The 10-inch iPad Air 4 with an activated Blackout Lighting Console license is a compact professional lighting-control solution for film sets, photography productions, commercials, music videos, interviews, events and small studio setups. Instead of bringing a traditional lighting console when the production only needs a compact control interface, the iPad provides direct control over DMX fixtures through the Blackout app and a compatible DMX or CRMX interface.
This rental unit is supplied with a professional Blackout configuration for 1 DMX universe, making it suitable for controlling a compact lighting package on location. The system is particularly useful with modern LED fixtures from Aputure, Astera, Nanlux, ARRI, Creamsource and other manufacturers that support DMX, Art-Net, sACN or CRMX control.
The iPad itself is only the control surface. Depending on the lighting system being used, it connects to a DMX node, Art-Net/sACN gateway or CRMX transmitter. Blackout sends the lighting-control data through the network, while the appropriate hardware converts that data into the physical DMX or wireless CRMX signal used by the fixtures.
! Important Compatibility Note !
The iPad and Blackout application provide the control interface and DMX data. A separate compatible DMX node, Art-Net/sACN gateway or CRMX transmitter is required to physically transmit the lighting signal to fixtures.
Aputure Sidus One – Wireless DMX Bridge / Smart Lighting Control Hub
Blackout Lighting Console for Professional Production
Blackout is a professional lighting-control application developed specifically around DMX, Art-Net and sACN workflows. It provides a much more production-oriented interface than the basic Bluetooth applications supplied with many individual LED fixtures.
The app provides fixture patching, fixture profiles, faders, presets, sequences, effects and macros, allowing the operator to build and recall lighting states rather than manually controlling individual fixtures one by one.
This becomes particularly useful when a production has several lights from different manufacturers. Instead of opening one manufacturer’s application for Aputure, another for Astera and another for a different lighting system, Blackout can provide a central control interface for compatible fixtures.
The Blackout fixture database includes thousands of fixture profiles, while custom fixtures can also be created when a particular light is not already available in the database.
One DMX Universe
This rental package is configured for one DMX universe, providing up to 512 DMX channels within that universe.
For many film and photography productions, one universe is more than enough. A small lighting package consisting of several LED fixtures can normally be patched comfortably within a single universe, particularly when the fixtures are being used for intensity, colour temperature, RGB/RGBW, effects and other standard parameters.
A one-universe setup also keeps the system straightforward. There is no need to bring a full lighting console and large networking infrastructure when the production only requires control of a relatively small number of fixtures.
For larger productions requiring multiple universes, Blackout can be expanded through the appropriate network and hardware configuration. This rental package is specifically intended as a compact one-universe solution.
DMX, Art-Net and sACN
Blackout communicates using professional lighting-network protocols including Art-Net and sACN E1.31. This means the iPad can connect to compatible DMX nodes and gateways over Wi-Fi or Ethernet rather than requiring a conventional hardware lighting desk.
For a wired setup, the iPad can be connected to a supported network adapter and then directly into the lighting network. For wireless operation, the iPad can connect through a dedicated Wi-Fi network or access point connected to the lighting control hardware.
This makes the system flexible enough for both studio and location production.
For critical production work, a wired Ethernet connection is generally preferable where practical because it provides a more stable network connection than relying on Wi-Fi. Blackout itself recommends hard-wired networking for the most reliable operation, particularly when using lighting effects.
CRMX Wireless Lighting Control
The iPad does not generate CRMX by itself. For wireless CRMX lighting control, the Blackout system works together with a compatible CRMX transmitter or node.
This can include equipment such as an Astera ART7 with its CRMX node, LumenRadio hardware, Ratpac AKS systems, Cerise transmitters and other compatible Art-Net/sACN-to-CRMX interfaces.
The workflow is simple: Blackout creates the DMX data on the iPad, sends it through the network to the CRMX transmitter, and the transmitter sends the DMX control wirelessly to the lighting fixtures.
This is particularly useful for film production because there is no need to run DMX cable from the control position to every light. Once the CRMX network is established, the lighting operator can control compatible fixtures remotely from the iPad.
Ideal for Aputure and Astera Lighting
The system is particularly useful with modern cinema lighting packages where wireless DMX and CRMX are already part of the workflow.
Aputure fixtures equipped with CRMX-compatible control can be integrated through the appropriate transmitter or node. Astera fixtures can also be controlled through compatible Blackout and Astera hardware configurations.
For Astera systems using the ART7, Blackout can communicate with the ART7 and use its built-in CRMX node, allowing fixtures to be linked and controlled through the Blackout interface.
This makes the iPad an effective compact lighting console for productions using wireless LED lighting throughout a location.
Lighting Control on Film Sets
The advantage of an iPad-based lighting console becomes obvious when the lighting package is distributed over a large location.
On a commercial shoot, for example, the gaffer or lighting technician can stand near the camera and adjust the key light, fill, backlight, practical fixtures and RGB units without physically walking to each lamp.
During an interview, intensity and colour temperature can be adjusted while watching the image. During a commercial setup, multiple lights can be programmed into a look and recalled when the director asks to return to a previous lighting state.
For documentary production, the same system can be used to make quick adjustments without bringing a conventional console into a small location.
Presets, Sequences and Effects
Blackout provides more than basic DMX faders. Lighting states can be saved as presets and recalled when required.
Sequences can be created with configurable fade times, delays and links, allowing the operator to build repeatable lighting changes.
The effects engine is useful when the lighting needs to move rather than simply remain at a fixed level. Intensity chases, colour changes and other dynamic effects can be programmed directly inside the application.
Macros can also be used to combine several lighting commands into a single control.
This is useful for music videos, live performances, automotive shoots and other productions where lighting changes are part of the visual design rather than simply technical illumination.
A Practical Alternative to a Lighting Console
A traditional DMX console remains the better choice for large entertainment productions and complex lighting shows. But for a film set with a relatively compact lighting package, carrying a full-size console can be unnecessary.
The iPad approach keeps the control system small and mobile while still providing professional DMX functionality.
The operator can carry the entire interface in one hand and move around the set while controlling the lighting network. This is particularly useful when the lighting team is small and the same person needs to observe the camera image while making lighting adjustments.
The touchscreen interface also makes the system easy to understand for cinematographers and gaffers who are accustomed to working with modern digital lighting fixtures.
Rental in Bangkok and Thailand
The 10-inch iPad Air 4 with activated Blackout App is available as part of the Film Service Thailand lighting-control rental inventory in Bangkok.
It is intended for professional productions requiring a compact DMX control system without the size and complexity of a conventional lighting console.
The package is suitable for commercial productions, music videos, interviews, documentaries, photography, corporate films, studio work and location shoots throughout Bangkok and Thailand.
For international productions coming to Thailand, it can be rented together with Aputure, Astera, Nanlux, ARRI and other professional lighting equipment to create a complete local lighting package.
