An ultra-bright, tunable, and directional LED fixture, Orbiter is a technologically advanced luminaire for image capture and colour fidelity with connectivity that makes it reliable for dynamic lighting setups.
Orbiter, a new LED luminaire from ARRI will reportedly change the way the industry looks at digital lighting. An ultra-bright, tunable, and directional LED fixture, Orbiter is a technologically advanced luminaire for image capture and colour fidelity. All systems in Orbiter are completely new and have been designed with versatility in mind. Orbiter’s new six-colour light engine delivers a wide-colour gamut and outstanding colour rendition across all colour temperatures along with industry-leading, smooth dimming from 100 to 0 per cent. With its changeable optics, Orbiter can transform into many different types of lampheads including projection (profile), open face, and soft light. Additional features include a fast processor, ample memory, expanded connectivity, a built-in array of sensors, and weatherproof housing.
Changeable optics is the core innovation in Orbiter. The Quick Lighting Mount (QLM) in Orbiter allows for optics with vastly different properties to be attached to the fixture. The high-output, directional beam of the open face optic is ideal for throwing light long distances. The high precision of the projection optics creates a perfect circle of light that can be shaped with cutters, focus, and gobos. The dome optic provides omnidirectional, soft light, great for illuminating large spaces, and a universal QLM adapter creates a direct mounting point for Orbiter-specific Chimera and DoPchoice products.
Orbiter is a very bright and powerful, directional LED fixture with an output similar to that of the corresponding HMI systems. Its new high output, yet tunable, ARRI Spectra light engine can create hard shadows with defined edges. Including a red, green, blue, amber, cyan, and lime LED, the ARRI Spectra six-colour light engine translates into a wider colour gamut, more accurate colours, and most importantly, higher colour rendition across the entire CCT range. Skin tones look amazing and natural, and hues are precisely reproduced. Orbiter has a larger CCT range of 2,000 to 20,000 K with ultra-high colour rendition across all colour temperatures. Using a combination of three dimming techniques, Orbiter’s cutting-edge electronics provide smooth dimming down to zero without colour changes or jumps.
More than five years of software development for the SkyPanel has come in handy for Orbiter. Its new software called LiOS (Lighting Operating System) includes all the features of the SkyPanel plus others, making Orbiter one of the most fully featured luminaires on the market. LiOS’s eight-colour modes include CCT, HSI, individual colour, x/y coordinates, gel and source matching, lighting effects, and the new colour sensor mode that measures ambient light and recreates it through Orbiter’s output. Other new features in LiOS include simplified DMX modes, performance-enhancing operational modes, over 240 slots for favourites to be stored, optics recognition, multi-language support, a custom boot screen.
With a 4” full-colour display, quick navigation buttons, and integrated sensors, the Orbiter control panel allows for easy use with a graphic user interface. Simplified menu structure and re-imagined user interfaces provide one-glance operational views and uncluttered screens. This intuitive design makes changing the colour or finding a setting easier than ever before. In addition, the control panel is removable and can be used handheld with the aid of a 5 or 15 m (16.4 or 49.2 ft) control panel cable.
Orbiter has a full suite of input and output connectors for digital communication. Ethernet daisy chaining is now possible with two EtherCON ports supporting Art-Net 4, sACN, and TCP/IP. Two USB-A ports are used for LiOS updates and connection of third-party peripherals such as Wi-Fi USB dongles. LumenRadio’s CRMX solution is included, allowing for wireless DMX. Two 5-pin XLR DMX ports used for conventional DMX & RDM communication in and through, and a three-pin XLR DC input for 48 V power station. An SD card slot enables future expansion of the software. Finally, a USB-C port is available for computer communication and servicing.
Included in Orbiter is a colour sensor for measuring the ambient light; a three-axis accelerometer and magnetometer for sensing the pan, tilting, rolling, and heading of the fixture; heat sensors for keeping the LEDs and electronics at exactly the right temperature; and an ambient light sensor for automatically dimming the control panel display. All these sensors make for a better user experience and increased control over the fixture.
The outer design of Orbiter meets the demands of heavy, daily usage. A new weatherproof housing enables outdoor application by using an aluminium cast body with bumpers made of reinforced plastic. The handle makes transport comfortable and allows for handheld operation due to perfect balance.
Orbiter’s wide range of optics and features allows the fixture to be used in a great variety of applications without compromising quality. Markets such as film and television production, broadcast, theatre and live entertainment, and even still photography are just some examples of environments where Orbiter excels. The fixture’s ability to throw light long distances with its open face or projection optics, while at the same time being able to serve as a soft light, brings the flexibility needed on today’s fast-paced film sets. Orbiter’s projection optic will enable broadcasters to have controlled, high-quality light in the studio, and with its battery power, Orbiter can easily be used on the move. The projection optic is the key feature for the theatre and live entertainment market and Orbiter also exceeds expectations for continuous lighting in still photography. All in all, Orbiter’s software innovations and connectivity make it a very reliable companion for dynamic lighting setups.
Stand #12 F21
