According to local equipment suppliers, the buzz at NAB2002 will be what, if anything, is new with high-definition. Although HD production has not yet made traditional methods of capture obsolete, it’s here to stay and sure to grow. But while it is doubtful there will be any great technological advancements beyond Sony’s introduction of the 24p HDW-F900 HDCAM in 2000 or Panasonic’s AJ-HDC27VP VFR HD camera last year, NAB does allow equipment distributors the opportunity to see how all the manufacturers have improved their existing product lines.

‘One of our main things is looking for lenses for HD cameras we already have,’ says Rob Sim, president and cofounder of Toronto’s Sim Video Production. He adds that he is also looking to expand his HD camera line beyond Sony to possibly include Panasonic models as well.

David Woods, president of Toronto’s David J. Woods Productions, attends NAB each year to make sure he stays on top of technological innovations.

‘I’m going to see what the companies are bringing out in better, smaller devices, to clean up anything we are doing to make it more efficient,’ says Woods.

Sony and Panasonic continue to make HD cameras and accessories the focus of their NAB exhibits.

Panasonic made a splash last year with its variable-frame-rate HD camcorder and at NAB2002 will display companion products for the VFR line. The Panasonic booth will also promote the Quantel iQ post-production media platform that now supports its AJ-HDC27VP camera.

Gord Stephen, manager, sales support at Panasonic Canada, sees the Quantel partnership as an important strategic move as Panasonic tries to make HD production more accessible to broadcasters and producers. Images from the VFR HD camcorder can be loaded into iQ, which will automatically produce slow- or fast-motion 24-frames-per-second clips.

Panasonic wants to spotlight its HD camcorders that support 24-frame progressive scanning in a cost-effective manner, with eyes on documentary producers.

‘We’re trying to understand the documentary marketplace and the elements critical to it,’ says Stephen. ‘We are trying to present the electronic opportunities so that if you are a documentary producer with a film background, you won’t necessarily have to rethink that domain for a TV mindset.’

Another improvement Panasonic will be showcasing with its VFR cameras is an improved gamma range to provide the blacker blacks expected in theatrical presentation.

Meanwhile, Sony is planning to expand its camcorder lineup. The new HDW-730 HDCAM features new IT CCD image sensors that offer high sensitivity, high signal-to-noise ratio and very low vertical smear on severe highlights. Able to facilitate HD production around the world, the HDW-730 HDCAM is designed to fit into the broadcast segment.

Sony will also be officially launching the MSB-2000 previewed at NAB2001. This system allows for the transcoding of different types of MPEGs and IP streaming. Sony will also display its IMX line of VTRs with an Ethernet interface, allowing them to be connected via Ethernet to a computer or video network. This provides the capability of direct file transfer, rather than just video playout.

‘There has been a tremendous amount of interest in using 24-frame HD technology for the entertainment world, and there are a number of companies using it to shoot commercials, TV series and even films,’ says Jeff Ibbotson, marketing manager, content creation, Sony Canada. ‘So we continue to work on improving our product line.’

For the equipment suppliers, NAB continues to be a useful event when they are looking to expand their range of products and services. Whether or not they find any great innovations at this year’s show, both Sim and Woods recognize NAB’s importance in keeping them on top of the market.

‘I use it for window-shopping,’ says Woods. ‘You learn a lot. It might not be stuff you need [immediately], but six months down the road, you’re on a job and someone will say, ‘We need to be able to do this.’ I’ll go, ‘Hey, I remember seeing such and such,’ and then I go looking through my books. It’s like a shopping market to find out whatever is newer and better.’

-www.sony.ca

-www.panasonic.ca

-www.quantel.com