Leading the way introducing the new AVCHD tapeless recording format (co-developed with Sony), Panasonic will be unveiling the AG-HMC70, the industry’s first AVCHD shoulder-mount camcorder. Joining the AG-HSC1U handheld in Panasonic’s professional AVCHD line-up, the HMC70 provides full high definition quality, professional audio and video connectivity, and the fast production workflow offered by tapeless SD card recording.

And while you are at the Panasonic booth, take a look at their new portable AJ-HPM110 P2 Mobile solid-state recorder/player; it offers master quality recording and playback in a wide range of high-definition formats, including 1080p (native), 1080i and 720p, and in standard definition. The ultra-reliable AJ-HPM110 records in independent-frame DVCPRO HD/50/25 and DV formats as well as master-quality, full-raster 1920 x 1080 AVC-Intra (with optional board), and is designed to work with virtually any professional camera system, from tape-based digital cameras to high-end cinema cameras with 1080/24PsF output in full-raster 1920 x 1080 or 1280 x 720.

You are definitely going to want to scope out the 4K Red One from Red Digital Cinema, which offers a Super 35 sized 12MP 4520 X 2540 pixel sensor, capturing 4K and 2K directly to internal Compact Flash media and housed in a 10 pound PL lens mount body. After several years of previews, Red is finally here.

Sony Electronics is highlighting its high-definition broadcast and production technologies at NAB 2008, from its HDV line, which includes six camcorders, decks and hybrid media flexibility to the XDCAM HD family of camcorders and decks and XDCAM EX solid-state system. Look for Sony’s PMW-EX1 camcorder that is designed to record either 1080i or 720P HD on two 34mm PCI Express SxS memory cards even with variable frame rates. Early betting is that the EX1 is intended to rival Panasonic’s P2-card-based AG-HVX200.

Carl Zeiss will be at the Band Pro booth with a comprehensive line of lenses purpose built for 2/3” 3 CCD HD cine cameras. On display will be DigiPrime lenses in 11 focal lengths including new 52mm T1.6 & 135mm T1.9, DigiZoom 17-112mm T1.9 & 6-24mm T1.9 lenses and DigiMutar 1.4X Tele-Extender complete with  +1/+2 DigiDiopters.

Frezzi’s new light kits include a versatile battery adapter that allows their Slim Line battery included in the kit to mount under the camera or be placed on a tripod as needed. As an added bonus it also mounts on our DV stick provided in the kit as well as clamps on most camera handles, monopods, tripods or light stands allowing for power to conveniently be delivered from your desired mounting location to any one of Frezzi’s Professional on Camera Micro Fill lights.

Lens accessories for Sony’s PMW-EX1 will be seen at the Schneider Optics booth along with Century 4x4 filters for DV/HDV cinematographers. They will also have Schneider professional filters for cine and HD, Century brand accessories for HDV/ DV/broadcast cameras, including fisheyes, wide-angle adapters, tele-extenders, achromatic diopters, and an HD collimator for checking backfocus when changing HD prime and zoom lenses.

Vinten will have the new Vector 750 pan & tilt head that they debuted at IBC. A key benefit of the Vector 750 is that it has a Centre of Gravity range span of 80mm – 250mm. This covers the full C of G of both the Vector 700 models and makes product selection much easier. The maximum payload of the Vector 750 is 75kg, increased from 70kg on the Vector 700.