NAB 2012 IS COMING!

  The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) 2012 show begins in less than two weeks from now.  I expect to attend again this year.

  There are usually one or more "hot topics" or trends that each year's show seems to have that stand out among the many technology activities there.  One that I've noticed that seems to be emerging for this year's show is "4K" video where 4K means the camera has some 4000 (3840) horizontal pixels.  For comparison, HDTV has about 2000 (1920) horizontal pixels and is therefore called "2K" video.

  4K cameras have been around for at least two years in the high-end cinematography arena but these were specialized and quite expensive cameras.
  What I see as the trend is for cameras with this high resolution emerging at "reasonable" prices.


NEW 4K CAMERAS

  The first in this new lower-cost 4K family was the recently released JVC GY-HMQ10 priced below $5000.  Here's a picture of it:

   It's pretty amazing that such high resolution video technology can be done in such a small package!

  Now Sony has just announced their first "prosumer" 4K camcorder, the NEX-FS700.  Although official pricing has not been announced, it is expected to be below $9000, without lens.  Here's a picture of it:

  Although this camera is significantly more costly than the JVC model it has some amazing capabilities.  In addition to being "4K-capable" (via a firmware upgrade coming sometime after initial release), it has some slow-motion capabilities heretofore only available in much more expensive video cameras.  

  The FS700 will be able to shoot 120 fps in a 16-sec burst, 240 fps in an 8-sec burst and, 960 fps (at a 1080-"1K") resolution!  That's pretty amazing.


4K APPLICATIONS

  Because current HDTV standards do not support do not support 4K resolutions one would expect that the preceding cameras will be mostly of interest to the "indie" filmmakers that have been adapting digital single lens reflex (DSLR) still cameras with video modes to their needs. The Sony camera above has a "super 35" size sensor which gives it the shallow depth of field that filmmakers lust after.


MORE NEW SONY CAMERAS

  Along with the NEX-FS700 described above, Sony announced the tiny HXR-NX30 compact HD camcorder, which is expected to have a price around $2500.  The unique features of this camera are a gyro-stabilized lens and sensor system and a built-in projector!

  The general specifications of this camera are very similar to the Sony HXR-MC50 but with the two additional features.  It will be interesting to compare the gyro-stablilized lens system of this camera with the very good stabilization capability of the MC50.

  Sony has announced yet another camera before NAB - the PMW-100.  This latest camera in the XDCAM EX line seems to be a smaller version of the PMW-EX1R but with a higher - 50Mbps - data rate than the 35Mbps of the EX1R.  The sensor is smaller than that of the EX1R.  Here's a picture of it.

  Pricing has not been officially announced but should be around $5000.

OTHER NEW TECHNOLOGIES AT NAB

  I'm sure there will be lots of other new and innovative things to see a NAB.  I'm looking forward to it.  Let me know if you're going to be in attendance also.