PTZ cameras are becoming increasingly popular in various industries due to their versatility and advanced features. Whether you are looking for a camera to use in a church, conference room, lecture room, theater, court or security system, a PTZ camera may be the perfect solution for you. In this guide, we will explore different types, features, benefits, and applications of PTZ cameras.
What Is PTZ Camera?
PTZ stands for Pan, Tilt, and Zoom. PTZ cameras are designed to allow you to remotely control the direction and zoom of the camera lens. The biggest difference between a PTZ camera and a normal camera is that a PTZ camera can pan, tilt, and zoom, whereas a normal camera is stationary and has a fixed view.
Types of PTZ Camera
PTZ cameras continue to evolve and change. As a result, multiple types of cameras options are available, including but not limited to:
- PTZ IP Cameras, which use the Internet or Ethernet to view and control the camera.
- PTZ PoE Cameras are similar to IP cameras, but instead of using Wi-Fi, these cameras are wired into the Ethernet to offer greater consistency, and the ethernet wire is providing the power to the camera (no need for external power)
- PTZ Analog Cameras are used with an analog video signal, such as CCTV, to gather footage.
- Outdoor PTZ Cameras are designed to withstand climate extremes and handle various weather conditions. Special encasements ensure that the camera remains well-protected from the elements.
Wireless options are also available, but the lack of hardwiring increases the camera’s risk of not gathering footage.
How Does PTZ Camera Work?
PTZ cameras work by using motors to move the camera lens up, down, left, or right, as well as to zoom in or out. They can be controlled remotely using a joystick, a mobile app, or a web-based interface.
What Are PTZ Cameras Used For?
PTZ Camera For Church
A PTZ camera can be a great addition to any church. It can be used to live stream services, record events, and capture high-quality video footage for later use.
PTZ Camera For Video Conference
With remote control access, UHD video capture, and wide-angle lens, you can capture every angle during your conference, making it feel like an in-person meeting.
PTZ Camera For Education
PTZ camera can be installed in each teaching space to record or live stream each session, and to introduce interactive teaching with remote students.
PTZ Camera For Court Rooms
Recording and streaming judicial hearings are an essential part of the justice system. PTZ cameras can be installed and operated without disturbing the proceedings.
PTZ Camera For Theater
The high sensitivity sensors found in the best PTZ cameras means that they can capture and stream excellent quality video, even in low light venues and scenes.
PTZ Camera For Sports
Their speed of motion tracking and excellent zoom lenses make PTZ ideal for filming indoor games and broadcasting stadium sports.
PTZ Camera For eSports
Gaming tournaments is installing multiple cameras to stream live to audiences, adding global coverage to their output at low cost.
PTZ Camera For TV Broadcasting
When you are under pressure to reduce costs and increase efficiency, PTZ cameras are increasingly used either as an addition to studio cameras.
How Do I Connect My PTZ Camera?
Connecting your PTZ camera is all about power, video, and control. Modern PTZ cameras are forward and backward compatible, allowing for incredible versatility when it comes to connection. Depending on the model, you can choose from several connection options:
- A single Ethernet cable can provide power and control to the camera while delivering video output to the switcher or directly to the internet.
- Video output options include HDMI, SDI, or HDBaseT.
- Power can be supplied via a network connection or through a dedicated power adapter.
- Control can be achieved over Ethernet using a PC/Mac or a dedicated hardware controller.
Do PTZ cameras work only with Internet?
How To Control My PTZ Camera?
As standard, PTZ units feature several methods of camera control including:
IR Control
The simplest way to control your PTZ is via an infrared remote controller which looks very much like at TV remote. These are often supplied with your camera and offer an easy and convenient way to manage a camera. They can control multiple cameras, but this is not as intuitive as with other methods of control.
Control Software
Dedicated PTZ software connects to your camera over your local network to give you control over one or multiple cameras, plus access to presets, camera management and settings.
Hardware Controllers
Manufacturer’s own controllers or third party devices are intuitive interfaces to manage and control multiple cameras (more than a 250 if required).
Third Party Control
In corporate and public sector environments, technical teams frequently deploy Crestron or Extron for AV control. Many PTZ units can integrate into these platforms to allow users easy control of cameras in meeting spaces, huddle rooms and video conferencing facilities.
Video Production Software
Increasingly popular with houses of worship, sports clubs and YouTubers, software such as vMix and OBS can manage and control multiple cameras over a network, while switching, recording and streaming the output to online audiences.
Do All PTZ Cameras Have Auto Tracking?
Does PTZ Camera Come With Microphone?
Winkomm PTZ camera supports external audio input via a 3.5mm stereo line-level jack for embedding audio into your stream.
Can PTZ cameras stream direct to YouTube and Facebook?
By doing this, you’re keeping life easy, but the creativity of your production is limited. By introducing a video processor into the mix, you can switch between different camera angles, add in graphics and play out picture-in-picture effects for television-style results.
Choose The Best PTZ Cameras For Your Needs
1080P60 HDMI/SDI PTZ Camera With 20X Zoom, AI Tracking, NDI Optional
WK-600
