The Best of NAB 2013

What’s the state of the art in electronic content creation looking like? And what tools are being introduced to make the job easier and the stories told more compelling? John P. and Kien Tran headed off for the National Association of Broadcasters show (NAB 2013) in Las Vegas this week to find out what’s new. Here we present a best-of-show wrap-up, drawing from John’s posts on Google+.

Film to Digital Transfers

MWA Nova systems from FlashScan8 can work with film sources as small as 8mm and do a 2.5K scan to bring them into the digital age.

Tascam DR-60D PCM Recorder

For quality audio recordings in the field, Tascam was showing the DR-60D 4-Channel Linear PCM Recorder. It’s packed with features to make an audio geek’s heart sing, and designed to fit between the camera and its tripod or mobile rig. It’s amazingly low-priced at only $349.

4K from the Skies!

Need to get your super high-resolution video from above the action? This giant hexcopter was outfitted to carry a Red camera wherever it needs to go.

Trick Out Your iPad for Serious Video Work

The Padcaster allows you to mount an iPad on a tripod and fit it with lights, better lenses, external microphones, etc.

360-Degree Filming with GoPros

Capture the action all around you with the 360Heros rig for GoPro Hero cameras. They’ve even got an app to stitch all those videos together! See more at their site, and next week look for the Kickstarter for the 360Heros GoPro rig!

Getting Tough with Pelican Cases and Lights

Pelican is known for making cases and gear that can take any abuse a working production crew can dish out. They had some great cases and backpacks on display, as well as this super-ruggedized portable light that can put out 2000 lumens.

HP Z1 All-in-One Computer

HP’s new All-in-One Z1 computer packs all its works in the housing for its 27-inch 2560 x 1440 resolution screen. And it has amazingly easy accessibility for working with and changing out components as the case opens as easily as a briefcase. All this starts at just $1,800 and if you max it out you can push it up to about $3,000. They say they’re working on a touchscreen model, as well.

Put Your GoPro in a Cage

The Cobalt Cage from Redrock Micro puts a very strong, protective box around your GoPro Hero camera with a lot of mounting options.

The Rugged Yet Comfortable Cinemecanix Rig

Carrying a camera around on your shoulder all day is grueling work and any kind of rig that can make the job easier and the gear dig into you a little less is very welcome. That’s where Cinemecanix comes in with their line of professional camera rigs.

Freefly Movi M10 Gimbal System

The Freefly Movi M10 is a 3-axis gimbal system that lets you move around with your camera or mount it on wheels, or a hexcopter (see above), but no matter how you move, it keeps the camera incredibly steady.

Aviator Travel Jib Catches a Ride on the Rocket Slider

We love the Aviator Travel Jib and use it in our own productions. And we’ve told you about the upcoming Rocket Slider. Here you can see how both work together to create some beautiful camera moves with gear you can easily carry anywhere.

Strap Your Camera to a Vortex

Another option for mounting your camera for cool movement shots is the Vortex dolly from indiSYSTEM.

Huge thanks to John and Kien for braving the show crowds of Las Vegas and bringing back this look at the kinds of gear we’ll be using to make Geek Beat shows even better in the future. What about you? Did you see anything that caught your eye?