The NAB Show & Alpha Team’s Top 5 Takeaways from the NAB Show

The NAB Show

The NAB Show is an unparalleled global event for content professionals from the media, entertainment, and technology ecosystem, aiming to enhance audience engagement and create exceptional audiovisual experiences. It covers the entire content spectrum from creation to distribution and monetization. The event is held with varying exhibit hall hours across the multiple days of the NAB show.

Head down to the bottom section of this article if you are interested in finding out, when the NAB show is taking place, where is being held, and key considerations for attending the NAB show this year.

Our Takeaways From NAB Show 2023

Anyone who says, “You can’t see the future” hasn’t been to the annual NAB Show. Here’s where every major video industry player comes together to showcase the latest innovations and illuminate new horizons. As we do every year, the Alpha team attended the 2023 NAB Show with a mission to identify and explore the year’s most promising technology developments.

After all, clients come to Alpha to make their vision possible. But before they can Experience Possible, we have to show them what’s possible. That’s what the NAB show is all about. There’s no greater showcase for the imagination and ingenuity of the broadcast industry’s most talented professionals.

Here are our principal takeaways – and a few recommendations – to help you glimpse the possibilities for yourself.

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1. The Cloud is Everywhere

Our Team’s Take:

1. The sun shines in Las Vegas, but all everyone talked about was the Cloud. Our industry has always lagged somewhat because we deal with such large files, and because we’re hybrid by nature (Cameras aren’t in the cloud, nor are people). But when it comes to storage, asset management and live production, everything is moving to the cloud.
2. It’s obvious why the cloud is such a hot topic: You can avail yourself of extremely robust technologies without massive capital expenditure. You’ll enjoy more flexibility and easier distribution of robust content. Moreover, subscription-based cloud capabilities take the pressure off the every-7-year-rebuild cycle of your control room, enabling you to manage costs on an annual basis rather than on a capital costs schedule.
3. On-prem solutions aren’t going anywhere for the foreseeable future, however. In fact, many manufacturers are working to make their on-prem offerings more cost-effective. So if you prefer traditional production tools, keep an eye on the latest versions of your favorite products. You may be surprised by how affordable they are.
4. There was a lot of buzz around Dante Connect, which integrates the Dante audio network into the cloud. Enabling cloud-based workflows for broadcasters fills an enormous void in the cloudscape by bringing powerful new capabilities to mixing engineers, operators and broadcast A1s.

What you can do now:

“Start putting together your cloud production dream team – because the cloud not only helps you access the latest technology, it can provide greater staffing flexibility. No longer do you need everyone in the same place to create top-quality content. In a cloud-dominated environment, you can network your preferred engineers, editors, designers and artists from around the world.”

– Bryan Nelson, Broadcast Account Executive

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2. Ross is Boss

Our Team’s Take:

1. Ross has become an industry cornerstone. When it comes to traditional production tools and end-to-end workflow, they offer true one-stop shopping. And that’s on top of the great partnership Ross offers, plus the outstanding training content the company makes available through its partner portal.
2. Praise was universal for Ross’s new Carbonite Ultra 60 production switcher, the gold standard for customers in the middle space between what the old Carbonite Ultra provided and, say, a full-blown Acuity production switcher. With up to 60 inputs and 25 outputs in HD or UHD, it combines blistering performance with true ease of use. Don’t get us wrong, there are a lot of great products out there, but Ross owns the sweet spot in this category.
3. Ross’s D3 LED technology was another NAB Showstopper. From a performance standpoint, it’s on the leading edge, but we also love the flexibility and serviceability of Ross’s integrated LED experiences. Not only that, Ross combines outstanding imagery with far-reaching, web-based software solutions that maximize operational efficiencies while enhancing your ability to configure, control and monitor as many displays as your solution requires. Alpha recently installed Ross D3 LED tech at the Route 66 Casino, and the performance has been fantastic.

What you can do now:

“Take a close look at Ross’s product line – especially if it’s been a while since you last surveyed their offerings. The company continually advances its technology, and that focus on innovation keeps Ross on the industry vanguard.”

– Darren Whitten, Sports Account Executive

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3. The Proliferation of Accessible Tech

Our Team’s Take:

1. The stability and adoptability of the SMPTE ST 2110 suite of standards has reached a tipping point. Sure, there are still some obstacles – IP vs. baseband, for one – but from the standpoint of interoperability, price, and the growing number of players in this area, the offerings are compelling.
2. Blackmagic Design released new 2110 DeckLink cards, bringing down the barrier of entry for many applications’ 3G video flows. By utilizing the existing DeckLink SDK, these cards enable many existing products using the Decklink SDK to become 2110 capable
3. An increasing number of vendors are working to enable 2110 switching capabilities, and as a result, we’re starting to see a lower point of entry from a pricing perspective, making these capabilities available to smaller and mid-tier users.
4. NewTek brought real stopping power to the show floor with its NDI open protocol. In an interconnected production environment where almost any device can connect with every other device, NewTek IP’s ultra-efficient encoding, and management enables live production people to fully embrace IP workflow, with every source also being a destination.

What you can do now:

“Not long ago, the prevailing opinion was that SMPTE 2110 switching was 5-10 years out, but it’s fast becoming more accessible. Consequently, if you’ve If you’ve been holding off, it’s time to take a fresh look.”

– Ian Cobb, IT Systems Engineer

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4. Supply Chains are Improving

Our Team’s Take:

1. There’s light at the end of the tunnel (we think!). We’re finally seeing and experiencing improved lead times with many of our manufacturer partners. This bodes well for keeping projects on track and avoids the rework required to keep projects moving forward.

2. We’re also finding that one company’s crisis is another’s opportunity. The long lead times at some of our industry’s biggest manufacturers have opened new opportunities for companies that can deliver their projects more promptly.

3. As a consequence of the supply chain disruptions, many integrators are vigorously exploring options offered by vendors they might not have looked at in the past. Moreover, the supply chain-related fumbles of some industry leaders have provided an opening for alternative technology solutions to gain a foothold in the market. This has had the unexpected effect of fostering competition and innovation in areas where a few large players have traditionally dominated.

4. Be on the lookout for cost-saving opportunities from manufacturers who are trying to get back in their customers’ good graces and want to reestablish leadership in a volatile market.  

What you can do now:

Review your vendor lineup. You may add some great new relationships to the roster of technology partners you’re continuing to work with. But you may also want to revisit your relationships with vendors who continue to struggle with supply chain issues.

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5. The Ascendence of AI

Our Team’s Take:

1. After the cloud, everyone had something to say about AI. References abounded to camera tracking and facial recognition, but most conversations centered around how it will impact our industry in the years to come. Will it displace editors, graphic artists, and a host of specialized job functions in areas such as, say, voice-to-text translation?
2. Addressing AI’s impact on employment in our industry, our opinion is that AI will definitely be disruptive, but not necessarily destructive. It’s natural to fear being replaced by AI, but in light of our industry’s chronic labor shortage, our feeling is that job loss will likely be balanced by job shifts.

What you can do now:

“AI technology isn’t mature yet, but it’s proliferating fast. Moreover, we guarantee your customers will ask you about it. So follow AI closely, because one way or another it’s going to have a significant impact on your future.”
– Mike Pouh, Account Executive

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Putting Inspiration into Action

The possibilities of today’s technology are endless, and we’re here to help bring them into focus. If you have questions about how a particular technology, product or trend can be leveraged to realize your vision, let’s talk about what’s possible. It’s our favorite topic.

Contact Alpha >>

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When is the NAB show taking place?

This year The NAB Show, a leading conference and expo for the broadcast, media, and entertainment industry, is scheduled for April 13-17, 2024, in Las Vegas. The exhibition, showcasing the latest in content creation, distribution, and monetization, will be open from April 14-17.

Where is the NAB show being held?

The NAB Show is hosted in the vibrant city of Las Vegas, providing an immersive experience for professionals in broadcast, media, and entertainment. This premier event, set for April 13-17, 2024, will be held at the Convention Centre in the heart of Las Vegas, showcasing innovative content from creation to consumption.

FAQs

Why is the NAB Show important?

The media, entertainment and technology worlds converge at the NAB Show. Whether you’re involved in content creation, distribution, management or monetization, the NAB Show, produced by the National Association of Broadcasters at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, is the year’s must-attend event. And that’s particularly true for audio-visual integrators who provide broadcast solutions in a digital-first world.

How can I get the most out of the NAB Show?

The more you prepare, the more value you’ll receive from attending the NAB Show. The first thing you’ll want to do is visit the NAB Show website and learn about the upcoming event’s offerings. Whether you’re a team of 1 or 100, you’ll never cover the full range of content served up at this incredible event, so prioritize what’s most important to you by exploring the main stage events, sessions, and exhibits in advance. One other tip: Get there the moment the doors open, and plan on staying until the end because there’s always something more to discover. And don’t be afraid to engage the exhibitors. They’re there for YOU.

What’s the ideal contingent to bring to the NAB Show?

The NAB Show is geared mainly toward a technical and production-minded audience, so definitely bring your technology leads. But it can also be a valuable event for your entire executive team, as the NAB Show’s speakers, panels, exhibits and networking opportunities provide valuable input for strategy setting and potential new partner relationships. Likewise, this is fertile ground for your sales and marketing leads. Not only is great technology on display, but state-of-the-art branding, marketing and sales strategies are, too.