Astera Nyx Bulb Set

Astera has a wide range of products which offers a large variety of multifunctional light sources. This creates a complete and extensive product range which means that they can pretty much provide a suitable fixture for every application- all of this, completely wirelessly! From small wireless LED spotlights which are just there to accentuate, to large powerful spotlights for illuminating architecture. But how about the immensely popular wireless LED tubes? The AX1 and TitanTube are so wildly popular they’re hard to come by nowadays. Every filmmaker or producer wants to use these tubes during his or her recording or event. However, the market demanded a multifunctional fixture which could be used for decorative purposes or as accent lighting. This demand led to the creation of the Astera Nyx Bulb.

Nyx Bulb Properties

The Astera Nyx Bulb is a modern wireless light source which is based on the old-fashioned incandescent lamp. It is somewhat comparable with the Philips Hue. However, the Phillips Hue is only suitable for home use, whereas you can use the Astera Nyx Bulbs on any film set and at any event. The properties of the Nyx Bulb are the same as the other Astera fixtures, which means that it also functions for up to 20 hours fully wirelessly using only battery power. Using the Astera application, you can adjust all kinds of settings and light modes, but it is of course also possible to control this lamp via wireless DMX. As we have come to expect of Astera products, this fixture is splashproof. This means that it has an IP44 classification, making it perfect for outdoor use. No more worrying about any upcoming rain showers!

Light source Astera Nyx Bulb

Under the casing of the Nyx Bulb is a 14 watt high power light source with RGBMA LEDs. This is the same as what can be found inside the Astera TitanTube. Because of this specific composition with a mint and an amber colored LED, it is possible to achieve a higher CRI (colour rendering index) value than with a standard RGBW or RGBAW composition. This means that the CRI value is therefore always higher than 96. This is actually unprecedentedly high and therefore ideal when high quality lighting is required.

Battery

We don’t expect anything less from Astera. This light also works wirelessly for up to 20 hours on a single battery charge. However, it works in a slightly different way than existing Astera fixtures where the battery is built into the lamp itself. To keep the lamp as light and compact as possible, this was not possible. So how does it work? If you want to use the Nyx Bulb on power, you can simply attach the lamp using the E27 fitting into any socket of the same name. Then all you have to do is make sure that the socket is powered and Bob’s your uncle- everything’s taken care of. In practice you will of course make more use of the fact that you can use this lamp on battery power. This can be done in two ways: you can connect any power bank to the lamp using the included USB cable, but you can also use the Astera PowerStation. Simply put, this PowerStation is also a kind of power bank, but with a lot more possibilities. You can also use it to adjust settings on the lamp. Since it is not equipped with a screen, it has to be controlled slightly differently. The PowerStation has many more useful functions, but we’ll get into that a bit later.

Wireless Communication

These functions are fine when you’re working on battery power, but in order to be a truly wireless fixture, the option for wireless controlling is of the essence. Astera has developed its own protocol and application for this. The application can be downloaded free of charge to any phone or tablet, but the AsteraBox will also be required in order to be able to operate it properly. This AsteraBox is, as it were, a hyper-intelligent translation machine. You connect the AsteraBox to a phone or tablet using Bluetooth. Via an RF signal (865 - 870 MHz), you connect to the lamps. We use a different protocol for this on purpose. The RF protocol has a range of up to 300 meters, allowing you to control lamps from a great distance. The range of Bluetooth is limited to a paltry 10 meters, give or take. By using its own protocol, it becomes possible to develop and set up everything according to your own wishes, including the talkback function. This makes it not only possible to send information to the lamps, but also to receive information from them as well. This means that you can read all kinds of information about the functionality, settings and battery status in the application. If you still want to control Astera's lighting using a lighting desk, you can use AsteraBox as a wireless DMX transmitter. With the included DMX adapter, you can connect the lighting desk and the AsteraBox together and control the lights using the LumenRadio CMRX protocol.

Rigging Astera Nyx Bulb

At first you might wonder what the advantage of the PowerStation is. We understand this question very well. A simple power bank is indeed lighter and more compact. However, you can't create or adjust any settings on it, so the use of an AsteraBox is always necessary in order to control the Nyx Bulbs. When using a PowerStation you can of course create and/or adjust settings, but the PowerStation has also been developed as a tool for hanging or attaching the lamp. The PowerStation is equipped with four magnets. Using these magnets you can easily attach the battery pack to all kinds of metal objects. You will also find three 'airline tracks' on the PowerStation. You can attach various accessories to these tracks that make the use of the Astera Nyx Bulb even more versatile. Lamp Socket This accessory is essential for attaching the Astera Nyx Bulb to the PowerStation- especially if you want to use the Bulb wirelessly and cannot run it using a standard wired E27 socket. Because of its shape, the lamp cannot stand up on its own. There is no voltage which runs from the PowerStation to the lamp socket. Therefore, one must make use of the fixed cable attached to the PowerStation. This lamp socket accessory exists purely for the purpose of placing the lamp. Hanger This ring can be used if you wish to use the PowerStation in a suspended application. Using a steel cable and carabiner, you will be able to attach the PowerStation to a grid, truss construction, tube frame or simply whatever is available on location. You can also use this eye as a tool to provide the Nyx Bulb with a safety cable. This ensures that the equipment will not fall down in case of improper setup or mounting.   TrackPin The Trackpin is designed in order to be able to mount the PowerStation on a tripod or on a Manfrotto SuperClamp. This TrackPin comes equipped with a standard 16 mm spigot, making it possible to use it in combination with all kinds of tripods as well as other accessories. You simply attach it to one of the 'airline tracks' of the PowerStation and then tighten the retaining ring. The other side attaches to the accessory that you’re using, as long as it is compatible with this adapter. Accessories But wait- that's not all. We also supply the Astera Nyx Bulb with a special 'Cup Bouncer'. When attaching the bulb to an E27 socket, you may run into a specific problem, namely that the light produced by the bulb does not shine in the direction you wish it to.  The light produced by the Astera Nyx Bulb is directional. Using the 'Cup Bouncer,' the light can largely be reflected in the right direction. The 'Cup Bouncer' simply needs to be attached to the lamp at the desired spot using the suction cup.

Astera Nyx Bulb Rental

Are you interested in renting an Astera Nyx Bulb? Then you've come to the right place! We are the largest rental company in the Netherlands when it comes to Astera products and we can therefore be of excellent service to you when you want to rent the correct fixtures. You can rent as many Astera Nyx Bulbs as you need from us. We do deal in fixed sets of 4 or 8 pieces. Every Nyx Bulb comes equipped with the complete package of accessories. Each Nyx Bulb is delivered standard with a PowerStation, E27 Lamp Socket, Pendant, TrackPin, Cup Bouncer, USB Cable and PowerStation charger. Would you like more information or any advice about what the best fixture is for your film shoot, studio or event? Feel free to contact us. We can also provide you with advice about the Astera AX2, AX3, AX5, AX9 and TitanTube.

Tech specs

• Brand

  Astera

• Model

  Nyx Bulb

• Type of LED

  14 W - RGBMA - 750 Lm

• Strobe

  0 - 25 Hz

• Beam Angle

  120 Degrees

• Battery

  LG Chem Lithium-ion

• Battery Life

  20 Hours

• Battery Charging Time

  5 Hours

• Control

  CMRX - W-DMX – AsteraBox

• IP Rating

  IP44

• Dimensions Nyx Bulb Set

  280 x 220 x 100 mm (L x W x H)

• Weight Nyx Bulb Set

  2.2 KG

Tips

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