Last Updated 21 minutes ago
Filmmaking Dictionary: Number 1 / 1×1 LED Panel
Definition
A 1×1 LED panel is a common fixture-size category with a light-emitting face roughly one foot square. The name is often spoken as ‘one-by-one’. It describes the format of the fixture, not an exact brightness, power rating or colour capability.
The complete unit can be larger than its nominal face because of the housing, yoke, controls and power supply. Check actual dimensions when planning a case, tight location or mounting position.
What the Size Does Not Tell You
Two 1×1 panels can produce very different results. One may use relatively narrow individual LED optics, while another places diffusion over an internal mixing chamber. They can differ in beam spread, output, colour adjustment, dimming behaviour and available modifiers.
- Output: Compare photometrics at the same distance and settings.
- Colour: Check whether the fixture is daylight, bi-colour or full colour.
- Power: Confirm the actual input and battery requirements.
- Control: Identify local, wired and wireless options.
- Noise: Check any cooling fan in the intended recording environment.
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Softness Depends on the Setup
A one-foot source close to a face can appear relatively large and produce softer shadows than it does from across the room. Adding a softbox or lighting a larger diffusion frame can change the effective emitting area, but may reduce the light reaching the subject.
A panel’s rectangular housing does not guarantee soft light. The visible emitting surface, lensing, diffusion, distance and subject all contribute to the result. Check the shadow and reflection rather than judging softness from the fixture’s category.
Example: A Compact Interview
A crew chooses a 1×1 panel for an interview in a small office. A softbox helps create the intended face light, while flags or a grid control spill onto the background. The crew checks output after fitting the modifier instead of assuming the bare-panel specification still applies.
The fixture’s compact format may simplify transport, but the stand, power arrangement and modifier still take space. Include those components when planning the footprint around the camera and performer.
Checks Before the Take
- Confirm exposure and colour with the actual modifier fitted.
- Check reflections in glasses and shiny surfaces.
- Listen for fan noise.
- Test the chosen frame rate and shutter setting for flicker or banding.
- Secure the fixture and route cables clear of movement.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are all 1×1 panels the same brightness?
No. Compare the actual model and its settings.
Does 1×1 mean one kilowatt?
No. It is a size category, unrelated to the 1K wattage label used for some lights.
Related Terms
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