That might describe the dilemma facing this year's NAB attendees as they attempted to see all of the technology at this year's show. With two new floors of exhibition space in addition to the traditional off-site Sands Exhibition center, there was plenty to see and experience.
To help those who may not have attended, or for those who may have missed a stand or two, we provide a glimpse of some of the technology shown. What follows includes products from every hall and every venue. So enjoy, and if you have questions about individual companies, both phone numbers and Web sites are included with each product. If you have other questions, send us an e-mail. We'll do all we can to help.
STUDIO CAMERA
Panasonic AK-HC931
Supports variable frame rate capture at 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 40 fps over 60 fps for off-speed acquisition; operates at 480i resolution; converts 720p HD signal to 480i SD output; upgradeable to 720p and 1080i resolutions.
+49 611 18160www.panasonic.com/broadcast
VOIP INTERCOM SYSTEM
Trilogy Mercury
Can be used as a network interface to Trilogy Commander and Orator digital intercom systems; a black box equipped with Mercury and appropriate application software forms a network between existing digital matrix communication networks and the Mercury's VoIP Ethernet system.
+44 1264 384000;www.trilogy-broadcast.co.uk
CAMERA
Thomson Broadcast Viper FilmStream
Captures at 1080p at 24/25/30fps as well as 720p at 50/60fps; can operate at 720p at 60fps for slo-mo effects; offers 12-bit A/D capture and output RGB at 10-bit logarithmic calculations.
+33 1 34 20 70 00www.thomsonbroadcast.com
DVB MPEG-2 PLATFORM
Scopus Network Technologies IVG-6100
Allows content to be delivered over broadband IP networks into the home or corporate office space by telecom and other service providers; contained in a 1RU package.
+972 3 900 7777;www.scopus.net
DIGITAL DISK RECORDER
Accom WSD/HDX
Platform for HD and SD; features an integrated disk array; configured for standard record capacity of 22 minutes of uncompressed 1080 60i HD video.
+1-650-328-3818;www.accom.com
HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE FOR POST-PRODUCTION
Quantel generationQ for Post
Provides a common user interface, toolset and operating system; consists of the iQ media platform, which offers digital post across the board, 2K performance, digital film and high-resolution project handling.
+44 1635 48222;www.quantel.com
DIGITAL MIXING CONSOLE
Stagetec Cantus MK II
Fully digital mixer designed for post, production applications and OB tasks; offers up to 66 input channels and eight output program busses capable of supporting stereo, surround, 4.1, 5.1 and 6.1 outputs, 90 internal channels and 48 direct outs.
+49 30163 99 02 0;www.stagetec.com
DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
BT Broadcast Services mediaREEL
Uses Informix' Media 360 technology to digitize and then simultaneously encode content in MPEG-1, -2 and -4 formats, ready for storage and Web-based retrieval; the information is then stored in the BT Tower.
+44 20 7555 0037;www.bt.com
HIGH-POWER IOT
Thales TH 790 IOT
Delivers 35kW average DTV power and 84kW peak power in combined applications; can be used at lower power and provides 44 percent beam efficiency while extending the IOT tube life.
+33 1 30 70 35 00www.thales-electrondevices.com
WIRELESS CAMERA D-ENG SOLUTION
TANDBERG Television Voyager Lite
Designed for wireless cameras; incorporates high-quality video encoding with an integrated DVB-T modulator/upconverter providing 2.4 GHz RF output; fits in a small pack and is carried on the cameraman's back.
+47 6711 6200;www.tandbergtv.com
HD PRODUCTION SWITCHER
Snell & Wilcox HD 108
Designed for telecine and mobile applications; offers eight directly accessible inputs, two keyers with chroma keying functions, single YUV color corrector and 4:2:2 framestore.
+44 20 8917 4300;www.snellwilcox.com
MPEG-2 DECODER
Broadcast Technology DTVD 1000
Supports MPEG-2 4:2:2 video and audio; features ASI input; offers a conditional-access module slot, embedded audio outputs, SDI and analog video outputs, and embedded audio output.
+44 1264 332633;www.btl.uk.com
DATA MONITOR
Eyeheight Eyesight
Comprises nine compatible modules: AU-2 audio descriptor, ID-2 Eye-Dentify SDI source verifier, MD-2 master display, PM-2E SDI and embedded program detector, SD-2 video subtitling decoder, TD-2 teletext decoder, AD-2 active format descriptor, and BT-1 VITC and BT-2 LTC/VITC timecode units.
+44 1923 256 000;www.eyeheight.com
PRODUCTION CONSOLE
Studer Vista 7
Every function is tied to its own rotary control or switch; controls have different sizes, colors and positions within each channel strip; integrates rotary controls and buttons within a flat screen display.
+41 1 870 75 11;www.studer.ch
PRODUCTION CONSOLE
Calrec Sigma 100
Each input module provides 4-band EQ, separate filters, compressor/limiter/expander, gate, surround and stereo panning and Mix-Minus outputs.
+44 1422 842159www.calrec.com
PREVENTATIVE MONITORING SYSTEM
Pixelmetrix DVStation-Q
Four-port, 2RU version of the company's DVStation for remote applications; ideal for regional and local monitoring applications; features two hot-swappable redundant power supplies.
+41 79742 7454;www.pixelmetrix.com
CAMCORDER
Sony MSW-900
Records images in MPEG I-frame format at a bit rate of 50 Mbits/s; uses digital-signal-processing technology and 12-bit analog-to-digital converters; records 20-bit audio.
+44 1256 55011www.sony.com/professional
ENCODERS
TANDBERG Television E5720/E5710
For single and multiple channel environments; the E5720 SD encoder can be field upgradeable to HD and comes complete with six option slots; the E5710 requires only 1RU space and provides two option slots.
+47 6711 6200;www.tandbergtv.com
STORAGE SYSTEM
Discreet Switchable Storage
Provides extended workflow environment for Discreet Stone and Wire solutions; allows operators to switch between different Stone disk arrays without having to make Wire transfers over the network.
+44 207 851 8080;www.discreet.com
VIRTUAL NONLINEAR EDITOR
EVS Broadcast Equipment CleanEdit
When paired with an EVS Broadcast server, workstations become an integrated multi-user production environment suited for news; nonlinear editing is performed along a timeline with drag and drop operation.
+32 4 361 7000;www.evs.tv
HD MULTI-FORMAT MONITOR
JVC DT-V1900CG
Features super connectivity options to provide flexibility in any studio application; with natural flat CRT, the DT-V1900CG contains three slot ports for video acceptance of a wide variety of HD and SD input signals.
+020 8450 3282;www.jvc.co.uk
COLOR BAR GENERATOR
ESE ES-229
For aligning monitors, tape leader or for checking the signal fidelity of a color system; generates RS-170A full-field bars or black burst via a BNC composite outpot and one S-video output.
+1-310-322-2136www.ese-web.com
MULTICHANNEL AUDIO DECODER
Dolby Laboratories DP564
Decides and monitors Dolby Digital, Dolby Surround and PCM sound-tracks; features two AES inputs, an optical input, a linear time code output, and an Ethernet port for audio streaming and remote control.
+44 1793 842100;www.dolby.com
ROUTING SWITCHERS
ISIS Group INNOVATION by ISIS
Available in matrix sizes ranging from 16×1 up through 16×6; accommodate a wide variety of industry standard signal formats, allowing for a single format or multiple format configurations.
+1-530-477-2984www.isis-group.com
ANALOG TO DIGITAL CONVERTERS
Crystal Vision ADC104F, ADC104FK, ADC104N
Give up to four SDI outputs; have horizontal position adjustment; timing is taken from an external analog reference or from the Y or Green signal; select setup on the Y output in 525 line.
+44 1223 50655;www.crystalvision.tv
VIDEO SYNCHRONIZER
Fortel DTV FS-414A
Produces signal quality and picture detail while eliminating cross color artifacts; Perfect-Palette Legalizer provides reproduction of colors in video and graphics.
+41 800 1616;www.forteldtv.com
MASTER CONTROL SYSTEM
Miranda Master Control Glass Cockpit
For managing multichannel broadcast applications; combines critical elements of branding, on-air presentations switching and monitoring into a compact single-operator station.
+33 1 55 86 87 88;www.miranda.com
VIDEO MONITORING SET
Hamlet ADEPT
Provides SDI, analog component, S-video and composite 625/525 multi-standard monitoring capability; ideal as a compact, low-power replacement for CRT measuring units in all pre- and post-production areas.
+44 1494 793 763;www.hamlet.co.uk
AUDIO DE-EMBEDDER
DK Audio De-embedder Module
SDI input module allows integration of SDI embedded audio into the company's MSD600M audio-metering tool; fits into one of the MSD600M's four input slots; up to four modules can be installed for a total of 32 SDI channels.
+45 44 85 02 55;www.dk-audio.com
DVB CONDITIONAL-ACCESS SYSTEM
Irdeto Access PIsys
Designed for large-scale satellite DTH, cable, IPTV and terrestrial broadcasting; subscribers access content with a personalized smart card that validates their entitlement.
+7502 937 7670;www.irdetoaccess.com
TELEVISION EXCITERS
Screen Services Italia SCT Series
Units are used as low-power transmitters or transposers or as driver stages for amplifiers of greater power; available in 2 W or 20 W versions.
+39 030 3582225;www.screen.it
NEWSROOM SOLUTIONS
Leitch VRMediaNet
Allows for acquisition, craft editing, proxy editing and conforming of files; manages one or multiple newsrooms; provides extensive metadata management and tracking of media use.
+44 1344 446 000;www.leitch.com
CHARACTER GENERATOR
Inscriber CG-FX
Combines streams of dynamic data with video and graphics; produces stunning graphics and real-time animations while integrating statistics or other newswire information automatically.
+31 297 380930;www.inscriber.com
TEST SIGNAL GENERATOR
OmniTek OmniGen
Can generate resolution-independent images for data transfer; creates signals that are line-, frame- or full-motion sequences using the supplied Windows-based software.
+44 1256 88 1110;www.omnitek.tv
TEST SET
Rohde & Schwarz R&S DVATM
Capable of sending, receiving, analyzing and recording MPEG-2 and ATM data streams; designed for applications transmitting MPEG-2 data streams over ATM.
+49 89 4129-13779;www.rohde-schwarz.com
GLOBAL SATELLITE SYSTEM
Intelsat
The company's broadcast services support satellite news gathering; special events, such as news, sports and entertainment; studio-to-studio; television broadcasting; and DTH.
+44 208 899 6035;www.intelsat.com
UNCOMPRESSED CAPTURE CARDS
AJA Video Systems KONA-SD and KONA-HD
Create full 10-bit uncompressed video
+44 118 921 4214;www.chyron.com
CLOSED CAPTION AND XDS MONITORING CARD
Evertz 7760CCM
Extends the signal monitoring capabilities of Evertz's audio/video monitoring product line by focusing on Vertical Blanking Interval data extraction, decoding, monitoring and display.
+44 1268 5666 445;www.evertz.com
UHF ANTENNA
Dielectric TLP-TMP
Ideally suited for low-power UHF applications; 7 kW power maximum input in the standard configuration; available also with peak power ratings of up to 35 kW (at CH 14).
+1-207-655-4555www.dielectric.com
SD PRODUCTION SWITCHER
Snell & Wilcox SD 108
Modular design offers 2-in, 1-out capability; additional outputs can be added; supports up to eight inputs.
+1-408-260-1000;www.snellamerica.com
SUPER ANALOG CONSOLE
Solid State Logic XL 9000K mixer
Provides dual benefits of full 5.1 surround architecture and increased bandwidth and resolution needed for DVD audio; signal path optimized for DVD-A and SACD, 6-channel monitor insert.
+44 1865 842300;www.solid-state-logic.com
HD TELEPHOTO ZOOM LENS
Thales Angenieux 26 × 7.8AIF
Offers long focal range to provide news and sports crews with extended coverage capabilities; features a focal range of 7.8mm to 203mm and an aperture of f/1.8 for the HR version and f/2.2 for the HD version.
+33 477 90 7800;www.angenieux.com
