LiteDimmer Plus is a technique of professional lighting design.
Technical Details
The housing measures 203 x 127 x 51 mm with a weight of 1.1 kg and features four Phoenix connectors for LED outputs, as well as a 5-pin XLR for DMX input and output. The internal switching power supply operates with a PWM frequency from 1200 Hz to 25 kHz to avoid flicker, even during high-speed shooting up to 1000 fps. Two variants are available: the standard LiteDimmer Plus for RGBW applications and the LiteDimmer Plus CC (Constant Current) for professional LED arrays with 700mA output current.
History & Development
LiteGear introduced the first LiteDimmer in 2011 in response to the increasing use of LEDs on set. The LiteDimmer Plus followed in 2014 with improved processor performance and expanded dimming curves. In 2017, the CC version was added for high-quality LED panels. The development responded to the demands of cinematographers for flicker-free LED control at variable frame rates, after early LED systems caused problems in 48p and 60p productions.
Practical Application in Film
On "The Revenant" (2015), Emmanuel Lubezki used LiteDimmer Plus units to control hidden LED strips in interiors to simulate natural candlelight. The 16-bit resolution allows for smooth fade transitions over 8-10 seconds without visible steps. Gaffers frequently use the device for car rigs, where four separate LED panels need to vary the light direction during driving scenes. The Silent mode reduces fan speed to below 20 dB for sound recording in enclosed spaces.
Comparison & Alternatives
Unlike the basic LiteDimmer (2 channels, 8-bit), the Plus version offers double the channel count and 16-bit precision. Competing products like the ETC Response 4-Port Dimmer operate with 120/240V AC and require additional LED drivers. The LiteDimmer Pro, introduced in 2019, is increasingly replacing the Plus version with Ethernet control and 8 channels, while the LiteDimmer Plus continues to be used for smaller setups and as a backup system.