CES 2026: Dissecting the On-Set Impact of Emerging Tech

By BlockReel Editorial Team Directing, Gear, Technology January 13, 2026

CES 2026: Dissecting the On-Set Impact of Emerging Tech

A solid-state battery the size of a credit card powering a cinema camera for an entire shoot day: that's the kind of pipe dream we've all muttered about at 3 AM on a remote location, isn't it? CES 2026, as always, served up a buffet of consumer tech, but amidst the smart home gadgets and automotive displays, there were genuine glimmers of what could fundamentally reshape our workflows, both on set and in post. And I'm not just talking about incremental improvements to existing gear. We're seeing foundational shifts, particularly in power and connectivity, that warrant a much closer look for anyone pushing pixels professionally.

Powering the Future: Donut Lab's Solid-State Promise

Let's start with the big one: Donut Lab's presentation of what they claim is the world's first commercially viable solid-state battery for consumer electronics. That statement alone should make every gaffer, DIT, and digital loader sit up a little straighter. If these claims hold water, this isn't just an evolutionary step; it's practically a reinvention of portable power.

Traditional lithium-ion batteries, which we heavily rely on for everything from camera bodies to monitors to high-draw LED panels, are inherently power-dense but also heavy, thermally volatile, and subject to degradation cycles. Solid-state technology, by replacing the liquid or gel electrolyte with a solid counterpart, promises significantly higher energy density per unit of volume and weight. Imagine carrying fewer brick batteries, or powering a SmallHD Cine 17 with something the size of a V-mount plate, but lasting twice as long. Or, perhaps more critically, imagine the implications for drone cinematography, extending flight times dramatically without escalating payload weight.

Donut Lab didn't reveal all the proprietary magic, obviously, but they teased performance metrics that, if translated into cinema-grade power solutions, would be transformative. We're talking potentially double the run time for the same footprint, vastly improved thermal stability (meaning less heat dissipation to worry about on high-draw devices), and a safer internal chemistry that mitigates the risk of thermal runaway and fire, a persistent concern with our current battery tech, especially in transport. From a practical standpoint, the longevity of these batteries over charge cycles is also cited as superior, meaning less frequent replacement costs for those expensive Blocks and Anton Bauers. The integration challenges, of course, will be significant. How quickly can manufacturers like Core SWX or IDX adapt their V-mount and Gold Mount form factors to leverage this? What will the initial cost premium be? And can they scale production fast enough to meet demand from our notoriously power-hungry industry? These are the questions that will define the next 24 to 36 months. But the potential here is undeniably massive.

The Connectivity Quandary: Belkin's ConnectAir

Anyone who's tried to run a video village off a robust, zero-latency wireless signal knows the pain. Teradek, Bolt, and now even DJI have made strides, but they're often proprietary, pricey, and occasionally prone to interference, especially on busy sets or in RF-saturated environments. Enter Belkin's ConnectAir Wireless Adapter. This little dongle promises 1080p screen sharing up to 130 feet (roughly 40 meters) without the need for Wi-Fi or even a dedicated application. That's a bold claim, especially the "no app" part.

For professionals, the "no app" factor is critical. It implies a true plug-and-play experience, bypassing the software layers that often introduce latency or compatibility issues. Imagine a director, cinematographer, or client needing a quick glance at the monitor feed without tethering, without waiting for an app to boot, and without worrying about password-protected Wi-Fi networks. This could be a game changer for monitoring, especially for those quick checks on remote village setups or on a Steadicam operator's stand.

However, the 1080p limit is a noteworthy restriction. While perfectly adequate for most on-set monitoring and client reviews, it stops short of the 4K feeds many DITs and cinematographers now demand for critical focus pulling or fine-tuning of exposure and color. And the 130-foot range, while decent, is still within the realm of dedicated video transmitters. The true test will be its latency profile. Belkin implies "zero-latency," but that's a loaded term in our world. We'll need to see real-world benchmarks against established professional systems to truly assess its utility. If it can deliver sub-2-frame latency reliably in crowded RF environments, then even at 1080p, it becomes a compelling option for flexible monitoring, especially for smaller crews or as a backup for secondary monitors. It's certainly a product to keep an eye on, particularly if Belkin decides to release a beefier 4K version. For more CES 2026 audio gear, check out our coverage of the SmallRig S 70 2-Person Wireless Microphone System Unveiled at CES 2026.

ASUS ROG: Bridging Gaming and Pro Production

ASUS ROG, a brand synonymous with high-performance gaming, has been steadily pushing into the creative professional space, leveraging their expertise in powerful CPUs, GPUs, and advanced cooling. Their 20th-anniversary showcase at CES 2026 was particularly telling, featuring new Zephyrus laptops, revamped OLED displays, and even AR glasses.

The Zephyrus line has always been about combining power with a relatively sleek form factor, a sweet spot for DITs, editors, and VFX artists who need portable workstations. The new models, presumably packing next-gen Intel or AMD CPUs and the latest NVIDIA RTX GPUs, will undoubtedly offer significant boosts in rendering speeds, transcoding times, and real-time playback for demanding NLEs and VFX software. That means less waiting, more doing, especially on remote sets or when dailies need to be pushed out quickly. The trend towards lighter, more powerful laptops with robust thermal management is crucial for our industry, as we increasingly rely on mobile workstations for everything from data wrangling to on-set color grading.

But the OLED displays are perhaps the more universally impactful announcement. OLED offers true blacks, infinite contrast, and exceptional color accuracy, qualities essential for critical color work. ASUS has been integrating OLED into their ProArt line for a while, but seeing it filter into their mainstream ROG laptops and standalone monitors signals a broader adoption and, hopefully, a more competitive price point. For cinematographers reviewing footage, colorists making grading decisions, or editors fine-tuning their timelines, a reliable, color-accurate monitor is non-negotiable. If these ROG OLEDs can hit DCI-P3 or Rec. 2020 color spaces accurately, that's a win. Their AR glasses, while clearly nascent, hint at future possibilities for virtual scouting, in-camera VFX previews, or even remote collaboration, though widespread adoption is still a ways off. For a deeper look at how AI is transforming VFX workflows alongside these hardware advances, see our guide on AI in VFX: Empowering Artists and Expanding Creative Boundaries.

Nikon's Optics Investment: A Long Game

While not a direct product announcement, Nikon's ¥25 billion investment in a new lens manufacturing facility is a significant indicator for the future of optics. Nikon has been a cornerstone of photography and, increasingly, cinematography with their Z-mount mirrorless cameras and growing array of video-centric lenses. This kind of capital expenditure signals confidence and a long-term commitment to innovation in optical design and manufacturing. For a detailed breakdown of this development, read Nikon's ¥25 Billion Bet: Inside the Factory That Could Reshape Professional Optics.

For us, it means continued refinement in resolution, chromatic aberration control, and lens breathing characteristics, all critical elements for cinema glass. We might see an acceleration of specialized lenses (tilt-shift for unique perspective corrections, or super-fast primes for low-light work), or perhaps more affordable, high-quality zoom lenses that rival prime performance. Nikon also has a strong history in industrial optics, and their push could lead to innovations in macro lenses, or even exotic glass types that address specific visual challenges. The demand for increasingly sharp sensors (8K and beyond) necessitates equally sharp glass, and an investment of this magnitude from a traditional optical powerhouse like Nikon bodes well for the entire industry.

Broader Trends: Action Cams, Connectivity, and Efficiency

Beyond these specific announcements, several broader trends at CES 2026 resonated with the professional filmmaking space:

Action Cameras: While often seen as consumer gadgets, the continued miniaturization and improved image quality of action cameras are making them invaluable B-cam and POV tools. We're seeing better low-light performance, more stable internal stabilization (challenging even dedicated gimbals), and increasingly sophisticated professional features like log profiles and higher bit rates. For mounting in tight spaces, on vehicles, or as quick inserts, their role continues to expand.

Connectivity Standards: Wi-Fi 7, improved 5G and 6G modems, and faster Thunderbolt implementations were ubiquitous. For DITs, this means quicker offloads, more efficient cloud uploads for dailies, and faster data transfer between devices. The increasing prevalence of high-speed wireless on set, properly managed, can significantly streamline data workflows.

Energy Efficiency: Across the board, manufacturers are pushing for more power-efficient components. This isn't just about longer battery life for consumer devices; it means less heat generation in our cameras and monitors, smaller cooling systems for powerful workstations, and ultimately, a more stable and reliable operational environment on set. Combined with potential solid-state battery advancements, this points to a future where power management becomes less of a logistical nightmare.

The Takeaway

CES, at its core, is a glimpse into the near future. Not everything showcased will find its way into professional cinema tools, but the underlying technologies invariably do. Donut Lab's solid-state battery, Belkin's low-latency wireless promise, ASUS ROG's computational prowess, and Nikon's optical commitment are not merely incremental upgrades; they represent potential disruptors.

The challenge for us, as creators and technicians, is to watch these developments with a critical eye, understanding not just what a piece of tech does but what it enables. A tiny, long-lasting battery means less rigging weight and more creative camera movement. A reliable, affordable wireless video system means more freedom for directors and DPs to roam and collaborate. And ever more powerful, portable workstations mean less time waiting and more time crafting. The future of filmmaking isn't just about bigger, better cameras; it's about the entire ecosystem evolving to support our creative visions with greater efficiency and fewer technical roadblocks. And CES 2026 offered a tantalizing preview of that ecosystem's next big steps.

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