Specific CES 2026 highlights with event and conference relevance
Table of Contents
CES highlights conference technology – The CES (Consumer Electronics Show) is one of the world's most important technology trade fairs and takes place every year in January in Las Vegas. Manufacturers, service providers and start-ups present their latest developments – from consumer electronics and AI solutions to innovative audio and video technology for professional applications. We looked around for innovations and impulses for the event scene. A special eye-catcher – but only as a prototype – is volumetric free viewpoint video from Canon
CES 2026: How volumetric free viewpoint video is changing events and conferences
CES 2026 clearly shows where modern conference and event technology is heading: towards immersive visual worlds, intelligent camera guidance and seamlessly integrated AV technology for hybrid events. A highlight from the perspective of professional conference and event technology is the volumetric free viewpoint video, as presented by Canon in Las Vegas.
What is volumetric free viewpoint video?
At the Free Viewpoint Video an entire room is captured with a dense camera grid. In the Canon solution, there are over 100 cameras recording a scene simultaneously and 3D data convert. The perspective can later be freely selected from this volumetric data – as if a virtual camera were floating in space.
For viewers this means:
- You can save the scene afterwards from any angle view.
- Camera movements, zooms and changes of perspective can be Design creatively afterwards.
- Online audience or on-demand viewers experience an event significantly more dynamic and immersive.
This is currently mainly known from the sports sector (e.g. interactive replays in the stadium or on TV), but the CES presentation clearly identifies it as a future topic for Live events, keynotes and hybrid large-scale events positioned.
Further information on the Free Viewpoint video from Canon:
Application scenarios for events, conferences and trade fairs
Volumetric video opens up several exciting scenarios for conferences, meetings and events:
1. high-quality hybrid events and keynotes
Keynotes can be produced in such a way that on-site audiences and online participants receive different, perfectly guided image versions.
In the on-demand version, additional tracking shots, close-ups of speakers or detail shots of exhibits can be inserted without having to have more cameras in the room live.
2. interactive event replays
On-demand content is becoming increasingly important, especially for product presentations, specialist lectures or panel discussions. Volumetric video makes this possible:
interactive replays with freely selectable seating position, individual focus views (e.g. only the speaker, only the presentation area, only the panel). This increases the attractiveness of event media libraries and significantly extends the lifespan of conference content.
3. trade fair and show productions
At trade fairs or brand shows, volumetric video can be used to create impressive highlight clips:
- virtual 360° tours through live demos,
- spectacular camera flights that would hardly be possible with classic camera rigging,
- Material for social media campaigns that clearly stands out from standard event videos.
Detailed overview of Canon's volumetric solutions at CES 2026:
https://www.sportsvideo.org/2026/01/06/ces-2026-canon-americas-lab-demos-innovation-under-ideas-in-the-making-theme/
Technical principles and requirements
Volumetric free viewpoint video is currently still a high-end topic:
- Many camerasThe Canon setup captures the room with over 100 cameras.
- Strong computing power: The individual images are combined into a Consistent 3D volume calculated.
- Data volumesThe resulting data streams are enormous, which places demands on the storage and network infrastructure.
For the classic conference room installation this has not yet become standard. However, slimmed-down variants are conceivable in the future, such as –:
- smaller setups with fewer cameras for VIP events or board meetings,
- special stage zones that are captured volumetrically, while the rest of the room works classically with PTZ cameras.
Technical background and live demo details can be found in the Canon CES report:
Intelligent conference rooms: Canon AMLOS SDK
In addition to the volumetric video, Canon's AMLOS (Activate My Line of Sight) a remote conferencing solution that is particularly interesting for conference rooms. The AMLOS SDK makes the functions accessible for other applications.
Core idea:
- An installed camera generates Several image sections at the same time (e.g. speaker, whiteboard, general view).
- Remote participants can concentrate specifically on the section relevant to them.
- This will Hybrid meetings clearer without having to install several cameras in the room.
This fits perfectly with modern Conference room concepts, where as much intelligence as possible is packed into a compact solution.
More about Canon AMLOS and the CES demos:
Front-of-room audio: soundbars for conference and event spaces
There are also innovations in the audio sector at CES 2026 that are suitable for smaller event spaces and conference rooms – especially in the area of Soundbars.
VIZIO MicMe – soundbar directly on the Smart TV
The VIZIO MicMe-soundbar can be mounted directly under compatible VIZIO smart TVs using „QuickFit“. The aim is Lean, integrated front-of-room solution, which are particularly suitable for small meeting rooms, creative zones, project-based meeting rooms in which a wall-mounted TV is hanging anyway – and anywhere where it needs to be trendy, modern and unusual.
Product information on the VIZIO MicMe (CES Innovation Award 2026):
https://www.ces.tech/ces-innovation-awards/2026/vizio-micme/
D'Bee XXL soundbar for large displays
Another exciting solution is the D'Bee XXL soundbar, specially designed for 65-inch displays and larger is calibrated. It is aimed at rooms with:
- large front wall,
- a dominant display or LED screen,
- Need for clean speech intelligibility without a separate speaker cluster.
Ideal for compact stage setups, showrooms or smaller lecture halls.
Details on the D'Bee XXL soundbar in the CES report:
AI meeting recorder: minutes at the touch of a button
With the Soundcore „Work“ Recorder, Anker is showcasing a gadget at CES 2026 that automatically records meetings and processes them with the help of AI:
- Coin-sized device that can be placed inconspicuously in the meeting.
- Recording, transcription and subsequent Text search in the course of a conversation.
- Supplement to the conference technology used – helpful for minute takers and project managers.
For companies that have many Workshops, project meetings or internal training sessions document, this can be an exciting additional tool.
Report on the Soundcore recorder „Work“ at CES 2026:
PoE audio and components: Setting the course for future installations
At component level, there are also developments that can be incorporated into professional conference and event technology in the long term.
Jazz Hipster – PoE audio solutions and soundbars
Jazz Hipster shows at the CES 2026 Market-oriented audio platforms, including:
- Soundbars,
- Gaming speaker,
- PoE audio solutions.
Straight Power over Ethernet (PoE) is interesting for installations:
- Power supply and data via a single cable,
- fewer power supply units, less visible cabling,
- Simple expansion of conference and media technology infrastructures.
Overview of the audio platforms shown:
USound – audio modules for compact end devices
USound presents at the CES 2026 Audio modules with MEMS technology for true wireless earbuds. Even if this is primarily intended for consumer headphones, it indicates a trend:
- High-resolution audio in the smallest of spaces,
- interesting perspective for future Personal guidance systems, interpreting technology or wearables at events.
More about USound and the CES innovations:
New display generations: Better screens for conference rooms
At the same time, the major TV and display manufacturers at CES 2026 are updating their – portfolio with direct relevance for conference and presentation rooms:
- Higher brightnessBetter legibility of presentations even in daylight.
- Better contrast and color reproductionImportant for video content and brand presentation.
- Energy efficiencyRelevant for large installations with multiple displays or LED walls.
This means that TV-based Conference room solutions and digital signage concepts in the foyer or conference area even more attractive.
Continuously updated overviews of TVs and displays at CES 2026:
CNET Live Ticker: https://www.cnet.com/news-live/ces-2026-news-live-updates/
Engadget overview: https://www.engadget.com/general/everything-announced-at-ces-2026-130124802.html
Conclusion: Volumetric video as the guiding star, practical AV trends in tow
From a conference and event technology perspective, CES 2026 can be summarized as follows:
- Volumetric free viewpoint video the visionary highlight – is still very high-end, but with great potential for immersive hybrid events, high-quality keynotes and spectacular show formats.
- Intelligent conference room cameras like Canon's AMLOS SDK bring more perspectives into the meeting room without complicating the hardware.
- Soundbars, PoE audio and new displays ensure that conference rooms, smaller event spaces and showrooms become technically leaner, more efficient and more flexible.
- AI tools such as meeting recorders complement the AV technology with smart workflows for documentation and post-processing.
This means for planning in the coming years:
Today already on scalable Network and video infrastructures – and keep in mind for new buildings or major renovations that events and conferences are increasingly moving in the direction of immersive, flexibly reworkable image worlds move.