And here we go! A video on a troubling(?) trend in lighting design

Really enjoyed the video. You should make a YouTube playlist of all your great lighting videos, they are some of my favorites!

Jonathan Bittner

Photography color gels (CTO or "Color Temperature Orange" to lower the color temperature) might be of interest to you if you're trying to tune color finely. There is some loss from the absorbed color, and fade may be an issue (there are some high durability types intended for LED correction like Lee's Zircon filters). You can cut to fit in fixtures and stack to combine them if you also want to adjust the green ratio. If the colors are close, a single 1/8th or 1/4th filter may be enough.

Jeremy

Here is the video I want to see: LED fixtures and Dimmers

Alec, your intuition on lighting is spot on. It comes through in your videos. Your studio lighting is excellent and consistent. What is the particular PAR38 bulb at 3000K that you mention you like? And do you (or anyone else here) have any recommendation for RGBW/RGBCCT bulbs that have proper high quality white but can be pressed into service for colorful accent lighting? —not concerned with how they are controlled, and PAR style also a bonus here.

John Laur

I recently was looking for T12 or T8 style tube light + fixture to use in the garage while I worked on my car. I soon found out that this form factor is quickly disappearing, fixtures that accept replaceable fluorescent tubes are almost gone in the home use market, and when you do find a fixture its always more expensive or way too large. I ended up settling with a cheap LED fixture with a non-replaceable light source. I'm fine with T12 LED drop ins, but I shouldn't have to replace the fixture when the light dies, no matter how long the advertised life is (mine was 20 years or normal use). I'm very surprised that with the outcry of banning single use plastics, we letting this get by. People see the advertised life span and think that its long enough to not matter, but we are still throwing away things that dont even need to be thrown away. And I'm very skeptical that these fixtures will last their advertised life span.

“WarmDim”, “Warm Glow”, etc., bulbs are basically magic.

Elsie Hupp

Personally what I hate with integral luminaires is finding an otherwise funky industrial design with a lighting element that isn’t dimmable, or is the wrong color temperature, or—for my purposes—doesn’t use standardized wireless controls. Like, sure, I could try and disassemble a fixture and replace the lighting elements or the driver, but in some cases that’s impossible to do without destroying the fixture, and anyway soldering and whatnot is a pain (never mind custom PCBs).

Elsie Hupp

Regarding color temperature: I replaced a ton of lightbulbs in my parents’ house back in 2019, and because they have dimmers (which aren’t compatible with smart bulbs), I had them buy Philips Warm Glow bulbs that gradually decrease color temperature as you dim them, simulating the behavior of incandescent and halogen bulbs. There are other manufacturers with similar products, but Philips Warm Glow is the brand you’re most likely to find in a big box store, and they come in basically all historical bulb form factors (including, important for my parents’ house, GU5.3 MR16, though you have to order those online).

Elsie Hupp

All the better if lamp boxes literally just have a Euro plug or something inside!

Elsie Hupp

Molex connectors (used in some computers and some high-end recessed lighting fixtures) are quite nice, but more broadly I imagine the issue could sorted out be the market if electrical codes were to ban direct-wire luminaires in residential settings, in which case line-voltage luminaires would probably switch to the NEMA 1-15 or IEC 60320-C7/C8 connectors already used for everything else. (Electrical boxes could probably still be used for grounding and mechanical support.) Ultimately we’ll probably see most high-voltage residential wiring replaced with automotive-style 12-volt or 24-volt DC circuits with the connectors already established for those purposes. If we’re lucky, though, we’ll get 5/10/20-volt USB everything, given that USB-PD can support increasingly ridiculous wattages, and we might even get some degree of network addressability out of it.

Elsie Hupp

It's even worse in some countries, here in Norway you can't legally replace one of these yourself! Only a certified electrician can hook up permanent electrical devices like this. Houses built in the last ten years or so have a plug in the light box so you can legally plug the lamp in yourself, but most people don't live in brand new houses after all... I think rules are similar in much of the EU,but i don't know for sure.

Thor Syvertsen

Of all the things you covered in this video, two things stood out because they were totally new to me: CRI and Wago connectors. Now I have some research to do.

As an early adopter I did find the cheaper LED lights from PRC failed quite often, especially the filament type which had glass 'bulbs'. I've not had any trouble with better quality ones. I prefer 'warm white' but I do note that they emit very little blue light which edits what you see, photographs are not improved. I generally use the kind that uses a standard light fitting, here in the UK they are usually bayonet type, but the world market is pushing us toward Edison. Glad to see you back, providing metaphorical illumination.

Jim Hewlett

... all the years I've been a somewhat critical photographer, I never really cared about color temp..... But when I got my 1st LED replacements (bulbs & 4 ' tubes) boy howdy the different definitions of warm white really became apparent. I wish there were more LED warm white auto lamp replacements..... good analysis as always! :)

david c tayloe

The set looks fancy. You spent some time on it I see.

This video will be my running partner as I watch this morning while on the treadmill.

Mike Chimeri

Glad to have you back! I bet you and Big Clive could have a long discussion about these things and LED lights in general...

Nick Loh

Frankly, videos like these exploring the subtle nuance of a topic are my favorite format. Good work!

Alex Furst

Great video! Now every time I see the ceiling light fixture I think of "boob" fixtures. hehehe

FAST640kdsl

I had a philips Hue bulb burn out, but interestingly it was only the special Hue circuitry that failed. It still works as a normal on-off lightbulb it's just can't be dimmed or have it's color temperature changed anymore.

nobody

I have had only 1 led bulb burn out on me in the last decade. I was an early adopter and started transitioning to them back when they costed ~20 bucks. a pop. I still run ~15 year old Phillips bulbs ~10 hours a day. LEDs are magic! I like cooler "Day light" color temp the best (and live in a cooler climate :-) ).

Jacob Nelson

I think LED lighting is certainly a reason to rethink how to connect, as the old Edison socket is not a very good way indeed. But apparently, no manufacturer or group of manufacturers is thinking to make a standard, maybe it's too difficult. BTW: I'm very happy with the LED lighting I have at home, but also seem to notice that at some other places (trains here for instance) they try to make them as bright as possible, and use rather cold lighting... A shame. And I have only once had a LED bulb broken: one LED chip blew up, creating an open circuit. I replaced it with a diode, the light flow was of course a bit less, but still well enough for its purpose!

MrHammond

I've found the LEDs, barring manufacturing flaws as you stated, also run like a dream and last forever. However, my family frequently moaned about LEDS burning out in weeks. I ultimately discovered that literally everyone I knew who complained about the LEDs burning out super fast, Were people that turned their lights on and off literally dozens, if not hundreds of times a day. Like, going from office to kitchen to get a drink would result in office lights off, kitchen lights on, drink grabbed, kitchen lights off, office lights on. As soon as I put some VERY strong tape over their switches to keep them from turning them off, suddenly the LED bulbs went from lasting weeks, to lasting years.

Honorary Octopus

It could be - I'm gonna be making some physical changes soon to cut back on the processing I need to do. And I had to make some temporary changes a while back which screwed up my prior setup. So it needs some recombobulating for sure.

Technology Connections

So... I'm not looking to start an argument here but I find it funny when people call it "off-white" because, it's not, it's white. Our eyes and brains are really good at adjusting our internal white balance, and if you're under *nothing but* 2700K lighting the yellow cast just... isn't there. At least, not for me. That's why I need it to be consistent. If I can see both at the same time, I'm gonna notice that difference. If I can't, then my eyes easily switch my internal white balance and colors look correct, but less harsh. The other complication is that, as I discussed in my video on HPS street lighting, we need less total light to have the same visual acuity with cooler color temps. And so if you have a space which is under-lit, you can see things better if the light is bright white. But I would argue the problem there is that it's under-lit, and not soft white.

Technology Connections

Maybe some day

Technology Connections

I haven't found the right setting in the app yet, but I'll do some more digging.

Technology Connections

Do you require an earth, though? Because the thing about metal boxes only applies to certain geographic areas. The box I showed attaching the fixture two is plastic, as the studio is far enough away from Chicago that Romex is allowed. So there's a dedicated earthing wire (the bare one). But around Chicago the box itself is grounded and is also metal, so the separate wire isn't necessary.

Technology Connections

I honestly didn't think I made a blanket statement - and certainly, do whatever you want. But I do think you ought to consider what you're doing, not only through locking out of choice but also making for a much more unpleasant problem when the fixture fails. To your point about can lights, well I'll be honest I didn't even think about the energy concerns from heat loss, but that's also situational - really only applies if they're going into an attic. If there's another story above them, ehh. And there are ways to mitigate the problem. Remember - I said I like the concept! Particularly the simple ones. But I realllllly don't care for fixtures that could be made with bulb sockets getting turned into inflexible pieces of future e-waste, and I think that's worthy of exposing.

Technology Connections

This is my first time disagreeing (lol) with Alec. I don't think a blanket statement advising not to install permanent LED light fixtures (due to the future owner's color temperature preferences or changing architecutral styles) is fair. I think homeowners should do whatever makes them feel happy. My 20-year-old house had the 3' fluorescent tube fixtures in the laundry, pantry and master closet. Just an awful, flickery mess. I replaced them with 3' LED fixtures (with adjustable color temp) and never looked back. Also, can lights create a terrible hole in the envelope of the house, so retrofitting them with an LED with a trim ring actually helps to seal in (or seal out) the heat. Using just an LED PAR bulb does nothing to stop the energy loss of a can fixture.

Chuck Sembroski

Its interesting to note the differences in regulations between USA and UK. Here in the UK we mount light fittings pretty much wherever you can get power to. Sure, there are certain regulations in regards to different rooms around the house (Kitchen/Bathroom for instance) but we don't require them to be 'earthed' to metal fixings. The majority of my light fittings are screwed to wooden joists.

Mike Oreilly

My take away here is that we need some kind of new standard for a “socket” that is DC, low profile and could accommodate a wide variety of light styles and shapes so you could just snap in new leds to you low profile fixture

This video was perfect in its explanation of all the trade-offs involved. Bonus points for using the term boob lamp, I love that it's gaining mainstream use. Thank you Alec!

Kevin Tessner

If only there were some sort of electrical…. outlet into which one of those flat light fittings could just plug in, and not require electrical work. Maybe some kind of standard socket that accepted a plug just built into the light fitting that was commonly used, but not traditional bulb socket shaped? Nah, that kind of electrical outlet would probably never catch on. /s (I do wonder how long it’ll take to move from 120V AC/230V AC light fittings to some DC lighting circuit standard with interchangeable parts. Possibly 48V DC? But meanwhile retro fitting bare lighting wires into a standard electrical socket seems like a useful intermediate step.) Ewen

Ewen McNeill

Another pesky non-american - European here. I have never seen that. We only get 3 wires sticking out of the centre of the ceiling in every room. With some luck, you also get an integrated hook in that hole, so you can hook a chandelier. Yea... hardcore retro.

It's crazy how much residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal lighting have all changed DRASTICALLY in the last ~20 years after being pretty much the same for the ~50 before. I wonder if it will level off again.

Dan ''Spiffy'' Neuman

Is this one of those videos where I get to be all non-american and smug in the comments? Everywhere I've lived we have special ceiling lamp sockets so that you don't need to do wiring to change light fixtures. This means that you can trivially bring your own fixtures when you move. EU https://new.abb.com/low-voltage/products/residential-product/installation-materials/covers-for-mounting-and-junction-boxes/dcl-lighting-outlets Japan https://www.e-connect.jp/images/to_quickC.jpg

kalleboo

You should be able to adjust the alignment of the visible and IR cameras on the FLIR camera. This will bring the outlines of objects onto their IR counterparts. Just a heads up.

Quinton Wilson

We made X better by making Y worse. Hooray?

alphawhiskey

Cut your g'dam hair, hippy.

CC

it's real nice to see your face, I missed these videos!

matt

This is an interesting short walk through the history of electric lighting technology. There was a fairly universal standard lighting technology for about a century and now it seems as if new technologies are vying to be the "One Bulb to Rule Them All" like the old incandescent bulbs were. I think those days are gone for good, which as you say is both good and bad. It's something like the same dynamic that we are seeing with ICE vs. electric cars (without the oil companies putting their gargantuan thumbs on the scale of course).

Mark Hesse

Good to see you again.

Arthur Robillard

I detest boob lights. All that heat generation happening inside the glass boob... on the ceiling! A LED replacement doesn't have a chance at long life. After this video I will definitely try the filament style.

Al Davis

Hey just a note on things. I know it may change what with the move and all, but the sound on this was a little, I don’t know how to put it in words well, “tinny?” That’s not really right but it sounded like you had an echo that was happening right at the point the ear can hear it. Not a lot you can do on this one but I wanted to make sure you knew about it. As for the video itself, I do love a nice nuance now and then. Nice to have you back in my feed!

Sean Hearrell

You'd hate my place... it's all 4500K because I despise that "off-white" color. Anyway, I don't think these might be legal for too much longer. Don't forget the NEMA 10 outlet crap because range and dryer mgfrs didn't want the cost of a dedicated neutral. I have a feeling "non-user-replaceable" lighting might go the same way.

Crash Cash

Speaking of captions, I can’t believe I just found out Premiere can create broadcast-style captions compatible with YT. 🤦 Tells you how much I use Premiere. No need to type out formatting tags in a text file anymore.

I like the nuanced videos! I often feel a little yucky coming out of entertaining/informative content with a new strong opinion, because I just assume the complexity was tamped down by the desire to be entertaining and satisfying. I appreciate that your videos don't make me feel that way, because it seems like you'd feel uncomfortable presenting an opinion that masks too much of the truth. Your channel, to me, has always been an opportunity to peer into new complexities in the world. So it makes sense that sometimes a line of research proves inconclusive. That's why I support on Patreon; I figure if we all contribute a little to the people who forego clickbait fame, we can make other (less unfailingly 'satisfying' -- though still entertaining) content still sustainable to create.

Timothy J. Aveni

Watching this in my office in my new construction house with exactly these light fixtures, thinking... "I hope he talks about these being a great replacement for boob lights."

I agree with everything you said, except for your desire of color temp. Myself, I love cool-white. But yeah, it really irritates me that I can't replace bulbs in new fixtures that I buy. Which means in a few years I have to replace the entire fixture. Or, much as you suggested, possibly several fixtures so they continue to match.

The 8-Bit Guy

Being nuanced is great but I do enjoy an occasional "nah, this is just crap. And here's why..."

Scott Kemp

Yeah, maybe a little. But it looks a lot worse while YouTube is faffing with it. It's not bad from the raw file

Technology Connections

My feelings on pretty much everything in life has evolved into pretty much "mixed" and the "good v bad" into pretty much "a little bit of both". I can easily, however, think up someone who can take whatever "good" he has and shove it rig....

Al Davis

Uhm. I think you are out of focus.

I think it's reasonable to have mixed feelings on many subjects. The real world is full of terribly insidious nuance. It's the main difficulty of becoming educated on a topic and communicating it to an audience who isn't.

AngryPanda

Wooohoooo!!!

AngryPanda