Astera HydraPanel: flexible LED panel for events

There’s a dilemma that every technical team has experienced at some point: the exact spot where you need to put a light is rarely where you have a power socket. And when you’re working on a stand, in a unique venue or in a VIP area, adding cabling isn’t always a viable option.

That’s where a wireless LED panel like the Astera HydraPanel comes in handy. Its compact format, integrated battery and multiple mounting options make it possible to bring professional light to locations where a conventional fixture might force you to modify the technical or scenic design.

At Novelty, equipment selection starts from what the production needs to achieve, and how can we make it happen while respecting the space, setup times and visual result. HydraPanel provides a flexible tool for supporting product lighting, brand elements, photocalls and recording areas, while keeping the equipment visually integrated into the setup.

What lighting challenges does HydraPanel solve at an event?

In AV production, lighting is rarely designed around an ideal scenario. The venue imposes its own obstaces, including power outlets that are too far away, walkways where cables can get in the way, structures with anchoring limitations or last-minute changes after a rehearsal.

The challenge, therefore, isn’t simply deciding where to place a light. Every position can affect the aesthetics of the space, the scenery, the audience flow and even what the camera captures.

There are also productions where the installation needs to remain practically invisible. At a stand, in a VIP area or in a unique venue, adding a tripod, running cables or modifying the structure can compromise the clean visual design.

In these situations, having a compact, self-contained and easy-to-integrate light source expands the possibilities of the technical design. It allows you to add lighting points that are useful for the event, rather than letting the available infrastructure dictate where the light has to go.

What does a wireless LED panel add to an event setup?

In event lighting, the value of HydraPanel lies in the flexibility it brings to design, setup and adjustments during production. Its integrated battery, compact format and different control and mounting options make it possible to address several of the challenges described above with a single fixture.

1. Light a space without letting cabling dictate the design

HydraPanel features a rear magnet and can be used with FlexBase, BabyPin, cold shoe and M5 suspension points. These options make it possible to integrate the fixture into structures, scenic elements or areas where installing tripods and cabling could interfere with the design or audience flow.

At Novelty, this flexibility is particularly useful when lighting needs to work alongside the architecture and creative concept of the event. The goal is for technology to support the design, not dictate it.

2. Maintain light quality in front of the camera

For photocalls, product presentations, interviews or streaming, lighting needs to work for both the live audience and the cameras.

HydraPanel’s Titan LED Engine RGBMintAmber delivers a CRI/TLCI of 96 or higher between 3,200 and 6,500 K, supporting accurate reproduction of skin tones, products and brand colours.

This helps maintain consistency between what happens in the venue and the content that is subsequently photographed, recorded or streamed.

3. React quickly to changes during setup

A new position after rehearsal, a change in camera framing or a colour adjustment can mean revisiting the lighting just minutes before doors open.

HydraPanel features wireless control via CRMX and AsteraApp, among other options, allowing intensity, colour and configuration to be adjusted without physically accessing each fixture.

For productions with tight setup windows, this ability to react simplifies adjustments and reduces unnecessary intervention in the installation.

4. Adapt the light to each area of the event

A person, a product and a scenic element do not require the same lighting finish. HydraPanel includes six magnetic modifiers that allow you to soften, concentrate or control the beam according to each application.

It also features six individually controllable pixels, expanding the panel’s creative possibilities.

This means that the same fixture can perform different functions within a production, from a functional and discreet light source to a creative element integrated into the atmosphere of the space.

What types of corporate events are best suited to an LED panel like HydraPanel?

Not every fixture performs best in the same environment. HydraPanel stands out precisely where the light needs to be discreet, quick to install and independent of the electrical infrastructure. There are certain contexts in which it can be particularly useful within corporate events, such as:

• Trade show and conference stands: its compact format and rear magnet allow it to be integrated into the stand structure without visible cables, adding precise light to products or branding.

• Photocalls and press conferences: RGBMA colour and the diffusers help achieve more even lighting on faces and backgrounds, which is essential for images taken during the event.

• VIP areas, receptions and product presentations: it provides colour accents and supporting light where there is no nearby power outlet, while maintaining the aesthetics of the space.

• Small stages and audiovisual sets: pixel effects and app-based control make it useful as a creative and accent-lighting tool.

• Spaces with sensitive architecture: in heritage or design-led venues, reducing the need for visible cabling or interventions in the space can be decisive.

In all these situations, the combination of battery power, compact size, IP65 protection and flexible mounting makes HydraPanel a tool that adapts to the event, rather than trying to adapt the event to the fixture.

How does HydraPanel fit into a lighting production designed by Novelty?

An audiovisual production is not designed around a single piece of equipment. HydraPanel can be a highly effective tool for integrated lighting, accents and areas where maximum flexibility is required. That being said, other areas of the same event may require greater output, a more focused beam, a larger Fresnel or a specific uplighting solution.

That is why, at Novelty, the choice of audiovisual equipment starts with the function each light needs to perform.

In certain designs, HydraPanel can be combined with other fixtures available within the Novelty ecosystem. For example, while HydraPanel can provide an integrated accent or light in an area where discretion is a priority, a QuikPunch can provide a more focused light source and an AX5 can handle ambient lighting functions. The choice should start with the effect, the space and the requirements of each production, not with the fixture itself.

Are you designing the lighting for a stand, conference or product launch? Our team can help you determine whether Astera HydraPanel is the right solution or whether it makes sense to combine it with other AV equipment to achieve the result that you’re looking for.

Frequently asked questions about the Astera HydraPanel