Las Vegas — The 2024 NAB Show returned to the Las Vegas Convention Center earlier this week. For those who are wondering, NAB stands for the National Association of Broadcasters. This year’s show was divided into three categories: Capitalize, Connect and Create.
Some of the new products included: 360 capture/production, AI/machine learning, audio production and processing, antennas, broadband infrastructure and connectivity, cameras and lenses, cloud computing, editing for video and audio, encoding, HD radios, digital cinema, lighting and grip, HDTV, green tech/sustainability, multicasting, streaming media, and television/newsroom solutions.
Canon introduced its all new CJ27ex7.3B broadcast lens with a 27x zoom. It also comes with a built-in doubler to increase the lens’ maximum telephoto reach increases to 394 mm.
“There’s a couple of interesting things about this,“ said Paul McAniff, senior technical specialist at Canon U.S.A. Inc. “For one thing, the 27x magnification is a range that’s only been available in studio box lenses previously. One of the things we did to make it a better studio lens is it also has a new drive unit. The drive unit has a repositioned 20-pin that points toward the back of the camera. It makes it much easier to connect the focus and zoom demands when you are putting it on a steady cam or hanging a teleprompter on it. It has a USB port—you can use that to save lens settings or update firmware which is a really big one.”
Canon also displayed three other new lenses: The RF24-105mm F2.8 lens, RF200-800 mm F6.3-9 lens and the RF-S10-18 mm F4.5-6.3 lens.
Sennheiser showed off their all new MKH 8030 figure-of-eight RF condenser microphone that unlocks M-S, double M-S, and Blumlein stereo recording options. It allows recording professionals to capture pristine sound over an extended frequency range in nearly any environment.
“This microphone is amazing,” said Julio Bracho, Sennheiser’s sales director for Latin America. “It is very reduced in size. A lot of people was asking for it inside this family. What makes this different from other microphones is that we have an ultra-flat frequency response. We do not have any bumps on the frequency response. For recording, this makes amazing microphones. The 8030 combined with a cardioid microphone we can have a stereo recording so it sounds amazing.”
CueScript debuted their new 22-inch teleprompter called the CSMV222. It features larger letters and a new high bright display.
“It’s the first broadcast prompter in 22 inches,” said Michael Accardi, president of CueScript. “This is a four by three prompter with a wide screen and a true hybright. For the first time, you have all of the things that are important for a broadcaster. Right now, with the way prompters are being used, more and more, the comfort factor of a larger prompter just puts that talent at ease and makes for an easier presentation—especially for longer pieces.“
NEEWER premiered their all new MS-60C RGB LED video light. It offers a maximum output of 65 watts and 41,000 lux. The new light weights only 1.5 pounds and comes with wireless controls.
“I like this because it also gives you the option to be portable,” said Brandon Wolf, public relations director at NEEWER. “You are going to be able to run it off of battery power as well as having it plugged in. On it we have a lantern soft box. These are super easy to set up and take down. With any of your accessories you are going to be able to throw right on there.”
“True Detective: Night Country” executive producer Mari Jo Winkler-Ioffreda talked about the need for sustainability in filmmaking and tv productions.
“What we really need to focus on right now is decarbonizing our industry,” Winkler-Ioffreda said. “I think everybody here is aware that we are in a global climate crisis. Although we’re not the highest emitting industry, we are a high emitting industry. What we really need is cost-competitive, clean mobile power. We need batteries, we need generators, we need equipment that can be run on clean energy. It’s the only way forward if we’re going to survive. It’s time for change.”
HBO’s “True Detective: Night Country” was also honored with an NAB Excellence in Sustainability Award.
Grass Valley, Nikon and Sony were among the other big companies with a presence at the 2024 NAB Show.
For more info about the NAB Show, visit www.NABshow.com. The show will return in 2025.
Canon introduced its all new CJ27ex7.3B broadcast lens with a 27x zoom. 
CueScript debuted their new 22-inch teleprompter called the CSMV222. 
Sennheiser showed off their all new MKH 8030 figure-of-eight RF condenser microphone 
Green Spark Group President Zena Harris interviews “True Detective: Night Country” Executive Producer Mari Jo Winkler-Ioffreda at the 2024 NAB Show. 
HBO’s “True Detective: Night Country” was also honored with an NAB Excellence in Sustainability Award.
Stay with AmericaJR for more coverage from the 2024 NAB Show…