NAV would be a more appropriate acronym for the multi-day conference that NAB hosts in Las Vegas each spring. Video (and audio to a lesser extent) is the common denominator to the sessions and the vendors that populate the massive exhibit floor. The “B” (broadcasters) in NAB was somewhat smaller in scope compared to the innovation surrounding the capture, post-production and digital distribution of video that years ago used to be sent exclusively over-the-air.
An article about NAB 2014 needs at least one mention of 4K or Ultra HD. For those who are skeptical of its rollout, there were several data points suggesting it is further along than HD was at this point:
One sports league is reported to be using 4K for instant replays, as it allows them to electronically zoom in after the play and still maintain HD quality.
Sony was showing 4K content from their service, a beta of Netflix’s 4K service and a 4K feed from Time-Warner’s New York Local News channel.
The cost of cameras continues to drop with Black Magic Design showing a 4K camera for less than $3k; granted with lenses and other accessories, the pricing for a complete unit might be double that price, but the bigger point is how far down the price curve 4K is compared to HD at this point in its rollout.
Several companies displayed larger than life 4K monitors. These would make incredible digital signage solutions.
Another trend, which is similar to other industries, is the substitution of purpose-built appliances (e.g. encoders) for generic compute hardware that can be repurposed as needed. This provides more efficient utilization of resources. It also provides for business models where video resources can reside in a cloud, reducing upfront investment.
Despite FAA rules (which are being contested) prohibiting their commercial use, drones were everywhere at NAB. One of the drone makers- Dji – showed an amazing piece filmed mostly indoors (unclear whether the FCC claims that indoor airspace is also under their control) with shots that could have required multiple cameras and jibs. It was filmed in multiple rooms, on multiple floors in one continuous shot. The pilot of the drone did an amazing job capturing the footage.
The following pictures provide some other observations from the show [Note, apologies for the poor quality of some of these photos; many were shot on the run without time for review]:
Sony displayed one of the first 4K monitors two years ago. In 2014, they displayed several commercial or just about to be commercial services for so-called Ultra High Definition, including a service from Sony, Netflix and Time-Warner’s local news operation in Manhattan.
The video shown at Sony’s NAB booth was from Time-Warner’s local content operation in Manhattan. What makes it notable is that it is being filmed at 60 frames per second. To decode 60 FPS, the TV requires the latest HDMI 2.0 interface.
Large 4K displays will create immersive experiences and interactive billboards (think billboards that change based on the audience). These displays make one feel like they are part of the action.
Larger than life images in 4K resolution.
Are they in Switzerland or in Las Vegas at NAB 2014. This 4K monitor from Leyard produces such a crystal clear picture that it appears as if the people in this picture are overlooking the Alps from a deck. http://www.leyard.com/En/
4K video provides an entirely new way of looking at things, as shown by these displays from Planar.
Drone Going Where No Camera Has Gone. The Dji video captured in this image demonstrated the use of one of their drones as a remote camera. What is impressive about this video is that it spanned multiple rooms and actors and extended from inside to outside. It’s not clear how they captured the audio as the buzz from the drones is noticeable. Still, the video shows the power of the drone in capturing shots that otherwise might be impossible.
Drones were everywhere at NAB. This particular booth and its “Show Special” demonstrates that a drone is available for almost any budget.
The real person and her avatar. This body suit, shown by Vitruvian Entertainment, and associated software converts movements into something that can be seen as animation in software, like games for game consoles or as avatars on web sites. Note, how the arms of the model are crossed in real-life and the her avatar also has crossed arms.
A low cost way to record 10 bit video. Whether a DSLR or a relatively inexpensive camcorder, the AtomOS Ninja and Samarai Blades allows for 10 bit, 4:2:2 recording, which is especially good for color keying applications (it pulls the content directly from the sensor and avoids AVCHD compression). This device gets around the regulatory limitations that prevent DSLRs from recording more than 30 minutes at a time. It also serves as a monitor. This is on my Christmas wish list – AtomOS http://www.atomos.com/ninja-blade/
The AtomOS turning a low-cost consumer, Canon Vixia Mini, into a high-end 10 bit capture device.
One of the best things about a show like NAB is seeing so many other videographers and their clever ways for accomplishing things. The picture above shows how one guy has two cameras on a tripod; one camera is focused on the presentation, while the other is focused on the presenter. What is not shown is the 2nd audio feed, which is being captured from a microphone on a boom pole, which was held by a second person.
Ken Pyle is Marketing Director for the Broadband Forum. The mission of this 25+-year-old non-profit “is to unlock the potential for new markets and profitable revenue growth by leveraging new technologies and standards in the home, intelligent small business, and multi-user infrastructure of the broadband network.”
He is also co-founder of Viodi, LLC and Managing Editor of the Viodi View, a publication focused on the rural broadband ecosystem, autonomous vehicles, and electric aviation. He has edited and produced numerous multimedia projects for NTCA, US Telecom and Viodi. Pyle is the producer of Viodi’s Local Content Workshop, the Video Production Crash Course at NAB, as well as ViodiTV. He has been intimately involved in Viodi’s consulting projects and has created processes for clients to use for their PPV and VOD operations, as well authored reports on the independent telco market.
