Billed as The World’s Largest Electronic Media Show, NAB is the largest annual gathering of electronic media professionals, drawing 90,000 attendees from over 130 countries. Informitv reports direct from the convention in Las Vegas.

Running from 17-22 April, the National Association of Broadcasters show is a showcase for the latest tools, trends and technologies for broadcast media.

The transition to digital television continues to be one of the hot topics of the show, with an increasingly consumer focus.

It is perhaps significant that the Broadcast Engineering Conference should be introduced by a representative of the consumer electronics industry.

Gary Shapiro, President and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association, in his keynote ‘Broadcasting in the Balance – A Consumer Technology Perspective,’ warns that technology has transformed the broadcast industry.

“Digital technology represents a seismic shift in how we send and receive information, entertainment and education. It is not only affecting broadcasting, it is creating new industries and opportunities,” he said.

The Consumer Electronics Association represents over 1,300 companies in the consumer electronics industry and produces the International Consumer Electronics Show, the world’s largest annual technology trade show, also held in Las Vegas earlier in the year.

Now that nearly 1,200 broadcasters have rolled out digital television, the issues have moved on from basic implementation to increasing the efficiency of production and developing sustainable business models.

In the changing electronic media landscape, broadcasters are looking for new ways to stay competitive in the face of new delivery channels and domestic devices.

Despite a growing number of homes with digital television consumer confusion and confidence remain key issues.

The opening keynote address, from Carly Fiorina, CEO and Chairman of Hewlett-Packard Company, demonstrates the importance of the information technology industry to the future of broadcasting.

Carly Fiorina led the HP merger with Compaq to create the world’s leading consumer IT company, and the second largest enterprise IT company.

“Revolutions aren’t made by doubters, or cynics, or sceptics. Revolutions will always be made by those people who believe everything is possible,” she said.

Addressing the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this year, Carly proclaimed: “We are all digital revolutionaries now. I really do believe that we are on the verge today of a digital entertainment future where every single one of us has access to every song ever written, every movie ever filmed, every photograph you’ve ever shot – available any time you want it, anywhere you want it, on any device that’s most convenient.”