Color Kinetics Inc. and ARRI Inc. announced this week an agreement through which ARRI, manufacturers of motion picture equipment, will use Color Kinetics’ technology and intellectual property to develop a line of LED-based studio lighting products. Slated for availability this year, the products will be ARRI’s first to incorporate LED sources—delivering the benefits of efficiency, durability and digital control for film lighting applications.
“Given their visual impact and color capabilities, LEDs are perfectly suited for many uses in film and broadcast, and we’re excited to pursue new product ideas that these sources inspire. Color Kinetics’ technology, knowledge and experience combine for a powerful advantage, and we look forward to adding this new category of advanced lighting products for our customers,” says Franz Kraus, managing director, ARRI.
LED lighting technology is increasingly penetrating the broadcast and entertainment markets as a practical alternative to traditional lighting methods. Unlike conventional sources, LED lighting systems require no gels, filters, or mechanical scrollers to generate color and dynamic effects. In the use of white light, they uniquely allow color temperature control to properly illuminate sets and on-air talent without the need to re-lamp. The fixtures’ compact size and absence of radiated heat allow versatility in positioning them on set, including the direct integration into set elements where the use of conventional lights is impractical.
“This agreement marks the latest important relationship for Color Kinetics in the entertainment sector, where LED-based product development continues to flourish,” comments Bill Sims, president and CEO, Color Kinetics. “We’re very pleased to assist a market leader like ARRI, who recognizes the distinct benefit of building products around our proven, time-tested technology. We believe this collaboration will yield exciting results.”