They have wide open front ends with a double-ended lamp fixed to the center of the reflector. The shape and uniformity of the light pattern emitted make broads an excellent choice for a background wash or as an overall fill. HMI PAR fixtures are also available to provide a compact source of daylight when used with an electronic ballast. These HMI PAR lamps are ideal for lighting outdoor and indoor sets where daylight illumination is required. Used for a soft fill where shadows mush be washed-out.
Accessories are available to modify the light such as scrims, diffusion frame and egg crates.
Fluorescent lighting fixtures, such as Balcar Fluxlites and Quadlites are ideal energy efficient replacements for traditional tungsten softlights in broadcasting applications. With their high color rendering index there is none of the unwanted color temperature problems traditionally associated with fluorescent lighting. They usually have a double-ended lamp fixed to the center of the reflector and are available in strips or individual fixtures as ground rows or sky cycs. These portable lights usually operate with a 12V or 30V battery belt.