The last NAB Show before the official shutoff of analog broadcasting raised many questions. Fortunately, it also offered many answers. Total attendance was down a bit, with 105,259 attendees crowding the Las Vegas Convention Center this year as compared to the 108,232 attendees in 2007, and two of the biggest exhibitors, Apple and Avid, abandoned their usual posts in the South Hall, maintaining that they wanted to explore other avenues for addressing their customers.

Although NAB is technically supposed to be a gathering for “broadcasters”, because the efficiencies of digital technology are making equipment increasingly cheaper and better, this year’s convention was especially attractive to independent, non-studio producers who hoped to discover goodies that could put them on a production par with highly capitalized media moguls. Here is a look at the most exciting introductions in cameras, lighting, audio, and editing that my research associates and I were able to dig up.

Ikegami debuted its new Flash-based GFCAM system as a lower cost tapeless HD ENG production family. This includes the GFCAM HDS-V10 tapeless camcorder, the GFSTATION GFS-V10 studio deck, and GFPAK high-capacity Flash media, which can record more than two hours of HD video. The HDS-V10 tapeless camcorder is an affordable three-CCD model providing 1080i/720P support in multiple digital recording modes and such advanced features as Retro Loop recording. Ikegami also displayed their sophisticated HDK-790 EXIII Full Digital HDTV studio camera system and its portable companion, the HDK-79 EXIII. Both employ new 2/3-inch native 1080i AIT CCD image sensors and offer exceptionally quiet pictures with a 60dB signal-to-noise ratio in HD.
In the world of camera support, Vinten broke ground with the launch of its new Vector 750 Pan & Tilt Head. Among the product’s most impressive features are its smooth pan & tilt movement with infinite adjustability for both the balance and drag systems, and its new stainless steel internal components, which make for impressive durability.

Sachtler unveiled its new Artemis vest and arm upgrade, which allows users to handle state-of-the-art cameras easier and longer. The new ACT 2 Vest is designed to promote comfort, fit and versatility for camera stabilizing systems. Additionally, the ACT 2 C Carbon Fiber Spring Arm Upgrade turns the Artemis ACT 2 arm into the world's first carbon fiber spring arm. Together, the addition of these two innovations proves that Sachtler is working as hard as ever to revolutionize the world of camera stabilization.

Shotoku Broadcast Systems has always been a highly regarded leader in manual and camera support. This year’s NAB saw the unveiling of the company’s new, compact TRP-100 robotic pedestal, which allows full X, Y, and height camera movement. This dynamic product will only add to Shotoku’s incredible reputation for putting out perfectly suited equipment for studio applications, including news, sports and current affairs broadcast. Additionally, Shotoku showed off Orchestra, its latest cue computer control system and its TG-27 pan and tilt head — very impressive pieces of equipment.

JVC Professional Products Company’s new GY-HD200B ProHD camcorder, replacing their GY-HD200, now has the ability to record compressed 1080i as well as 720P over Fire Wire (IEEE 1394) to their DR-HD 100 file-based hard disk recorder. The GY-HD200B is a high performance native progressive camera with advanced digital processing that can utilize standard bayonet-mounted lenses and even offers “overcranked” recording for smooth slow motion images during 24p final output. Additionally, JVC previewed their MR-HD200U camera-mounted media recorder, which uses non-proprietary Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) solid-state memory. Look for the MR-HD200U in Q4.