Last Updated 7 hours ago
Overview
The Aladdin BI-FABRIC 2 is a flexible bi-colour LED panel in the nominal one-by-two-foot class. Its 300 × 600 mm face and 100 W rating make it useful for portable interview keys, narrow soft sources, vehicle work and concealed product-lighting positions.
The reference is the BI-FABRIC 2 rather than the BI-FLEX M7 or larger BI-FABRIC 4. The current page lists a 450 g panel, a separate dimmer and battery-mount options. Published specifications vary between the current kit page and the 2022 manual, so the controller and unit revision matter.
Key specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Fixture class | Flexible bi-colour LED panel with external dimmer |
| Rated head power | 100 W |
| White range | 2850–6098 K on the product page and 2022 manual |
| Colour metrics | Current product page CRI 97 / TLCI 98 |
| Head format | 300 × 600 mm; product page describes the panel as less than 5 mm thick |
| Head mass reference | 450 g panel on the current product page; complete system additional |
| Published beam angle | 140° |
| Manual dimming range | 1–100% |
| Power | Approved external supply / battery through matching dimmer; see revision notes |
| Protection ratings | Panel IP32; dimmer IP21 on product page |
| Operating ambient | −10 to 40°C in the 2022 manual |
| Controller / battery mount | Model-specific external dimmer; V-mount / Gold-mount kit options |
Strengths and limitations
Strengths
- A thin emitting head fits low-profile soft-light rigs.
- Separate power and controls allow accessible placement.
Limitations
- Head-only mass excludes support, diffusion, controller and cables.
- Use the matching dimmer, connector system and approved battery arrangement.
Practical uses
| Setup | Working approach |
|---|---|
| Low-profile overhead | Support the mat and controller separately with the correct frame and retention. |
| Soft key | Build diffusion before metering and use a skirt or grid for spill. |
Aladdin: concealed and portable placement
Aladdin describes the BI-FABRIC 2 as a lightweight source for portable interviews and concealed positions in vehicles, lifts and product scenes. These are manufacturer application notes, not an independent output test. View the source.
Output and colour
The following lux values are read from Aladdin’s model-specific 3200 K / 5600 K graphic. The distances are kept as labelled: 0.6, 1, 2 and 3 metres. The graphic does not explicitly identify an added diffuser or grid, so the numbers should not be assigned to an unspecified softbox configuration.
The panel’s broad output differs from a narrow spotlight peak. Fit the intended diffusion and spill control and assess the level across the working area. A close rectangular source also has meaningful physical size, so use the documented distances rather than promising a simple extrapolation for every placement.
| White setting | 0.6 m, lux | 1 m, lux | 2 m, lux | 3 m, lux |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3200 K | 5,160 | 2,040 | 582 | 283 |
| 5600 K | 5,780 | 2,350 | 685 | 337 |
Power and batteries
The current page and startup section describe 12–30 V DC battery operation; the 2022 manual’s technical table instead lists 12–24 V DC. The page’s AC description is 90–240 V, while that manual specifies a 100–240 V power unit. These are documented revision/source differences: confirm the actual controller and PSU label before choosing a battery voltage or regional supply.
The current page lists 450 g and a thin 300 × 600 mm panel. The 2022 manual lists 306 g and a different depth description including a built-in dimmer. Treat those as different documented configurations, rather than using the lightest mass and thinnest depth to describe every current kit.
Use the matching external dimmer and approved locking interconnects. The head connection is not an invitation to wire an arbitrary battery straight to the emitter. Identify voltage, continuous current capability, connector rating and the complete supply arrangement before battery operation.
As a planning calculation, 100 W divided by 14.8 V is approximately 6.8 A before system losses. A 100 Wh battery divided by 100 W gives one hour of ideal energy-only runtime, not a guaranteed full-output duration once controller losses, reserve and battery condition are included.
Control, cooling and camera operation
The documented white range is 2850–6098 K on the product page and 2022 manual. The controller mixes warm and cool white; it does not supply independent saturated RGB colours. Check skin, textiles and product colours through the camera when matching another source at the same nominal Kelvin setting.
The 2022 manual lists 1–100% dimming. Check low-end fades and the route to blackout on the actual dimmer/DMX configuration rather than silently rewriting that as a verified continuous 0–100% operating range. Test the intended frame rate, shutter and level when flicker or low-level stepping matters.
Current V-mount and Gold-mount kit lists include a DMX/LumenRadio dimmer, with FB200BIDIMVM and FB200BIDIMGM among the listed accessories. The 2022 manual describes two-channel white/bi-colour DMX through its dimmer. Verify the actual supplied driver, antenna, firmware and radio operation rather than inferring native radio from the bare fabric head.
Set the correct profile and address for the actual dimmer and test local controls, low fades, blackout and signal loss. A driver whose name contains a higher wattage is not, by itself, proof of compatibility with every panel or cable in the brand’s range.
The manufacturer manual limits bending/folding to no more than 90 degrees and warns against tape directly on the emitters. Follow the intended folding/storage method, protect the LED face and avoid sharp local creases or pressure from heavy objects. Let the panel cool before placing it in a pouch.
The manual calls for the X-Bend or frame to maintain airflow and specifies −10 to 40°C operation. Passive cooling still requires heat to escape; flexible construction does not make it suitable for being wrapped in insulating material at full output.
The page lists IP32 for the panel and IP21 for the dimmer. Those are different protections and do not establish a waterproof complete kit. Protect the controller, supply and connections from wet conditions and follow the actual unit’s instructions.
Inspect the fabric or flexible substrate, attachment points, LED tracks, short lead and locking plugs. Test every warm/cool region for uniform response and confirm that the dimmer, AC supply, battery mount and intended DMX/radio route all function. Support an elevated head and its control unit independently with suitable retention.
Matching a 200 W family dimmer
The August 2022 200 W dimmer manual lists BI-FABRIC 2/4, BI-FLEX 2/4 and FABRIC-LITE 20 compatibility. It requires the correct sheet type to be selected before connecting a panel. The controller restarts when the sheet type or cable/radio control method is changed.
| Control item | Documented behaviour |
|---|---|
| DMX | Two-channel white/bi-colour personality; match the actual controller profile and start address. |
| Wired / radio | 5-pin DMX input/output or LumenRadio, selected in the menu. |
| Radio handover | RF Link Reset clears the previous transmitter association. |
| Physical package | Battery plate, adapter holder, antenna mount and 3/8-inch bracket belong to the controller; support these independently of the fabric head. |
Modifiers, rigging and the working package
The long rectangular panel can create a narrow overhead key, a soft side source or an elongated reflection. Its shape is useful where a square one-foot mat is too short but a heavy rigid panel would be difficult to place. Check the complete holder and diffusion depth, not only the bare fabric thickness.
An X-Bend or frame makes the flexible face easier to position and keeps it from sagging across a visible reflection. For hidden work, use the provided attachment features and suitable grip support; the cable and dimmer should not carry the head’s weight.
The warm and cool white range suits matching common interior or daylight scenes. This is a bi-colour fixture rather than an RGB mat, so a saturated coloured cue needs an appropriate physical filter or another light with the required colour engine.
The product page lists an X-Bend, separate 1×2 frame, softbox, grid, diffuser and round ball-diffuser options. Kit-with-case versions differ from the basic systems in their support and storage contents. Include the correct 2 m / 5 m interconnects, dimmer and AC adapter in a rental or used-equipment checklist.
Choose the diffuser for the reflected image and shadow quality, then choose a grid or flags to control spill. A grid does not turn the mat into a sharply focused projector. Record the panel shape, holder, diffuser, grid, CCT and intensity when a setup needs to be repeated.
Alternatives and related fixtures
The square BI-FLEX M7 is smaller at 70 W, while the BI-FABRIC 4 increases source size and load. The LiteMat Plus family provides another variable-white source with its own mounting and power system. Compare actual head shape, support and controller compatibility rather than the word “flexible” alone.
| Fixture | Choose it for |
|---|---|
| BI-FLEX M7 | A smaller square bi-colour mat. |
| LiteMat Plus 2L | A different rectangular-head and dimmer system. |
| MOSAIC MINI 1×2 | 300 × 600 mm RGBWW mat, 100 W white / 20 W RGB. A longer reflected shape than MINI 1×1, with the model-specific supply and supports. |
| BI-FABRIC 4 | 200 W bi-colour BI-FABRIC 4. The current page lists a 300 × 1200 mm head; check the documented older dimensions and matching dimmer when buying used. |
| BI-FLEX M7 | 300 × 300 mm, 70 W bi-colour M7. A compact variable-white source; it does not provide the RGB colour functions of MOSAIC MINI. |
Videos
Aladdin BI-FABRIC 2: family guide
Related-model setup: Aladdin BI-FLEX 2. Its panel, frame and electrical specifications differ from BI-FABRIC 2.
Rental and used-fixture checks
Check the exact model and revision, complete power package, mounting hardware and control leads. Inspect emitting surface, connectors and support points. Test the intended operating level, fade and camera settings before rigging.
Documentation and specifications
official model and accessory information, manufacturer operating manual and published photometric graphic.
Product photograph: Aladdin official product photograph.
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