NAB 2022 SportsTechBuzz in Review: Central Hall By SVG Staff Friday, April 29, 2022 - 9:26 am
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The SVG and SVGE editorial teams were out in full force at NAB 2022, covering the biggest sports-technology news and delivering daily SportsTechBuzz at NAB 2022 roundups. Here is a look at the news from exhibitors in Central Hall.
Featured in this roundup are Allied Broadcast Group, ARRI, Audinate, Audio-Technica, Bird Dog, Calrec, Canon, Creative Dimensions, Dalet, DPA, FOR-A, Fraunhofer Institute, Fujinon, Grass Valley, Imagine Communications, Leader Instruments, Markertek, Marshall Electronics, Nemal Electronics, Panasonic, Pliant Technologies, Program Productions, Q5X, Riedel, RTS, Shure, SimplyLive, Solid State Logic, Sony, Tedial, Telestream, Tellyo, and TSL.
Calrec (Booth C8008) has an ambitious setup at the show, running three independent consoles - a 48-dual-fader Apollo console, a 40-fader Artemis console, and a headless console running Calrec Assist on a PC - from a single ImPulse core (whose new v.2.2 software update makes it native to IP). In addition, Calrec's Type R and a Brio console sit on the same IP network, connected via an AoIP box. A much smaller new product, though, garners as much interest: the Talent Panel compact AoIP endpoint can be quickly configured to let users switch among multiple sources via an integrated hi-res TFT display and adjust headphone volume with a dedicated rotary control. Four switches allow the panel to be customized with common functions like talkback and cough switches. Also new: the GPIO unit for Type R is a 1RU box that delivers an additional 32 GPOs and 32 GPIs for interfacing with external systems, such as playout, phone systems, codecs. Functionality can be added to physical buttons on Type R fader panels, soft panels, or web UIs and configured via Calrec's Connect application. The pandemic provided a lot of momentum towards remote production, which these systems support, says VP, Sales, Dave Letson. But other forces were also at work, including cost saving and the shift to IP. These developments here also support that.
RTS Senior Digital MarCom Manager Bryan Wilkins
At RTS (Booth C6108), Senior Digital MarCom Manager Bryan Wilkins points out that, while the company's focus has been on a steady transition from analog to digital in the intercom sector - for instance, how its VLink enables seamless integration between phone systems and its ADAM and ODIN comms platforms - as hybrid work environments persist, it has also maintained backwards compatibility with older systems. We've had customers hook up their 30-year-old panels to new digital systems, and they connect and work seamlessly, he says. That has been important especially in broadcast, where customers need to get maximum return on all of their systems.
Shure (Booth C9612) is showing off its new KSM11 wireless condenser microphone capsule, designed to provide low- and mid-range clarity and high-end detail. Performance includes a high off-axis rejection and shock isolation, along with plosive protection; it's available in black and brushed-nickel finishes for use on Shure wireless handheld transmitters. This next-generation model in the KSM line offers a lighter, streamlined design, outfitted with a -in. gold diaphragm and high-end electronics to enhance dynamic range. Advanced suspended isolation is designed to eliminate handling noise, and the dent-resistant hardened-steel grille features three-stage plosive-reduction pop filtering. Senior Market Development Specialist Ben Escobedo calls it the flagship new capsule in the KSM line. Noting that Shure's Axient Digital line has seen significant uptake, including in broadcast sports, boosted by its pairing with Q5X's PlayerMic and CoachMic systems, he adds, That strategic partnering has helped further boost our footprint in sports.
Program Productions (Booth C5012) continues to enhance its ProCrewz app. Upcoming features include the ability to allow freelancers and payees to see their pay statements within their profile and improved ability to find job offers. The pay statement will include pay, union benefits, and tax information. Says EVP, Strategy and Development/CSMO Amy Scheller, No other software and mobile application satisfies the need of the live-remote industry. It's built to satisfy our needs and the needs of crewers, production managers, and freelancers rather than finance. President/CEO Scott West adds that the app will soon offer Crisis Support Network resources, which have become increasingly important during the pandemic with the growth in issues around substance use and mental health: We want to take the best ideas from our customers and the market and design an end-to-end platform.
Nemal Electronics' Ben Nemser shows off the special cable designed specifically for the new UBS Arena in New York.
Nemal Electronics (Booth C8608) is showing off its full suite of cabling products but most notably its Emmy Award-winning Stadium-4 Plenum 4 cable system. In addition, according to CEO Ben Nemser, the company is displaying a special cable designed specifically for Diversified's build of the new UBS Arena in New York.
Dalet (Booth C4423) has announced Dalet Flex for Teams, a SaaS offering fully hosted and maintained by Dalet. According to Dalet Strategic Partner/Channel Director, News, Ewan Johnston, the new offering lowers the cost of entry to professional tools for media companies, sports brands, and corporate creative teams, thanks to a multi-tenanted architecture that enables economies of scale. Available on a subscription basis with three plans - Essentials, Growth, Advanced - Dalet Flex for Teams provides the convenience and affordability of SaaS in an agile media-logistics solution designed to support the fluid ebb and flow of creative collab
