Meet the Bundles

The Producer-SE Bundle: 1080p Excellence

• Move SE Cameras: Equipped with three award-winning 20X Move SE cameras, every shot captures the finest details, even from a distance.
• High-Definition Clarity: Enjoy 1080p resolution, ensuring lifelike quality in every frame.
• PTZ Control: The included PT-JOY-G4 IP/serial-connected joystick controller offers intuitive and efficient camera management.
• Versatility at its Best: Multiple outputs – SDI, HDMI, USB, and IP – make the Move SE cameras a perfect fit for any production setup.

The Producer-4K Bundle: Ultimate Precision

• 4K Brilliance: Dive deep into ultra-high-definition with three 20X Move 4K cameras.
• Advanced Features: Native support for NDI®|HX and the industry’s leading auto-tracking capabilities.
• Elevated Control: The SuperJoy joystick controller is a game-changer, offering superior features for professional demands.
• Future-Ready: 4K video clarity combined with the SuperJoy controller sets a new benchmark in video production.

Designed with Tomorrow in Mind

The Move 4K and SE cameras are more than just cameras; they are an intelligent video production system. Their updated web user interface and built-in auto-tracking capabilities make them stand out. With one-click firmware updates from the web UI, your investment remains future-proof, adapting to new advancements over time.

Seamless Integration

Whether you use OBS, Livestream Studio, Wirecast, vMix, mimoLive, or Tricaster, both Move SE and Move 4K cameras integrate effortlessly. Control them through the provided hardware joystick controllers, the PT-JOY-G4 or the SuperJoy, or live stream directly to platforms like Facebook and YouTube. The choice is yours.

 

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This approach not only enhances community engagement but also provides valuable learning opportunities for students interested in broadcasting, media production, and related fields. In this article, we will explore some of the ways that schools are using live production technology to bring their events beyond the classroom and into the wider community.

Here is a list of educational spaces discuss in our blog post:

1. Video Services Lab or Broadcast Media Room
   • Uses include broadcasting school board meetings and community events. Often used for student-run morning broadcasts. In higher education, these spaces are used for intern meetings and career building.
2. Production Studios
   • Uses include student training in the broadcast club. Video creation for student and teacher projects. 
3. Staged Auditoriums
   • Uses include theatrical performances are often recorded and broadcast in stage areas. School presentations and town halls are often recorded and live-streamed for remote students and parent viewing. 
4. School Sports
   • Uses include recording videos for students and coaches to use to improve sports analytics. Broadcasting school sports for parents to watch from home, especially for away games. 

Video Services Lab and Broadcast Media Rooms

Educational spaces known as Video Services Labs or Broadcast Media Rooms are becoming increasingly popular in primary and secondary schools, as well as higher education institutions. These audio-visual (AV) labs provide a space for students to learn about video production and broadcasting while also serving practical purposes such as broadcasting school board meetings and community events. In higher education, these spaces are being utilized for presenting research materials, conducting intern meetings, and career building. Additionally, some universities are even using broadcast media rooms to recruit new students by creating high-quality promotional videos that showcase their campus and academic programs. As technology continues to advance, it’s likely that we’ll see more educational spaces like these in the future.

One of the key features of Video Services Labs or Broadcast Media Rooms is their flexibility in serving a variety of needs. These spaces can be used as conference rooms, faculty development areas, or traditional production studios depending on the specific needs of the institution. In addition to broadcasting school board meetings and community events, these rooms are also being utilized for distance learning, staff development, and other 1-to-1 or 1-to-many presentations. With the ability to switch between various setups and configurations quickly, these spaces can adapt to changing needs with ease. This makes them an ideal investment for educational institutions looking to provide high-quality video services while maximizing their resources.

When you are planning out a space like this, ease of use is generally a top priority because users need to be able to quickly customize their needs. In spaces like this, a cloud-based video communications software solution such as Zoom Room or Microsoft Teams environment is an ideal part of the system allowing users to easily connect the audio and video from the room to the cloud and other users. The audio-video connection diagram shown above outlines how a video production computer can be set up with multiple audio-visual resources including PTZ cameras, joystick controllers, and existing camcorders for video. This system would assume an audio system is also connected to the virtual production computer via a USB connection. These audio and video connections can then be used with lecture capture software, distance learning, and video communications such as Zoom and Teams. 

Video Production Studios

The next logical step beyond Video Services Labs or Broadcast Media Rooms is the full-blown production studio. These studios require a higher level of equipment and expertise to produce broadcast-level content. When working with a school to select equipment for a production studio, it’s important to consider the specific needs of the institution. One key piece of equipment to consider is a PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) camera, which can provide high-quality video footage while also allowing for remote control operation. When selecting a PTZ camera for studio use, it’s important to consider factors such as resolution, frame rate, zoom capabilities, and low-light performance. Additionally, it’s important to ensure that the camera is compatible with other equipment in the studio setup such as lighting, microphones, and editing software. By carefully considering these factors and working with an experienced AV specialist, schools can create a highly functional and effective production studio for their students and staff.

Some of the technology shown in the audio-visual connection diagram above include a dedicated video switcher, tally lights, PTZ cameras, and a joystick controller. In this diagram, Network Device Interface (NDI) is used as a core connection technology that leverages the Local Area Network (LAN). NDI can be used as a simple way to add multiple cameras, manage Tally Lights, and display video content on a confidence monitor. In this sample diagram, a NewTek TriCaster is used as an IP-based video switcher which is connected to the LAN. Each PTZOptics NDI-enabled camera is capable of sending FullHD (1080p) or even UltraHD (4Kp) video to the TriCaster for video switching. Each camera also includes a Tally Light which allows the on-camera talent the ability to quickly see which camera is either live or “up-next” in preview. NDI video decoders are used to convert the IP-based NDI video into an HDMI video output that can power a display and show low-latency video from the production to other areas of the production studio or school campus. 

The Auditorium and Stage Performances

There are many cool things that can be done around a school with a live production studio at its core. One obvious place to utilize such a studio is in the staged auditorium, which is a key venue for events such as plays, concerts, and assemblies. The configuration of cameras used in an auditorium will differ depending on whether it’s a secondary school or higher education institution. In secondary schools, it’s common to have fixed cameras placed throughout the auditorium to capture wide shots and close-ups of the stage. On the other hand, higher education institutions may opt for more advanced camera configurations such as robotic cameras mounted on tracks or cranes to provide dynamic and engaging footage of performances. Regardless of the specific setup chosen, having a live production studio at the center allows for seamless switching between camera feeds and real-time editing to create high-quality recordings of school events that can be shared with students, families, and the broader community.

In the audio-visual connection diagram above you can see two live-streaming computers that are used together in a campus environment. Using two computers for a live production allows the students to share responsibilities and spread video-related tasks across a team. For example, one computer here is used for the main video production switching with vMix. The second computer is running software called ProPresenter which is used to display graphics and power multiple monitors that are on stage. You can see here that three PTZOptics NDI-connected cameras are available for control with a joystick controller but also a smartphone device. Video departments can control PTZ cameras remotely from anywhere on campus and one easy way is to use a PTZOptics SuperJoy controller because it provides an HDMI video output to display the video of the camera being controlled. This is particularly useful if the user is remote to the auditorium or camera location. You can also see that additional monitors outside the auditorium are showing the video output using an NDI decoder. NDI decoders are able to take an NDI video stream and output it via HDMI. The nice thing about NDI decoders is that they can be managed remotely and you can easily choose the NDI video source on the network that you would like to show on LCD tvs on your network. 

School Sports: Indoors

This same technology can also be used to connect indoor sports areas with audiences both inside and outside the school. With a live production studio, schools can broadcast games, matches, and meets in real time using multiple cameras and professional audio equipment. This not only allows for remote viewing by family and friends who cannot attend in person but also provides opportunities for students to learn about broadcasting and production. In addition, schools can use live streaming as a way to generate revenue through sponsorships, advertising, or pay-per-view access. By investing in the necessary equipment and working with experienced AV professionals, schools can create engaging and high-quality live streams of their sports events that enhance school spirit and community engagement.

Because schools often have a lot of sporting events going on simultaneously, it can be difficult to record videos for every event. This is where centrally managed audio-visual systems with IP network connectivity can come in handy. PTZOptics cameras for example can live stream directly from the camera to Content Delivery Networks (CDN) such as Facebook or YouTube. PTZOptics cameras can easily turn off and on streaming to these networks with the click of a button in the cameras web interface. 

Tip: If you want to live stream directly from a PTZOptics camera, you should make sure to connect a line level audio source to the 3.5mm audio input. 

If your school has moved to IP-based video production techniques such as NDI, you should be able to remotely control and produce a video from indoor sporting areas such as Basketball courts and swimming pools. This allows a central production team to remotely control the cameras, graphics, and production elements. In these cases, using a PTZOptics SuperJoy with SuperPresets is a good way to keep multiple cameras in sync during remote production. SuperPresets work by issuing multiple PTZ camera preset commands with a single button press. As you can see from the diagram above, this is ideal for moving cameras up and down a sports field during production. 

School Sports: Outdoors

When schools start live streaming one sport, you can bet that students and parents will hope the schools capture and broadcast outdoor sports events as well. However, there are some additional challenges when working in an outdoor environment. One key consideration is the need for extension-cabling to bring power and network connectivity to cameras and other equipment located far from buildings or other sources of electricity. Once again, this is where IP-based video production technology really helps because a PoE-enabled network switch can extend connectivity for multiple devices including audio systems, cameras, and computers. Additionally, protective outdoor enclosures may be necessary to shield equipment from weather conditions such as rain or extreme temperatures. At PTZOptics, we highly recommend the Dotworkz D3 enclosures for use with our cameras here. Examples of outdoor sports that can benefit from live-streaming technology include soccer, football, track and field, and lacrosse. By using multiple cameras strategically placed around the field or arena, schools can provide viewers with a comprehensive view of the action while still maintaining a professional-quality broadcast. Overall, the use of live streaming technology for outdoor sports events requires careful planning and preparation but can provide many benefits for schools looking to enhance their athletic programs and engage with their communities.

 Conclusion

In conclusion, live production technology is a powerful tool that schools can use to engage with their communities and enhance the educational experience for students. By bringing school events and performances to remote audiences through high-quality audio and video broadcasts, schools can increase community involvement and provide valuable learning opportunities for students interested in media production. Whether it’s a concert, play, or sporting event, live productions allow schools to share their successes with a wider audience while also providing a platform for students to showcase their talents. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative uses of live production technology in the classroom and beyond.

Consider reaching out to one of our dedicated professionals at PTZOptics for help designing a video production system. You can email partners@ptzoptics.com to get the conversation started or fill out our contact form at https://ptzoptics.com/contact

The post Beyond the Classroom: How Schools are Bringing Live Productions to the Community appeared first on PTZOptics.

Many different markets are using PTZOptics cameras for high-quality video delivery, creating new opportunities to boost engagement, increase revenue, and optimize workflow. With a variety of cabling options, network connectivity, and remote control capability, PTZOptics cameras are ideal for video production and live streaming applications.

For Your Entertainment

PTZ cameras are being used with great success to live stream or pre-record performances to be enjoyed from the comfort of home, as well as to improve the in-person experience for event attendees. Even theaters are taking advantage of this technology. With a packed house, revenue can be generated by selling virtual tickets to a global audience. And, with how easily multiple cameras can be controlled using a joystick or smartphone, a single employee or volunteer can stream the entire production with little to no training.

A great example of PTZOptics camera utilization in a performance space the way Deadmau5, the world-famous electronic musician and DJ, uses them to project video onto a 3D cube as part of his Cube V3 tour. Four cameras are located inside the cube, and projected directly onto the sides of the 3D object, adding something extra special to the audience’s experience.

Back to School

Virtual teaching processes were critical to keeping students engaged during the pandemic. Through a difficult time, students have been able to stay connected to each other and to their professors remotely thanks to video delivery technology.

When the pandemic shut down in-person learning, Rosemont College in Pennsylvania was one of many schools that turned to PTZOptics cameras as a solution for remote and, eventually, hybrid education. Check out the full case study for more information.

Corporate Solutions

If you’ve held a conference call or a board meeting during the pandemic, you know how difficult it can be to create an environment where clear, effective communication is possible, particularly when some people are in office and some are working remotely. Instead of huddling around a laptop webcam with the in-office staff, invest in a quality video conferencing system to ensure your team is able to get the job done.

As the most widely adopted IP video technology on the market, NDI^®|HX is all you need to step up your video conferencing game. NDI^®|HX makes it easy to step up the production value of your regular meetings or next corporate live stream. With this protocol, control as many cameras as you want through one IP-connected computer or controller.

Why PTZOptics?

PTZ cameras have a distinct advantage over others on the market, offering remote operation on an IP network, as well as the ability to run video over multiple connections simultaneously. With the NDI^®|HX capabilities of PTZOptics cameras, you now have the opportunity to create a broadcast-quality video or live stream that puts you in the driver’s seat in each aspect of production.

For more information on how to take advantage of NDI® technology, download my free book, “The Unofficial Guide to NDI^®.”

And, don’t forget to check out our latest feature on Videomaker!

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At PTZOptics, we currently offer PTZOptics NDI® cameras that are compatible with NDI®|HX. However, if you own a different model of camera, such as the USB or SDI PTZOptics camera, you can now upgrade to an NDI®|HX license and take advantage of the power of this new protocol. With this license upgrade, you can get all the benefits of your PTZ camera with the added power and convenience of the most advanced video over IP solution available. Here are a few reasons why you should upgrade your camera to NDI®|HX.

Say Goodbye to SDI Cables

SDI (serial digital interface) has been around since the late ‘80s and has become the industry standard for professional and semi-professional broadcast production. SDI cabling provides for excellent quality video over long cable runs with low latency. However, the major disadvantage of this method is it requires a direct line run from each camera to the switcher or computer interface. This can become problematic with a large number of cameras or in places where the architecture makes installation difficult. With NDI®|HX, you can use a standard ethernet cable to attach the camera to your closest ethernet switch. Then, as long as that switch is on the same network as your production computer or switcher, you can connect.

One Cable Does it All

Without NDI®|HX, you could be using up to three cables to operate your PTZ camera. First, as mentioned above, you may use an SDI cable to connect to your switcher or production computer. Next, you may have a power adapter running to an electrical outlet. Finally, you might be using a serial cable to connect to a camera control such as a joystick controller. With NDI®|HX, you can handle everything over that one ethernet cable. As long as you plug into a PoE (power over ethernet) switch, that line can handle video, audio, power, and remote control.

Multiple Simulcast Options

With NDI®|HX, you can access any compatible camera from any computer or switcher on the network. That means you can produce multiple, custom simulcast options simultaneously. For instance, one switcher might handle the iMag (image magnification) in the room. Another might handle the main live stream. Another might send a different stream with subtitles and graphics in Spanish. Yet another could produce a custom feed for an overflow room.

Simplified Signal Flow for Easier Troubleshooting

If you have ever had a camera go offline right before or during production, you know how complex it can be to figure out why. This is especially true if you are using a multi-cable setup. There could be a problem with the power connection, the SDI connection, or serial control connection. Many times you will need to go to the camera to check and trace the cables. With an NDI®|HX upgrade license, you can handle everything right from your computer. With a managed PoE switch, you can even cycle the power on and off remotely, when necessary.

Next-Level Video Conferencing

Most popular video conferencing solutions such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet work well with USB webcams. However, using NDI®|HX, you can use any equipped camera on your network as a source for your meeting. This means that, during a session, you can switch between cameras and even control the pan, tilt, zoom features, adding a new level of production value to your meetings.

Extremely Low Latency

If you run your system using traditional video over IP and not NDI®|HX, you may have issues with latency. Because of this, some producers are reluctant to make the switch. However, with the latest version of NDI®|HX, suitable computers, and a gigabit ethernet switch, you can share video with no noticeable latency issues.

Simple Installation

If you are used to running cables, installing capture cards, and adjusting settings to get a camera to show up on your switcher or production computer, NDI®|HX is a real time saver. Once you have your network operating, adding a new camera can be done in minutes.

Works for Any Size and Budget Production

NDI®|HX is the perfect solution whether you work in professional broadcast operations, run a YouTube channel, or just want to live stream your church services. It is easy to set up and integrate with just one camera and free software like OBS. Still, it is a robust solution suitable for a professional production studio.

Ultimate Scalability

No matter what type of content you are looking to share, chances are you will eventually expand your setup. With traditional cabled configurations, adding additional cameras, switchers, computers, and simulcasts can be overwhelming. Upon reaching a certain size, some producers must start over with new equipment for additional connections, because hardware switchers can only handle so many inputs. Many computers are also limited in the number of different capture cards or boxes they can handle. Using NDI®|HX, all you need to add a camera is an open ethernet port on your network. There is virtually no limit to the number of cameras that can be added to a network or the number of computers that can access it.

Works with Most Popular Software

NDI®|HX marks an evolution in video production. Not only is there a variety of dedicated software to handle many production tasks, but connectivity is also available in most popular production software. Programs compatible with NDI®|HX include: vMix, Wirecast, OBS, NewBlueFX Titler, and more.

What Are You Waiting For?

If you’re not yet convinced to take a leap into the future of video delivery, take a look at our Unofficial Guide to NDI®, a free resource to help you better understand this new technology. Ready to upgrade your USB or SDI PTZOptics camera with the purchase of an NDI®|HX license? Visit our website and get started.

House of Worship Case Study

The post 10 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Camera to NDI^®|HX appeared first on PTZOptics.

NDI version 4 is now available and with it comes massive improvements to video quality, security and NDI HX compatibility. PTZOptics NDI cameras can now have their firmware upgraded to support NDIv4. This update includes massive improvements to NDI HX which include lower latency, full support for GPU decoding acceleration, and support for the most advanced compression formats available today. On top of the great video improvements, PTZOptics NDI users will gain access to NDI Groups to increase security, Custom Naming to increase usability and new Multicast features that are easier to use and more flexible than ever before.

Simply put, NDIv4 sets up PTZOptics camera users for the future opening integrations that were once only available to certain NDI developers. PTZOptics NDI cameras now speak NDI fluently in the sense that NDIv4 will only get better as the core NDI technology evolves.

New NDI Configuration for Cameras

The first thing you will notice once you upgrade an NDI camera to the latest firmware is a new NDI Config tab. This tab allows you to set up a local device name and channel. This is the device name that will show up in any NDI compatible hardware or software like OBS, Wirecast or vMix. The Channel name is particularly important for cameras that support multiple NDI channels, like the HuddleCamHD Pro IP which supports two channels of NDI output. For this camera, you can see that two channels are available, one for the wide angle view and one for use with an electronic pan, tilt and zoom.

You will also notice an NDI receive group which is used for security and organizational purposes. Once you start using a lot of NDI sources on your network, you may want to consider who has access to those sources, especially if those sources include PTZ camera controls. Using NDI Access Manager, you can set up custom receive groups so that only specific computers on your network can actually discover the NDI video sources on your network. In this way, you can set up your PTZ cameras on a secure receive group name, enter the receive group name into NDI Access Manager on the computer you would like to receive the sources and you are done. No other computers on your network will be able to see the NDI sources on your network unless you set up the access manager with the custom receive group. This is a great way to protect your NDI sources from unwanted viewers or operators on your network and increase security on larger networks.

Discovery Server and Multicast Options

NDIv4 also now supports the freely available NDI Discovery Server which increases what you can do with NDI on complex networks. It’s also ideal for mini networks that do not have a router. The Discovery Server allows you to point each camera to a discovery server on your network which can make NDI source discovery work smoother in some networking environments.

NDIv4 has a new auto-generation tool for multicast. Multicast is of course the technology that allows networks to send and receive multiple video feeds at the same time without congesting a network with on-demand video traffic.

Note: You must have a properly configured multicast enabled network in order to use the new NDI Multicast features.

NDI Tally Lights and Other Firmware Updates

NDIv4 will open up hundreds of new integration possibilities including NDI control for the SuperJoy and NDI Tally Lights as just two examples. PTZOptics NDI cameras should now work with almost any NDI integration available today.

Finally, the latest PTZOptics camera firmware hosts an array of other great updates including SRT, Motion Sync, NTP synchronization and live video preview in web-browsers. For a complete list of firmware updates you can check out https://ptzoptics.com/firmware-changelog/.

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When the pandemic hit, many things changed for churches and pastors. When the stay-at-home orders were issued in my church’s county, we had to find a new way to do church. It was our administrative board that decided we needed to move immediately to virtual worship services.

We were fortunate to be able to get started right away. We had a crew of three plus me on Sunday morning. I ran most of the technology and was joined by a pianist, a guitar player, and a vocalist. It was just us in the building, so we were able to social distance and safely create both classic and contemporary worship experiences for the congregation.

Looking for Something More

However, we quickly realized that, while this was a great stopgap measure and response to the lockdown, this wasn’t a long-term solution. We were using just one camera pointed at the stage. It was “good enough” for now, but we quickly realized that this whole thing would be going on for a while.

The next step was to launch our “recorded live” service. I set up a studio in my basement using some outdated equipment from a recorded program my wife and I did back in 2014. Video equipment has come a long way since then, but I still had several SD cameras, SD cards, microphones, and lights. Every two weeks, I would go to the church and record two weeks’ worth of worship music with my team of three.

I would then bring it back to my home studio, where I would record the sermon. Then I would do all the post-production work and put it together in Adobe Premiere Pro.
Although it was far from perfect, it was a giant step forward. We streamed the pre-recorded service through Boxcast to YouTube, Facebook, and Roku and were pleased with the result.

The Problem

A couple of months later, we realized that virtual worship would be with us much longer than expected. Something was changing. Our congregation, which once participated in worship, had become an audience. They were sitting at home and simply watching. There was no interaction. Something had to change. We experimented with inviting members to a Zoom meeting after worship to try and bring people together. But still, we needed to do something else.

The next month, PTZOptics held The Worship Summit Live. Paul Richards of PTZOptics invited me there to speak about one of my books. While I was there, I was intrigued by all of the possibilities presented for recording and streaming worship. I was most excited about the idea of taking Zoom Video Conferencing and marrying it with worship.

Learning All I Could

After the event, I jumped onto the PTZOptics YouTube channel. I watched all the videos the team had put together. I also logged onto Udemy and took some of the courses they offer. What jumped out at me was NDI, a protocol developed by NewTek that makes it exceptionally easy to share video and control cameras over a computer network.

I asked Paul Richards at PTZOptics for equipment recommendations, and we bought what he recommended and set it up as he showed us. About a month later, we launched our first Zoom Watch Party. We used our equipment to create pre-recorded live worship, which was broadcast on Zoom, allowing people to be present and interact via the video conferencing platform. At this point, we didn’t even have an NDI camera but were using OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) on a Mac and still doing post-production in Adobe Premiere.

The PTZ 20X NDI Camera

We were able to take things even further when I finally got my hands on a PTZOptics 20X NDI camera. The camera can be mounted on a tripod, which is perfect for my home studio. It also comes with a power supply and remote control, but, thanks to NDI, I didn’t need it. Paul Richards suggested that we purchase a POE (power over ethernet) switch. I was able to plug the camera right into that with an ethernet cable, power the camera, control the PTZ functions, and capture video using NDI over my network. Setting that up required resetting the IP address on the camera to talk to our network. However, everything was clearly explained in the manual.

The 20X NDI camera also has an audio input jack. I have a small soundboard that plugs right into the camera to feed sound into the recording. I have the PTZOptics camera control app on my iPad. With it, I can control the camera and easily position it to any of the presets I’ve created.

Now, recording every week with OBS is a breeze. The PTZOptics 20X NDI is excellent even in low light conditions like those in my basement. I think everything looks terrific, and I still have a lot to learn. I haven’t even yet looked into the more advanced features like white balance. I am sure I will get there, but for now, everything looks great. Our next step will be to get another camera set up here in my home studio. We also want to get a camera operator who will be able to run both cameras via the iPad app and also take care of the switching in OBS.

More to Come

With the complete studio setup, we want to expand what we can offer to keep the congregation engaged. That includes virtual bible studies and bringing back a feature my wife and I did a few years ago called Church Talk TV, conversations about life, about the church, and about church life.

We are always looking for ways to take our offerings to the next level. We love our camera, and we are thrilled with our current online worship service. We get reports from our members and people worldwide who are impressed by the quality and are touched by the ministry we offer.

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What are VJs?  

You may be familiar with the term “VJ” from the old MTV days where video jockeys – as opposed to radio’s disk jockeys – introduced the next video. In 2020, DJs are now so much more than radio hosts. They are cutting edge musicians who have created their very own musical categories like EDM, Techno, and House.

VJs have evolved too into Visual Artists who mix video, graphics, and light to accompany the music to give concertgoers or live stream viewers a true audio/visual experience. To create the visuals that go along with a DJ set or other musical performance VJs use specialized software solutions that provide them the tools they need to create their visual art. Most modern visualization software that is designed for musical performances take a SMPTE time-code and a BPM (Beats Per Minute) information stream and incorporate that information into the graphics. Computers can then be connected over the network and incorporated into a system that takes information from the musicians DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) to create amazing live graphic displays.

PTZOptics has worked with renowned DJs such as Deadmau5 who uses live SDI PTZOptics cameras with his graphics systems to project onto LED screens. You can learn more about this case study here.

Here are some of the top VJ software programs on the market today.

Top 5 VJ Software Solutions

Resolume. 

Considered by many to be the industry standard, this program has been around since 2002 and has an incredible set of features that both beginners and pros can utilize. It is a powerful VJ program that is the most fully equipped you will find on the market. Resolume comes in two main versions. Resolume Arena Media Server is used for projection mapping and blending projectors which can be controlled with lighting desks. Resolume Arena is ideal for syncing up with the music coming from the DJ via an SMPTE timecode. Resolume Avenue VJ software that is significantly less expensive but still perfect for visual artists and DJs. Both applications are supported by a content store called Juicebar that can be used to download hundreds of effects and sources for increasing your visual graphics options. Resolume is available for both Mac and PC computers.

Modul8. 

This software is specifically designed for real-time video mixing. Modul8 is often used during live performances. It is easy to use and offers the flexibility to be utilized in all sorts of settings. With Modul8 predefined effects do not limit your creativity. All your media can be combined in any way you can imagine. Modul8 is only available for Mac computers so you will need to be an apple user. You can download a free trial to get started and Garagecube the creator does offer educational discounts.

VDMX. 

An amazing professional quality system at a reasonable price, VDMX is different than other VJ software because it is designed by a group of programmer that are major supporters of open source code. The audio-reactive software is built to analyze audio and create amazing graphics with a wide range of benefits. It is only compatible with Mac but supports all kinds of software. It also has a competent HD video capturing option and can function as a media server and lighting console as well. If you are a computer programmer, using VMDX might be the perfect solution for you because you can use languages such as Quartz, Composer, Vuo, and GLSL to create custom and sophisticated visual effects.

ArKaos Grand VJ. 

The easiest to use the software on the market may be the Arkaos Grand VJ. This program can be configured multiple ways for a personalized touch and is compatible with PC, Mac, and all MIDI controllers. It also accepts all common video and image formats. The software is available in two options: ArKaos GrandVJ and GrandVJ XT. Just like Resolume Arena vs Resolume Avenue, ArKaos has a premium version of their software designed to provide additional LED wall and projection mapping features. ArKaos is ideal for live video mixing for musicians, DJs and of course VJs in clubs and performance spaces.

Millumin. 

Millumin bills itself as “powerful, yet easy” and that is definitely what you get with this software. It is a full VJ software set up that has the ability to connect with devices that allow you to do video mapping, LED mapping, lighting, after effects, shader effects, and more. Millumin is only VJ software on our list with NDI integration. NDI integration will allow visual artists to ingest video directly from PTZOptics NDI cameras. NDI also allows VJs to bring in video from sources such as OBS, Wirecast, vMix, xSplit, and many more video encoder solutions that support NDI. Millumin can also output NDI video and can, therefore, be incorporated into NDI workflows for live streaming and video broadcast.

Conclusion

VJs have come a long way from the days of Adam Curry and Downtown Julie Brown (if you are too young to know who they are, look them up!). Today’s VJs create amazing visual landscapes that take the DJ experience to a whole new level. With any of these top VJ programs, you can easily create stunning visuals that will energize any crowd. PTZOptics cameras are being used with VJ software all the time. When we got a call from Deadmau5 asking us about using our cameras in his Cube v3 we realized that it’s time to start taking a closer look into visualization software being used for live performances. It turns out some of these software solutions already support our cameras via NDI and others have integrations that can be used with USB capture cards, our USB camera models and even PCIe cards. So expect a bunch more coming from our blog soon!

The post The Importance of VJs and VJ Equipment appeared first on PTZOptics.

Mobile Devices Android/iOS & Kindle

Control PTZOptics cameras with mobile devices have really made camera operation easy. By connecting your smartphone to the same WiFi network as your PTZ camera is connected to, you can easily take PTZ camera controls by using a static IP address for your camera. The PanTiltZoom app is now available on iOS, Android and Kindle stores. This app has been updated many times and it allows users to easily control up to 8 networks connected PTZOptics cameras using any iPhone, Android or Kindle touch screen device. Using a mobile phone or touch screen device like an iPad is perhaps the easiest way to control PTZ cameras because you have complete wireless freedown. Some of our customers for example in churches will control their PTZOptics cameras from the church pew. Others will take PTZ camera control with them anywhere they have access to a strong WiFi connection.

Software Camera Control Integrations

Integrated PTZ camera controls are now available in a host of video production software providers including Open Broadcaster Software, Wirecast, vMix, MimoLive, Livestream Studio and NewTek NDI Studio Monitor. By integrating PTZ camera controls directly into your favorite video production software, you can run your own live production without having to leave the interface to operate PTZ camera operations. This is ideal for one-man video productions but also for any video production team that wants to automate camera operations. In a video production software such as vMix or Wirecast, you can automate PTZ camera movements with a single transition button click between two sources. In vMix you can create PTZ camera presets that are new inputs available in the software. With a single click in vMix, you can transition to any of these inputs which automatically triggers the camera to move to a given PTZ camera preset at a specific movement speed that you can set up inside the input settings. In Wirecast, you can have any source in the software trigger a PTZ camera preset. This automates the video production workflow and allows video production experts more flexibility when deploying PTZ camera systems.

Hardware Production Systems with PTZ camera controls

More and more hardware systems are working with integrations for PTZOptics cameras. Currently, the NewTek Tricaster and the Wirecast Gear are the only integrations on our list that fully support PTZ camera controls in their hardware video production solutions. AJA, Blackmagic, Echo360, Epiphan, LiveU, Roland, and Sling Studio all accept PTZOptics cameras video feeds, but do not yet feature full PTZ camera integrations. We are working with these companies and one company that has recently released a new PTZ camera integration is Magewell. Magewell now has a full line of NDI camera converters. Magewell’s new NDI Pro Convert products actually feature a 8-pin mini-din camera control connection that can be used to operate PTZOptics cameras. This is ideal because the solution works to control PTZOptics cameras using any NDI integrated solutions. More hardware PTZ camera control solutions will be coming out on the marketing soon.

Dedicated PTZ camera controller integrations

While software and hardware PTZ camera integrations are nice to have, dedicated PTZ camera joysticks and controllers are still ideal for many situations. Video productions can be complicated and multiple members of a team are often needed for larger events. When a video production team has more than 2 or 3 PTZ cameras, having a dedicated PTZ camera operators armed with a joystick controller becomes more common. PTZ controllers come in all different types and they are designed for various scenarios. For example, companies like Crestron and Extron create touch screen controllers that are designed for everyday conference room experiences. PTZOptics has designed pre-written codes available for Crestron and Extron programmers to build custom touch screens for conference room and corporate AV environments. For video production systems that are set up on-site or in a dedicated studio we support multiple PTZ camera joystick controllers such as the HuddleCamHD joystick which features serial controls and the PTZOptics IP joystick which features ethernet controls. Multiple other dedicated controllers allow camera operators to mix additional controls into their worksurface that can bridge the gap between PTZ camera controls and controls for other software and hardware devices. The Xkeys units are a great USB connected controller that can allow software systems like vMix and Wirecast to perform video switching, along with PTZ camera controls. The Elgato StreamDecks are devices that can be used to send all sorts of IP and USB connected device commands from Blackmagic switching to PTZ camera control commands. In fact, there is a project called the Bitfocus Companion app that can be used with the Elgato StreamDeck to control hundreds of IP and USB connected pro audiovisual devices.

Standard PTZ Control Protocols

PTZOptics also supports a long list of standard PTZ camera control protocols. Standard protocols are ideal for working with controllers and systems that have been built over the years to specific specifications standardized by the industry. One of the most popular PTZ camera protocols is SONY VISCA. PTZOptics cameras support SONY VISCA protocols for IP and serial camera control methods although you will notice that PTZOptics cameras have its own version. Additional camera commands have been built on top of the SONY VISCA command set to improve user functionality. All of the PTZOptics camera commands are made available on the downloads page. Another interesting control protocol is called ONVIF. ONVIF camera control protocols come from the security camera industry and they offer some interesting PTZ camera control options. The ONVIF device manager application can be used with PTZOptics cameras to receive low latency IP video and camera control simultaneously. Another newer camera control protocol that can be used with PTZ cameras is called UVC. UVC camera controls are popular with cloud based video conferencing software applications such as VSee and Zoom Video Conferencing.

Computer Programming Languages

PTZOptics cameras offer open-source camera control codes that can be used by beginners and expert developers who want to create custom applications that include live camera video and control functionality. The original open-source control software here has been used and forked by many developers to create new software solutions. One such example is a piece of code created by the proper nerd for his church. All the way back in 2015, the Proper Nerd created and published an open source version of the PTZOptics HTML and CSS control codes using HTTP commands to control PTZOptics camera functionality. This application features a slick new CSS (style) that provides users with a clean PTZ camera control interface. In 2019, the PTZOptics engineering team launched a PTZOptics Robotics online course and manual. This course includes a GitHub repository of new open-source codes that include examples for PTZ cameras control created with Javascript, Node.js, Visual Basic, and more. Using Github computer programmers can fork these codes to create new, organized projects for their custom applications that include camera controls.

Conclusion

There are so many great PTZOptics camera integrations that it’s hard to choose just one. One of my personal favorites is the implementation of Touch Designer by famous DJ Deadmau5. Deadmau5 designed a fully functionality PTZ camera control integration with Touch Designer that moves with his famous Cube V3 DJ platform (more on that here). From out of the box ready to go software and hardware integrations to custom computer programming, there are hundreds of ways to control robotic PTZ cameras. Network camera control is definitely the wave of the future and if you want to learn more about what you can do, I would highly suggest taking one of our online UDEMY courses below.

1. PTZOptics Camera Training Course
2. Computer Programming and Robotics Course

The post Some of the most interesting PTZ camera integrations appeared first on PTZOptics.

If your church is capturing video either for live image magnification (IMAG), live streaming or to record services, you are eventually going to need a video switcher. Yes, there are situations where, with just one camera, you can get by without one. However, once you want to add a second camera, or include slides from a computer, you will need some way to switch between sources. That is where the video switcher comes in. Video switchers come in many shapes, sizes, and prices. Professional 4K broadcast-quality switchers cost tens of thousands of dollars. Most churches can’t afford and honestly don’t need anything that powerful. So, instead, we are going to look at some affordable options that will still offer churches everything they need to produce a professional-quality video.

Hardware vs. Software Switchers

There are two basic types of video switchers for church applications, hardware, and software. Hardware switchers are dedicated, freestanding devices with simple buttons that perform video switching functions. Whereas software switchers run on a laptop or desktop PC or Mac. Neither one is necessarily better than the other, so it mostly depends on your preferences, budget, and the equipment you already have. Hardware switchers offer incredible reliability because they are purpose-built to provide video switching between HDMI or HD-SDI sources. Many churches rely of hardware video switchers because they also offer the lowest possible latency for image magnification when sending video sources to a projection screen or network of LCD TVs. When you are thinking about image magnification you always want to have the least amount of video devices between the source and the destination in order to reduce latency. Nothing is worse than a video production system that creates too much latency when projected up on a large screen. It can be confusing for church members to see the images on the screen happen after the sounds that they are hearing in the room.

Getting the Right Connections

No matter what route you choose, you will need to pay attention to your video connections. Cameras used for church applications tend to connect using HDMI, SDI, or USB. There are also a few that still connect using analog composite and component connections and some newer models that can connect via ethernet using a standard called NDI. The only trick here is making sure that you can plug your cameras into whatever you get, whether that be a capture card attached to a computer or a hardware switcher. Some switchers and capture cards can connect to more than one type of cable, usually HDMI and SDI. Also, keep in mind there are several quality converters on the market that can convert HDMI to SDI and vice versa. There are even some available that will convert old analog connections to HDMI.

Here is a shortlist of some of our favorite hardware switchers:

1. Blackmagic ATEM Television Studio 4K Live Production Switcher
2. Roland V1-HD
3. Blackmagic Design ATEM Television Studio Pro HD Live Production Switcher
4. Blackmagic ATEM Mini HDMI Live Stream Switcher
5. Roland V-02HD Video Mixer Bundle
6. Epiphan Pearl Mini

Relevant reviews we have done in the past:

• Roland V-1HD and V-1SDI video switcher review
• Blackmagic ATEM Television Studio switcher review

Pros of Hardware Switchers

Fortunately, hardware switchers have gotten very affordable in the last few years. Blackmagic Design has just released a four-input mini HDMI switcher for under $300, and their eight-channel switcher offers both HDMI and SDI connections for under $1000. Roland also sells a four-input HDMI switcher for under $100.

The advantage of hardware switchers is that they are usually easier to set up since there is no software to install. There is also less that can go wrong. Switchers don’t often crash like computers and rarely need to be updated. Another advantage is that in many cases, it is easier to train volunteers on a hardware switcher. Most transitions can be handled with just a couple of buttons.

Pros of Software Switchers

A significant advantage of software switchers is that, if you already have a computer, there is some excellent software that is free or very affordable. OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is free. Another popular option, vMix, can be purchased for as little as $60. Wirecast is another popular option that is available for Mac users. If you need to buy a computer, the cost goes up significantly but computers are generally needed to perform many important tasks that accompany video production and live streaming. For example, if you would like to use a presentation software such as MediaShout, EasyWorship or Powerpoint a computer will be needed. Computers are also important for monitoring your churches live stream on either YouTube or Facebook to make sure everything is going smoothly. You should also use a computer to monitor the chat room for comments and prayer requests. There are so many reasons to have a computer or tablet on hand the list goes on and on. Most importantly is perhaps the ability to actually encode your video and audio sources in order to live stream them. Encoding is just a complicated word for mixing together all of your audiovisual sources and live streaming them. Most churches use a computer to automatically login to Facebook or YouTube and live stream their services with software like OBS, even if they are using a hardware switcher to manage all of their video sources.

Also, depending on exactly how you use it, you may need to purchase one or more video capture cards. Another advantage of a software switcher is that they do more than switch video sources. These packages can also take care of recording and streaming your services all in the same piece of software.

Software versus Hardware PTZ Camera Control options

Many of the same philosophies are true when it comes to hardware versus software camera control solutions for a church production. Hardware-based joystick controllers are easy to use and do not require any additional software on an already complicated computer set up. Volunteers can easily operate a hardware video switch and hardware PTZ camera joystick controller without the need for any additional software windows. There is generally only one mouse and keyboard that can operate a computer at one time and if that computer is being used for powerpoint and a video production software, forget about using it for camera control. That is unless the camera control is built directly into the video production software you are using. If you are using a software like Wirecast, vMix, LiveStream Studio or MimoLive who all have PTZ camera support for PTZOptics cameras, you can integrate camera control into the video production workflow. These types of time-saving and cost-saving integration are what make modern video production solutions easier for churches with limited staff to control multiple PTZ cameras located around the church sanctuary.

Conclusion

Most church production systems are managed by a few dedicated volunteers. Sometimes these volunteers change and trying to maintain a seamless “dummy-proof” system is important. Some mix of hardware and software switching for video production will likely be required to create a complete live streaming setup. It is possible to completely do away with all software and use a dedicated hardware encoder for streaming your content that is connected to your video switcher. This is perhaps the easiest way to live stream a service but it’s also the least flexible. Most churches that I have worked with do enjoy the flexibility a software such as Wirecast or vMix can offer when it comes to software powered video production. Many churches are building customer live streaming computers with built-in PCIe capture card devices that allow the computer to become a hardware and software-based video switching hybrid if you will. To learn more check out some of the other blog posts we have on church production technology below. And please don’t hesitate to reach out and ask us some questions on our facebook page here https://facebook.com/ptzoptics.

[xyz-ihs snippet=”Church-Blog”]

The post Choosing a video switcher for your church appeared first on PTZOptics.

Here is a list of live RTMP streams we will have going on:

1. The Main Stage (Produced by a TriCaster TC1)
2. An IRL (In Real Life) stream with a LiveU Solo
3. The Esports Tournament (Student Run with Wirecast and OBS)

The main live stream

First of all, check out this 3D Google Sketchup drawing of the space so that you can grasp where everything is located inside our venue. As you can see there is the main stage with microphones and a projector. This area has its own live streaming setup with multiple PTZOptics NDI cameras capturing all the action on video. This setup uses a NewTek Tricaster TC1 with SDI camera connections and NDI HX video outputs as a backup. Our local area network setup (using Ubiquiti gigabit networking equipment) provides PoE (Power over Ethernet) to each camera. Each camera’s ethernet connection is also used for control using pan, tilt, and zoom. This TriCaster system will be live streaming to Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn using a cloud-based restreaming service called EasyLive. This system will also include an IRL (In Real Life) perspective provided by a LiveU Solo that we can switch to during the presentation as needed.

The Esports Live Stream

The next area of interest is the Student-run broadcast which is being live-streamed to Twitch. This broadcast will actually be covering the Esports tournament specifically. The Esports tournament is a 3 vs 3 Rocket League game which also includes an observer PC and an OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) video production machine. The students will be running a brand new Wirecast Gear which will be connected to multiple PTZOptics cameras via SDI and NDI. We will also have an OBS production computer which will be focused on the Esports game capture. Each Esports computer will be running OBS which will capture the gameplay screen and a PTZOptics Webcam. OBS will combine these two video sources (Gameplay + Webcam) and turn these into an NDI video stream available in 720p to any computer on our local area network. The observer PC will be able to show in-depth gameplay from any of the machines in 1080p by running the Rocket League client and joining the game as an observer. This observer PC will be connected to a Magewell Pro Capture HDMI to USB dongle which features a loop through option. This allows us to capture the observer PC directly into our OBS streaming PC as a webcam source and still provide an HDMI video source for our play by play announcers.

Note: We may also use NDI to capture the observer PC using NDI Scan Converter or OBS. The Magewell capture device can be used to reduce the network traffic coming into the Wirecast Gear as necessary. Each computer can only pull 750 megabits per second of video off the switch without congesting the overall throughput of our gigabit system.

The Play by Play Announcers

Play by play announcers makes the live stream more exciting. Keeping with our student-run broadcast theme we will also have students from Hofstra University on camera and announcing. These announcers will be able to see the “Observer PC” and provide commentary on the gameplay. This audio will be captured with our USB audio interface and mixed into the production which will include the gameplay audio and the microphone pickup from our team microphones. Each team will have its own LAN (Local Area Network) connected TeamSpeak setup. Therefore each team will have USB headsets connected to quickly strategize and talk together. From a production stand-point, we will also have microphones available to capture the team’s banter and cheering. Take a look at our audio setup in the following diagram to get a better grasp on the audio setup. Keep in mind that NDI video can also include audio and it will be used as optional audio inputs for our streaming systems. Each PTZOptics Webcam can provide 1080p video and audio into our NDI streams coming from each Esports computer.

As you can see the audio setup is not too complicated. We are using a Behringer USB audio mixer with six inputs. Two microphones for our play by play announcers, one microphone for each team and two audio inputs from the main house audio system. The main house audio system is being used for the on-stage panelist. At some point, as the Esports tournament wraps up we can switch to this audio feed and allow our presenters a chance to use the audio feed. Todd Conley from HighSchool.GG and Paul Richards will talk about the technology being used in this audiovisual setup during the second half of this Esports tournament live stream.

Wirecast and OBS working with LiveU

So we came up with a very interesting idea to use two video production systems in a single Twitch stream which leverages a LiveU streaming setup and a Roland video switcher. If you are unfamiliar with the LiveU LU600, this is a cellular bonding system that can send out high-quality RTMP video streams in remote locations. In our case, the LiveU LU600 is more reliable and affordable than the event venue (Dream Downtown Hotel in NYC) and therefore easier to work with. From a production standpoint, we will be connecting a Roland V-1HD to the LiveU LU600 which will allow us to seamlessly switch between the HDMI output of the Wirecast Gear and the OBS streaming setup. This is important because we can now have the students focus on the cameras and “In Real Life” production of the esports tournament. Then we can have the OBS production focus on the gameplay. This way we can have two producers working together like a DJ would have two records spinning that they can switch between. We can switch between either video feed at any time, or incorporate video outputs from either system into each. For example, the OBS production system could take the NDI video output from the Wirecast system and the Wirecast system can take the output of the OBS system. We also have the ability to switch the video output going to the LiveU and therefore Twitch instantaneously during the broadcast.

NDI IP Address Table Management

Finally, it’s incredibly important to realize a few things about NDI. First of all, every computer will have the latest NDI 4.0 drivers installed. Next, it’s always a good idea to create an IP management table that lists all devices you plan to use NDI with on your network. As you can see all of our PTZOptics NDI cameras are listed out with static IP addresses. Each camera has an IP address, a friendly name, and some notes to help our production experts know which cameras they have access to, how to access them, and finally who should take primary PTZ controls. As you can see, even though we have SDI cabling running to our Wirecast Gear and TriCaster systems, we are still giving each producer access to the IP addresses of the PTZ cameras. This way they can quickly choose a camera they would like to remotely control and confirm they have the correct camera by cross-referencing the NDI friendly names with our NDI IP address table. Furthermore, each live streaming computer system including the Wirecast Gear, TriCaster TC1 and OBS system has been given a static IP address as well. We are also, using a router with DHCP to manage additional equipment that we are connecting to our local area network. For example, each gaming PC will be set to DHCP and they will receive an IP address from our router. Since we are only sending out NDI video sources from these systems we do not require a static IP address.

With our PTZ cameras, we do need static IP addresses because we want to come prepared knowing the exact address needed to control each camera. In fact, we pre-label each camera with its friendly name and static IP address to make life even easier. A print out of this IP address table will be given to each production manager. If you have any additional questions about our Esports NDI streaming setup let us know! We love to receive questions via our Facebook page at https://facebook.com/ptzoptics.

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