MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM) is completing the job begun with adopting Microsoft’s Silverlight with the launch of Inlet Technologies Spinacker streaming solution on opening day. "Inlet's Spinnaker allows us to produce multi-platform video at up to 1.2 megabits per second, up from just 700 kilobits per second in 2007, a dramatic enhancement of video quality and overall user experience," says Justin Shaffer, senior vice president of new media, MLB.com. “We’re always pushing the limits of what is possible."

For the past 10 years, Steve Paino has been referring clients to the best local crewers across the country. In the last six months, he’s made his own job a whole lot easier. “We constantly get calls from clients who use us in Philadelphia asking who’s the best crewer in Arizona or Milwaukee,” explains Paino, president of Philadelphia-based Total Production Services. “About six months ago I got the idea that in this day and age, we really should have a website that I can refer everyone to.” He has now turned vision into reality with the launch of Crewing Alliance.

Highlights from the first-ever regular season NBA game to be shot in 3D HD will be part of a special session at the NAB convention. Slated for Monday, 4:00-5:00 p.m. in the Content Theater (located in the Central Hall) and entitled "Stereoscopic 3D Film and Broadcast: Case Study-Live 3D Sports" the event will provide attendees with the first opportunity to see and discuss the new NBA footage, as well as examine the challenges and possibilities for the future of live 3-D HD sports broadcast.

NVISION will showcase a comprehensive, interactive test environment for 3Gb/s signals, also known as 1080p Video, in its NAB 08 booth, #SU11620. NVISION is the first company to deliver 3Gb/s HD-SDI capability throughout its entire router product line, including its all-new NV8576 Large-Matrix Digital Multi-Format Router. NVISION was also the first to deliver Larger Router HD-SDI capability in 1998.

TANDBERG Television, part of the Ericsson Group, is launching its next generation MediaPath Secure Content Delivery System, which distributes content across ‘Any Platform to Any Device’, in its booth #SU4210 at the NAB Show . The system offers content providers, network operators, and their affiliates, a scalable, end-to-end solution for the secure point to multi-point delivery of non-linear digital HD and SD TV programs as well as any other file-based content including VOD programs, advertising, music, and games. The new MediaPath system enables content providers and cable, telco and satellite operators to closely collaborate to deliver more types of content, in more formats, more efficiently.

QuStream Corporation has been selected to provide the central routing system to NBC for the network's coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games. The QuStream routing system chosen is the Cheetah 864XR series which provides for up to 864 HD inputs and outputs in a single chassis. Occupying only 41 U, the QuStream Cheetah router forms the backbone of a complete system being installed in the International Broadcast Center for NBC.

Unlimi-Tech Software, a provider in accelerated file transfer software, will be demonstrating its FileCatalyst technology at the upcoming NAB 2008 trade show in Las Vegas. The FileCatalyst family of products offers broadcasters, carriers, telecoms, post production houses, and digital delivery and system integration companies a software solution that is able to maximize transfer speeds as well as offer a complete web-based workflow solution for submission, tracking and distribution of digital content.

Vizrt has inked a deal with Perceptive Pixel, creator of advanced multi-touch display systems, to allow broadcasters to use sophisticated and intuitive multi-touch gestures to control graphics presentations that they create with the full line of Vizrt software, including: Viz Artist 3, Vizrt’s animation and visual effects creation tool for high-quality 2D and 3D real-time graphics; Viz Curious Maps mapping software; and Viz Quattro, a still and clip store workflow solution. Viz Engine supplies uncompressed, real-time graphic and video output. Graphics can be run from Viz Trio character generation software and Viz Content Pilot content management software.

Wohler Technologies Inc. released its new WohlerPlus line of modular audio processors, which represent state-of-the-art processing and monitoring tailored to the needs of digital broadcasting, whether for terrestrial broadcasting, video over IP, cable, or satellite. Intended to address the entire audio signal chain within digital broadcast operations, the highly configurable WohlerPlus units give users the specific processing capabilities they need rather than the "all-or-nothing" functionality of dedicated processing systems.

QuStream Corporation has named Alan Bunting as Director of Sales, Europe, Middle East & Africa. Based in Cambridge, England, he reports to Karlton Burn, QuStream Vice President of Global Sales & Marketing.

RF Central, a digital microwave technology provider, is unveiling its new RMR-X6-II six-way COFDM diversity receiver at NAB 2008 (Booths C3007 and C6622). Building on the success of its original RFX-RMR-X6, the RMR-X6-II delivers new advancements and capabilities.

Akamai’s NAB booth will give attendees a chance to view an array of technologies that help deliver content to the Internet. The Akamai Stream OS, for example, is a Web-based suite of configurable tools that enable easy publishing of rich media to the Web, detailed usage reports and rights management.

Bexel will introduce its new HD Flight Pack “Hercules” at NAB. The lightweight and modular system is designed for easy set-up and, according to the company, is ideal for production where it may not be practical to utilize a full-size mobile unit. The rugged design of the flypack also makes it suitable to all shipping conditions.

Calrec Audio heads to NAB with a major initiative developed with partner Ross Video Ltd. According to Calrec Audio Marketing Coordinator Kevin Emmott, the collaboration allows remote control of fader modules on any Calrec console.

Although JVC won’t be exhibiting any new products, that doesn’t mean it won’t have new technologies and features to show off as it continues to migrate its cost-effective HD systems to more-flexible and comprehensive technologies.

As podcasting and Internet video become more common in sports networks’ and leagues’ online programming, podcasters are looking for a cost-effective way to get audio into a PC.

Fischer Connectors will showcase their fiber-optic HDTV broadcast camera connector at NAB. The company believes the 1053 HDTV broadcast camera connector provides the answer that many camera manufacturers, mobile truck providers, production centers, and broadcast studios have been waiting for to make the transition to fiber-based HDTV cameras.

Yamaha will introduce VCM (Virtual Circuitry Modeling) technology to three consoles: the DM1000VCM small-format digital mixer, the O1V96, and the O2R96. Based on the upgrade to the Yamaha DM2000 digital console, VCM consoles provide engineers and producers a selection of surround post effects and room-acoustics modeling. The DM1000VCM offers 48 channels of digital mixing with surround-sound mix and monitoring capability in a 19-inch rack-mount unit.

Neutrik’s new IP65-rated OpticalCon will make its NAB debut this year. The well-established solid and ruggedized fiber-optic connector system has been upgraded for dust-tight and water-jet protection.