NEWS
This Year's NAB in Las Vegas Is a Sure Bet for Technophiles
by Pam Malouf
 A scene from last year's NAB show. Photo by Pam Malouf |
If you create, direct, produce, shoot, record, light, film, broadcast, uplink, transmit, animate, edit, write, protect, digitize, stream, integrate, manage, syndicate, burn, present, project, network, finance, program or store…your future starts here,” boasts the website for the 2005 edition of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Convention. And few in the industry would argue with that claim.
Nowhere else can you go to see what’s about to happen, or talk to the experts or get hands-on access to the technology that will shape media and entertainment in the months, years and decades ahead. NAB2005, subtitled “Your Future Starts Here,” will be held April 18-21 in Las Vegas, Nevada––one of the most exciting convention destinations in the world, with more than 130,000 hotel and motel rooms, nearly 60 golf courses, countless award-winning restaurants and a multitude of entertainment options.
Aside from the concurrently run Radio-Television News Directors Association (RTNDA) Convention at the Las Vegas Hilton, the entire NAB show will take place at one of the most modern and functional facilities in the world: the Las Vegas Convention Center, a 3.2-million-square-foot facility with 144 meeting rooms.
This year, over 95,000 professionals are expected to attend. More than 1400 companies from 130 countries will be exhibiting their latest and greatest technological advances, all linked to the broadcast industry. Even if you aren’t in the market to purchase anything, it’s fun and educational to see what’s new. Included among the hundreds of exhibits will be the largest and best video screens in the world, portable green screen studios, miniature helicopters with mounted cameras that shoot 35mm film, 3-D virtual studios and more.
Avid will have dozens of technicians ready to personally introduce you to all of their latest software upgrades and programs, including HD online, special effects and editing. A special Avid Xpress area will be displaying the latest NT and Mac software plus fabulous packages for transporting all of your gear (monitors, hard drives, etc.) in custom-made hard cases.
Final Cut Pro will also have expert technicians ready to demonstrate all of the old and latest software features for you. Name the editing or visual effects program in which you’re interested, and rest assured, there will be a booth for your information pleasure. Technicians will spend as much time as necessary with you to answer your personal questions.
Technology Pavilions
This year there promises to be some awesome hands-on technology pavilions
that editors may find of particular interest:
NAB-HD
This pavilion will take you through the ABCs of a digital television operation,
from capture to delivery. There will be a functioning station right on the
exhibit floor and you’ll get a unique opportunity to see how it all
comes together.
NextGen Home
Here you can check out the latest electronic media technologies for the home.
Some of the best-known brands of consumer electronics will be set up inside
this exhibit house, which invites you to explore future possibilities.
Audio Training Pavilion
If you want a better understanding of the audio arts, this is a sure stop
for you. With console in hand and compression, EQ and effects nearby, you
will be able to gain sound stage experience and mix a live multi-track DVD
project in the privacy of your own headphones––with personal instruction
from audio veterans.
Digital Media Theater
Here you’ll learn about new consumer experiences that reach TVs, PCs
and next-generation consumer electronic devices. This information could be
valuable for your own personal use or to develop profitable content to fill
future needs.
Other pavilions include Digital Asset Management, Satellite Business and Technology, Soundtrack Central, 5.1 Surround Sound, and Avid Developer Community.
Post/Production World Conference
Starting April 15 and running concurrently with the show through April 20
will be an opportunity for you to learn from the best in the business. The
NAB Post/Production World Conference will feature more than 230 training sessions
covering the latest tools and techniques for video/film editing, special effects,
audio/sound editing, web design, 3-D animation and DVD authoring. Learn from
the best and brightest in the industry just how to push the limits of today’s
most popular software packages from Avid, Apple, Adobe, Discreet, Macromedia,
Sony and more.
Career Fair
Recruiters from broadcast companies Jefferson-Pilot, Emmis, Clear Channel
Radio, Radio One and Univision Radio will meet with industry professionals,
students and entry-level job seekers at the NAB Education Foundation NAB2005
Career Fair April 20 at the Hilton Hotel. Career opportunities will be available
in sales, news, production, and engineering. Job seekers may pre-register
at
www.nabef.org.
Getting Around
Besides the complimentary NAB shuttle service that’s always provided,
this year the new Las Vegas Monorail will be operational. For more information
and exact routes, check online at
www.lvmonorail.com.
NAB Details
The National Association of Broadcasters is a full-service trade association
that promotes and protects free, over-the-air local radio and television stations’
interests in Washington and around the world. NAB is the broadcasters’
voice before Congress, federal agencies and the courts.
Complete details on the NAB April convention in Las Vegas are available at
www.nabshow.com. Free exhibit passes are available from your local video editing
equipment, online or effects vendor.
Pam Malouf is a Picture Editor, an Associate Director and a member of
the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. She can be contacted at pamedit@aol.com.
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