NAB 2024 in Review: Central Hall - SportsTech Buzz From Calrec, Canon, Clear-Com, Fujinon, Grass Valley, Lawo, Multidyne, Panasonic, PPI, Riedel, RTS, Sony, SSL, and More By SVG Staff Friday, April 19, 2024 - 9:42 am
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The SVG and SVGE editorial teams were out in full force at NAB 2024, covering the biggest sports-technology news and delivering daily SportsTechBuzz at NAB 2024 roundups. Here is a look at the news from exhibitors in Central Hall.
Featured in this roundup are Arista Networks, Arri, ASTRODESIGN, Audinate, Audio-Technica, Calrec Audio, Bridge Technologies, Canon, CHEQROOM, Clark Wire & Cable, Clear-Com, Cyanview, Deltacast, Disguise, Dreamwall, For-A, Forecast Consoles, Fujinon, G&D North America, Grass Valley, Hawk-Eye, Ikegami, JVC, Lawo, Leader, MRMC, Multidyne, Nemal Electronics, Panasonic, Pixotope, Program Productions, Q5X, RED, Riedel Communications, RTS Intercom Systems, Sennheiser, Shure, Solid State Logic, Sony, Telemetrics, Telos Alliance, TSL, Wisycom, XLT, and Zero Density.
Program Productions and XLT (Booth C2321) offer tech-enabled labor and payroll management with the proprietary ProCrewz mobile app and client portal system. NAB attendees will have the opportunity to interact with a remarkable team of experts in event labor management. Guests will enjoy a comfortable space and lively discussions about the challenges faced in the industry while discovering innovative solutions. Attendees will also be able to see in action the ProCrewz technology solution to optimizing labor management and operations across their organization.
Sony (Booth C8201) is announcing an integrated-lens pan-tilt-zoom camera, the BRC-AM7, with built-in AI analytics for advanced recognition. Highlights of the lightweight model include a 1-in. CMOS sensor for high-quality 4K 60p image performance, AI-enabled PTZ Auto Framing options, and seamless integration with the company's system cameras and switchers, as well as color matching with the Sony ecosystem. The company's Networked Live portfolio for remote and distributed production offers new functionality enabling the NXL-ME80 LAN/WAN media-transport appliance to work alongside the CBK-RPU7 remote-production unit in a 5G environment. For cloud operations, Sony is featuring enhancements to Ci Media Cloud and the DWA-F03D expandable adapter connecting to the DWR-S03D slot-in receiver to create a lightweight solution for field audio recording. The VERONA Crystal LED display demonstrates virtual-production workflows, including Cinematic 24p and 60p multicamera switching, and the Virtual Production Toolset, which enhances camera compatibility and synchronization between real and virtual.
Canon CJ27ex7.3B portable zoom lens
Canon's (Booth C3825) big news for sports production professionals is the CJ27ex7.3B, its first 2/3-in. portable lens. Topping the list of features are a 27X optical zoom and the ability to span a focal range of 7.3mm to 197mm. With a built-in 2X extender, maximum telephoto reach increases to 394mm. Weighing around 4.5 lb., the CJ27ex7.3B lens offers the mobility of a conventional ENG lens. The 27X zoom ratio, typically available only in 2/3-in. box lenses, is now offered in a portable lens. The lens also features a new e-Xs V drive unit with advanced features to support a variety of shooting needs, says Josh Stoner, senior technical specialist, Canon U.S.A. That includes an angled 20-pin connector to diversify shooting setups and serial communication via the 12-pin cable.
The big news from Grass Valley (Booth C2308) is the launch of the Maverik X software-based production switcher. Available to run on local, hybrid, or cloud compute, it supports combined uncompressed and compressed inputs and outputs, with full 10-bit UHD HDR workflows, automatic up/down/crossconversion, and HDR LUT mapping. Maverik X can be controlled via fully customizable HTML5 user interfaces on PC and tablet devices, in addition to Grass Valley's modular Maverik switcher panel, providing a familiar operator experience while allowing freedom in panel design. Also on exhibit are enhancements to the LDX 100 Series broadcast camera platform and the K-Frame video-production switchers.
Fujinon (Booth C5325) is highlighting introduction of the third Duvo Series lens, the Duvo HZK14-100mm portable PL-mount zoom. It delivers 7.1x zoom, covering 14-100mm, a focal range frequently used on set. The built-in expander shifts focal length by 1.5X to 21-150mm, allowing users to capture even the most expansive environments. At 10.5 in. long (266.9mm) and 5.8 lb. (2.65 kg), Duvo 14-100mm is compact and lightweight, easily portable for all types of live production. It is fully compatible with Fujinon portable broadcast lens zoom and focus demands and can be shoulder-operated, used on a Steadicam, or remotely operated.
JVC (Booth C4720) always has plenty of great camera systems on display, but this year one of its hot products is the KM-IP12S8 Series Connected CAM vMix studio switcher lineup. The complete video-production solution provides live mixing, switching, recording and streaming. Comprising the KM-IP12S8 and the KM-IP12S8PRO, the series is suited to a variety of multicamera, fast-paced applications, such as live sports and event production. According to Joseph D'Amico, VP, JVC Professional Video, the switchers combine the most ubiquitous technology in the industry to create seamless hardware connectivity and support at a price point accessible by a wide scope of users. The switchers come standard with licensed versions of either vMix 4K or vMix Pro live-production and streaming software, which are among the industry's most popular production solutions. Additionally, resolution and imagery are optimized for live programming in SD up to full 4K 60P, across an array of traditional and personal viewing devices.
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