PRODUCT REVIEW
Sidewinder™ LED Flex Strip for D65 Bias Lighting
★★★★★
Mandatory for TVs with HDR or deep blacks
I tested these bias lights for video/photo editing and for home theater viewing. Going forward, no TV that I own will be without a Waveform bias light...it was a revelation. With OLED TVs and LCD screens that can achieve deep black levels, the Sidewinder provides a neutral, flicker-free frame of soft light enveloping the screen. It prevents eyestrain and distraction by clearly demarcating the screen edges in even the darkest of scenes. No single accessory has made such a difference in my enjoyment of the viewing experience! The incredibly smooth dial of Waveform's dimmer (an optional extra, but mandatory in my book) means the bias light can also be adjusted to suit any ambient light condition. When editing photos or video, the Sidewinder helped me judge the vividness of imagery by providing a visual palate-cleanser of neutral light adjacent to my work on the screen. I wish Waveform offered the Sidewinder in a range of single-strand options pre-cut to the length needed for the different TV and monitor sizes available. Although it was ridiculously easy to daisy chain multiple segments to achieve the final length needed, the small cable-to-light transitions meant that extra wire management was required to keep everything flush with the rear of the screen, and to avoid small shadows being cast on the wall directly behind the TV or monitor. This is my one small gripe with what is an otherwise outstanding D65 solution for monitoring, editing, or just plain enjoyable viewing."
