A PTZ controller is a special controller used for Pan, Tilt, and Zoom cameras. It’s an indispensable device that ensures that the camera is able to function optimally i.e., pan horizontally, tilt vertically, and zoom in on images. Live streaming PTZ is usually used for events, such as sports, video conferencing, courtrooms, theaters, broadcast studios, documentary production, and radio production for providing full control of all front-end cameras.
An LCD liquid crystal display is provided on the PTZ control keyboard, showing the numeric and function keys. The numeric keys are used to choose the camera or type IP address, while the function keys are used in performing various control operations on the selected front-end camera.
If you have limited staff or inadequate resources, a PTZ camera controller can ease your work. However, you would have to get it from a professional and experienced PTZ camera supplier with vast knowledge in the industry.
PTZ Camera Control Options
PTZ camera controls are available in different options. They are discussed below:
IR Control
An infrared remote (IR) controller is arguably the simplest way to control a PTZ camera. It’s a wireless device that looks very much like a TV remote. All the numeric and functional keys are designed on the remote, making the operation of your camera seamless. IR controllers are often attached to every camera, offering an easy and convenient way to manage the camera.
While it can be used to control multiple cameras, it’s not as intuitive as other control options. Also, it offers a limited set of basic features for managing cameras and recalling presets. This PTZ remote control is commonly used for close-range cameras as it does not function optimally when the camera is far away from the operator. And in most cases, PTZ cameras are mounted far away from the operator like ceilings or across a school campus.
Pros
- Come with most cameras
- Wireless control
- Have shortcuts that help to quickly set up cameras on IP networks.
- Intuitive button display
- Can control multiple cameras
Cons
- Limited range (doesn’t function with far distance)
- Prone to IR interference
- Limited camera control numbers
- The ability to control the speed of the camera is also limited
Joystick Controller
A PTZ camera controller with a joystick can be connected in multiple ways, such as Ethernet cabling and serial control cabling. It can add a whole new level of control and flexibility to any PTZ camera setup.
A PTZ joystick controller has many features, making it stand out from other options. It gives great control over your cameras, allowing you to customize the speed at which it pan, tilt, and zoom. Also, with a few buttons, you can move the camera to any pre-programmed pan, tilt, and zoom setting.
The best way to get used with the PTZ camera joystick is to connect your camera, experiment by panning, tilting, and zooming, then set some presets and change the settings. Afterward, you would have control of the basic operations and be able to continue in fine-tuning its performance.
Pros
- A specially-made device dedicated to PTZ camera control
- Quick access to a wide variety of options
- Easy to use by volunteers, novices, and unskilled workers
- The simplest way to control the speed of the PTZ camera
Cons
- Requires table space
Software
Software controls for PTZ cameras have become more popular in the past few years. PTZ cameras can now be operated with software like vMix, Wirecast, OBS , MimoLive, and Livestream Studio. Each software is uniquely designed, making them pan, tilt, and zoom differently but the benefits derived from all of them are generally the same.
The adoption of software control continues to increase thanks to the benefits it offers. While it has a compact mode for simple camera controls, under the hood, it can do quite a lot of things. Some of them are highlighted below:
- Name each distinct preset and capture image representations
- Live video preview mode with automatic camera switching
- Pan, Tilt, and Zoom speeds
- Pan and Tilt speed locks
- Focus controls with focus speed
- On-screen display controls
- Real-time reporting of camera options status
- Pan and Tilt limits
- Ability to control speeds between PTZ presets
Another great feature is that it can save PTZ presets with an image in the button. As soon as the preset is made, it will automatically store an image in the button used. With this, you will be able to see a picture of where your camera will move when you click the button.
Pros
- Integrated experience for software users
- Provides new levels of camera operation and automation
Cons
- Hard to share the camera control responsibility with other users
- Requires an increase in license cost sometimes
Smartphone Apps
This is for sure the best control option for beginners. The user interface is very intuitive and user-friendly, allowing people who are just starting with PTZ cameras to manage their operations easily. All that’s needed is to go to the PanTiltZoom App settings menu and input your camera’s IP address. This App can control as much as 8 cameras, with the camera that’s currently operated illuminating.
Tapping the zoom and focus buttons will allow you to have access to adjusting the camera’s focus. This is great if you don’t want to mistakenly adjust one of the other settings.
This control pattern has many features with one of them being the setup of presets. To do this, you will need a monitor display that will allow you to preview the video. Once you’ve gained visuals to the camera’s video, the camera can be moved to a particular location where you press the “SET” button.
Another great feature is the ability to lock your camera’s tilt. This comes handy when you’re following a subject left and right but don’t need to tilt the camera up and down. A not-so-noticed feature in the user interface is the little buttons around the manual PTZ joystick’s edges. They are used for making minor corrections.
Pros
- Wireless PTZ controller
- Less expensive
- Very portable
- Comes with variable speed control
- Regular updates
Cons
- Requires a mobile device
- Requires battery life and Wi-Fi connection
Advantages of Joystick for PTZ Camera
There are different joysticks with some types used for playing games while others are used for industrial and graphics functions. PTZ camera joystick is highly preferred by most people because it offers great benefits the most common being its quick interaction and ease of use. Below are a number of the advantages of the PTZ controller joystick.
- Quick Interaction: One of the major features that distinguish joystick camera controllers from other control options is its fast interaction. You can easily control the camera using your hand movements. When using a PTZ camera with a joystick, you will have more space to move around, allowing more flexibility and comfort. You can make inputs quicker and the same will be reflected on your monitor display in no time.
- User-friendly: The PTZ camera joystick controller might not be the first choice among camera control options for novices, but it’s undeniably easy to use. Firstly, it’s quite comfortable to use compared to some other options. Secondly, since it’s flexible, users have a higher degree of control, eventually resulting in increased performance.
- Variety: There are a bunch of joysticks on the market and each is specifically designed for different purposes. However, a Joystick control keyboard can support multiple interfaces: USB for an upgrade, NDI network interface, RS232, RS485, etc. You would contact a professional PTZ controller joystick manufacturer like Telycam to get quality and durable joysticks.
Conclusion
PTZ cameras are arguably the best type of live streaming PTZ cameras as they are easy to pan, tilt, and zoom, allowing you to capture images diagonally, and vertically, and have better focus. But they need to be operated by PTZ camera remote controllers to get the best result.
In this post, we’ve highlighted the popular control options that can be used, highlighting their pros and cons. The PTZ joystick controller is quite common and known because of the numerous benefits that it offers. To get the best control option for your PTZ camera, contact us and we will be happy to help.
