The 2018 NAB Awards of Excellence Winners are here!

Photo: SmallHD FOCUS Bolt

Speaking from personal experience, choosing each recipient of the NAB Award of Excellence gets harder and harder every year. There were so many great products and services to choose from at the show. Each panelist defended their selection of why a product should be on this list — and the competition was fierce. Out of the 1,700+ exhibitors, ProductionHUB congratulates these recipients of the prestigious 2018 Awards of Excellence (listed in alphabetical order).

ARRI ALEXA LF

Featuring a large-format sensor slightly bigger than full frame, ALEXA LF records native 4K with ARRI's best overall image quality. Filmmakers can explore a large-format aesthetic while retaining the ALEXA sensor's natural colorimetry, pleasing skin tones and proven suitability for HDR and WCG workflows. Different sensor modes cover any deliverable requirement and versatile recording formats-including efficient ProRes and uncompressed, unencrypted ARRIRAW up to 150 fps-provide total flexibility.

Atomos Ninja V with ProRes RAW

The first implementation of ProRes RAW will be in the Atomos Shogun Inferno recorder, which is great news for anybody wanting to get the best out of their Sony FS5, Canon C300 Mark II, Panasonic EVA and most likely any other camcorder outputting 10-bit/12-bit RAW.

Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve 15

DaVinci Resolve 15 is a massive update that fully integrates visual effects and motion graphics, making it the world’s first solution to combine professional offline and online editing, color correction, audio post-production, multi-user collaboration and now visual effects together in one software tool. DaVinci Resolve 15 adds an entirely new Fusion page with over 250 tools for compositing, paint, particles, animated titles and more. In addition, DaVinci Resolve 15 includes a major update to Fairlight audio, along with over 100 new features and improvements.

Canon EOS C700 FF

At the heart of the camera is a Canon-developed CMOS image sensor having a total of 5952 (H) x 3140 (V) photosites with a digital cinema 17:9 aspect ratio, which gives it the same image circle size as the full frame EOS 5D camera series. This supports a wide range of shooting options. The newly developed sensor featured in the EOS C700 FF has an active image area of 38.1 x 20.1mm and supports readout at full size, as well as Super 35mm, Super 16mm and anamorphic modes.

The Light Bridge Cine Reflect Lighting System

The CRLS system makes it possible to reflect more light in a more controlled and accurate way without needing to use additional sources or extra flags to control extra or unneeded light. These aluminum bounce cards are specially made to not only reflect 97% or light without changing color temperature but to also create less fall off and spill.

Letus Helix Remote Head

This rig is too cool. The new Helix Remote Head which can continuously spin 360-degrees on all axes is a first in the world of gimbals. This gimbal is designed for high-end cinematography work, capable of handling large camera packages like the Alexa65 up to 60lb. It is modular so that the roll axis can be used independently like on a Steadicam rig. Alternatively, the pan motor can be released leaving the tilt and roll axis, converting into a 2-axis unit for Steadicam work.

Ncam Augmented Reality

This was one of only a few unanimous selections by the panel.

Real Light is designed to solve the common challenge of making augmented graphics look like they are part of the real-world scene. Real Light captures real-world lighting (direction, color, intensity, HDR maps), and renders it onto augmented graphics in real-time, adapting to each and every lighting change. Real Depth provides a new and unique automated technique for sensing depth. By extracting depth data in real-time, subjects are able to interact seamlessly with their virtual surroundings for the most realistic and synergetic visual engagement.

Extreme, a new option for Ncam’s camera tracking products, provides enhanced camera tracking for severe lighting conditions, especially stage lighting including strobing effects.

Padcaster Verse Mobile Media Kit

The Padcaster Verse Mobile Media Kit is a purpose-built turnkey solution for Filmmakers, Video Bloggers, Mobile Journalists, Photographers, Educators, Live-Streamers and Content Creators. Complete with a rugged Grip and Cage, Verse is a perfect fit in two hands or one. With the largest range in its class one can lock in any phone or small tablet and you’re ready to shoot.

Panasonic AU-EVA1 with ProRes RAW

Panasonic AU-EVA1 Compact S35 and the VariCam LT cinema cameras will have support for their RAW data outputs in the new ProRes RAW recording codecs. Native support for ProRes RAW has been introduced in the latest edition of Final Cut Pro X, and Atomos has announced that its Shogun Inferno and Sumo monitor/recorders will record in the new format. In addition to internal recording formats, the EVA1 and VariCam LT can output RAW data for the greatest flexibility in post image adjustment.

Schneider Optics True-Net Filter

True-Net diffusion filters bring the struggles of stretching old stockings on the lens to an end. Real hosiery, made on the same knitting machines since the 1950’s and set between water-white glass, allows for consistency every time you use them. Now the illustrious vintage look can be achieved with modern convenience! Available in three color options and several densities to create your timeless look.

SmallHD FOCUS Bolt RX and TX

The FOCUS Bolt TX is a 5-inch, daylight viewable touchscreen LCD with a built-in Teradek transmitter. The 500ft transmitter is compatible with the FOCUS Bolt RX, 703 Bolt monitor/receiver, Teradeck Bolt 500 and Sidekick II receivers.

The FOCUS Bolt RX Shipping with the 5-inch touchscreen is the very lightweight monitor with handles and Sony L Series battery. The FOCUS Bolt TX/RX is a big addition to the wireless monitor mix.

Tiffen Steadicam M-1 Volt

The Steadicam M-1 Volt is a tool that provides M-1 operators with horizontal stabilization, giving them the ability to easily transition between fully manual and auto assist modes. Weighing only two pounds, the M-1 Volt seamlessly integrates into an existing M-1 sled, providing greater opportunity for content creation without jeopardizing stability.

Special Mentions

Congratulations to all of the winners and special mentions! Be sure to visit NABHUB as we continue to explore more of the great things we saw at NAB Las Vegas 2018.