6.2 lbs for the LiteMat Spectrum 4.
    3. A: Comparing LiteMat Spectrum 4 (200W, no diffusion) vs DMG Lumiere SL1MIX (200W, no diffusion); LiteMat Spectrum 4 is about 26% brighter. The SL1MIX has a light emitting area 7.8” X 14”, the LiteMat Spectrum 4 has a light emitting area is 18.8” X 14” , so we spread the light over a larger surface to produce beautiful soft light. The SL1MIX weighs 9.2 lbs vs 6.2 lbs for LiteMat Spectrum 4.
    4. A: Comparing LiteMat Spectrum 3, rated at 150W, no diffusion, vs the KinoFlo FreeStyle 21 (Panel Only), rated at 150W, standard diffusion; LiteMat Spectrum 3 is about 50% brighter. The Freestyle 21 has a light emitting surface 11.5” x 23.5” vs LiteMat Spectrum 3 light emitting surface 18.8” X 28.3”. The FreeStyle 21 (panel only) weighs 7 lbs, LiteMat Spectrum  3 weighs 4.8 lbs.
  • Q:  How many LEDs are in each fixture? <can be shared with ZenDesk>
    1. A: LM1 – There are 216 LEDs of each color. A total of 1296 emitters per fixture.
    2. A: LM2 & LM2L – There are 432 LEDs of each color. A total of 2592 emitters per fixture.
    3. A: LM3 – There are 648 LEDs of each color. A total of 3888 emitters per fixture.
    4. A: LM4 – There are 864 LEDs of each color. A total of 5184 emitters per fixture.