My first post-lunch meeting yesterday was with NewTek, where I saw a demonstration of TriCaster, the company’s portable live production system. I was in that post-lunch lull, but the capabilities of the system (and booming, piercing voice of the demonstrator) perked me right up.

Let me say up front that I’m continually amazed at the functionality NewTek builds into their little boxes. Seems like I’m not the only one, as the NewTek rep rolled off customer after customer, like NBA, Fox Sports and the NHL.

Here are some rough impressions. The new slow motion control is a real winner for sports and other live shows. It’s a separate piece of hardware that costs $995, and during live playback, you mark the in point then the outpoint, then send the clip to the DVR where you can play it back at will at any speed. Very nice.

Also new was a link to Daktronics scoreboards that allow producers to display information from the scoreboard onto the video. Cost is $995.

NewTek also made their virtual set feature much more usable by providing framing templates for each set. Frame the subject within the silhouette and they will look natural within the virtual set, which look remarkably realistic with reflections, shadows and the like. The system can also instantly toggle between long shot, close up and every point in between, which makes a one camera production look multi-camera. Again, very nice.

With their amazingly capable products and roster of impressive clients, NewTek needs to be on the short list of any producers looking for portable live production capabilities.