Control unit for the DMG MAXI enabling remote adjustment of brightness, color temperature, and effects via DMX or app.
Technical Details
The MAXI Switch measures 38 x 22 x 15 cm with a weight of 4.2 kg and operates on a 90-240V AC/DC power supply. The unit achieves a CRI of 96 and a TLCI of 98, guaranteeing precise color reproduction. The beam angle is 55° without accessories, but can be adjusted from 15° to 60° using the included 4-leaf barndoors and various Fresnel lenses. Control is via DMX512, local controls, or the manufacturer's proprietary app via Bluetooth. Integrated cooling with a temperature-controlled fan ensures continuous operation even at maximum output.
History & Development
DMG Lumière introduced the MAXI Switch in 2018 as an evolution of their successful MINI series. The French company, founded in 2010 by Dedo Weigert Film veterans, initially established itself with compact LED panels before expanding into larger luminaires in 2016. The MAXI Switch represented a technological breakthrough in seamless color temperature mixing without visible color shifts. In 2020, a firmware update followed with expanded effect modes and improved DMX integration.
Practical Application in Film
The MAXI Switch proves particularly useful in shoots with changing lighting situations, such as the transition from daylight to artificial light within a scene. Cinematographer Roger Deakins used several MAXI Switch units for the hotel scenes in "1917" (2019) to gradually adjust the color temperature to the incoming daylight. The unit is suitable as a key light for interviews or as a hidden fill light in confined spaces. Its quiet operation below 15 dB makes it suitable for sound recording. Disadvantages become apparent in large-area illumination, where its point-source characteristic requires multiple setups.
Comparison & Alternatives
Compared to traditional tungsten luminaires with CTB/CTO filters, the MAXI Switch offers lossless color temperature adjustment without light loss. The competing ARRI Orbiter surpasses it with 20,000 lumens of light output, but costs three times as much. The DMG MINI Switch offers 150 watts of power at a lower budget. For pure daylight applications without color temperature changes, specialized 5600K LEDs like the Aputure 600d offer better light output per euro.