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RED keeps it coming with the RED RAY disk drive
RED's trifecta of hot new gear announcements at NAB wrapped up with the RED RAY optical disk drive, which promises to play back 4K video from the RED ONE, 3K video from the new Scarlet and the usual assortment of HD formats from RED Disc and RED Express media, as well as native R3D RAW files from CompactFlash. 5K video from the new EPIC isn't supported, though. As with all of RED's announcements today, specs are promised to change, but the clever name of the drive has us thinking that it's based on Blu-ray -- we'll keep digging for details.
Sony's Full HD PMW-EX3 camcorder outed at NAB
As the HD camcorder onslaught continues, Sony is making sure it doesn't get left out by showcasing the PMW-EX3 in Las Vegas. Aside from handling interchangeable lenses, this cam also features a trifecta of 0.5-inch CCDs with Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) resolution, native 24p support, XDCAM HD EX recording on dual SxS cards, HD-SDI output, USB / 4-pin FireWire sockets and an optional 60GB disk recorder that plugs in via a SxS slot. Of course, we seriously hope you're planning to put this on the studio's plastic -- after all, it's not like you want that $13,000 charge hitting your card, right?[Via Broadcast Newsroom]
ViewCast intros Osprey-450e PCI Express capture card
Certainly not your grandmother's capture card, ViewCast's Osprey-450e is aimed directly at the professionals browsing the NAB Show aisles in Las Vegas. The quad-channel capture card takes advantage of the ultra-speedy PCI Express interface and comes "optimized for live streaming video applications with features such as logo bitmap overlay with transparency, positioning controls and the ability to automatically detect and adapt on-the-fly when the input video format changes from movie frame rates to television frame rates." ViewCast even threw in "additional internal video inputs and four additional balanced audio inputs that can be utilized as alternatives to the rear panel connectors." Not a clue what the company plans on charging for this gem (nor any idea what it looks like -- that's the Osprey-440 shown), but we're sure all that will be revealed shortly after the show floor closes down.
Panasonic reveals trio of P2 HD camcorders at NAB
Panasonic's AG-HMC150 HD camcorder is fine and dandy if you're cool with hauling around a couple SDHC cards, but for those with bigger budgets and loftier dreams, the trio of P2 rigs debuting at NAB Show are likely to be entirely more suitable. Starting things up is the VariCam 2700 (model AJ-HPX2700) and VariCam 3700 (model AJ-HPX3700; pictured), which both feature native HD resolutions, five P2 card slots, master-quality 10-bit 4:2:2 AVC-Intra 100 recording, variable frame rates in one-frame increments, HD-SDI outputs and a multi-gamma function including Film-Rec. As for the latter, it steps things up to full 1,920 x 1,080 support while boasting a trio of HD-SDI outs (versus two on the VariCam 2700). Lastly, we've got the 4.2-pound AG-HPX170, which reflects the HMC150 in a variety of ways but utilizes a pair of P2 slots in order to log those high-def captures. Mum's the word on pricing for the Fall-bound family, but do yourself a favor and hit the read link for lots more details on each.[Via Broadcast Newsroom]
Panasonic unveils SDHC-lovin' AG-HMC150 HD camcorder
If you thought the HD camcorder announcements at NAB Show 2008 started and ended with Canon's new duo, you'd be sorely mistaken. Panasonic is launching a new one of its own under the limelight: the Fall-bound AG-HMC150. This handheld rig is the newest member of the AVCCAM family and can capture clips at 1,280 x 720 or 1,440 x 1,080 while utilizing the industry standard MPEG-4 AVC / H.264 compression profile. You'll also find native 16:9 1 / 3-inch 3CCD imagers, a digital signal processor with 14-bit A / D conversion and 19-bit processing, 13x Leica Dicomar zoom lens, optical image stabilization and the ability to store footage on SD / SDHC flash cards. Sure, $4,500 is still a lot of coin, but it's certainly within the realm of reason for many prosumers out there.
DTS-HD MA Suite toolset hits v1.6, brings Dynamic Automation for DTS Express
NAB Show 2008 is in full swing, and just in case you haven't heard, here's something worth taking a listen at. DTS has just revealed v1.6 of its DTS-HD Master Audio Suite toolset for Blu-ray Disc and DVD production, which includes "numerous highly anticipated file management features [along with] the public release of Dynamic Automation for DTS Express." The latter is an interactive secondary audio codec for BD, and according to Brian Towne, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Consumer Division, "the latest feature set empowers content creators with the freedom and flexibility to dynamically vary the primary audio volume, which is essential for picture-in-picture, alternate tracks, director commentaries and other interactive features for Blu-ray Disc." Best of all, DTS Express streams encoded for Blu-ray with MAS v1.6 are playable on Profile 2.0 and Profile 1.1 players, and it's available as a free upgrade (right now) for existing customers.
Sesame Street, Cops, ESPN and more rolling out HD with Sony
Sony's NAB 2008 announcements continue to roll out, hope you didn't think Survivor and OLED were the only items getting a touch of its HD DNA, because Fox Widescreen standby Cops is going real HD for its 21st season courtesy of Sony's XDCAM technology. Just like Survivor, the rugged disc-based system makes it easy for producers to make the HD upgrade. While PBS' sets may not be as rough as the mean streets, we can still appreciate the news that Sesame Street has switched to HD with a whole new studio based on Sony's equipment that will also see use in several other projects on the way. Finally, ESPN has stayed ahead of the curve on high definition, and is putting the company's tech to work in its L.A. Live studio. Big Bird, extreme sports and repeat criminal offenders? Our HDTVs say bring it on.Read - Sesame StreetRead - XDCAM technology, Survivor & CopsRead - ESPN L.A. Live studio
AOptix demos laser wireless links to replace fiber HD connections
Getting HD highlights out of our favorite sports may be getting just a bit easier, now that AOptix has successfully tested a Free Space Optical (FSO) laser communications link to replace traditional fiber runs for an unspecified sports network. With demos from the GM Building in New York and over 3.2Km in San Jose, the company says it can handle up to 10 Gbps,more than enough for uncompressed 1080i or 720p transmissions. Like every other new broadcast tech, it plans for a display at NAB 2008, so just keep in mind the next time the local public access station says they can't broadcast your little snowflake's field hockey game in HD because "there are no HD feeds at the park" they're just not trying hard enough.
Sony rolls out first OLED for professionals
In a sign that its OLED technology is progressing, Sony has announced its first professional application with the technology at NAB 2008, the HDVF-EL100. This viewfinder gives the HD camera operator an 11-inch OLED display (960x540) with wide color gamut, fast response time and, of course, more than 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio to make sure they've lined up the perfect shot. We remember from CES, you can clearly see those displays from a mile away in even the worst lighting conditions, so it should come in handy for production crews to look at without having to get close to the camera. no word on how much this will cost, but we're guessing its a bit outside the range of the enthusiast set, for now.
Toshiba to showcase "world's smallest HDTV camera" at NAB
Granted, Toshiba Imaging's IK-HD1 3CCD HDTV Camera may not matter much to the consumer as-is, but we're all about the progress. Ready to make its grand, er, wee entrance at NAB Show later this month, the aforementioned unit touts the planet's "smallest" HD camera head (1.6-inches; 2.3-ounces), which should give program producers in tight spots one less reason to not capture content in high-def. In that vein, Tosh even notes that its ability to capture at 1,920 x 1,080 at 30fps makes it "highly suitable for reality TV (you getting this, producers?), specialty broadcast, sports, news and commercials." We know, this totally opens the door for an HD version of Punk'd, but hey, you can't win 'em all.[Via Engadget Spanish]
NAB, Congress react to merger approval; XM and Sirius let haters hate, watch money pile up
Well, it's only been a couple hours since the DOJ officially approved the XM / Sirius merger, and while we're a little surprised at how low-profile the two satellite radio services are being about the decision, there's nothing at all shocking about NAB's reaction -- the organization says it's "astonished," and that the Justice Department's decision to "propose granting a monopoly" to the two companies is "breathtaking." Yeah, they're not happy. Same goes for various members of Congress: Rep. Ed Markey, head of the House telecom subcommittee, expressed his disappointment that "the Bush administration has apparently never seen a telecommunications merger it didn't like," and suggested FCC approval would have to come with strict conditions, while Sen. Herb Kohl flatly said the deal would "create a satellite radio monopoly" and encouraged the FCC to block it. That's a lot of haterade -- but XM and Sirius are apparently too busy looking deeply into each other's eyes as their respective stock prices soar, because the only post-decision statement either company has made is a rehash of a months-old list of organizations and people that support the merger. Ah, young love -- so innocent, so oblivious.Read - NAB statementRead - Bloomberg article with Congressional reactionRead - XM list of supporters
Antennas Direct going small at NAB
We've already seen Antennas Direct sizing down its antennas while still promising wicked long range, and apparently, it's making the small initiative official at NAB. Aside from showcasing the aforementioned ClearStream2, the all new Lacrosse Micron DTV antenna will also be making its debut. Designed specifically to "target post 2009 DTV frequencies," the Micron -- hailed as "rabbit ears on steroids" -- boasts a 8.6 dBi maximum gain, is up to 98-percent efficient and arrives in a 10- x 10-inch Radome. Lastly, the firm is all set to "announce a partnership with the NAB to develop a new CEA909A-compliant Indoor Smart Antenna," but it seems we'll have to wait until April to find out more on that one.
NAB collaborates with CEA to make AntennaWeb more informative
For years now, folks have been surfing over to AntennaWeb.org in order to find out what stations they could pull in over-the-air from their exact address. Thankfully, the Consumer Electronics Association and the National Association of Broadcasters have teamed up to make the site even more useful and informative. Most notably, the two have developed "an online antenna mapping program designed to help consumers and electronics retailers determine the proper outdoor antenna to use in order to receive free local broadcast channels." Additionally, the partnership includes "infrastructure and site capacity upgrades, site design improvements, and database upgrades that will further improve the user experience." Head on over to the site to see what's changed, and be sure to check back often to monitor if these two keep their promises.
White space tests fail again -- next up, conquering windmills
At this point all the snazzy new websites and re-focused marketing efforts in the world aren't going to get Google, Microsoft, and the other members of the White Spaces Coalition anywhere if they don't actually demonstrate the broadband-in-between-TV-signals tech in action -- and it looks like that's proving to be harder than expected. For the second time in seven months, a prototype device has failed testing at the hands of the FCC, although this time it wasn't because it was interfering with TV signals -- it just wouldn't stay powered on. Microsoft says the power issue is "unrelated to the technology points we're trying to prove," but as usual, those prickly pears at the NAB aren't being shy about this latest setback, calling it proof that white space broadcasts are "risky technology that has proven to be unworkable." At this point we're honestly torn -- we hate to side with the NAB and we had high hopes for the white spaces concept, but it just doesn't look like it's panning out. Maybe it's time to move on to bigger and better things, eh?
NAB trying to get Sirius / XM to surrender spectrum?
As the recent action in the 700MHz auction has shown, wireless spectrum is a valuable commodity -- which is why it looks like the NAB and Clear Channel might drop their lawsuit against the Sirius / XM merger if the two companies agree to give up a chunk of the airwaves. Industry observers close to the deal have called this the "endgame," saying that the broadcasters have been after the spectrum all along, but we're not so sure -- we'd think that the NAB would be pretty happy if Sirius and XM decided not to get hitched after all. Still, it's an interesting tactical move, if true -- let's just hope it doesn't delay a decision on this merger even longer.
Apple cancels booth for NAB
If you were planning on Apple pulling something out of its hat on a booth at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show in Las Vegas in early April, you're going to be disappointed. TVTechnology.com has received confirmation from Apple's Senior Manager of PR Anuj Nayar that the folks from Cupertino are cutting back on their show participation, and will not be having a booth at NAB this year.With some of us at TUAW hoping to get some more details on the long-delayed Final Cut Server at NAB, this is something of a disappointment. Despite a statement that FCS will be 'available in early 2008,' the software has yet to ship. Of course, Apple not having a booth doesn't mean that the future of Final Cut Server is indeterminate -- Apple is touting its use at a Los Angeles TV station, after all -- but all those hoping to see it in action at NAB will be left wanting.Thanks Brett!
XM / Sirius merger decision coming today?
Over nine months after the two satellite radio companies announced their intentions to merge, XM and Sirius may finally find out the fate of their plans today, if the Justice Department issues a ruling as is being rumored. Orbitcast reports that the general consensus among industry watchers is that the DOJ will hand down a decision before the closing bell on Wall Street -- a prediction further buoyed by Bear Stearns analyst Robert Peck, whose contacts in DC claim that a ruling is "imminent." As you're probably well aware, this proposed marriage is no ordinary merger, with strong opposition coming from terrestrial broadcasters who cite anti-trust concerns, but who are really just fearful of the market power such an entity would yield. Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops...
NAB pleads for FCC delay, looks for ways to subvert XM / Sirius merger
As the constant battle between the National Association of Broadcasters and nearly everyone else continues on over the potential XM / Sirius merger, the entity is now asking the FCC to put a stop on the 180-day clock for considering the junction. Reportedly, all the NAB wants is "time to go through documents it said it is getting through a Freedom of Information Request filed in March," and it seemingly feels that some of the articles it's still waiting for contain proof of "serious apparent wrongdoing by XM and Sirius executive and senior-level employees regarding the operation of FM modulators / translators and / or terrestrial repeaters." Of note, both of the aforementioned sat radio providers shot back by stating that the NAB's "allegations are unfounded and its recent filing is just an attempt to stall the process." From the outside looking in, we'd say that sounds just about right. [Warning: PDF read link][Via BroadcastingCable]
NAB takes on Microsoft, Google with anti-white space internet ads
It's not often Microsoft and Google are on the same seemingly-losing side of a debate, but things just aren't looking good for the White Space Coalition, the open-airwaves internet access project backed by the two giants, as well as Dell, HP, Intel, and Philips. The once-promising tech was to transmit broadband-speed data in the "white space" between existing television signals, but pretty much failed its initial FCC testing by causing static on nearby channels and hasn't really been heard from since. Well, that's not enough for the feisty suits at the National Association of Broadcasters, which is taking out a series of ads in a campaign against the system, saying that "while our friends at Intel, Google and Microsoft may find system errors, computer glitches and dropped calls tolerable, broadcasters do not." This fight may or may not have legs depending on how the upcoming 700MHz auction goes, but one thing is clear -- the offices of the NAB are clearly not served by Comcast.[Thanks, Mike]
NAB to the CEA: Where are the converter boxes?
The members of the National Association of Broadcasters have spend some big bucks -- mostly against their will -- to upgrade their transmission equipment in preparation for the analog shutoff, and now that we are getting closer to the wire, the lack of ATSC-to-analog converter boxes available is starting to make them nervous. David Rehr of the NAB is concerned that if the tuners are not widely available on January 1st 2008, (when consumers can begin applying for those federal rebates) it will cause "significant consumer confusion" and "negatively impact the overall success of the transition." Even the above pictured tuner seems less available today then a few months ago, either way we agree it's about time LG and the rest start delivering on their promise.
