Probably the best way to describe the HPA (Hollywood Professional Association) Tech Retreat is one part creative, one part IT (information technology), one part CFO (chief financial officer) and one part networking. The HPA, which is now a part of SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers), isn’t confused, it’s just focused on how they can squeeze all of those subjects into four days.

Elemental Technologies, the leader in software-defined video solutions, today announced the next 4K 4Charity Fun Run, which takes place Tuesday, April 25, 2017 in Las Vegas in conjunction with the 2017 NAB Show. Sponsorships are now available and participant registration for the event is open at www.4K4Charity.com. Beginning with the 2017 NAB Show event, the 4K 4Charity Fun Run series will distribute all proceeds toward raising awareness and funding for organizations that work in support of increased diversity and inclusion.

At the 2017 National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Conference, Gearhouse Broadcast USA will debut Columbus, the first mobile unit based in the U.S. to feature a full 4K monitor wall, “one button” hydraulic deployment, and integrated RF (mast included), among other unique attributes.

Blackmagic Design today announced URSA Mini Pro 4.6K, a new professional camera that combines high end digital film quality with the ergonomics and features of a traditional broadcast camera. URSA Mini Pro features a massive number of tactile control buttons, switches and dials that make it faster to use, built in optical ND filters, a new interchangeable lens mount, dual CFAST 2.0 and dual SD/UHS-II card recorders, and much more.

Panasonic have supplied the new TV broadcaster Nowa TV with a professional system of studio cameras based on the 4K AK-UC3000 models. The channel has been available throughout Poland since 9 October via terrestrial broadcasting in the Mux 8 multiplex. It is also transmitted through all cable networks in Poland. The signal is broadcast in FHD resolution but the entire infrastructure and equipment support 4K.

LYNX Technik AG, provider of modular interfaces for broadcast and professional AV signal processing applications, today announced that it has enhanced its yellobrik series with three new single link SDI 12G capable modules. A fiber transmitter (OTX 1410), fiber receiver (ORX 1400) and fiber transceiver (OTR 1410).

Roundabout, the Burbank-CA based post production facility that specializes in audio, syndication, closed captioning, restoration, and feature film DI, has purchased a Rio 4K online editing, color and finishing tool from SAM for editorial and restoration work on multiple films.

EVS, the leader in live video technology for broadcast and new media productions, has announced that NEP Europe has selected its latest 4K live production technologies for two new UHD-4K supertrucks. The state-of-the-art OB facilities will be used to cover Switzerland's Raiffeisen Super League football and allow pay TV broadcaster Teleclub to deliver a more immersive ultra-high definition viewing experience to fans.

Bexel Global Broadcast Solutions, a leading worldwide provider of broadcast services, has unveiled the Bexel Clarity 800 camera, the world's first miniature, high-frame-rate (HFR) point-of view camera for live production. Building on its unrivaled experience in live broadcast, Bexel developed the standard-setting Clarity 800 camera system to meet sports and event producers' increasing demand for high-quality, real-time HFR video.

Bittree, a leading manufacturer of high-quality audio and video patchbays and patch panels, is extending its hallmarks of design excellence and trusted reliability to next-generation video infrastructures with the introduction of its new 12G+ BNC Coaxial Bulkhead Patch Panel series and 12G+ Mini-WECO (Midsize) Coaxial Patchbay family.

EUROMEDIA covered the PSG/AS Monaco football match in full UHD for the first time on Sunday 29 January. With resolution four times higher than HD, shooting 4K is quite unique both in terms of live coverage as well as slow motion replays.

HARMAN Professional Solutions, the global leader in audio, video, lighting and control systems, including networked AV, today announced AMX N2400 Series video encoders and decoders, the first video-over-IP solutions to deliver full-quality 4K content over Gigabit Ethernet networks with near-imperceptible latency. With support for 4K video at 60Hz and 4:4:4 chroma, the N2400 Series joins a full lineup of cost-effective 4K solutions from HARMAN that enable businesses and active learning environments to bring ultra-high-definition video to viewers.   
 

Imagine Communications, empowering the media and entertainment industry through transformative innovation, has entered an agreement with Swiss broadcast service provider tpc, technology and production center Switzerland ag, to provide the distribution core, processing and multiviewer technology for a next-generation mobile production vehicle that is expected to be the first in the industry to support uncompressed HD and UHD signals over IP based on the SMPTE ST 2110 standard for the transport of video and audio over IP networks.

ATEME announced today that its advanced video compression technology will be used for the VR near-live coverage in Ultra High Definition (UHD) of the upcoming Sunday’s ultimate football showdown between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons, in partnership with Fox Sports and LiveLike. Altogether, they’re teaming up to offer a virtual and interactive lounge during the game that presents highlights from the game in near real-time via the Fox Sports VR app for iOS and Android devices. Thus, each viewer equipped with a VR handset can experience the game in the same way as if they were sitting in a VIP lounge in the stadium.

Virtual reality is bringing music fans from around the globe to today’s most exciting concerts. September offered a live VR video concert by the Red Hot Chili Peppers in Berlin. Last month, legendary electronic musician and composer Jean-Michel Jarre delivered a rare performance, which was made available to worldwide fans via live VR video from Paris.