Why control multiple PTZ cameras at the same time?

More and more, video producers are also becoming camera operators. With the advent of remotely controlled PTZ cameras, a single video production person can also operate PTZ cameras with the click of a button. In many scenarios, video producers are operating two or three PTZ cameras at the same time using a video production software like OBS, Wirecast, vMix, Livestream Studio or the Tricaster. Many video production software solutions have integrated PTZ cameras controls for PTZOptics cameras which allow the software on a Mac or PC computer to connect to PTZ cameras over the local area network. 

In most cases today, video production software operators are able to quickly take control of a robotic camera and move the camera’s position directly through the live streaming software they are using. This is ideal during a live production, because a production operator can simply make a few clicks, zoom in a camera, check the focus and then transition to the camera taking the video live.

Another popular way to control multiple PTZ cameras is to have a hardware joystick for the video production operator to use. Hardware joysticks are popular because a team of two can split up the tasks between live video switching and camera operation. Whether you are using hardware or software for PTZ camera controls, it’s nice to be able to move multiple PTZ cameras at the same time with the click of a button. 

How to use vMix with PTZ camera controls

You can control multiple PTZ cameras with vMix using the Pro or 4K versions of the software. In order to take control over PTZ cameras inside of vMix you will need to know your PTZ camera’s IP address and be on the same local area network as the cameras. If you do not know your camera’s IP address, you will need to follow the instructions in the cameras set up video. Once you know your camera’s IP address, you can simply enter it into vMix to gain PTZ camera control. 

Select PTZOptics as the camera type, enter the IP address and click connect. You can use the Pan, Tilt and Zoom controls to start moving your camera around the room. As you are controlling the camera, notice the speed options available for manual pan/tilt and preset pan/tilt. These are the controls you can use to tell vMix the speed at which you want the camera to move in a manual setting and during presets. 

In order to control multiple PTZ camera movements with vMix, you will need to start by creating PTZ presets. Once connected to a PTZ camera with vMix, you are able to create presets inside of vMix using the “Create Input at this Position” button. When you click this button, vMix will create an input with a thumbnail image of the camera’s current location. When you bring this input into the vMix Preview window, vMix will recall that PTZ preset and move the camera. In this way, you can move your PTZOptics camera around your space and create multiple PTZ presets. Each preset gets a nice little PTZ input inside of vMix for easy recall. 

You can repeat the process above with each PTZ camera that you would like to use. Once done, you should organize the PTZ cameras you would like to be able to move with a single click. From here you can use the vMix Multi View feature available in the input settings of any input. Choose the input that you would like to use to trigger all the PTZ cameras. You can then add each PTZ camera input to the Multi View as you build a single input with multiple inputs attached. In this area, you can uncheck each PTZ input making it so the PTZ positions will be recalled but not overlaid on top of each other. Once done, you can transition to this vMix input and call multiple presets at once. You can do this for multiple scenes in your area and quickly call multiple PTZ presets at the exact same time with a single click. 

Pro Tip:

If you are using multiple PTZ cameras with vMix, make sure to use a good graphics card. If you have an NVIDIA graphics card make sure to add vMix as a default application in the “NVIDIA Control Panel.” Once you do this, double check in the vMix settings that you have your graphics card enabled. 

Conclusion

There are now quite a few ways to control multiple PTZ cameras with a single button. Doing this is ideal for fast-paced video productions with small teams. In recent years, as video production software has allowed producers to add camera control to their workflow, more has become possible. Controlling multiple PTZ cameras at once during a production can make life easier for operators. My advice is to think about where you want your PTZ cameras to be during a given live stream. Map out the PTZ preset positions you would like cameras to move and then correlate them to other cameras you might have. Once you have mapped out where you want your cameras to move and when, create simple one-click buttons to do so. This will make scene changes in your live streams much easier to manage. 

The post How to control multiple PTZ cameras in vMix appeared first on PTZOptics.

Streaming your church Sunday services live on Youtube can prove to be extremely rewarding. Social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube enable churches to reach members of their community. Many times live streams can accommodate people who may not be able to attend service in person. Through live streaming, your organization has the opportunity to empower community members to share live mass and services with family and friends online. As a result, the process helps with church communications. Live streaming can help tighten your communities connection with your congregation. This blog post shares key tips that can guide you in the creation of a live streaming system. You can use a system like this to live stream to YouTube, Facebook or your church’s website.

Setting up your churches accounts

Your church obviously needs a Youtube channel and/or a Facebook page to live stream to. If you are just getting your accounts set up ask your church leadership for your non-profit status information. You are not required to set up the accounts using a non-profit status. But if you do, Facebook and YouTube will give you tools for fundraising. Adding a non-profit status essentially means that Facebook and YouTube will allow viewers and creators to send donations on your behalf. Creators can actually select your non-profit organization as the recipient of donations on their channels as well.

Building a live streaming system

After setting up the accounts, you will need to ensure that you have a user-friendly system for your volunteers to operate. We highly recommend PTZOptics Producer Kits, as these are designed to suit small or large church spaces. These systems come with PTZ cameras that can be easily be controlled remotely. This means volunteers can use a smartphone or an iPad to zoom into the pastor. PTZOptics camera are installed in churches frequently because they are small and discreet. The camera size is ideal for keeping with the aesthetic of a church environment.  Many churches choose to install white cameras with white mounting hardware. These cameras allow volunteer live stream producers and camera operators the ability to control optical zoom using a joystick controller. 

The PTZ Producer Kits are complete live streaming camera systems built around the Intel NUC. These computers feature a Windows 10 professional license. Instead of using a dedicated hardware system like many other streaming systems, this is a open Windows platform. The computer includes a suitable processor for handling live streams and has the ability to use almost any software your church may want. The system allows for easy integration with software that you may be using to display lyric on projectors or record content for social media. In this way, you can use the system in combination with software such as EasyWorship, Powerpoint, or ProPresentor to manage content on a projector as well as any live-streaming software concurrently. This makes the system an ideal choice for any church having the desire to start using a free live stream software (such as OBS – Open Broadcaster Software). With an open Windows system, churches can then later upgrade to paid software such as LiveStream Studio, Wirecast, or vMix if they choose.

A church case study

The Olivet United Methodist Church of Coatesville, PA has mastered the use of PTZOptics Producer Kit that incorporates three screens:

1. Screen one – Used for handling PowerPoint presentation controls, which the volunteer uses to determine the slide that will show next.
2. Screen two – For sending video link to the church system, which then distributes video content to four LCD displays and two projectors.
3.  Screen three – Dedicated for use with vMix, which provides live streaming as well as the controls for video production.

After live streaming for only two months, the Olivet United Methodist Church of Coatesville, PA has connected with their church members watching from different parts of the world, including those on vacation or temporarily home-bound. This system enables live streaming of content to YouTube and Facebook simultaneously while recording a copy of the video. The Olivet United Methodist Church of Coatesville, PA relies on PTZOptics cameras linked to the system via Magewell SDI USB capture cards. A PTZ joystick supplied with the Producer Kit is used to control the cameras.

You can get more insights into the churches live streaming their sermons in this Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/churchstreamers.

If you would like to know more, you can simply download the book titled ‘Helping Your Church Live Stream’ written by Paul Richards (PTZOptics Chief Streaming Officer) here.

The post Live streaming your church services to YouTube appeared first on PTZOptics.

It is almost time for Worship Summit Live, Friday, January 24, 2020. This is a high-quality learning opportunity that is offered for free thanks in part to the main sponsor, PTZOptics. Learn about the latest technologies for worship production, including live streaming, video production, audio production, and modern worship. You will have the opportunity to hear from 10 nationally known speakers and attend breakout sessions to dive even deeper into state-of-the-art worship technology.

Learn the Latest

Worship Conferences are a great way to learn about the latest technology, best practices, and innovative ideas. This is a chance to learn from experts and collaborate with other churches, exchange ideas, and make connections. The best way to attend a worship conference is with your entire media team. When only one person attends, it can be difficult to translate all of the learning and excitement to the team back home. Unfortunately, not many churches have the budget to pay for registration, airfare, hotels, and meals for an entire media team. Fortunately, in the virtual realm, there is a way to attend a full day church production conference for free without ever leaving your church. Worship Summit Live makes this possible with this free online event.

Keeping Up in the Digital Age

The digital age we live in makes it more critical than ever to stay up to date with the latest technologies for worship. This why Worship Summit Live is offering the opportunity to hear from and engage with some of the best minds in church audiovisual and production technologies via live stream. Learn from the experts with presentations and breakout sessions from some of the best thinkers and leaders in the world of church production. With over ten nationally known speakers confirmed already, you and your team will have a chance to learn about multiple dimensions of church production, all without the expense of registrations, flights, or hotels.

Speakers include:

Fred Callicoat, Tech Guru, EasyWorship

Dan Willard, Training Specialist, Easy Worship

Jake Gosselin, Pastor, and Leader of ChurchFront

Will Doggett, Certified Ableton Trainer

Dave Dolphin, Worship Pastor, Cherokee Hills Baptist Church, Oklahoma City Area

Seth Haberman, The Digital Pastor

Dr. Barry Hill, Professor of Audio Engineering, Lebanon Valley College of Pennsylvania

Sessions Include:

• Top 10 Issues with Church Sound
• Technology Tools for the Modern Church
• Ableton Live from Studio to Stage
• Online Streaming Technology
• Worship Presentation Software
• Volunteers and Tech Gear

Get Your Tickets Today!

Virtual tickets are free and available at worshipsummit.live. A limited number of in-person full-day passes are also still available for $25. This will give you a behind the scenes experience with the Worship Summit Live team. Participants will have the opportunity to watch the live stream and take part in hands-on workshops and breakout sessions. In-person attendees will also receive a catered lunch, t-shirt, and a copy of Helping Your Church Live Stream and Mixing for God.

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business without breaking your church budget. As church production moves further into the digital realm, this is a fantastic opportunity to gather in an online space with your peers from across the country. Get your free tickets today at worshipsummit.live.

The post Worship Summit Live appeared first on PTZOptics.