While most NAB reports will take you to pretty much the same info on cameras and related gear or major NLE updates, I'm going to be looking at some of the things that generally not as “sexy” but important for you to know about if you are in the business of video production.  Here are the things I found interesting on NAB day 1.

LaCie 12 Big

1. LaCie 12 Big: This 12-bay RAID can be populated with up to 8 TB drives in each of the 12 bays for a total of 96 TB.  Is you are doing 4K resolutions and up, this will give you the space you need in a RAID 5 configuration.  While most of LaCie's Big product line only has Thunderbolt 3 ports, which are fine for many Macs, but only good on a few PCs, the 12 Big also offers a USB 3.1 port that features throughput of 400 MB per sec. While not as fast as Thunderbolt 3, it is still quite usable. It uses enterprise-class drives and includes a five-year warranty. It should be available sometime this summer; no MSRP as of yet.

Datavideo HS-1200

2. Datavideo HS-1200 video switcher: This is a six-input (four HD-SDI, two HDMI) switcher capable of 1080i and 720p video along with two XLR audio inputs. What sets it apart from other low-cost switchers is it includes everything in one package. Unlike other low-cost switchers, you do not need a PC to control it. It has a built-in control panel with real buttons and a T-Bar, and a multi-viewer LCD screen built in. It also features a chroma key, luma key, two HD-SDI outputs and an HDMI output. Expected to ship this June.  MSRP $3500.

Decimator MD-HX

3.  Decimator Design MD-HX: Mini HDMI/3G/HD/SD-SDI cross-converter with scaling and frame-rate conversion. What makes this converter different is it's bi-directional. Most of the others only go from HDMI to HD-SDI or HD-SDI to HDMI, but not both. The MD-HX not only converts both ways, it also can convert to and from most HD and SD frame sizes and frame rates, all for the price of a one-way converter without scaling: MSRP $295.

Azden SMX-30

4.  Azden SMX-30: Stereo/mono switchable video microphone with broadcast-quality sound, gain control, and low-cut filter. This mic has two completely different mic elements, a short shotgun and a stereo mic, so you can use which ever mic element is needed for the situation. It has a 20dB gain booster that is much cleaner than the gain circuit built into most DSLRs. MSRP $310.

HP ZBook Studio G3

5.  HP Z-Book Studio:  This version of HP's third-generation Z-Book has a number of enhancements. There is a return of the Dreamcolor display, now available in 4K in the 15-inch and 17-inch models. The processor offerings now include Intel Xeon M 1505 and (soon) 1535 CPUs, and an Nvidia Quadro M1000M GPU with 4 GB of RAM.  It's now available with two solid state Turbo Drives with up to 1 TB apiece. The power supply has also been shrunk from a two-pound brick to under a pound. Pricing starts at $1999.

Tune in tomorrow for NAB Day Two.