The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers has opened its registration for its Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition and 2018 Symposium. 

Smpte conference

SMPTE Conference: Delegates at the 2017 Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition

The conference will explore the technical and creative issues for the media, entertainment and technology industry.

Registration for SMPTE 2018 will include the keynote presentation, access to the exhibition hall and all conference sessions, lunch each day of attendance, and evening events including the popular Oktoberfest Reception and Trick or Treat Spooktacular.

SMPTE 2018 will conclude with Thursday’s SMPTE Annual Awards Gala.

Technical conference session will aim to fostering greater inclusivity in science, technology, engineering, and maths, addressing topics including:

  • Ultra-high definition (UHD)
  • Wide color gamut (WCG)
  • High-dynamic-range (HDR) management; 
  • Workflow management
  • Cloud and virtualised media processing;
  • Content management and storage
  • Restoration and preservation
  • Over-the-top (OTT) media distribution
  • Quality and monitoring of images and sound
  • New compression techniques and implementations
  • Advances in display technologies
  • Machine learning (ML)
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) technology
  • IP-based media transport and workflow

The conference will run from 23 to 25 October at a new venue: the Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites in downtown Los Angeles.

Barbara smpte 2017 cropped

Barbara Lange: SMPTE Executive Director

SMPTE Executive Director Barbara Lange said: “With our shift to a more expansive downtown location, we’re able to offer more of what makes our annual conference unique and valuable.

“From start to finish, day and night, SMPTE 2018 will offer numerous learning occasions and provide attendees with more opportunities to explore technology exhibits, to network with other industry professionals at events, and to sit down with colleagues for food, drink, enlightenment, and entertainment.”

The SMPTE 2018 conference schedule

Monday, 22 October

  • SMPTE 2018 Symposium;
  • The annual Women in Technology Luncheon, presented by SMPTE and HPA Women in Post;
  • Lunch provided for symposium attendees not attending Women in Post luncheon.

Tuesday, 23 October

  • Technical conference begins — three concurrent sessions and opening keynote;
  • Exhibition hall opens at noon; 
  • SMPTE Fellows Luncheon; 
  •  Lunch provided to technical conference registrants; 
  • Oktoberfest Reception in the Centennial Exhibit Hall.

Wednesday, 24 October

  • 4K Run 4Charity Fun Run;
  • Day two of technical conference — three concurrent sessions;
  • Exhibition hall opens at 10 a.m.
  • Lunch provided to technical conference registrants;
  • SMPTE Annual General Membership Meeting;
  • Trick or Treat Spooktacular.

 Thursday, 25 October

  • Final day of SMPTE technical conference;
  • Exhibition Hall hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.;
  • Lunch provided to technical conference registrants;
  • SMPTE 2018 Annual Awards Gala.

2018 Symposium
The one-day Symposium will precede the technical conference and exhibition on 22 October. Driving the Entertainment Revolution: Autonomous Cars, Machine Intelligence, & Mixed Reality will be co-chaired by two SMPTE Fellows Thomas Edwards, Vice President, Engineering and Development at Fox and SMPTE Education Director Sara J Kudrle, Product Marketing Manager for Playout at Imagine Communications.

Warner Bros. Vice President of Technology Michael Zink will chair the daylong SMPTE 2018 Symposium, which will focus on the state of emerging technologies related to the media and entertainment industry and explore potential applications and exciting content opportunities afforded by these new technologies.

For more information for both SMPTE events click here. 

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