What to Expect at NAB Show 2019

NAB Show opens its doors in just a few days’ time, showcasing the tech behind what the broadcast industry creates and how the world consumes. So, here’s a sneak peek at what Futuresource Consulting expects will be the key topics and trends to emerge from this major event for media, entertainment and technology professionals.

With more than 1,700 exhibitors and 100,000 attendees from 160 countries, Futuresource insights will help you navigate the NAB Show without missing the need-to-see technologies on display. And if you’d like any further guidance, the Futuresource team will be walking the show floor throughout the event, exploring the key innovations fuelling global media and entertainment ecosystems.

IP in Production

IP in production will once again be a recurring theme across the show floor. Watch out for announcements and demonstrations on virtualisation and remote production, as well as the move from hardware to software and into the cloud.

Video for the Masses

Democratisation of video production and live streaming means that almost anyone can now create and distribute video, while exploring profit opportunities through advertising or sponsorship. With this new trend comes a new set of industry challenges and brand fortification needs. Be on the lookout for themes that bring together the AV and pro video worlds, advancements in live streaming and a focus on repackaging, repurposing and doing more with less.

Innovations in Acquisition

A continued move towards larger imaging sensors is expected to be seen, particularly with full frame and large format sensor cameras becoming increasingly common. We’ll also see promotion of non-traditional products for video acquisition, including accessories to enable smartphones to fulfil their potential. The continued development of immersive formats for VR and AR has supported interest in new acquisition techniques such as light field and volumetric video. These will start to make their presence felt on the show floor.

Image is Everything

Improvements in image quality continue to push the industry forward and this year will be no different. An array of 4K and 8K solutions will be on display, although HDR and HFR will also play a large role in show proceedings.

Improvements in Audio

This year watch out for a range of initiatives that will focus on enhanced 3D audio capture and rendering, particularly for AR and VR applications, along with object-based workflows.

The Rise of AI

Futuresource expects machine learning techniques to be talked about across the show, but particularly in video encoding discussions, allowing optimisation of encode parameters on a scene-by-scene basis, while feeding back into the system to enhance future encoding sessions. Another key area that could be touched upon is AI-enhanced programme editing, to accelerate the turnaround of highlight content and showreels.

5G and its Growing Potential

5G will be a talking point at the show, as there is growing potential for it to replace outside broadcast trucks, using IP-over-5G. This will trickle down into a range of modules that can convert professional cameras for wireless outside broadcast, as well as channel-bonded modems to enable live capture and the relay of video to production studios and streaming services.

Graphics Technology Accelerates Forward

Ray-tracing will be a key theme throughout the show, providing photo-realistic visuals for film and TV. Watch out for a range of new developments and announcements around high quality rendering and real-time applications.

Futuresource Interviews and Presentations

Adam Cox, Futuresource Consulting’s head of Imaging and Pro Video, will be on NAB TV on Thursday 11 April from 11.30am, discussing NAB Show’s emerging trends. Tristan Veale, Market Analyst at Futuresource Consulting, will also be taking part in the free-to-attend 8K Association Conference at NAB on 10 April. His presentation on 8K uptake from a hardware and content perspective takes place at 3.40pm, after which he will appear in a panel discussion on content consumption from 4.20pm.

Contact the Pro Broadcast Team at NAB 2019

Futuresource often provides scene setting data for cross sector industry keynote speeches, expert opinion for major tradeshow ‘curtain raising’ articles or up to the minute commentary about the latest announcements. Please copy in nicola.finn@futuresource-hq.com to help facilitate any enquiry as quickly as possible. The full Futuresource analyst contact sheet together with areas of expertise are listed below:

• Adam Cox, Senior Market Analyst - PTZ cameras, system cameras, routers, multi-viewers, broadcast control, transition to IP – adam.cox@futuresource-hq.com.
• Chris Evans, Research Analyst - Pro camcorders, pro monitors, production switchers, immersive acquisition formats, adoption of 4K/8K/HDR and esports – chris.evans@futuresource-hq.com.
• Tristan Veale, Market Analyst- Trends in broadcast and digital video, OTT, 8K, 4K, HDR, HFR- tristan.veale@futuresource-hq.com.

About the author

Adam Cox

Adam Cox is Senior Analyst at Futuresource Consulting and is responsible for researching and reporting on technology trends across the imaging, pro video and collaboration market categories.

Adam is also heavily involved in work looking at end users, service providers across the corporate markets and in addition to this, works on tracking and examining the collaboration, wireless presentation and conferencing equipment sales channels.

Adam joined Futuresource in 2006 working on broad range of market tracking, analytical and strategic pro broadcast AV Projects. He soon went onto lead the broadcast equipment team covering the full broadcast production chain from acquisition to content delivery. Adam holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Film and Television Studies.