GLP Impression X5 IP Bar
The German Light Products Impression X5 IP Bar is an IP65-rated, tilting linear LED batten with 18 powerful 40W RGBL LEDs. The new GLP X5 family of fixtures includes comprehensive quality of light management with the GLP iQ.Gamut color calibration algorithm (more on that later).
We're Talking About Bar Fixtures
We're talking about a veteran in the world of theater fixtures – like, a type of fixture that goes way back to when candles powered footlights. That's where the batten's story begins, and it's been hanging around since the 1930s, serving as a true workhorse fixture, especially in the early eras of theatre. But, as time passed, these battens took a backseat. The flashy spot and wash fixtures of the '70s and '80s stole the limelight with dynamic effect features and pan/tilt capabilities.
Now, fast forward to today. LEDs have taken over the scene, and boom – the batten is back and better than ever. One significant breakthrough fixture is the GLP Impression X4 Bar 20, a pioneering LED linear batten. Through seamless alignment, versatile 4-in-1 color mixing LEDs, and an expansive zoom range, the X4 Bar 20 redefined the landscape of batten fixtures. Building on this legacy, German Light Products has set the stage for a new chapter. GLP invited us to get some QT with the new batten - so let's get familiar with the German Light Products Impression X5 IP Bar.
GLP X5 Family
German Light Products nailed the Impression X4 Bar 20, so you may be asking what they have revamped in this new iteration. GLP has done a great job re-engineering the bar to retain all of the groundbreaking physical characteristics the X4 Bar 20 introduced, but this time in an IP-rated exterior.
Also, this new batten has many optical advancements, as it is a part of the new GLP X5 family. GLP's X5 fixtures took a huge leap in delivering crispy, nuanced white light control alongside the deep, wide, saturated color mixing X4 fixtures already offered. Shifting from an RGBW color engine to RGBL has expanded the available color spectrum for designers and programmers to explore dramatic color palettes and wash stages or scenery for the camera.
While producing a fixture with a versatile color engine is one thing, GLP has gone the extra mile by developing an advanced control protocol to unlock all of the fixture's output potential. The Impression X5 Bar IP comes equipped with the new GLP iQ.Gamut color calibration algorithm. But, like, what is that, exactly?
GLP iQ.Gamut
"iQ.Gamut color calibration algorithm" sounds complicated, so we are going to break it down for you. iQ.Gamut is a suite of nuanced control options available in every X5 fixture, and there are quite a few. These options allow you to maximize the potential of the fixture you're using for what you need it for.
The first option is prioritizing the quality of light or total output. If you're lighting faces on camera, you may not care about getting those extra lumens if it means having a high CRI. Secondly, you can choose a "calibrated white point," or simulated source color temperature. By default, the fixture's native CCT is 6500K. By leveraging the RGBL color engine, you can simulate different color temperatures and color-match conventional lighting fixtures in your show. There is something about how an incandescent fixture delivers those deep, deep reds.
Additionally, X5 fixtures offer magenta/green correction, a virtual color wheel, variable CTC, a dual-layer effects engine, and plenty of dynamic pattern macros.
Impression X5 Bar IP Output & Optics
Okay, enough of our rambling; let's dig into some specs because that is what you came for.
The Impression X5 IP Bar delivers up to 7,500 lumens from 18 40-watt Red, Green, Blue, and Lime LEDs. A new squared lens design ensures maximum lumen efficiency. It gives an unprecedented curtain of light at its narrowest angle of just 4.5°, expands to a sweeping 60° flood, and the zoom motor zips. A tilt range of 195° with 16-bit, patented, ultra-fast motors offers yet another creative tool for programmers.
Color Mixing Engine
We have talked a lot already about the color mixing capabilities of the X5 IP Bar, so we will keep it short here. You already know about the RGBL color mixing and the wide CCT range, so here are three more features the X5 IP Bar flexes. A virtual color wheel gives you instant access to over 60 LEE colors. A tungsten simulation channel lets you simulate white light ranging from 2500K to 10000K. And finally, a library of dynamic effects macros allows you to layer two color patterns for dramatic eye-candy effects without digging into the pixel mapper.
Data & Control
Controlling the GLP Impression X5 IP Bar is as straightforward or as complicated as you make it. Six different modes of DMX control range from 20 to 81 channels, starting with essential RGBL control and working up to individual pixel-by-pixel control alongside a smorgasbord of output, color, and effect options.
The front control panel and backlit display give you an intuitive control menu.
Rigging & Electrical
Hands down, the Impression X5 IP Bar's headlining feature is that it takes the success of the X4 Bar 20 and combines it with the revamped X5 color & optics in an IP-65-rated enclosure developed to take a beating. The enclosure is just as suitable for indoor use on the stage to protect against confetti, fog, pyro and dust.
The fixture is exactly one meter long, stands a hair over a foot tall, and weighs just under 60 lbs. You can align it with other battens when they are next to each other for seamless effects and can rig it in any orientation.
From Us
We love getting to play with GLP gear. Their attention to the smallest of details always positions their products as BMW-caliber options. An example of that is the hinged, IP-65-rated connections. It felt like we were the lucky ones getting to plug in data when setting up. The entire build is solid yet still elegant. This fixture can rock out, even at the messiest venues, and you'll be excited to clean it up to look pretty back at the shop.
Another slick feature worth noting is that the data and power cables have a trough built for them to cleanly sneak through to the other side of the fixture for clean cable runs.
Wrap Up
From the roots of the batten to the cutting-edge LED brilliance of today, the GLP Impression X5 IP Bar encapsulates the essence of evolution. With its IP65-rated ruggedness, revamped X5 RGBL optics and color engine, and GLP iQ.Gamut color calibration, the X5 IP Bar is equipped to deliver what you need, wherever you need it.
Have a question? Drop it in the comments below! Thanks for plugging in w/ @LimeLightWired.
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