ROE Visual launches Obsidian – its first ICVFX-focused LED panel

Premier LED display provider, ROE Visual is pioneering the VP industry and inspiring the creative minds testing the boundaries of filmmaking technology. Obsidian is a LED display intentionally designed with in-camera use in mind. Leveraging ROE Visual’s extensive presence in LED volumes around the world, the Obsidian panel offers unparalleled features tailored to the strenuous demands of the media and entertainment sector.

Since the success—and subsequent boom in LED volumes—from the Disney+ series, The Mandalorian, the ICVFX landscape has transformed, demanding greater requirements from manufacturers. As a service-first LED display leader, ROE Visual has carefully received and evaluated feedback from the market. Obsidian directly fulfills many of the needs posed by directors, cinematographers, and technicians who work directly with LED displays on set.

Introducing a new product to the market at this stage in the VP industry’s development requires viable updates.

Create Access Windows at Any Given Point

Obsidian was imagined with working LED stages in mind, making the ideal application semi-permanent to permanent installations. The panel’s reinforced frame design allows for the removal of LED modules at any time, facilitating the creation of access holes for additional equipment, such as lighting fixtures or props. The access point can be created up to 2m wide and 2m high or more.

Access Platform for Safe Operation

The Obsidian LED structure can be extended with an access platform of adjustable height to create easy and safe access for technicians who need to work on the volume.

Patented Deep Black Mask

The film-centric panel boasts a fine 2.6 mm pixel pitch and stands out for its exceptional non-reflectivity and patented deep-black masking technology which allows the panel’s surface to reach an unprecedented level of darkness. The advanced 2500-nit brightness represents in an extraordinarily high contrast of 16000:1, making it ideal for ICVFX work. Other adages include flip-chip LED and richer grayscales that enhance the content output and color fidelity.

Energy-saving

Keeping mindful of users’ carbon footprints, ROE improved the energy consumption capabilities of the LED panel. Obsidian uses 50% less energy than a traditional LED panel at the same brightness (220-watt max / 110-watt average), reducing studio spend and increasing product life. In addition to this energy-saving measure, the indoor panel has an IP63 rating for surface waterproofing, making it adaptable for on-set requirements.

“Virtual production has come a long way in the past few years and we’re proud to include Obsidian in the conversation,” comments Frank Montero, managing director at ROE Visual US. “Our end-users were kept in mind every step of the way when designing and ultimately producing this new panel—we’re overjoyed to bring this innovative panel to market.”

The new, cinematic panel sets a new standard in virtual production technology, and has already garnered attention for its design, winning the iF Design Award 2024 for Break-Through Structure Design and recently the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2024.

Obsidian will officially be premiered to the public during the NAB 2024 show in Las Vegas, NV at the ROE Visual booth C4535. Paired with RGBW technology, the demonstration will simulate the advancements coming to LED stages globally.