Now that the dust has settled from NAB 2025, I've had some time to reflect further, chat with colleagues, and cut through the marketing hype. My thoughts are a mix of anticipation, excitement, and caution for our industry's path forward. Here are some key takeaways:
AI: Everywhere and Nowhere (Yet)
AI dominated the conversation, feeling both ubiquitous and surprisingly nascent. It's clear we're only at the beginning of AI's journey – today's AI is the least capable it will ever be. While predicting its exact evolution is impossible, NAB confirmed that hardware manufacturers are now seriously integrating AI, moving beyond just software.
Concerns about AI replacing jobs are valid, but we see it differently. We believe AI will morph our roles, making us morevaluable, not redundant or less valuable.
- On Set: Imagine AI moving beyond simple auto-focus or white balance. We saw glimpses from major camera brands of systems where setting a 'look' on one camera prompts AI on others to match continuously. This elevates the shader's role, integrating them more deeply into creative decisions like shot composition and storytelling – offering new challenges and opportunities.
- Accessibility: While AI interpretation isn't ready for high-stakes diplomacy, its potential for everyday meetings (department updates, internal briefings) is immense and already viable. It aligns perfectly with our commitment to accessibility, offering a practical way to include more voices quickly and efficiently for many clients.
- Post-Production: For editors and producers, AI-assisted editing promises huge time savings. Instead of hours spent searching poorly tagged footage, AI can surface relevant clips based on prompts. While it might generate rough cuts, the human craft remains essential for compelling storytelling. View AI as a powerful assistant, helping us manage the increasing demand for content across diverse platforms and formats.
Ultimately, AI is here to stay. How it impacts our industry will largely be determined by us – the operators, users, and managers – demonstrating our expertise and shaping its integration wisely.
The IP Transport Maze: Cutting Through the Hype
The ever-growing list of IP transport standards (ST2110, NDI, IPMX, JPEGXS, DanteAV, etc.) can feel overwhelming, sometimes making one long for the simplicity of SDI! While each standard has its niche, marketing often overpromises universal application.
It's crucial to scrutinize claims and ask hard questions about real-world implementation and maturity. ST2110 remains the broadcast benchmark, while JPEGXS shows promise for high-quality video over lower-bandwidth networks (like 1Gb), potentially bridging broadcast and enterprise AV. Keep an eye on InfoComm for further developments. As standards like NDI and ST2110 continue to evolve (incorporating new metadata capabilities and even AI sub-standards), careful evaluation is key. We need to understand how well manufacturers truly support these protocols.
Truth from the Field: Why Real-World Expertise Matters
One of the most valuable parts of NAB 2025 was the opportunity to engage with customers, consultants, integrators, and tech partners—and to hear consistent recognition of the value companies like TeamPeople and Dreamtek bring to the table. Our teams operate, install, and support complex systems every day across the globe, giving us a uniquely informed perspective on what actually works.
This boots-on-the-ground experience is resonating with manufacturers, who are increasingly seeking real-world feedback to refine their offerings. As technology grows more sophisticated, it's our collective insights—from system performance to workflow realities—that can influence the next wave of innovation.
In a world full of marketing promises, having partners who understand the nuances of implementation, who ask the right questions, and who advocate for smarter solutions isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential. When expertise meets execution, trust is built. And that’s when truly groundbreaking work can happen.
