Astera FP5 NYX Bulb

Description

Available for reservation individually; the full-color wireless light bulb for professional filmmakers, studio projects, and event productions. Astera’s range offers a wide variety of multifunctional light sources. This has resulted in a complete and extensive product range that provides a suitable fixture for every application. And all of this is completely wireless. From small wireless LED spots for accents to large powerful spots for illuminating architecture. And what about the immensely popular wireless Astera FP1 TitanTube? Every filmmaker or producer wants to use these tubes during their recording or event. However, the market demanded a multifunctional fixture for decorative purposes and accent lighting. This led to the Astera Nyx Bulb.

What is an Astera Nyx Bulb?

The Astera Nyx Bulb is a modern wireless light source based on the old-fashioned incandescent bulb. You can compare it a little to Philips Hue. However, Hue is only suitable for home use, while you can use the Astera Nyx Bulbs on any film set and at any event. The properties of the Nyx Bulb are fully consistent with other Astera fixtures. It also operates wirelessly for up to 20 hours on battery power. You can make various settings and program lighting modes via the Astera application, but of course, it’s also possible to control this lamp via wireless DMX. Not unexpectedly, but necessarily, this Astera fixture is also splash-proof. With its IP44 classification, you can use it perfectly outdoors and don’t need to worry about an approaching rain shower.

What is the light source of the Astera Nyx Bulb?

Under the hood of the Nyx Bulb lies a 14-watt powerful light source with RGBMA LEDs. This is the same composition as in the Astera TitanTube. Due to this specific composition with a mint and amber-colored LED, it is possible to achieve a higher CRI (colour accuracy) value than with a standard RGBW or RGBAW composition. The CRI value is therefore always higher than 96. Incredibly high and thus ideal when high-quality lighting is necessary.

What is the battery life of an Astera Nyx Bulb?

It was of course to be expected. This Astera lamp also operates wirelessly for up to 20 hours on a single battery charge. However, this works in a slightly different way than with existing Astera fixtures. In those, the battery is built into the lamp itself. To keep this lamp as light and compact as possible, that wasn’t feasible here. So how does it work? If you want to use the Nyx Bulb on mains power, you can simply screw the lamp with the E27 fitting into any matching lamp holder. Then apply power to the fitting and voila. Done. In practice, you’ll probably make more use of the option to use this lamp on battery power. This can be done in two ways. You can connect any power bank yourself using the supplied USB cable, or you can use the Astera PowerStation. This is simply put also a kind of power bank, but with many more possibilities. You can also make all kinds of settings on the lamp with it. Since it doesn’t have a display, that has to be done in a different way. However, the PowerStation has even more handy functions, but more on that later.

How does the wireless communication of the Astera Nyx Bulb work?

The functionalities for battery operation are great, but for a truly wireless fixture, wireless control is of course essential. Astera has developed its own protocol with an application for this purpose. You can download the application for free on any phone or tablet, but the AsteraBox is needed for it to function. This AsteraBox is essentially a very intelligent translation machine. Via Bluetooth, you connect the AsteraBox to a phone or tablet. You connect to the lamps via an RF signal (865 – 870 MHz). A different protocol is deliberately used for this. The RF protocol reaches up to 300 meters, allowing you to control lamps from a great distance. The range of Bluetooth is limited to about 10 meters. By using their own protocol, it was possible to develop everything according to their own wishes, including the talkback function. This not only allows information to be sent to the lamps, but also to receive information from the lamps. Now you can read all kinds of information regarding the functioning, settings, and battery status in the application. If you still want to control Astera lighting with a lighting console, you can use AsteraBox as a wireless DMX transmitter. With the included DMX adapter, you can connect the lighting console and the AsteraBox, and control the lamps using the LumenRadio CMRX protocol.

How Do I Mount the Astera Nyx Bulb?

At first, you might think; what’s the advantage of the PowerStation? We understand this question. A simple power bank is indeed lighter and more compact. However, you can’t make any settings on it, which means that using an AsteraBox is always necessary for controlling the Nyx Bulbs. With the PowerStation, you can do that, but the PowerStation is also developed as a tool for hanging or mounting the lamp. The PowerStation is equipped with four magnets. With these, you can easily attach the battery pack to all kinds of metal objects. You’ll also find three ‘airline tracks’ on the PowerStation. Various accessories can be attached to these, making the use of the Astera Nyx Bulb even more versatile. Lamp Socket: This accessory is essential to be able to mount the Astera Nyx Bulb on the PowerStation. Especially if you want to use the lamp wirelessly and can’t screw it into a standard wired E27 fitting. The lamp doesn’t stand on its own due to its shape. It’s not that voltage from the PowerStation is applied to the ‘lamp socket’. The fixed cable attached to the PowerStation is for that. The accessory is purely for placing the lamp. Hanger: This ring can be used to use the PowerStation in a hanging application. Using a steel cable and carabiner, you can now attach the PowerStation to a grid, truss, 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 cannot fall if it is unexpectedly improperly mounted. TrackPin: The TrackPin is intended to mount the PowerStation on a tripod or to a Manfrotto SuperClamp. This TrackPin is equipped with a standard 16 mm spigot, allowing combination with all kinds of tripods and other accessories. You simply attach this to the ‘airline track’ of the PowerStation and then tighten the locking ring. On the other side, you attach the accessory that can handle this adapter. Accessories: But that’s not all. The Rental Supplier also provides the Astera Nyx Bulb with a special ‘Cup Bouncer’. When placing the lamp in an E27 socket, it may happen that the light from the lamp doesn’t shine in exactly the desired direction. The light from the Astera Nyx Bulb is directional. With the help of the ‘Cup Bouncer’, you can reflect a large part of the light in the right direction. You simply attach the ‘Cup Bouncer’ to the desired spot on the lamp using the suction cup.

How Do I Rent the Astera Nyx Bulb?

Are you interested in renting an Astera Nyx Bulb? Then you’ve come to the right place. We are the largest rental provider of Astera products in the Netherlands and can therefore excellently serve you in renting the right fixtures. You can rent the Astera Nyx Bulb from us in exactly the number you need. We don’t use fixed sets of 4 or 8 pieces. Each Nyx Bulb comes with the complete package of accessories. Per Nyx Bulb, a PowerStation, E27 Lamp Socket, Hanger, TrackPin, Cup Bouncer, USB Cable, and PowerStation charger are included as standard. Do you want more information or advice on the best fitting fixture for your film shoot, studio, or event? Feel free to contact us.