Moving heads

Moving heads, also called "moving lights" in this context, have two immense advantages over stationary luminaires. Sensational effects can be achieved with movements, and because moving heads can be controlled remotely, setting lights is considerably less time-consuming.

In very many cases, moving heads are also equipped with colour wheels or colour LEDs, making time-consuming filtering a thing of the past.
Multiple DMX channels are used for the multitude of functions of moving heads. Whereas with stationary luminaires, only one DMX channel is used - only for light intensity - with moving heads, you need DMX channels for pan and tilt, colour selection, choice of gobos, the movement of gobos, zoom, focus, etc., for example.

Need for more extensive lighting tables

An advanced fixture uses dozens of DMX channels and when used in a more extensive lighting arsenal, the need for control tables with multiple universes soon arises. After all, one universe contains 512 DMX channels and with fixtures each taking up, say, 45 DMX channels, you quickly run out of maximum. For that reason alone, moving heads require sophisticated lighting tables.

Moving heads are available in all known applications, such as spotlights, profile spots and wash luminaires.