Event round-up: the must-know trends and highlights from IBC 2019

Broadcast and video professionals and students flocked to the RAI Exhibition and Convention Centre in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, from 13 to 17 September 2019, for the annual International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) 2019.

At Europe's largest broadcast show, visitors were able to discover the latest technological advances, try out new products and find out what the future holds for the industry. IBC chief executive Michael Crimp described this year's event as "a celebration of the industry's creativity and drivers of change".

Cinematic quality from input to output was at the top of the agenda with the release of the innovative 5.9K full-frame Canon EOS C500 Mark II camera and 4K HDR Canon DP-V3120 Professional Reference Display, while Canon's latest Sumire Prime cine lenses also proved a major draw. An impressive display of 4K broadcast lenses was also available on the Canon stand, with the brand new wide Canon CJ15EX4.3B launching at IBC and the recently launched Canon CJ18ex28B and Canon CJ15ex8.5B on show. This lineup gives Canon one of the most comprehensive ranges of 4K lenses in the BCTV industry.

Here's a rundown of the trends and highlights from the Canon stand at IBC 2019.

2. 4K and HDR benefits shine through

While 4K has been the word on everyone's lips at IBC for a number of years, it was universal in 2019. While many broadcast productions are already shot in 4K, other live broadcast production companies are updating their lens portfolio from HD to 4K. At the Explore Shooting in 4K area on the Canon stand, visitors compared and contrasted the results of shooting in 4K and HD. Meanwhile, the Touch and Try area offered the chance to use the latest high-resolution cameras and camcorders, capable of shooting in 5.9K and above.

Canon also launched a new 4K HDR Professional Reference Display at this year's IBC, to help enable accurate and reliable colour grading. The 31-inch Canon DP-V3120 can work with multiple 4K signals, using a four-way split screen, a single 4K image or a single 8K image, and boasts an industry-leading 2,000cd/m² of continuous full-screen and 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio. Providing High Dynamic Range monitoring assist features and including a state-of-the-art backlight system, it ensures accuracy from the deepest shadows to the brightest highlights thanks to the precise LED control algorithm and advanced image processing.

4. Innovations in lens design

Canon's expansive range of Cinema EOS and EF lenses was on show for visitors to try out and ask imaging experts about. This included on show, a full set of seven Sumire Prime full-frame cinema lenses with a specially designed cinematic look and interchangeable PL mount.

There was also a punchy new arrival at this year's show with the launch of the Canon CJ15EX4.3B, a new 4K broadcast zoom lens perfect for wide shots and telephoto reach. With 15x zoom and a wide-angle focal length of 4.3mm, the lightweight and compact lens enables broadcasters to achieve stunning 4K performance, with high resolution to the very edges of the image. It is also the first portable broadcast lens to feature Canon's Air Sphere Coating (ASC), which reduces reflections to minimise ghosting and improve HDR shooting."