ARRI has officially unveiled its new SkyPanel X. It is a modular, all-weather, state-of-the-art LED light that is claimed to redefine industry standards in terms of dimming, color rendition, output, and beam quality.
SkyPanel X is a modular system and configurable into different sizes (X21, X22, X23), and it is capable of offering native soft and hard light technology, setting a new bar not only in terms of dimming and color science, but also in lux output and beam quality for medium to long throws. SUNLED
At least in my opinion, the SkyPanel X looks like it was designed to get head-to-head with the Creamsource Vortex8.
SkyPanel X was designed to be very flexible and it has been tailored to the requirements and working dynamics of DPs, gaffers, console operators, lighting designers, and broadcast technicians.
The fixture can provide superior low-end dimming with flicker-free operation from 100 to zero percent for direct, close-distance key lighting. It features a CCT range from 1,500 to 20,000K. Instead of RGBW like the original SkyPanels, the SkyPanel X utilizes an RGBACL full-spectrum light engine that is claimed to feature the best ARRI lighting color science to date.
There are eight-pixel zones per LED panel to meet the requirements of advanced console programming, visual effects, and virtual production environments.
SkyPanel X is fully protected from rain, storms, or high-pressure jet cleaning, certified with IP66 rating for all weather conditions. This dramatically reduces the maintenance procedures and extends the lamphead’s lifecycle. SkyPanel X offers wireless control, advanced networking possibilities, and an integrated power supply.
There are three front attachments available for SkyPanel X, which natively fit to one single unit: the X21 Dome for native soft light, the S60 Adapter for all existing SkyPanel accessories, and the HyPer Optic for native hard light.
The X21 Dome that is included with every lamphead provides native soft light. It can be used close to talent, while at the same time giving perfect lighting from greater distances without losing a solid beam spread. The hot-swappable, rounded diffuser can be quickly mounted and dismounted from the lamphead’s front.
The X21 Dome is fully compatible with third-party accessories and modifiers.
Size: 709 x 95 x 347 mm / 27.9 x 3.7 x 13.6 in
Thanks to the wide-angle LEDs used in SkyPanel X, your S60-C accessories will work just as you expect. Diffusion frames will fill, eggcrates will cut.
Via the optional S60 Adapter, SkyPanel X users can apply the same techniques and choose accessories used on the classical SkyPanel line. Established SkyPanel workflows remain unchanged but are enhanced by the incorporation of the most recent lighting innovations.
The HyPer Optic, named after its high-performance lux output is an optional, hot-swappable lens with eight individually controllable pixel zones that can be quickly mounted and dismounted from the X21 lamphead’s front. With the HyPer Optic, SkyPanel X becomes an excellent tool for medium and long throws and collimates multiple single lenses into one single beam.
With SkyPanel X’s modular setup, users can choose between, easily swap, or combine the X21 Dome and the HyPer Optic, creating a soft, semi-soft, semi-hard, or powerful native hard light.
The SkyPanel X is configurable into different formats (landscape, square, vertical), capable of generating wide-aperture soft light, powerful hard light, or intense open-face light. Multiple units can be combined via the X Modular Yoke, featuring ARRI’s quick-lock system.
With ARRI’s quick-lock system, you can choose between a traditional yoke or spigots directly on the frames, and configure your large fixture as an array in just two minutes, including wiring.
The X21 Manual Yoke is the next generation stirrup for the SkyPanel X21 format. It is designed with a bent structure to allow for better tilting when using soft boxes, and it is equipped with a convenient quick-lock system that allows to disassemble the yoke in two seconds. It is suited for any tripod or rigging system that fits 28 mm spigots, and it includes an angle indicator close to the side lever and a blue cord for holding cables.
Size: 875 x 161 x 458 mm / 34.4 x 6.3 x 18.0 in Weight: approx. 3 kg / 6.5 lb
The Twin quick-lock bracket is a tool specifically designed for an easy and quick setup of multiple SkyPanel X units in a rig. This bracket ensures minimum distance between panel and panel, while allowing for attaching pipe or truss from the back of the fixtures.
Size: 63 x 70 x147 mm / 2.5 x 2.8 x 5.8 in Weight: 0,5 kg / 1.1 lb
The X Modular Yoke is a silver aluminum yoke that allows for the attachment of the X22 or X23 Modular Frames. The yoke includes a 28 mm spigot (Junior Pin) that is mounted to the yoke and cannot be disassembled. Two truss pins are included to hold the frames in place when mounted onto the X Modular Yoke. Integrated shock absorbers reduce the impact on SkyPanel X in rugged environments.
The X22 Modular Frame is a system that allows the mounting of two X21 fixtures in an array. The system includes aluminum profiles with integrated daisy chain cabling for Ethernet and power, yoke adapters, large stainless-steel handles, high strength tilt locks and robust tilt lock levers. Each frame includes two Quick-release brackets that are optimized for use with Hyper Optics but are adjustable in distance when used with other front attachments; the product also includes an angle indicator close to the side lever. The Modular Frame can be used as individual items, rigged via standard 28 mm spigots with C or half-pipe clamps, or can be inserted in the X Modular Yoke for a seamless stirrup format.
The X23 Modular Frame is a system that allows the mounting of three X21 fixtures in an array. The system includes aluminum profiles with integrated daisy chain cabling for Ethernet and power, yoke adapters, large stainless-steel handles, high strength tilt locks and robust tilt lock levers. Each frame includes three Quick-release brackets that are optimized for use with Hyper Optics but are adjustable in distance when used with other front attachments; the product also includes an angle indicator close to the side lever. The Modular Frame can be used as individual items, rigged via standard 28 mm spigots with C or half-pipe clamps, or can be inserted in the X Modular Yoke for a seamless stirrup format.
The SkyPanel X features a Control Panel that is the same one that comes with the Orbiter, built-in wireless control, two Ethernet ports, LumenRadio CRMX2, and Bluetooth 5.0. The IP66 rating also applies to the ALL-WEATHER Control Panel.
An IP66 on-board display and remote device for maximum flexibility. The ALL-WEATHER Control Panel is the perfect companion for SkyPanel X. It is an onboard display thanks to X21’s dedicated bay. It is a handy remote device when the lamphead is easily reachable thanks to its LEMO connector. It is a powerful tool to build X22 and X23 arrays for centralized control. And it is a great console companion to change settings and create presets on the fly. The ALL-WEATHER Control Panel runs on LiOS and is compatible with other ARRI fixtures such as the Orbiter.
Size: 155 x 101 x 34 mm / 6.1 x 4.0 x 1.3 in Weight: 0.4 kg / 0.8 lb
SkyPanel X runs on the new LiOS3 software. The Lighting Operating System (LiOS) combines and expands on the innovative features of ARRI LED lights. Highlights of LiOS3 in SkyPanel X include DMX Mode Spec. 6.0, DMX User Presets, array setup for multi-unit control, and three ARRI ALEXA Modes, supporting the color science of ALEXA 35 and previous ALEXA or AMIRA camera systems.
The SkyPanel X already has very good color quality (CRI, TLCI, TM30, etc.), but the ARRI ALEXA Modes take this a step further by calibrating the SkyPanel X to the spectral senstivity of the ALEXA ALEV 3 and ALEV 4 sensors. There are three ALEXA Modes: ALEXA Standard Mode, ALEXA VariFan Mode, and ALEXA High Output Mode. This is very interesting to see, and having dedicated modes for matching cameras makes a ton of sense.
The new ARRI LiCo app will support direct remote communication via Bluetooth between SkyPanel X and mobile devices. The lighting settings can be directly adjusted via phone or tablet, just like the ALL-WEATHER Control Panel of the fixture. The app is free for iOS and Android devices and available soon at the App Store and Google Play Store.
ARRI’s SkyPanel X digital twin represents the forefront of digital innovation, offering precise virtual lighting simulations. Its digital twin technology transforms lighting workflows from preproduction to postproduction.
SkyPanel X’s digital twin is essentially an exact replica in Unreal Engine. This will allow virtual productions to light their virtual sets with the same fixtures as their practical sets, enabling familiar workflows for emerging technologies and easier matching between game engine and real life.
Featuring 3D models, authentic characteristics, and intuitive interfaces, it equips filmmakers with advanced tools. Visualize, manage, and collaborate effortlessly, boosting efficiency, consistency, and creativity in film production.
The SkyPanels were first announced way back in April 2015. At the time, the SkyPanel range consisted of two lights, the SC60 and SC30, and both models were available in either a full color-tuneable LED or remote phosphor version. What a lot of people probably don’t know is that these lights were in development for over 10 years.
I reviewed the original SkyPanels way back in May 2016. You can read that review here.
Over the last 8 years, they arguably became the industry 1×1 and 2×1 standard and have been used on countless movies, TV shows, and commercials around the world. I think the reason they became so popular was for two main reasons. The first is that were designed with ARRI cameras in mind and they looked good when using them together. The second was build quality. They were designed and built to stand up to the rigors of set life and rental use and even today you can still find tons of them in rental houses across the globe. Yes, they were expensive, but rental houses have made their money back countless times as it is a product that still goes out the door today. ARRI also released a lot of firmware updates and improvements to the SkyPanel series over the years.
Lighting technology has come a long way in the last 8 years, and even though the SkyPanels are still being extensively used throughout the industry, it was certainly time for an update. I think what people tend to forget is that 8 years ago RGBW technology was in its very infancy, and the SkyPanels were one of the first fixtures of their type to come to market.
It is still interesting to me today, that other competing companies still compare their lights in marketing material to the SkyPanel, even though the SkyPanel is using by today’s standards, very old technology.
The ARRI SkyPanel X versions draw the following amount of power:
Below you can see a comparison between the ARRI SkyPanel X21 and other competing fixtures:
As you can see, the ARRI SkyPanel X21 draws considerably more power than these other lights.
The beam angle of the Arri SkyPanel X21 when used open face is 120 degrees. With the Dome, it is 105 degrees and with the HyPer Optic, it is 11 degrees.
The SkyPanel X is claimed to be able to deliver up to 4,800 lux at 10 m / 32.8 ft.
Above you can see the claimed photometric output data for the Skypanel X21. With the HyPer Optic, the output is a ridiculous 480,000 lx @1m / 3.3′.
How does the SkyPanel X21 compare to some other 2×1 RGBW lights that we have previously reviewed? Now, I am comparing all of these lights with diffusion panels being used. This is the only way to get some type of accurate comparison based on beam angles.
The SkyPanel X21 is certainly capable of a lot of output, but it is hard to make direct comparisons because of differing beam angles and power draws.
The SkyPanel X21 is not a lightweight fixture. It weighs 15kg /33 lb and if you include the yoke it is 18kg / 39.7 lb.
The X23 which is essentially three SkyPanel X21s weighs 54kg / 119.1 lb with its yoke.
SkyPanel X is available in blue-silver and can be pre-ordered as single products or predefined kits. Additional colors and accessories will follow soon. I don’t currently have any information about pricing or availability.
With modern-day lights (and this goes for just about any of today’s technology) the lifespan of the product is not going to be as long. That is not to say your light will become obsolete in 3 years time, but there will be something better that is bound to come along.
In saying that, a lot of today’s lights are receiving new features via firmware updates. This is something that increases their flexibility and feature set.
Below you can see how much some other 2×1 style LED lights competition.
*Currently on special at the time of this article.
The SkyPanel X certainly looks like a very impressive fixture and I am sure it will be well received. It is not going to be a light for everyone and it is more likely to be used on large productions and stocked by rental houses. There will certainly be some owner/operators who will buy it, but you do need to factor in the weight and power draw.
Having one versatile fixture that can be used in so many ways is certainly very appealing, but you do have to carry around all of those different accessories to make that happen.
I also like that there are camera matching mode profiles in the SkyPanel X and that is important given the fact that these lights will certainly be used on a lot of productions where ARRI cameras are also being used.
Matthew Allard is a multi-award-winning, ACS accredited freelance Director of Photography with over 30 years' of experience working in more than 50 countries around the world. He is the Editor of Newsshooter.com and has been writing on the site since 2010. Matthew has won 49 ACS Awards, including five prestigious Golden Tripods. In 2016 he won the Award for Best Cinematography at the 21st Asian Television Awards. Matthew is available to hire as a DP in Japan or for work anywhere else in the world.
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