This case study shares a behind the scenes look at the Keys Vineyard Community Church live streaming and video production setup. This setup uses Ableton to synchronize all of the church song and performances with Pro Presenter to manage the lower thirds musical lyrics overlaid on top of the live video. Using Ableton with a touch screen control software called TouchOSC, Doug Lawes the church media coordinator is able to automate the entire church video production system which includes: Ableton, Blackmagic Video Switcher, Chauvet DJ Lights, PTZOptics Cameras, Pro Presentor and OBS. We promise to release more details on this setup because many churches are interested in learning more.

There is so much that Doug Lawes, the church media coordinator, has done to make this house of worship audio-visual system shine. We are already planning a follow up webinar for Friday July 13th, 2018 at 2PM. Doug has agreed to answer questions for our live audience and explain how his system uses OBS, Blackmagic Design Video Switchers, Behringer Audio Mixers, Projectors, PTZOptics cameras and much more.

Ableton Church Video System Automation

Let’s start by looking at the laptop running Ableton which is located on stage in the Keys Vineyard Church. As you can see, this Macbook Pro is connected to the LAN (Local Area Network). The networking in place allows the Macbook Pro running Ableton to connect to multiple control systems which can operate the lights, turn on a live stream, transition to OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) and much more. Furthermore, each song is set up in Ableton to work with ProPresenter which keeps the entire band in sync with the music but also displays the song lyrics over the live cameras that are being displayed on large projector screens inside the church.

In years past, Doug explains that keeping everything in sync with multiple software components was difficult to get the timing right on stage during the church service. Using Ableton Live provides churches with a single solution which we will explain in more detail throughout the blog post. Ableton Live has the ability to send MIDI notes to other programs. These programs can be running on the same Windows or Mac computer using Ableton or on another computer on the church LAN. Essentially you will need to use a MIDI loop or a MIDI network which can be different depending on whether you are using a Mac or a PC computer. These MIDI loops and MIDI networks are used to connect Ableton to other systems which could be running the lights, PTZ cameras, switching video on the Blackmagic Switcher or even starting a live stream on OBS.

Touch OSC Controller for Ableton

Start Live Streaming from Ableton

Ableton PTZ Camera Integration

Ableton Church System

Using TouchOSC and Blackmagic Video Switchers

An important part of this church video production system is the TouchOSC control using an iPad. This iPad is connected to the LAN over WiFi and therefore has access to the entire network. The TouchOSC system can send commands to Ableton to start and stop songs during the church service. As you can see the TouchOSC iPad has a custom interface designed for the Keys Vineyard Church which can start and stop various songs easily. The iPad also allows the church to play a welcome video and operate the Blackmagic Video Switcher. Operating the Blackmagic Video switcher from TouchOSC is done through a software called atemOSC. AtemOSC is a software bridge that allows touchOSC to switch the video sources inside the Blackmagic switcher using MIDI which is ideal since everything is being handled through Ableton Live which can output MIDI easily.

The Blackmagic Production Studio 4k shown above is rack mounted inside the church video production booth. This video switch has five HD-SDI PTZOptics cameras connected which are also controllable via MIDI. Therefore throughout the Ableton live songs being played on stage, the church can decide where they want the cameras to zoom into and which time AND decide which camera they would like to be on the output of the Blackmagic Production Studio. The Blackmagic Production Studio video switcher is connected to a computer running OBS with a capture card. This capture card takes the output of the BMD video switcher and converts it to USB 3.0 for easy video ingestion into OBS.

MIDI Camera Control & Video Switching

PTZOptics has recently designed a PTZ camera MIDI control application which will take the MIDI output notes from any DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) like Ableton and convert that into VISCA over IP for camera control.
This software allows churches to control exactly where the camera will move during a song simply by dropping up to 10 camera PTZ preset positions inside the song timeline.

Including lighting control in Ableton Live

One of the most advanced parts of this system beside the PTZ camera controls and Blackmagic video switchers is the Chauvet DJ lighting control. The Chauvet DJ lights are controlled over DMX which is a lighting control protocol. Keys Vineyard church has used multiple lighting control solutions with their Chauvet DJ lights and ultimately decided to use Vista Software by Choma-Q to control the lights and automate everything with Ableton. There are now multiple plugins for Ableton which allow easy lighting control triggered directly through the Ableton Live software timeline. This further simplifies the church video production setup because as TouchOSC starts a song it can now handle all the programmed lighting.

ProPresentor and Church Lyrics Chomra Keying

Finally, we can forget about the amazing lyrics that are being displayed on the projector screens throughout the church service. ProPresenter is a great tool for controlling projectors and even chroma keying on top of the video being sent out of the Blackmagic video switcher. So as ProPresenter is triggered in sync with Ableton Live the lyrics are displayed over the live PTZOptics video cameras that are displayed on the projectors.

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Interhospital communication, encompassing doctor-to-patient and inter-departmental correspondence, forms an essential backbone for telehealth operations. This crucial sector of healthcare is now being significantly enhanced by PTZOptics’ state-of-the-art pan, tilt, zoom (PTZ) cameras, as well as Strongarm Healthcare’s custom-designed mounting solutions. These advancements facilitate everything from comprehensive examinations to urgent conferencing calls, bolstering the accuracy of diagnoses and optimizing patient care, irrespective of geographical constraints.

A growing number of healthcare practitioners are leveraging PTZOptics PTZ cameras and StrongArm’s Mounting solutions to improve telehealth consultations. They trust the stability and reliability of these systems, ensuring that the vital technology employed during such interactions remains securely anchored and operational

The latest innovation from PTZOptics is the Move 4K PTZ camera model, setting a fresh industry standard. It offers varying levels of optical zoom—12, 20, and 30 times—to cater to diverse professional requirements.

 

Recognizing that each medical setting is unique, PTZOptics does not propose a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, they offer a versatile product line equipped with NDI, SDI, HDMI, and USB signal outputs. Additionally, their cameras have varying control options depending on the model, further enabling customization to specific needs.

A key product offering from PTZOptics is the newly introduced Studio Pro. This camera is specifically designed for consultative telehealth engagements, particularly for patients residing in more remote locations. It promises a crystal clear, stable image, affirming its status as an ideal choice for telemedicine.

Telehealth, with PTZOptics’ latest camera technology and Strongarm Healthcare’s top-tier mounting solutions, is becoming more accessible and efficient. If these advancements pique your interest and you want to explore how they might enhance your organization, we recommend downloading the Telehealth Innovation Brief. You may also view our subsequent video in this playlist, detailing the installation process for a Strongarm Healthcare telehealth solution.

To gain a practical understanding of the installation process for Strongarm Telehealth solutions, kindly refer to the video provided below.

The post How Telehealth is Changing the Landscape of Healthcare appeared first on PTZOptics.

The SuperJoy is advanced pan, tilt and zoom joystick controller that is continually being improved by the PTZOptics team. The SuperJoy has several features not found on lower-cost joystick controllers such as an HDMI video output and custom buttons with the ability to perform advanced commands such as turning auto-tracking ON and OFF on the fly. 

Just like other PTZ camera joysticks from PTZOptics such as the PT-JOY-G4, the team at PTZOptics strives to support addiThe SuperJoy is the only joystick from PTZOptics that features native NDI support allowing PTZ camera control for any NDI-enabled PTZ camera. The joystick can also mix and match serial and IP connected cameras to fit almost any workflow.

Here is a list of new features added to the PTZOptics SuperJoy via new firmware since launch:

1. Custom Button Toggles – Allowing for unique ON and OFF commands to be used with first and second button presses.
2. NTP Time Protocol – 
3. NDI Search – Allowing the joystick to automatically find NDI cameras even if multiple are available from the same IP Address.
4. Ability to send HTTP commands directly to the SupJoyer – Allowing for camera/video switching from a remote device.

Core Features:

The core SuperJoy features include universal compatibility with the majority of PTZ cameras, 6 camera select hotkeys, dedicated pan/tilt/zoom speed buttons, dedicated iris and shutter speed knobs, and dedicated zoom and focus knobs. The SuperJoy has everything you would find on an advanced PTZ camera joystick with the addition of customizable buttons, a network-connected interface, a smartphone control option, and an HDMI output. So, the core features are plentiful, and in the end, it’s a solid PTZ camera joystick made of high-quality materials including a metal housing. 

New Feature Deep Dive

The Custom Buttons feature on the SuperJoy allows users to customize their joystick to control many devices even beyond PTZ cameras. For example, the SuperJoy can be set up to control vMix using the HTTP-based API. The vMix API is a great example of video production software that can be controlled by SuperJoy to initiate functions such as Start Recording= and Start Streaming. 

The new Custom Button toggle update allows users to effectively double the number of commands they are able to use. This is especially useful for ON and OFF commands such as controlling the Auto-Tracking functionality of a PTZOptics Move camera. It’s also useful for START and STOP commands for functions such as recording or streaming. This new feature allows you to get more out of the SuperJoy custom buttons. 

You can learn more about using the SuperJoy with Auto-Tracking commands here.

NDI Camera Control Improvements

The SuperJoy can be used with any PTZ camera that supports Network Device Interface (NDI). Recently, the SuperJoy has gained support for automatic NDI camera discovery on a local area network. Auto-discovery makes it easier to locate new NDI cameras on your network and control them with the PTZOptics SuperJoy. PTZ Cameras available with NDI include manufacturers such as Panasonic, SONY, Lumens, Bird-Dog, Marshal, and PTZOptics.

Better IP-Synchronization with NTP

The synchronization of packet data is imperative to low-latency and high-quality IP video and camera control. A Network Time Protocol server can be used to synchronize computers, PTZ cameras, and network-connected devices such as PTZ joystick controllers together with a single source of time. This allows computers and devices to use the exact same time code and therefore synchronize the data more efficiently. The result is lower latency performance across multiple PTZ camera manufacturers beyond just PTZOptics. It’s important to note that each PTZ camera and device (including computers) should use the same NTP server. You can learn more about how to sync multiple IP video camera streams together in the following video. 

Support for more PTZ cameras including Axis and ONVIF

The PTZOptics SuperJoy is able to control many different PTZ cameras including any NDI camera, any camera that supports SONY VISCA, and any camera that supports ONVIF. These are all industry standards that allow the PTZOptics team to confidently say the SuperJoy can control “Most PTZ Cameras” without having issues. ONVIF stands for Open Network Video Interface Forum and it was originally created by Axis. It is the main pan, tilt, and zoom control protocol used by security cameras. 

Getting the new Firmware

In conclusion, you may want to perform a firmware update for your SuperJoy to gain all of the new features. The PTZOptics team is also always open to new ideas in regards to new feature requests. You can find the latest SuperJoy firmware here. If you have any questions or issues setting up any PTZOptics product please feel free to contact our support team at support@ptzoptics.com.

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PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) cameras are becoming more and more popular for live-streaming sports because they provide a centralized control station for athletic directors and sports broadcasters to manage their video systems. PTZ cameras are perfect for covering different angles of the game without needing multiple camera operators. PTZ cameras can also use PTZ preset to save specific camera angles, making it easier to switch between different shots quickly during fast-paced sporting events. The PTZOptics SuperJoy, for example, can be set up to control multiple PTZ cameras with the click of a button making it easy to quickly adjust your cameras throughout any sporting event. Overall, PTZ cameras provide a comprehensive, high-quality viewing experience for fans, coaches, and players alike, making them a valuable tool for live-streaming sports events.

Finding the ideal location for your PTZ camera

Finding the ideal placement for PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) cameras for a sports broadcast can be a critical factor in ensuring that viewers get the best possible viewing experience. To find the ideal placement, several factors need to be considered, including the size and layout of the playing area, the type of sport being played, and the camera’s range and capabilities. For most areas, cameras should be placed above the heads of the players so that they are not blocked by fans or other players on the sidelines. In the picture below, you can see several large speaker stands that have been used for mounting PTZOptics cameras at the sides of fields. In general, speaker stands are larger and studier than traditional camera tripods and therefore offer a great vantage point for sports products.

An ideal indoor location for many sports fields is inside of a press box or up high on a light post. If you are mounting your camera outdoors, we recommend purchasing an outdoor enclosure such as the Dotworkz enclosure below. Outdoor enclosures protect PTZ cameras from all types of weather and they can be mounted in a variety of locations.

Finding the ideal placement for PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) cameras for a sports broadcast can be a critical factor in ensuring that viewers get the best possible viewing experience. To find the ideal placement, several factors need to be considered, including the size and layout of the playing area, the type of sport being played, and the camera’s range and capabilities. For most sports areas, cameras should be placed above the heads of the players so that they are not blocked by fans or other players on the sidelines. In the picture below, you can see several large speaker stands that have been used for mounting PTZOptics cameras at the sides of fields. 

An ideal indoor location for many sports areas is inside of a press box. If you are mounting your camera outdoors, we recommend purchasing an outdoor enclosure such as the Dotworkz enclosure below.

Taking control and capturing the action

Taking control of a PTZ camera is easy and there quite a few ways you can remotely control a PTZOptics camera. Many fast-paced productions require a dedicated PTZ camera joystick controller such as the PTZOptics Gen 4 IP joystick or the PTZOptics SuperJoy. Both joysticks feature variable PTZ speed controls allowing you to make minute adjustments and also ramp up the speed quickly whenever necessary. Depending on the sport that you are live streaming, you will likely want to adjust the pan, tilt, and zoom speed settings for your camera controls. For example, in Golf, you may want a very slow pan and tilt motion and for Basketball you may need faster speeds. 

One useful PTZ camera setting for sports is called a Pan and Tilt limit. You can set limits for the cameras to stop panning and tilting when the camera reached the end of a certain distance. For example, you may want to move quickly back and forth on a Basketball court, but you do not ever want to pass the end of the court. By setting up a pan and tilt limit, you can effectively limit the camera operators’ ability to make mistakes and overshoot a specific area of your sports event. 

Another useful PTZ camera setting for sports is the tilt speed setting. In many sporting events, camera operators follow the action left to right frequently but do not need to tilt the cameras up and down very much. You can reduce the tilt speeds to considerably cut down on tilt movement in these cases which provides a nice buffer for movements when a camera is located in a center field location for example. 

If you are limited on staff, and you only have a single person operating multiple cameras, you can also automate camera movements with a PTZ joystick like the SuperJoy. The picture above shows the SuperJoy “Custom” buttons setup with a “SuperPreset.” A SuperPreset is a preset that can send multiple cameras a pan, tilt and zoom preset command at the same time. A PTZ camera preset is a known location that you can save to have the camera recall that position. With a SuperPreset you can quickly have all of your cameras move to a known location which can be set up in zones to represent various locations on field. As you can see for a Football game this is ideal when camera operators need to move all the cameras to mid-field for example.

Outdoor Camera Enclosures

It’s a great idea to mount your PTZOptics cameras outdoors. You can use the Dotworkz D3 enclosures and choose between some great options to prevent fog build-up on the glass. When you mount a PTZOptics camera outdoors, you can still control the camera manually with a smartphone, your computer or your favorite live-streaming software. Here is a list of ways you can control your PTZOptics camera from anywhere in the world. 

You can also learn about outdoor enclosures for PTZOptics cameras here.

180 degree camera placement rule for live streaming sports

The 180-degree camera placement rule is a guideline for live streaming sports that recommends positioning all cameras used in a live production to be on the same side of the field. By placing all of the live streaming cameras on the same side of the field viewers do not get confused about which direction the sports players are moving when cameras are switched using a video switcher. If for example, you have cameras on opposite sides of the field the viewers can get confused as to which way the players are running because of the change in perspective. Most athletic directors suggest having at least two cameras at opposite ends of the field, angled towards the centerline, to provide comprehensive coverage of the playing area. These two cameras should be on the same side of the field along with a third camera that can provide a wide-angle view of the entire field. 

This allows viewers to see the action from multiple angles and get a better understanding of the game’s flow. With this setup, one camera can capture one side of the field, while the other camera captures the other side, and the two feeds can be switched using a video switcher to create a seamless viewing experience. In addition to the two endzone cameras, other cameras can be placed along the sidelines or on towers to capture close-ups of the action or specific player reactions.

Overall, the 180-degree camera placement rule is a useful guideline for live-streaming sports to ensure that viewers get the best possible viewing experience by having a comprehensive view of the playing area.

Why you should capture video at 60 frames per second when live streaming sports

The use of 60 frames per second (fps) video capture methods is popular in sports because it offers smoother and more detailed motion rendering, which can be especially important for capturing fast-moving action. The higher frame rate allows for crisper video, resulting in more fluid and detailed motion with less blur coming from fast-moving objects. This is especially important for sports where quick movements and reactions are important, such as soccer, basketball, or football.

With 60 fps video capture, the action appears more lifelike and easier to follow, which can enhance the viewing experience for spectators, coaches, and players alike. Additionally, higher frame rates can help with video analysis by providing more detail for coaches and players to review for technique, strategy, and game performance when videos are slowed down and analyzed. 

Live broadcasting with high frames does require additional bandwidth and computer processing capabilities. It’s important to check your entire live streaming system to make sure your cameras, video capture devices, and production system can support the video processing. When you are considering the bandwidth you have available for live streaming it may be wise to perform an internet speed check. The chart below shows average video quality bandwidth requirements for HD, FullHD, and UltraHD video with 30 and 60 frames per second.

Resolution	Frame Rate	Bandwidth
1280×720	30	2.5 Mbps
1280×720	60	5Mbps
1920×1080	30	4Mbps
1920×1080	60	8Mbps
3840 x 2160	30	8 Mbps
3840 x 2160	60	16 Mbps

High frame rates and instant-replay

High frame rate cameras are used for slow motion instant replay in sports because they allow for capturing more frames per second, which when slowed down provides smoother video playback. By recording at a higher frame rate, such as 120 fps, 240 fps, or even 1000 fps, slow motion instant replays can be played back in great detail, allowing viewers to analyze and appreciate the intricacies of the play. The use of high frame rate cameras is particularly important for sports with fast-moving action, such as basketball, football, and hockey, where critical moments can happen in the blink of an eye. In these sports, slow motion instant replay can help provide a clearer picture of what happened and whether or not a call was correct.

For example, an instant replay system that captures video at 60fps can replay a video at 50% of the original speed and still deliver 30 frames per second. When video is slowed down and replayed the extra frames allow for a smoother viewing experience. 

Tips from the pros

If you are just starting, know the audience expectation. Are they expecting nothing? If that’s the case then anything is better than nothing.
Professionals may tell you to do it “Right” or don’t do it at all. While that is generally a good rule of thumb, it’s not always the best answer. 

We stream for our parents, if we don’t stream then many parents don’t see their child compete. So for them if the option is a low quality broadcast, or none at all, they want to see something. When we started we used one camera and sometimes just crowd noise. That was “better than nothing” and made parents happy. As you grow  and learn so will your product. Sometimes it’s ok to start at the bottom and work your way up. – Christopher Sabato

1. Always allow more time than you think you need to get ready. Something will always go wrong or need changed. 
2. Don’t overthink or overproduce. The viewer is more interested in the game than anything else. As long as they get to see that they are happy. Don’t do anything to distract them from that.
3. Observe the 180-degree rule. Don’t break the plane so that teams switch directions. – Ryan Vance

• Cameras guys should use zoom more than they use pan. Pan tends to get very blurry very quickly.
• Camera guys should not attempt to follow the ball. Just follow the play. Like a punt in football.
• All cameras should be on the same side of the field. The exception is a camera that is on a person (like a coach or spectator) not on the play.
• Directors should have cameras that show different things. Rookies mistake to have two cams showing essentially the same shot.
• Directors should not switch cams frequently and a lot. Confuses the viewer.
• Compression should be used on the announcers’ mics. They get excited and shout. – Tom Sinclair

1.   Use similar cameras…we use 6 PTZOptics cameras and 8 Sonys. That way it is easier to create similar settings and your look can be uniform.
2. Use headsets and cough buttons (We use Henry Engineering Talent Pods).  Your sound will be more professional and your talent can control their levels.
3.  Test, test, test… Then test again.  Be sure that your destination is receiving your stream and that you can be heard.
4. Automate as much as you can.  Use vMix shortcuts, auto hotkey, and scripts when possible to automate processes.  We also use an Xbox controller and two Xkeys units tied to their shortcuts. 
   
5. Use replay to push clips if great plays to social.  We use Dropbox and Zapier to push clips to social media.  This means with preparation, it only takes a save of a replay to a specific dropbox folder to push clips to Facebook and Twitter.  It is a great way to advertise your event in media you may not be streaming on. – Joe Calabrese

Schedule a demo

Schedule a demo to meet with one of the PTZOptics team members here.

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See the new Auto-Tracking Cameras

The new Move 4K PTZOptics cameras now feature auto-tracking, making it easier than ever to integrate automatic subject tracking into your live streaming or video production setup. This innovative technology allows you to keep the camera focused on your subject, no matter how much they move around. Add a creative and dynamic touch to your videos by taking advantage of this powerful feature – and let PTZOptics help you bring your production dreams to life!

Check out the latest software integrations

With PTZOptics cameras, you can now use your favorite live streaming software such as OBS, Wirecast, vMix or Livestream Studio to take advantage of their built-in pan, tilt and zoom camera controls and preset settings. With this capability, you’ll be able to stream like a professional – with automated camera movements and simple pre-configured settings all done from within the software. Take your live streaming capabilities to the next level today with PTZOptics!

Request PTZ Joystick Control Demonstration

With PTZOptics joysticks, you can control the movement of your camera with precision and finesse. These joysticks allow the camera to move slowly and smoothly through a variety of settings for live production, lecture capture, sports coverage and more. Request to see one of these in action for yourself and experience the cutting-edge technology that ensures your production projects are successful every time.

Book a Meeting Today!

PTZOptics would like to invite you to book a live camera demo from our studio, where you can check out the latest 4K pan, tilt, and zoom cameras that we have to offer. Our team of experts can show you how our cameras perform in real-time, helping you decide if it’s the right choice for your project. We’re here to help make sure you get the best quality equipment for your needs – so don’t hesitate and book a demo today!

The post Our new studio is done and you can book a meeting to check it out appeared first on PTZOptics.

Perhaps the first feature of the Studio Pro that many video professionals are drawn to is the included LED panel light. Most video users know that proper lighting on a video call or live stream is important to ensure high-quality video capture. The Studio Pro solves this issue by including an LED panel light that is powered by the camera which simplifies desk setups and cabling for busy professionals. The Studio Pro can easily be powered by USB or an ethernet connection with power over ethernet (PoE). So once the camera is ON, it can also power an LED light or other devices via a USB 2.0 connection designed for the LED panel light.

From a connectivity perspective, many video users are excited about a plug-and-play USB-C camera that is now available with such as high-quality integrated 12X optical zoom lens. The PTZOptics Studio Pro uses the same high-quality optics in the Studio Pro that they are known for in their 12X PTZ camera range. One notable difference is the addition of Time of Flight (TOF) focus capabilities which allow the Studio Pro to focus faster than previous ZCam models.

Beyond USB, the Studio Pro is ideal for multi-camera productions using HDMI video switchers such as Blackmagic ATEM Mini and Roland video switchers. Many professional video users prefer HDMI connectivity that can be switched via a hardware switcher and then converted into USB which reduces the processing burden on computers used to produce live video. The Studio Pro is ideal for HDMI video switchers with resolutions up to 1080p at 60 frames per second.

Beyond HDMI and USB, the Studio Pro also offers Network Device Interface (NDI) support. NDI is an IP connection option that allows video professionals the ability to send video over a standard network. The Studio Pro supports PoE and therefore can be connected to a network with a single ethernet cable used to power the camera, send video, and control the camera as well.

The Studio Pro also supports 3.5mm audio inputs which is ideal because it can embed that audio directly into HDMI, NDI, or USB connections. This is great for adding a shotgun microphone to the side of the camera such as a Rode microphone. Devices such as Rode microphones and tally lights can be connected to the side of the camera with additional quarter-twenty connections that have been made available.

In conclusion, it’s no surprise the Studio Pro won multiple awards at the 2023 CES Show. You can request a demo of the Studio Pro by contacting partners@ptzoptics.com.

The post Best camera at CES goes to Studio Pro appeared first on PTZOptics.

The post How to use the PTZOptics iOS app to control your PTZ camera appeared first on PTZOptics.

We often see requests for the ability to add a live preview to the mobile control applications that are available for the PTZOptics cameras and until recently there was no solution we could offer. Using the Android 7.0, or greater, platform there is a multi-window feature that was added, sometimes referred to as “split-screen,” where you can view two active applications at the same time. With this feature, we can now have a live preview of a PTZOptics camera with P/T/Z control on the same screen at the same time using the proper applications.

Required Applications

• PanTiltZoom – on Google Play Store for P/T/Z control

• VLC – on Google Play Store for Live Preview using RTSP

That PanTiltZoom application has the ability to control up 8 PTZOptics cameras. You will need to enter each camera’s static IP address in order to connect them to your smartphone. Also, you smartphone will need to be on the same WiFi network as the IP connected cameras. Once your smartphone and PTZOptics cameras are connected to the same network you can control the Pan Tilt and Zoom functionality of these cameras with some advanced features that are demonstrated in this video. In the settings area, you will see that you can adjust unique PTZ camera control for both manual and preset speeds. Therefore you can control the camera with manual speeds and different speeds for movements between PTZ presets.

Once you have installed both applications on your Android device you’ll need to open both applications and setup as follows:

PanTiltZoom Setup

1. Open the PanTiltZoom application

2. Click the “Setup” gear in the top right corner to setup your camera

   1. Name – use any title that works for you

   2. IP Address – Current IP address of the PTZOptics camera to control

   3. VISCA Port – 5678 (default)

   4. VISCA Address – 1 (default)

3. Exit this screen, using the back button and the close button that follows, and you should now see your name shown on the first camera selection button

   1. Click that button with the new Name in place and the button should turn green.

   2. You can verify you have control of the camera at this time by moving the joystick around

4. Your PanTiltZoom Application is now ready to be “split-screened” with VLC… we just have to get VLC setup

VLC Setup

Just like the PanTiltZoom application, your smartphone must be on the same network as the PTZOptics cameras. Once connected to the same network you can bring live video preview into your smartphone from your cameras. If you are interested in tweaking the RTSP streaming settings to reduce latency, the PTZOptics team has this guide that you can reference. This guide references best practices for optimizing your RTSP streaming settings to achieve the highest quality and lowest latency for your video preview.

1. Open the VLC application

2. Click the three (3) bars in the top left of the application

   1. Click “Stream”

   2. For “Enter network address: e.g…” you’ll need to supply the string used to access the RTSP feed of your PTZOptics camera

      1. HD RTSP Stream – rtsp://<camera ip>:554/1

      2. SD RTSP Stream – rtsp://<camera ip>:554/2

      3. Example

         1. Camera IP = 192.168.100.88

         2. RTSP = rtsp://192.168.100.88:554/1

      4. Click the “Paper Airplane” icon to start streaming a live preview  Note: please be aware there may be latency experienced in viewing the stream via VLC

3. VLC is now setup to be “split-screened” with the PanTiltZoom application

Split-Screen Setup

Android phones offer a split-screen setting that is used for this project. You will be able to select VLC as your main split-screen source and add the PanTiltZoom app so that you can use both applications at the same time.

Note: I did not need to enable “split-screen” or multi-window mode on my Android device however with different versions you may need to enable the feature before you can proceed.

1. Exit to the main Android screen using the “HOME” button

2. Now use Android to show you all active applications… for me this is done by swiping up from the “HOME” button but differs depending on the manufacturer please see the example screenshot below

3. You’ll notice each application has a small “bubble,” or circle, with its own icon at the top

   1. Push and hold the “bubble” icon above VLC until a new menu appears

   2. Select “Split-Screen” and the application will lock itself to the top of your screen

   3. Now without exiting the application selection screen, as shown above, simply click on the PanTiltZoom application to make it the second application used with “split-screen” mode.

4. You can drag the bar in between the two (2) applications to adjust the size of each application until you find a comfortable fit

   1. Please see screen-shot example of the finished solution below

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Traditional broadcast outlets, including television and radio, usually demand high advertising rates to reach intended audiences. Live streaming offers a sought-after alternative that’s both cost-effective and engaging for online audiences on channels such as Facebook and YouTube. To get started with a live stream, a professional-level studio is essential. We recommend setting up a small studio with several LED lighting sources and cameras to capture your host and interviewee in a flattering light. Set up two chairs for both your host and interviewee to create a relaxed, engaging feel for your live stream. For the cameras, the PTZOptics Producer Kits are the perfect option to live stream and record professional, high-quality video.The kits allow for live streaming and recording with up to two cameras. PTZOptics cameras provide high-quality pan-tilt-zoom shots, which are easily controlled through the kit’s accompanying joysticks. We used both front and side-angle shots to capture both speakers while making the live stream interesting for our audiences.

In addition to the studio portion, our interview included an IRL(In Real Life) component, where our interviewer and state senator took the stream outside to the streets of West Chester, Pa. This offered another way for the state senator to engage viewers in the live stream and also garner participation from those in the community. Our producer carried a LiveU backpack for the mobile stream. LiveU offers portable cellular backpack solutions for high-quality, reliable video streaming that make incorporating an IRL stream easy. 

Accompanying the LiveU, we used a PTZOptics 12xZcam broadcast camera on a tripod. The Zcam’s lens allows for extremely wide shots, which was perfect for capturing our host, the State Senator and the views from the streets as the pair interviewed people along the streets. The 12x optical zoom gave us the ability to capture close shots, too, even when our camera was at a farther distance.

Our experience illustrated what a valuable tool a live stream can be for engaging audiences and promoting civic engagement. With election cycles being a frequent event for municipalities, school boards, and other community groups, live streaming candidate interviews will be a logical choice to attract voters.

Live streams provide immediate audience feedback and engagement while being cost-effective methods of reaching voters and constituents.

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NOTE: PTZOptics is not responsible for the improper mounting of this enclosure. We highly recommend working with an insured professional audiovisual integrator to properly mount this enclosure.

For outdoor PTZ camera installations, we highly recommend the PTZO-HB. The HB in the enclosure part number stands for Heater Blower and this device will help prevent fog and condensation that can build up on the enclosure lens. When you are planning to mount the enclosure to an outdoor surface it’s important to mount the enclosure 100% vertical so that when the cameras panning left or panning right, you end up with a level horizon. Mounting the camera enclosure on a vertical surface makes sure there are no discrepancies between left and right camera panning operations. With a project like this, it’s always best to start with a site survey. If you are working with a professional audiovisual integrator, take plenty of pictures to share with them exactly where you would like to enclosure mounted. 

NOTE: The PTZO-HB enclosure does require power for operation. You should consult a licensed electrician to connect power to this enclosure.

Once your site survey is complete, you can review the included hardware with the enclosure. Professional installation teams will start by drilling any holes required for cable pathways to your video production hardware. This could include holes for passing through SDI, Ethernet, or RS-485 cabling to your press box or video production room. Remember that all cabling will need to be un-terminated before passing through the weather-tight holes on the side of each enclosure. Once the cables have made their way through to the inside of your enclosure, you can terminate the ends for a proper connection. 

Next, you can connect your enclosure to the surface with the included hardware. For hard surfaces, we suggest using anchors with the included toggle-bolts. Once your enclosure has been securely mounted your vertical surface you can run your cables through the weather-tight conduit feeds. You will notice on the side of each unit that there is a weather-tight cable pathway you can use to extend Ethernet, SDI, and other cables through to connect to your camera. Once you have decided which cables you want to bring into your enclosure and you can start by pulling the wires through this weathertight port. Once the raw cables are inside your enclosure you can terminate the cables and add the connection ends. To assure an airtight seal, consider using caulk around the wires and cables, coating the entire plug surface with sealant. 

Next, you can mount your PTZOptics camera to the black camera bracket using the center hole with the included quarter-twenty screw and a single washer. Next, you can mount your camera with the attached brackets inside the enclosure with the set screws you have laid out. Once your camera is firmly mounted inside the enclosure you can connect the cables you have into your camera. Before closing the enclosure make sure everything is working properly. Once you have confirmed all cabling is working you can close your enclosure using the Philips head screwdriver or electric drill you used to open the unit.

Note: It is possible to attach this camera enclosure to a large Tripod or speaker stand. This is ideal for outdoor streaming scenarios where you want to protect your camera for the elements. The Dotworkz enclosures are available with adapters that can be used with TriPods, Speaker Stands and truss pipes. Please refer to the enclosure manual for more information on how to you can use outdoor tripod stands with this enclosure. 

WARNING: Carefully read through the entire Dotwokz manual to ensure that you have been taking all steps of the installation process into account. This video is only intended to guide experts who have already read through the included manual. 

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