German manufacturer of wireless LED tubes with integrated batteries and radio control technology; revolutionized film lighting in 2011 with the first battery-powered Titan Tube.
Technical Details
The Titan Tube (AX1), the flagship product, measures 1,016 mm in length, weighs 1.3 kg, and produces 1,005 lux at a distance of one meter. The integrated lithium-ion battery lasts 4.5 hours at maximum brightness and up to 20 hours at 25% power. The Pixel Tubes feature eight controllable segments, each with 16 LEDs. Smaller models like the AX3 LightDrop achieve 418 lux and weigh only 240 grams. All devices communicate via CRMX wireless technology (Cognitive Radio Multiple Access) and can be controlled via the AsteraApp using Bluetooth.
History & Development
Sascha Klais founded Astera in 2008 in Lindlar near Cologne, after frustrating experiences with time-consuming cabling as a gaffer. In 2011, the first AX1 Titan Tube was released, revolutionizing the market as the first battery-powered LED tube with wireless technology. In 2018, the company expanded its portfolio with the PixelBrick series, followed by the compact Helios Tube in 2020. The FP1 Titan Tube from 2019 was the first to establish an IP65 protection rating for outdoor shoots in the rain.
Practical Use in Film
For "Blade Runner 2049" (2017), DoP Roger Deakins used Astera tubes for the characteristic neon lighting in the street scenes. The Netflix series "Dark" systematically relied on Titan Tubes for the gloomy bunker sequences, as the color temperature could be seamlessly adjusted to mimic candlelight. Car scenes particularly benefit from wireless installation – no power units, no cable runs through door seals. The typical workflow begins with app programming of all lights on the ground before they are installed in hard-to-reach positions.
Comparison & Alternatives
Unlike traditional cinema Flo lights or Arri SkyPanels, Astera lights do not require a power supply on set. Quasar Science offers similar LED tubes, but without integrated batteries. In 2021, Aputure presented more affordable alternatives with the MC series, which, however, only cover a color temperature range of 3,200K-5,600K. For large-area illumination, HMI lights remain superior; for pinpoint accent lighting and tight shooting locations, Astera dominates due to maximum flexibility without infrastructure.