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#1: Easy Camera Control Options
The first reason is easy camera control options. Control multiple cameras from a single location and controller. You can get RS232 control for $299 and IP control (Figure 1, right) for $649. The traditional RS232 joystick has just been redesigned with a new button layout for faster camera switching and intuitive control. |
Figure 1. You can control multiple cameras from this IP joystick and controller. Click the image to see it at full size. |
| Often, churches are upgrading cameras from SD to HD and find they can reuse control cabling with a second-generation joystick that supports RS232 or RS485 cabling. The IP joystick is ideal for controlling cameras in remote locations over long distances on your network. With the latest Power Over Ethernet PTZOptics cameras (Figure 2, right), it’s now possible to provide video control and power for your cameras over a single CAT5 connection.
#2: Installation Options
The second reason is PTZOptics’ flexible camera installation options. PTZ cameras are compact and unobtrusive. They can be wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted, pole-mounted, tripod-mounted, or just simply placed on a desk. |
Figure 2. PTZOptics PoE camera. Click the image to see it at full size. |
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#3: Open-Source Control Software
The third benefit for houses of worship is open-source camera control software. The open source control software available from PTZOptics now comes pre-built for churches. Once your cameras are on the same network as your computer, you can take control of multiple cameras in a simple web browser (Figure 3, right).Churches all over the country have been redesigning the open source control software without the need of coding skills to allow volunteers to call up preset camera positions with the click of a button. The open-source control software is absolutely free, so this is a perfect camera control option for low-budget installations. |
Figure 3. PTZOptics’ open-source control software comes pre-built for churches. Click the image to see it at full size. |
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#4: Camera Presets
Many services have the same things happening in the same places from week to week. You can set up camera presets to quickly frame a shot without having to operate the controls (Figure 4, right). You can even use multiple camera presets simultaneously and fade between them, giving a production extra polish. |
Figure 4. Calling up preset camera positions. Click the image to see it at full size. |
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#5: Advanced Camera Control Software
The advanced camera control software takes your camera operation capabilities to TV broadcast studio level with the ability to control up to 28 cameras (Figure 5, right). |
Figure 5. You can call up as many as 28 cameras with PTZOptics’ advanced camera control software. Click the image to see it at full size. |
| The Preset Visualizer allows your team to display camera presets over laid on a picture of the inside of your church (Figure 6, right). Volunteers can simply click where they want the camera to go without thinking about which preset they need. Advanced features such as camera speed, white balance, iris, and more are available at the click of a button on any Windows PC.
#6: Variable Speed Control
Having herky-jerky camera movements is going to distract from your message, so having smooth variable-speed camera movements is critical. With a bit of practice and some well-planned presets, no one will know that your cameras are all robotic. |
Figure 6. The Preset Visualizer. Click the image to see it at full size. |
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#7: Daisy-Chaining Camera Controls
PTZOptics cameras offer the ability to daisy-chain multiple cameras together, reducing the number of cables needed (Figure 7, right). No need for a homerun to each camera, just string them together around your auditorium by connecting network cables between them.#8: Easy IP Control
Once you've connected the PTZOptics camera to your network it can really come alive. Each camera can be assigned an IP address that can be used for easy camera control, live streaming, and tuning. vMix users will love the direct IP integration for built-in camera control support. |
Figure 7. Daisy-chaining PTZ cameras. Click the image to see it at full size. |
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#9: Camera Control Integration
Investing in an all-in-one streaming switcher appliance such as the vMix GO or NewTek TriCaster allows you to control the cameras within the software rather than requiring a separate hardware controller.#10: Easy ONVIF Controls for Wirecast Users
Wirecast users can pull in PTZOptics cameras via the IP camera feature available in Wirecast Pro. Many Wirecast users also use a program called ONVIF Device Manager for camera control on Windows or Mac computers (Figure 8, right). The program provides a live camera preview with the ability to pan, tilt, zoom, and call presets. |
Figure 8. Controlling PTZOptics with ONVIF Device Manager and Wirecast. Click the image to see it at full size. |
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