Trade shows are an important part of the industry. For many in the US, the NAB Spring Show has been the touchstone for the industry. But we do have neighbors to the North in Canada. The Western Association of Broadcast Engineers (WABE) has been going for 75 years. No, not as big as […]

The broadcast industry has a lot of engineers around the world. One of the groups with a lot of experience comes from Canada. This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the WABE – The Western Association of Broadcast Engineers. Tessa Potter is the current President of the Association, and they are planning a […]

- It has been the yearly run for more than 25 years: the Spring National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show – except for those pandemic cancellations in 2020 and 2021. (In fact, if you discount those two years, this was the 100th NAB Convention.) From its start in 1923 with fewer than two dozen […]

The Spring NAB Show is a large convention. The International CES, which occurs in early January, is huge. With nearly 150,000 attendees from all over the globe and over 4500 exhibitors, it is hard to think of many events that are bigger. Combine that with the ever-expanding Las Vegas Convention Center and […]

The NAB Spring Show in Las Vegas has long been the showplace for new products and services. This year was notable for several reasons, including this 100th year of gathering the industry together to meet, see, feel, and discuss the product and regulatory needs of broadcasters. For 2023 the Annual NAB Spring Show, […]

The NAB Spring Show disappeared during the pandemic. This year it finally reappeared. What happened in Las Vegas? Anything we should know about? This year, the NAB returned to Las Vegas for the Spring Show – the first in three years. Manufacturers and attendees alike were anxious to resume a sort of “new […]

The annual International CES in Las Vegas is the place to see what is new in the electronics industry. At least it usually is the place. As with so many conventions and shows, the 2021 International CES was actually a virtual show. This approach had several benefits. It really was a very personal […]

Last month, the gigantic CES International Show in Las Vegas was a sort of toy store for adults. The big problem was determining which products were useful, which were just interesting, and which were vaporware. Here are some comments on what I saw and what you may be seeing soon. My goal with […]

The 53rd edition of the International CES was in Las Vegas, as usual, with an attendance of 170,000 or so, over 3 million square feet of exhibits from more than 4,400 exhibiting companies, including 1,200 startups, and a whole lot of eye candy.

The first thing you cannot help but notice is the construction. The LVCC is growing – that is obvious. What was the whole parking lot to the west of North Hall is now under construction, as is a lot of what was the Riviera Hotel. And, it is big.

Looking East toward the LVCC Main Entrance (at rear). New Marriott hotel on right.

Of course with over 170k convention attendees added to the normal Las Vegas activity, roads were jammed even more than unusual. Backups of a mile or more were common: some lights took five or six cycles to get through!

IoT Meets AI Meets Robots

If there was an overriding theme, it was clear that the Internet of Things (IoT) is encompassing more and more technology, from climate control to dishwashers to home security – even toilets (!).

By adding Artificial Intelligence (AI) to the IoT, it almost seems like Star Trek computers have arrived, controlling everything from task specific robots to drones to self-driving cars. Integration with “assistants” like Alexa and Google Home is proceeding as “standards” are being worked out. Overall, it is rapidly becoming possible to do almost anything from almost anywhere – talk about reducing users to the ultimate couch potatoes!

A very large part of the North Hall was devoted to electric cars of all sorts, and walking across to the Central Hall, the 4k and 8k televisions, complete with curved displays, were nothing less than stunning video.

ATSC 3.0

Of special interest to broadcasters was the ATSC booth, with displays and explanations of how ATSC 3.0 is planning to change broadcasters’ offerings.

Overly simply put, ATSC 3.0 is a marriage of the newest television features with the Internet, allowing any number of offerings, from weather and/or traffic screens to streaming of special reports or archived materials. You might find enhanced EAS messages targeted to specific areas or the latest news program ready for selection.

According to the ATSC, some 20 markets have experimental ATSC 3.0 broadcasts on the air now, with a goal of 40 markets operating by the end of 2020. During the Show, at least three manufacturers announced availability of ATSC 3.0 compatible receivers by summer. Word about adapters for existing receivers was also on the floor.

A display in the booth pointed to a web sit, now up and running, showing what has been done in Phoenix, for example, with a manual to help broadcasters understand and get ready for ATSC 3.0.

5G

Another hot topic for broadcasters is the 5G rollout and how it may affect satellite reception and other services.

However, getting anyone to talk about the potential satellite problems was a lot harder than hearing how 5G was going revolutionize Internet speeds. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai was at CES to evangelize about his vision for 5G in an interview with CTA President Gary Shapiro.

They discussed Issues like spectrum allocation and auctions, also the lack of American 5G infrastructure suppliers, fiber deployment, and wider broadband access in rural and tribal areas. Pai pointed out that one of the big problems holding back wider deployment is not a matter of technology, but manpower. “In many parts of the country, it’s difficult to find people able to do this work,” he said.

Pai also defended his new Interne carrier-centric rules. Pai proudly asserted. “Since we made the decision in December 2017, broadband speeds are up 60 percent, infrastructure investment is up, more Americans are getting connected to the Internet than ever before … breaking the record we set in 2018.

A Lot to See

Again, there was more to see than time to see it. In addition to the Show Floor, special presentations were in hotels all along the Strip.

We will present more in-depth discussions of some the categories of products show, but here is a quick summary of some of the more broadcast oriented items.

Power and Data Storage

Displays of significant interest to broadcasters included improved storage – both energy and data – options. Solid state hard drives have really come into the “zone” where cost is no longer an impediment.

Need enough power to overcome a power outage? Some systems shown could supply 5kw for an hour. Others used newer solar panels to augment/recharge the storage. One, in particular, was a
cellphone-sized unit that not only generated power by solar, but also was able to wirelessly charge your phone.

Need a REALLY bright flashlight. How about 5800 lumens? This rechargeable, emergency light will let you see everything. OK, this is not for everyone, but at $450 it is sort of the ultimate flashlight! More modest models are also out there, as LEDs have gotten brighter and brighter – and cheaper and cheaper.

Security

Also useful in the field are some security solutions.

One of the more annoying hassles for technical folks, especially if they work at more than one site, is the number of keys or key codes they have to carry or remember. Lock makers displayed a number of models that function with fingerprints, Bluetooth (for anti-hacking), even Morse Code! And the number of locks that are suitable for outdoor use are now large enough to make it possible.

Some locks now include cameras. Getting a “look around” your remote sites has never been easier. Picking the right solution may take more effort.

Playback

Turntables that can handle archiving old stock or playing new vinyl were on display, with pricing from modest to stratospheric. (Yes, you can get an SP-10 from Technics … but be sure your budgetary seat belt is engaged! More modest, but high quality, turntables from Audio Technica range from $99 to $850.

Headphones are there, yes, but ear buds are everywhere. The buzzword this year was “True Wireless,” meaning two ear buds, no wires. Using apps, you can send audio to them without getting tangled in wires. Newer codecs have improved audio and reduced latency, but for most folks, not enough for live on-air use.

More to Come

As noted, in the next week or so, more detail will be here, as well as some specific links to products. Stay with us!

Thanks for reading this review.

Going to the Show? Here are some suggestions that might make your trip to the NAB 2019 show easier:

1. #1 – Bring comfortable shoes! Do not forget this one!
2. The Main NAB information page on the Show, exhibitors, etc, is located here.
3. The first thing for many is to get their credentials. The Free Floor Pass will be available for a few more weeks. Use code MP-01 Later, it will cost $50. Check on the nab.org site for more info.
4. The NAB has cut some good deals with hotels. However, rates go up around the first of each month, sometimes faster.
5. If you are trying to get around without a car, the monorail might just be the best deal for you. The LV Monorail usually offers a special advance purchase price for the week. This deal is not available at the kiosks in Las Vegas.

NOTE! Most major Strip hotels have instituted parking fees of $7-$23 a day. This makes the monorail more attractive. Resort fees are also rife. Be careful when booking.

• SECURITY is getting tighter at the LVCC. More information is required of attendees and there are checkpoints and metal detectors. At some point you may need a picture ID. Rolling cases are said to be prohibited this year. (For example, at CES, the “handout” bag was clear plastic.)
• A Lunch Gathering is planned for Tuesday the 7th – the location is at the Westgate Buffet. At this time, it will be an informal Lunch Gathering this year.).

• HAMS! Although Bill Croghan passed away recently, all hams visiting the NAB convention (or any time you are in LV) are still invited to use the Las Vegas Radio Amateur clubs’ repeaters on 146.94 offset -600 kHz, with a -100 Hz tone, located next to the Convention Center. (No autopatching or linking.)
• Bill Croghan noted last year: “We also have a 448.500, offset -5 MHz, 100 Hz tone but it’s got issues at the moment. It’s located about 8 miles from the convention center on a hospital and has noise issues on the input. Use it at your risk. It’s open but not linked. (Current situation as to repairs is not known)

“For those of you wanting Dstar, IRLP, Echolink and other bands/nodes I invite you to check out our web page at lvrac.org. Click on the local repeaters tab on the left side.”

• If this is your first time at NAB (the rest of us know this!):
  • Wear sneakers or very comfortable shoes – you will be walking a lot!
  • Drink a lot of fluids, especially water – the desert is much drier than you may think.
  • Especially if you haven’t gotten the flu shot: Take lots of Vitamin C!
• If you are staying in a hotel charging $12 or $15 a night for Wi-Fi, you might want to check out the various free Wi-Fi and other Internet opportunities around the floor. In most years, there has been at least a couple of “Internet Cafes” where free Wi-Fi was available. Also as most know, McDonald’s, among others, has free Wi-Fi in their stores.
• Site-seeing: Of course, the grand hotels have some interesting interiors… Caesar’s Palace, Venetian (including live gondoliers), the Paris, with streets like Paris and the tower like … well .. .like the tower. Others have liked the Luxor interior. There are the circus acts running all day at Circus Circus. And more. It is Las Vegas.

Not too far outside of town is the Hoover Dam. A nice tour of the insides is available. The lake is there, too, of course, and boat rentals are available. A bit further out is the Valley of Fire state park. A nice change of pace.

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