Aputure INFINIBAR PB12

Last Updated 2 days ago

Overview

The PB12 is the four-foot INFINIBAR, providing the longest continuous line and highest pixel count in the original PB3/PB6/PB12 family. It suits visible linear elements, long reflections and close edge-light work where a small bar would leave an obvious gap.

Key specifications

Specification	Details
Nominal length / physical pixels	4ft / 96; up to 48 controllable pixels over DMX
Single-pixel / multi-pixel engine	RGBWW / RGB, as listed by Aputure
White-light CCT	2,000–10,000K
Single-pixel CRI / TLCI	96+ / 98+
Single-pixel SSI	85 tungsten; 74 D5600
LED output	27W
Maximum fixture / supply consumption	36.5W / 40W
Fixture input	24V DC
Internal battery	59.2Wh
Maximum-output runtime	Approximately 80 minutes, manufacturer figure
Beam angle	120° half-peak
Dimensions	120.4 × 4.5 × 4.3cm
Fixture weight	1.96kg
Weather rating	IP20
Operating temperature	−10°C to +45°C
Cooling	Passive
Control	Onboard, Sidus Link, DMX/RDM, CRMX

Strengths and limitations

Strengths

• A flat 4ft face with 96 physical pixels suits visible lines and smooth effects.
• Rail mounting and compatible connectors allow joined shapes with a continuous illuminated face.
• Internal battery, passive cooling and CRMX help with concealed placement.

Limitations

• Useful subject illumination depends on distance and mode; single-pixel white specifications do not describe every animated RGB look.
• A joined array needs its own support and power plan; connector hardware and modifiers add to the package.
• IP20 provides no rain protection, and wired DMX needs the specified active adapter.

Practical uses

Its extra length is useful around people and larger objects, but it also changes handling. Plan clearance through doorways, the position of the mounting clamp and the direction of cable pull. Several connected bars form a rig with a different leverage and support problem from one standalone unit.

The PB12 also suits compact interactive colour effects when the source can stay close to the receiving surface. For a travelling effect on a face, test whether the animation reads as the intended movement rather than as individual colour segments. Adding diffusion can blend the effect but uses exposure and space.

Setup	Working approach
A long reflection or visible line	Use the four-foot face where a short bar would leave a gap in a reflection or visible set element; allow space for the complete support.
Connected set element	Use approved connectors and align the illuminated faces; conceal or manage power feeds from the camera position.
Moving colour interaction	Choose the intended pixel profile and test how the moving effect blends on the subject at the working distance.
Background practical	Expose for the glowing face, check clipping and run the intended cue through the production camera.

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Output and colour

The manufacturer publishes the following white-light centre readings. A bar can look bright in frame while delivering relatively little illumination at a distance; visible brightness and exposure on a subject are different questions.

CCT	At 0.5m	At 1m
3200K	1410 lux	542 lux
5600K	1600 lux	593 lux
10000K	1510 lux	563 lux

Aputure’s current specification explicitly identifies RGBWW for single-pixel operation and RGB for multi-pixel operation. That distinction matters when changing between a white-light setup and a pixel effect: do not assume the white emitters or quoted single-pixel colour metrics apply identically to every multi-pixel look.

If a cue changes from an even white bar to an animated pattern, test both the colour and exposure on the production camera. A DMX profile with more channels offers more control; it does not by itself mean a more accurate white spectrum. Document the profile and operating mode with the cue.

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Power and batteries

The listed battery capacity is 59.2Wh, with approximately 80 minutes at maximum output. That is a manufacturer runtime figure, not a guaranteed duration for every aged battery or ambient temperature. Build in a changeover margin when the fixture is difficult to reach.

The USB-C connection is used for supported data and firmware tasks; do not assume it is the normal charging input. The fixture’s power system is 24V DC. Use the correct supply and confirm charge status before hiding the unit in scenery. A light that remains controllable after external power fails may simply be running on its battery.

INFINIBAR connectors can join lights into straight lines and geometric shapes, with power passing through supported connections. A connected structure still needs a deliberate electrical plan. Adding the standalone fixture wattages and dividing a supply rating by that total can overlook line losses and the location of the power feed.

The official multi-light configuration guide provides separate allowances for open chains and closed loops. It also explains how central power injection changes the practical limit. Use its configuration tables for the actual mixture of PB3, PB6 and PB12 units.

Exceeding the supported power arrangement can leave some bars drawing from internal batteries. That can hide a distribution problem during a short prep and reveal it later in a long take or installation. Confirm sustained operation, not just that every bar initially illuminates.

Control, cooling and camera operation

Sidus Link provides Bluetooth-based setup and effects. CRMX receives a compatible wireless DMX system, while wired DMX/RDM requires the appropriate active USB-C-to-DMX adapter. Plan that adapter into the rental list rather than assuming full-size DMX sockets are built into the bar.

Use the current INFINIBAR DMX documentation to select the profile and channel footprint. Pixel count, channel count and number of universes are related but not interchangeable. Patch the actual mode, including dimmer and control channels, before committing to a large array.

The PB12 has 96 physical pixels. Aputure’s overview distinguishes 96 pixels in Sidus Link from 48 controllable pixels over DMX, and the current V2.0 DMX chart lists pixel profiles up to 48. Select the console profile from that chart rather than patching 96 independent DMX pixels from the physical pixel count.

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Modifiers, rigging and the working package

The rail system, dedicated clamp, magnetic arrangements and connectors provide several ways to place the bars. Use the specified mounting hardware and account for the complete connected structure. A magnet holding a fixture on a convenient piece of steel is not a substitute for appropriate secondary restraint where a fall could injure someone.

Mixed-size arrays may need the supplied magnetic spacers to align their mounting surfaces. Inspect the complete shape from the camera position as well as from behind; a technically connected array can still have misaligned luminous faces or visible hardware.

IP20 means this is an indoor-style fixture, without a rain-protection claim. Keep it and its power accessories out of wet conditions unless a suitable protected setup is provided. Passive cooling removes a fan from the bar, but the external power system can still make noise.

The rectangular face and linkable construction distinguish INFINIBAR from round tubes such as the Astera Titan Tube. Compare visible shape, mounting, beam distribution and actual control requirements. For general distant illumination, a larger COB or panel is usually a more appropriate starting point than a line of small pixel bars.

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Alternatives and related fixtures

Fixture	Choose it for
Aputure INFINIBAR PB3	Another bar length in the same connection and control family.
Aputure INFINIBAR PB6	Change the length and pixel count to suit the visible shape and available clearance.
Astera Titan Tube	A round tube with a different beam, mounting system and power package.

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What people are saying

Graham Sheldon: seamless appearance, with a multi-light cost

Graham Sheldon tested the PB3, PB6 and PB12 and valued their seamless connected appearance. He saw large arrays as particularly useful for rental houses, stages and music or event work, with multi-unit cost a significant consideration for owners.

New Layer: the flat face and sliding rail are the main attractions

In a review covering PB3, PB6 and PB12, New Layer favours the flat luminous face for visible practicals and the rear rail for fine positioning. The review focuses on connected shapes and how the bars differ from conventional tubes.

Videos

Gaffer & Gear 235: INFINIBAR family

A review of the INFINIBAR system and its connected-bar design.

CineD: PB3, PB6 and PB12 review

Graham Sheldon reviews all three original sizes.

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Rental and used-fixture checks

Inspect the rail, clamps, connector threads, DC sockets, display and luminous face. Check that the correct magnetic spacers and connector hardware are present for the planned shape. Repeated assembly can leave missing screws or damaged threads that are easy to overlook on an illuminated fixture.

Test uniform white and pixel effects through the intended control route. Check charging and sustained operation from external power, then disconnect power to confirm realistic battery endurance. An under-powered array can appear to work initially because the internal batteries are supplying part of the load.

Documentation and specifications

Official PB12 product page and downloads · INFINIBAR support and firmware · Multi-light power and connection guide.

Product photograph: Aputure.

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