Astera Titan Tube: Battery-powered LED tube (104cm, 1.2kg) with 20-hour runtime and continuously variable color temperature from 1750K to 20000K for cordless film lighting.
Technical Details
Each Titan Tube measures 1044 × 40 mm with a weight of 1.2 kg and features an integrated 5200 mAh lithium-ion battery with up to 20 hours of runtime at minimum brightness. The color temperature is continuously adjustable from 1750K to 20000K. The IP65 rating allows for outdoor use in rain and dust. The fixture operates with 2.4 GHz radio technology for wireless control of multiple units. In addition to the standard Titan Tube, the Helios Tube (2 meters) and Pixeltube (segmented control of individual LEDs) are available.
History & Development
Astera introduced the first Titan Tube at NAB in 2016, thereby establishing the market for battery-powered professional LED tubes in the film industry. The German company from Dingolfing developed the system in response to the demand for flexible, wireless light sources for shoots in hard-to-reach locations. In 2019, an improved generation followed with higher light output and longer battery life. In 2021, Astera expanded the series to include CRMX compatibility for professional lighting control.
Practical Application in Film
The Titan Tube is often used as a practical light source in vehicle interiors, as no external power supply is required. For "Blade Runner 2049," Roger Deakins used similar tube systems for the neon-lit interior scenes. The fixtures serve as background lighting for futuristic sets, as hidden fill light in confined spaces, or as effect lighting for color changes. The magnetic base and slim design allow mounting on metal structures without additional rigging hardware. A drawback is the limited light output compared to mains-powered LED panels.
Comparison & Alternatives
Main competitors are the Quasar Science Q-LED Tubes and the Digital Sputnik DS-Voyager. Compared to traditional Kino Flo tubes, the Titan Tube offers mobility and color change capabilities but does not achieve their light output. For higher light output, ARRI SkyPanel or Litepanels Gemini remain the first choice. Astera tubes are particularly suitable for documentary shoots, music videos, and low-budget productions where flexibility is more important than maximum light output.