Today I did my first introductory session at the convention. It's divided among three sites: the North, Central and South Halls at the Las Vegas Convention Center. I spent most of my time today at the Central Hall, where Panasonic is the largest presence and at the second floor of the South Hall where Sony is the largest presence.

The biggest news I concentrated on was the non-tape recording media. These are not ready for serious motion picture production yet, however the Panasonic P2 system and the Sony XD system are attempts by these companies to replace linear recording media (tape) with some form of non-linear media. The P2 system records onto memory cards. The largest card they're currently offering is a 4GB. The Sony system records onto a disk. This technology is inevitable so it will be interesting to whatch this new format battle.

I saw a Sony 4K digital projector. I saw a private demo given only to ASC members of a new system of color timing which is intended to allow a cinematographer to ask for timing lights on an HD telecine, much the same as we use them in film when making a print.

I looked at lenses by Schneider, Fujinon and Canon and Arri.

I saw the new Arri 235 lightweight camera.

There was some interesting lighting equipment, including a tungsten balanced HMI by Dedolight company. I saw a matte keying (blue screen or green screen) system that consisted of a reflective cloth and a ringlight around the lens.  The entire system is called Reflecmedia.  It was impressive.

The way you maximize these conventions is to spent your first day quickly surveying what's here to see if there are any dramatic new innovations. Then you go back the next few days or so having devised a plan to more methodically research a few key companies more thoroughly.

Well, need to get some sleep to attack it again in the morning.