Shillington But my photographs, boring or not, need to appear professional. To help with that, I illuminate my subjects with a pair of extremely bright light panels. While these panels work well, a little extra illumination in one particular spot can sometimes turn an indifferent photo into one worthy of gracing the cover of a magazine. Today I am taking a close look at a tiny but exceptionally versatile video light from Pixel.
Description
The Pixel Liber RGB Video Light weighs in at 4.6 ounces. Its dimensions are 4 x 2.4 x 0.6 inches. This device’s removable softbox diffuser adds 1.8 ounces to the light’s weight and increases its thickness to 1.2 inches. Mounted to the front are 66 LEDs. The number and brilliance of the beads lit at any given period are dependant upon the setting selected by either the device’s multipurpose dial wheel or the companion application. These controls modify the color temperature, brilliance, hue, saturation, and color. They can also select a video effect such as lightning, flashing colored lights, or candlelight. The settings are displayed on a small screen mounted at the top right-hand corner of the light and in the companion application. A 3.7V 3000mAh lithium battery powers the Liber video light. The C-type port used to charge this device is located on the left edge of the light. The power switch and multifunctional dial wheel can be found alongside the port. Two quarter-inch screw holes provide a method of mounting this device in portrait or landscape mode. This lighting system consists of the Liber video light, softbox diffuser, sticky-backed mounting tabs, C-type charging cable, mount adapter, and a user’s guide.
Specifications
Brand: Pixel Model: Liber RGB Video Light Weight: 131 grams (4.63 ounces) Dimensions: 100 x 60 x 16 millimeters (4 x 2.4 x 0.6 inches) Material: Aluminium alloy Power: 7 watts Battery: 3.7V 3000mAh lithium Battery duration: 90 minutes when set to 100 percent Charging time: 2.5 hours Charging port: C-type Charging power supply: 5V 2A Fixed interface: ¼ inch screw holes (2) Display: OLED 0.96 inch Softbox diffuser: Yes Color rendering index: Ra: ≥95 Television lighting consistency index: Qa: ≥98 Color temperature: 2500 – 85100K (±100K) Warm light beads: 24 Cold light beads: 24 RGB beads: 18 RGB hue (HSI): 0 - 765 full color RGB combinations: Supports up to 16 million combinations Scene mode: 10 scenes Brightness adjustment: 0 – 100 percent
The Manufacturer
Pixel is trademarked by Pixel Enterprise Limited of To Kwa Wan, Kowloon, HK
The Light Panel
This unit is fitted with 24 warm light beads, 24 cold light beads, and 18 RGB beads. Color temperature, brilliance, color, hue, and saturation are determined by the selection of beads utilized and their relative illumination.
Mounting the Light
The Liber video light is equipped with two ¼-inch screw holes allowing it to be positioned in landscape or portrait mode. A mounting adapter is also supplied. This light can be used with a wide variety of tripods. It may also be mounted to a selection of compatible cameras or laid on its side, facing the area requiring illumination.
Softbox Diffuser
This easily removable accessory scatters the emitted light, reducing the reflected image of the light source. While a softbox diffuser lessens the amount of light reaching the object being photographed, it significantly improves the image of items with shiny surfaces.
The Battery
A 3.7V 3000mAh lithium battery is fitted within this device. It can be recharged using the C-type port located on the right edge of the video light. Shillington I turned on the light at full brilliance with the color temperature set to 5500K. The battery maintained this output for 100 minutes. It required two hours to recharge fully.
Light Output Settings
The Liber light’s output can be adjusted using the device’s dial wheel or the companion application. Shillington The color temperature control gradually changes the light’s output from a warm yellowish to a cold white. In all modes, including this one, brilliance can be adjusted from 0 – 100 percent. One of up to 16 million RGB colors may be selected and adjusted within the RGB mode. In Full-Color Gamut mode, the hue and saturation level can be modified. The Scene mode is intended for use with video. It replicates 10 different scenarios including, lightning, RGB color cycling, and a police car lighting effect.
Usage
My primary purpose in obtaining the Liber video light was to provide additional illumination to critical areas when photographing the products that I reviewed. It may, of course, be used for any type of photography but is not as powerful as its big brother, the Pixel K80. The K80 boasts similar capabilities but consists of two far larger, stand-mounted light panels. The Liber video light is useful when used in conjunction with a video camera and includes a selection of effects designed to enhance video projects. The Liber light represents excellent value for home video, but it would be supplemental to a more powerful lighting system when employed in a professional setting. While a standard flashlight is slightly easier to carry, this device throws a lot of light onto a local area. When walking across my ice and snow-covered backyard at night, in search of my cat—she often loses track of time when stalking the elusive snow-mouse—the Liber light does a great job illuminating the area underfoot. And when I am working in cramped and dark spaces, this light brightens the area considerably.
The Companion Application
The original application, Pixel Link, is being replaced by Pixel LCS. Those who use IOS can download the new application using the normal method. Shillington Shillington Pixel Link has been withdrawn from Google Play, but, because the Android version of Pixel LCS is still in beta, it has not yet been replaced. I scanned the application’s QR code on the user’s guide and selected WEB to go to the download site for Pixel Link. Once the Android version of Pixel LCS is available, it will be listed on Google Play and linked to the QR code on the user’s manual.
Overall Assessment
This inexpensive, highly portable unit provides the light required to enhance your work when taking casual photographs indoors or producing a household video. Because this device is versatile and feature-rich, it is a valuable tool for the professional photographer and video producers. It can add additional light to critical areas and enhance videos with special effects. The Pixel Liber Video Light is strongly recommended. This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. © 2022 Walter Shillington
