NAB is where all the cool toys are introduced and each year’s NAB seems to paint a picture as to the direction of the industry. This year was no exception. Two items of interest to filmmakers saturated the show floor.

First was 3D video. Only time will tell if it is a fad or a trend, but everyone who is anyone had his or her flavor in capture, display and even conversion. Most notable was Panasonic and it twin lens with convergence control and easy to operate AG3DA1 (http://pro-av.panasonic.net/en/3d/) camera. Despite the success of recent and current 3D movies, is this an acquisition and post format new filmmakers will need to place in their arsenal of accomplishments and on their reels? My personal opinion is yes, as the associated technology is continuing to be developed. That is a lot of R&D for a fad.

Second was the prevalence of the DLSR cameras. Last year you would have been hard pressed to find one, and this year they were everywhere. Canon had a great Show and tell booth with top DPs showing off their footage, all shot on a 7D or it’ brothers. The look is great but with some trade offs. The question is Will Canon develop the next generation, a full sized sensor on a large body and pro audio and monitoring features? Panasonic was already the wings with a prototype (AF-100) of their new four-thirds system to be delivered around December 2010.

For bonus footage - Check our Roger at the show (starts at 1:17):

Cinevate from Landmine Media on Vimeo.