5 Exciting Memories from NAB Show 2024
By Sadaf Sundas Riaz
Las Vegas : according to the News , With 2024 NAB Show in the books, it’s time for little reflection. Yes, there was the usual batch of new products, and you couldn’t escape discussions of NDI or ST 2110. Here are a few observations from my travels across the show floor.
The Las Vegas Convention Center has big plans for modernizing its facility. Apparently, it’s a $600 million renovation, with work continuing through 2025. Last year, the South Hall was out of commission. This year, the North Hall was under construction, which meant a longer commute to the West Hall (which isn’t a short walk in the first place).
In the not-too-distant future, we’ll all be able to look back and chuckle about these crazy construction years as we admire the updated digs. But for 2024, that construction created an undeniably disjointed show floor experience. I think the NAB made the most of a tricky venue layout, but I do not envy their planning around further disruption next year, when the Central Hall will supposedly be off limits.
2) AI is almost ... ordinary?
Artificial intelligence is going to remain an important and controversial topic in the Pro AV industry and beyond for years. It was certainly a topic of conversation in many of the NAB educational sessions. And yet, you almost wouldn’t know it from the way it’s been adopted by dozens of manufacturers.
As I was doing research for an article on new PTZ cameras at NAB (coming soon, I promise), I noticed how AI was just casually mentioned in a list of features. These companies are incorporating sophisticated AI-based tracking technologies into their products, and yet it seems almost as commonplace as an XLR input. And then there are companies like Perifery, which is using AI to create “contextual association” for media assets. Basically, its AI is creating its own metadata and making it easier for clients to find content.
All of this is varying degrees of amazing. AI is already being used to improve audio and video presentations as well as streamline mundane tasks. While companies certainly need to consider some sort of AI strategy, we don’t need an industry evangelist trying to convince manufacturers and end users of the benefits of this technology. We’re already sold.
3) Video walls are stealing the spotlight
Last year, I was admittedly surprised at the number of exhibitors touting video walls at NAB Show. Displays (both large and small) have always had a place at the show, but the emphasis on video walls continues to grow