What is Dante?

In the world of audio-visual technology, Dante is best known for innovations in audio. Designed by Audinate, Dante is a comprehensive multimedia transport protocol that pushes the boundaries of conventional AV systems. It introduces an IP-based approach, effectively replacing the limited and often complex physical point-to-point connections with a more flexible network-based solution.

By leveraging computer networks, Dante transports high-quality, lossless audio and video over standard Ethernet cables. This eliminates the need for expensive and restrictive AV cables, providing freedom to route, expand, and configure your systems using intuitive software tools.

Dante transcends the limitations of traditional AV setups, offering a seamless and efficient way to manage connections, irrespective of your AV device’s location on the network. Whether you’re managing a small setup or a large-scale production, Dante ensures that your AV systems are always in sync, perfectly configured, and ready to deliver optimal performance.

At the heart of Dante is the promise of interoperability – ensuring that all Dante-enabled devices can work together effortlessly. With Dante, manufacturers and users alike can benefit from the confidence of knowing that their devices will integrate seamlessly within any Dante network.

In essence, Dante is not just an AV transport, it’s a complete AV networking solution that streamlines connectivity, simplifies operation, and amplifies performance – transforming the way we approach audio and video networks.

Who uses Dante?

Dante’s versatility sees usage in a wide range of installations and applications. This includes Houses of Worship, Arenas and Stadiums, Recording Studios, Conference Centers, Universities, Broadcaster Studios, Corporate Studios, Amusement Parks, Zoos, and Theaters.

The PTZOptics Link 4K Camera

The PTZOptics Link 4K camera, is one of the first PTZ (Pan, Tilt, and Zoom) cameras with built-in Dante video over IP support. Designed for demanding AV professionals, the PTZOptics Link 4K camera supports 4K up to 60fps, offering the highest image quality on the market. With a robust selection of connection options, including HDMI, SDI, USB, and Dante AV-H, along with built-in smart auto-tracking and Presenter Lock, this camera sets a new bar in AV performance.

More than just Video Outputs over Dante

The PTZOptics Link 4K camera, can of course send video over the network via Dante AV-H, but it can also send and receive audio. The PTZOptics Link 4K camera features a 3.5 mm audio input and output that can be used with Dante. The 3.5mm audio input can be used to take analog audio and send two channels of Dante audio out over the network (left and right audio). The 3.5mm audio output can be used to output audio from another Dante source on the network.

Dante: Revolutionizing AV Connectivity

Traditional AV systems have been defined by point-to-point physical connections, demanding labor-intensive cable management and battling constant noise and signal degradation. Dante disrupts this by converging all connections into a computer network, sending video or hundreds of channels of audio over slender Ethernet cables with zero digital fidelity loss.

Dante Software Soluiotns

Dante’s software suite streamlines your AV workflows with a cohesive set of tools – Dante Controller, Dante Domain Manager, and Dante Studio.

Dante Controller

A unified interface for routing and configuring all Dante devices. Offers automatic device discovery, customizable device names and parameters, device-level latency views, and more.

Dante Domain Manager

Enables enrollment of your Dante AV devices for continuous monitoring, instant alerts, device management, user access control, audit logs, and multi-subnet support.

Dante Studio

An all-in-one solution that includes Dante Video RX, Video TX, and Video Viewer, opening new possibilities for conferencing, lecture capture, live streaming, and more.

Dante AV-H: Expanding Dante’s Capabilities

Dante AV-H brings even more flexibility to bandwidth-constrained environments, utilizing popular H.264/H.265 video compression standards to deliver up to 4Kp60fps 4:2:0 video resolution and 8 channels of software Dante audio with significantly lower bandwidth and processing power needs.

Discover the Future of AV with PTZOptics Link 4K

In this era of digital transformation, our pursuit is to continually simplify, streamline, and enhance AV workflows. The PTZOptics Link 4K camera, built with Dante’s powerful networking capabilities, represents a remarkable leap forward in this journey.

Offering unrivaled performance, intuitive operation, and seamless integration, the PTZOptics Link 4K camera is more than just a tool — it’s an investment in the future of AV technology.

We invite you to explore the exceptional features and potential of the PTZOptics Link 4K camera. Discover how its integration with Dante can redefine your AV operations, delivering not just superior quality but also a level of flexibility and scalability previously unimaginable in traditional AV systems.

The future of AV is here, and it begins with PTZOptics Link 4K and Dante. Learn more and take the first step towards transforming your AV experience.

The post Dante for PTZ Cameras: IP Video with Dante AV-H appeared first on PTZOptics.

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.

The video above is a live demonstration of how to set up your PTZ camera on the network. PTZOptics cameras are network controllable meaning you can adjust camera settings, live stream video and audio, and much more. In this detailed tutorial video and blog post, you will learn everything you need to know about setting up your PTZ camera on the network.

You can follow this knowledge base article for a detailed step by step guide written by our support team.

Step by step process:

1. Step one: Connect your camera to the network
2. Step two: Either set a static IP address or set the camera to DHCP
3. Step three: Use the IR remote shortcuts to verify your cameras IP address
4. Step four: Use a web browser to connect to your camera to verify that you do indeed have network control between you computer and your camera
5. Step five: Next try connecting to your camera using the PTZOptics camera control application
6. Step six: Next try connecting to your camera wirelessly using the iOS or Android PanTiltZoom app

Networking for PTZ Camera Controls

First of all the presentation above starts out by recognizing that PTZOptics camera owners can always reach out to our support team. They are available via chat, email, and phone. The PTZOptics support team also manages a detailed knowledge base that can be used to quickly locate solutions to common issues.

Networking at a High Level

If IP networks are a totally new idea for you, don’t worry. Above you can see a high-level picture of an IP network. You can see there is a network router which is like the brains behind the network. The router is generally purchased from an ISP (Internet Service Provider) and it provides internet to the devices on your network. You can see there is a firewall device thatis used to protect your network from the outside world. Firewalls are often included in your router. You can then see the next layer in the network is your network switch. Network switches are used connect multiple devices together so that they can communicate. Finally, you can see WiFi access points which area connected to the network to provide devices with wireless connectivity to your LAN (Local Area Network).

To further illustrate this networking layout you can see computers and cameras have been connected to this diagram. You can see that the router has the very first IP address in the network. In this example, that is 192.168.1.1. You can see that each device on the network has it’s own unique IP address. This means that each computer, camera, and even an IP joystick has it’s own unique IP address. It’s important to notice that the first three sets of numbers in the IP address are the same. Therefore each IP address is 192.168.1.xx. The final two numbers are the unique numbers that show their IP address within the large “IP Range.”

PTZ camera control options

Now let’s start by understanding your PTZ camera control options. At a high level, you will have software and hardware choices for controlling your PTZ camera. Regarding your network connection, generally, you have two options as well: ethernet connections or WiFi connections. You can control your camera with video production software such as Wirecast, xSplit, OBS, vMix, and LiveStream Studio to have PTZ camera controls built directly into your software interface. You can also use hardware-based video production switchers such as the NewTek TriCaster and Roland video switcher which also support networked PTZ camera controls. Finally, a popular method of wireless camera controls includes the iOS and Android applications for PTZOptics cameras called PanTiltZoom.

IR Remote Shortcuts

There are a few helpful IR remote control shortcuts that can make your life easier when dealing with networking for PTZ cameras. The first is #*4 which will set your camera to DHCP mode. DHCP mode will allow your PTZ camera to assign itself an IP address based on the information your router is sending. *#4 is another shortcut that can always be used to display the IP address information that the camera currently has. So, in this way, you can use your IR remote control to quickly set up the camera for DHCP and display the IP address the camera has for use.

Setting a Manual IP Address

Most professional video users like to set up manual static IP addresses for their camera because they control exactly what IP address the camera will have. If you have multiple cameras, it is ideal to keep each IP address sequential for organizational purposes. The PTZOptics IP Address Settings tool pictured above can be found on the downloads page. This application can be used to search your network for PTZOptics cameras. Once you search and find PTZOptics cameras on your network you can click the “config” button to set a cameras IP address to a static one.

Conclusion

Take a moment to read through the presentation and this blog post to gain a better understanding of IP networking for PTZ cameras. The above video “PTZOptics SDI Camera Setup Video” does a great job walking you through the important steps regarding IP camera control. Remember if you have any questions along the way you can always reach out to our support team. Cheers!

The post Networking Help: Setting up a PTZ Camera on your Network appeared first on PTZOptics.