Aputure NOVA II 2×1 Launched – Kicking Off a New Generation of Panels

by Alexandra ThompsonSeptember 26^th, 2025

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Aputure introduced the NOVA II 2×1 at IBC 2025, marking the start of a new generation in their panel lineup. The light debuts with the new Blair-CG engine, an eight-color chipset that delivers higher accuracy and a broader spectrum. It also reaches an SSI around 90, giving closer matches to daylight and tungsten, and comes with a new front-mount accessory system for faster light shaping. We spoke with Mitch Gross to get all the details.

The Nova line began with the Nova P300c, followed by the larger P600c, both of which became popular as versatile full-color panels. With the launch of the NOVA II, Aputure isn’t just updating those lights; it’s opening a new chapter in the series, one built around a redesigned chipset and expanded control that set it apart from the first-generation models.

Aputure NOVA II 2×1 – more control over color

According to Mitch, control is where the biggest change lies. Early RGB panels gave broad ranges of color, but they weren’t always precise, and matching sources often required gels or extra units. With the Blair-CG engine, the NOVA II allows fine-tuned shifts in hue and green-magenta balance, letting cinematographers create or match looks directly on the fixture. Mitch pointed to color contrast – the ability to use subtle hue differences between key and fill – as a creative tool that’s now much easier to achieve.

The Blair-CG Engine

At the core of the NOVA II 2×1 is Aputure’s Blair-CG chipset, developed after the company acquired Prolycht. It uses an eight-color diode design: blue, lime, amber, indigo, red, cyan, green, and deep red, to broaden the spectral coverage. With its broader mix of diodes, the engine delivers more accurate whites and richer colors across a wide 1800 to 20,000K range, and it stays consistent when used alongside other lights on set.

Output and reliability

The NOVA II isn’t just about color. Aputure positions it as delivering roughly twice the output of comparable fixtures while maintaining high fidelity. It reaches an SSI around 90, meaning closer matches to daylight and tungsten, and it’s built with an IP65-rated body for weather resistance in both studio and location work.

Control and light shaping

Alongside onboard adjustments and app control, the NOVA II supports professional protocols like DMX, RDM, CRMX, and Art-Net/sACN, so it can slot into everything from a small one-person setup to a console-driven studio network without extra gear in between.

Aputure also introduced a direct front-mount accessory system. It allows faster swaps of diffusers, domes, grids, and barn doors without slide-in frames, speeding up rigging and light shaping. The broader ecosystem includes yokes, arrays, and dedicated softboxes from DoP Choice.

Price and availability

The NOVA II 2×1 is now available for pre-order and is priced at $3,690, or $3,890 with a rolling case. For more information, visit the Aputure website.