For a show that gets its name from the National Association of Broadcasters, the NAB Shows of the last few years have focused far more on film and video production than radio or television broadcasting. From capture to post-production, historically, the biggest headlines were for new cameras or major software enhancements. Most things related to radio and television broadcast had taken a backseat, with the exception of the eye-capturing topics of 4K (now 8K) capture and broadcast.
For gear heads only interested in the latest and greatest cameras, NAB 2017 may feel like a disappointment. Leading up to the NAB Show, Sony announced the a9 (a still camera that can capture 4K video), Blackmagic Design released the details of the URSA Mini Pro, and GoPro hinted at the Fusion 360 camera. As far as major camera announcements go, that was about it.
Where NAB 2017 did see much excitement was in live broadcasting — or more specifically, live-streaming. Tucked away from the big booths in the Central Hall, the smaller booths and startup companies in the North Hall offered a glimpse of the shifting broadcast experience. From live 360-degree high-resolution capture and playback to the latest in high-quality streaming devices for sites like YouTube and Facebook, the biggest trend at NAB 2017 was streaming high-definition content online.
Smartphone Cameras Secretly Ruled NAB
At a show where every booth displayed camera equipment that costs tens of thousands of dollars, the camera you would most often see on the showroom floor was the smartphone. Attendees were constantly using smartphones to upload statuses, selfies, pictures, videos, and more. Many were even streaming live video via Facebook. Countless booth representatives were always mid-interview, often speaking directly into a smartphone.
Even news outlets on site to cover the show were using smartphones to capture footage. You’d often see an A-camera like a Blackmagic URSA Mini or Canon C100, with a B-camera phone rig (like the Beastgrip or an IKAN stabilizer).
Read more about smartphone rigs at NAB 2017 here.
Professional Web Streaming for Everyone
New streaming tools are constantly in the news, and NAB saw plenty of new tools for podcasters and web video producers. One of the biggest products was the Blackmagic Web Presenter — which will accept any camera’s SDI or HDMI connection — and then make it appear like a USB webcam. This means you can plug a studio camera or camcorder into the Web Presenter and send that feed to streaming sites like Facebook Live, YouTube Live, Skype, Ustream, Twitch, and more.
360 and VR Shifts Focus to the Live Video Experience
The landscape of 360-degree video and VR still looks like the wild west. Nobody really knows where it’s going, no matter how much as we try to determine if VR will catch on with the masses. Where VR is currently seeing the most growth is in live capture and broadcast. Content creators have noticed that VR is a very immersive experience seeing growth in live settings.
From NBA games to SuperBowl commercials, live broadcast seems to be the biggest opportunity to capture the market. That said, the equipment and data necessary for these types of productions are massive and expensive. Rigs like the Nokia Ozo, 8K Insta360, and new Yi Halo still don’t always meet the production demands of broadcast VR. That’s why you’ll often see these major productions use an array of high-end production cameras like this 9-camera C300 Mark II rig. If VR will finally have its breakout moment, bet on a live 360 experience to make it happen.
Read more about 360 Video and VR at NAB 2017 here.
Lenses, Gear, Lighting, and More from NAB 2017
Looking for more gear from NAB 2017? We’ve rounded up a collection of some of the coolest tech we saw on the show floor.
- The Latest and Greatest Camera Lenses
- Blackmagic Design Announces DaVinci Resolve 14
- DJI Announces the Ronin 2 Stabilizer
- 3 New Cinematography Tools from Freefly
- SmallHD’s New Touch Screen Monitor
- Sound Devices’ 3-in-1 Units Make Best-in-Slot Sound Recording
- Aputure’s New 300D LED Light
- ARRI Skypanel’s Stellar Firmware Update
- Shape Unveils a Bunch of Accessories for Canon, RED, and More
- Mettle Brings Depth Plug-ins to Adobe Software
- Avid Unveils new Artist | DNxIQ Video Interface
Top image by Mauromod.