Gaffer & Gear 205 - Astera Hydra Panel

[@christianmouzard2120]

Thanks Andrew! I was surprised you didn't mention the mounting pin as a negative. While playing with them I did not like the fact that you need to install the hot shoe floor stand in order to install a spigot.

[@gaffergear]

That's a fair enough point. It is an extra step and if you are not familiar with the lights it might catch you out. But I have found that I pull the panel off the charging station and just click that mount on straight away as habit. But it is a part that could get lost on a rental,, in which case I would be stuffed. So fair enough point

[@mikevukas9818]

Thank you for the great review. Definitely a nice addition to the Astera family.

[@xx1simon1xx]

in theory, the nyx bulbs work as bt bridges too. I used to do that on small jobs sometimes, to save on cost, i dont anymore and here is why: I had a smallish job, some netflix doc interview stuff, and there were about 20 tubes and nyx bulbs. it was a very hot day and after a few hours, the bulb i used as a bridge (it was not used as a light) overheated and died, this happened multiple times, people waited for me, it was bad. i send one of my people to the rental to get a box, and after that it was fine. i dont trust anything but the box.

[@gaffergear]

Good to know, thanks for sharing your experience.

[@shigeone]

Thank you for updating the KZbin. It was very understandable presentation of HydraPanel. I believe that HydraPanel would be very popular and useful gear for shootings and events.

[@bond-kim]

Nice Intro Music for 2023, here in Asia

[@uzigalil]

i bought one and use it as an on camera light for shooting interviews on red carpets, its really my favorite right now. Great reviews as always

[@666size666]

When you buy only one does it have most of the accessories shown here? I naturally assume it does not include the joiners.

[@uzigalil]

@@666size666 IT came with all of this Astera FP6 HydraPanel LED Light FlexBase Diffuser Sheet 100 Intensifier 80 Soft Frame 100 Eggcrate 40 Eggcrate 60 Gel Holder Connector Plate BabyPin 1/4"

[@RayValdezPhotography]

How is the weight. They look nice but seem too big and bulky. I might just get the MC PRo

[@manuelescobar2257]

Thx again for doing a great review!

[@cobymarcum1442]

Awesome review of a very interesting product. 👍 Thank you Andrew.

[@unsaved_]

These look very promissing. They kind of remind me of the Arri LoCasters. Looking forward to trying them out, thanks for the detailed overview as always!

[@mrclarenceboddicker6173]

Happy New Year Andrew. Cheers for another great review.

[@user-zv7lm8uk7h]

Good Voiceover voice.

[@EugeneMaynard]

Excellent as usual! 👍🏾🙏🏾 Happy New Year Andrew!🥳

[@operpost]

Looks very complicated. Usually I have no time on set for such a difficult setups. I need a fixture to bring it from the case, put it on a stand and turn it on + connect it to my phone without any devices like astera box.

[@gaffergear]

It's definitely not a run and gun light.

[@dereksextonhorani2966]

Are you able to put a piece of electric tape across the infrared sensor to prevent the lights from joining? As a temporary fix?

[@jamesbridges1107]

I do a lot of travel, could 3 of these be used as a key through some 1/2 grid for interviews?

[@gaffergear]

That entirely comes down to how much light level you need.

[@jamesbridges1107]

@@gaffergear agree…thought of that after I hit send. Happy New Year.

[@freednighthawk]

The lux readings, your didn't mention what color temperature you used. I'm assuming 5600k?

[@josebelisariosiliuto9389]

Which wireless DMX protocol uses the light? Lumenradio, WDMX? Can use astera box? Thanks a lot.

[@josebelisariosiliuto9389]

Just have see what’s about the astera box. Clever they’re forgetting it. Chers for that.

[@josebelisariosiliuto9389]

And just see that the Gear uses Lumenradio. Great video. I just answer myself with your help. Chers and happy new year!

[@EclipseSound]

Astera is nice hardware, but software is completely unreliable. For example when you select color of light #1 and do something with other light #2 and then return to change color of light 1 the color settings will restart it will NOT remember the color you selected its annoying for many reasons. one reason is that if you want to not change the color but finetune it to match camera color profile more (because you will not get what you see with your eyes) - you will have to begin from the start (and you need to fine tune if after reviewing the footage or picture - depend on what you are doing - video or photos - the same problem) I wish they would stop messing with the App software because it working bad now. Feel bad about it because i do want fluid dimmers, scenes profiles and all that with relatively small amount of money, but it seems i it was bad system to enter.

[@Trevellian]

Can the AsteraBox be used with any CRMX lights and CRMX software like Luminair?

[@gaffergear]

Yes, it's a CRMX transmitter also, but I'm not sure if it can do both Bluetooth app and CRMX at the same time.

[@Trevellian]

@@gaffergear Thanks. A run down on the current state of CRMX would be great. Most interested in using a laptop or iPad to control a variety of lights from different brands.

[@gaffergear]

@@Trevellian I would love to watch that myself.

[@Trevellian]

@@gaffergear I hear you, lol.