Table of Contents

 

Program Interface...............................................................................................................................................

GEtting Started....................................................................................................................................................

Controlling your PTZ Camera............................................................................................................................

Virtual Joystick Control.................................................................................................................................

USB Joystick Control........................................................................................................................................

calibrating your joystick.........................................................................................................................

using your joystick...................................................................................................................................

joystick shortcuts....................................................................................................................................

zooming with gaming joystick................................................................................................................

soft joystick mode....................................................................................................................................

SLOW joystick mode...................................................................................................................................

X joystick mode..........................................................................................................................................

Keyboard Hotkeys.............................................................................................................................................

connecting multiple cameras............................................................................................................................

Home Run Connection......................................................................................................................................

how to connect........................................................................................................................................

Daisy-Chain Connection...................................................................................................................................

how to connect........................................................................................................................................

naming cameras in daisy-chain mode.....................................................................................................

working with presets..........................................................................................................................................

Setting and Recalling Presets.........................................................................................................................

Preset Scan.........................................................................................................................................................

Using the web remote..........................................................................................................................................

additional control settings .............................................................................................................................

additional video settings ..................................................................................................................................

 

*PTZJoy Controller has 2 control panels. By default, PTZJoy opens with only the Main panel visible. The Control Tools Panel can be opened and closed by clicking on the “Tools” button.

 

 

PTZJoy Controller panels can be used in either Narrow or Wide mode. Switch to the mode you prefer in the Settings Panel.

When the program is loaded, the Interface layout can be changed by clicking on the “PTZJoy Controller” label that is always visible.

The Main Panel interface can be locked in a specific spot on the screen by clicking on the “Position Lock” button in the Settings Panel. The Main Panel can be unlocked and movable again by either clicking on the “Position Lock” button in the Settings Panel or by double clicking on the “PTZJoy Controller” label that is always visible.

This manual covers PTZJoy IP Controller by IP Protocol, PTZJoy IP Universal Controller, PTZJoy VISCA Serial Controller, and PTZJoy IP/Serial Universal Controller. Cameras can be mixed or matched with Universal Software.

There are three Program Modes available for the Universal Version to simplify usage – “Serial and IP”, “Serial Only”, and “IP Only”.

Can be changed in the Settings Panel. Select which mode to load and restart the software to confirm.

Getting Started

In case with the Serial Port cameras:

Before starting PTZJoy, connect your PTZ camera to your computer using a VISCA Control cable. Please make sure your PTZ camera is turned ON.

1)      Connect the VISCA control cable to the Serial/USB COM port of your computer and to the VISCA In jack of your camera.

2)      Check which COM port number is being used by your serial device in the Ports section of the Device Manager* on your computer (example: COM2)**.

In case with the IP cameras:

Make sure they are connected to the network and discoverable.

*To access the Device Manager, open the Computer folder from your Control Panel, and click on Device Manager. Expand the Ports section to view your active COM ports and double check that there are no yellow exclamation marks. If you see a yellow exclamation mark next to any of your COM ports, you will need to fix this issue. If there are no yellow exclamation marks, these ports are active and available to control cameras.

** If you are connecting only one camera, or multiple cameras in a daisy chain mode, you will need to know only one COM port number. If you have multiple cameras connected to multiple ports, you will need to know the COM port numbers being used in order to switch between cameras in the PTZJoy.

Controlling your PTZ camera

In case with the Serial Port cameras:

Once the PTZ camera is connected to your computer, open PTZJoy. All COM ports available to control PTZ cameras will be listed in COM port window. Select the COM port your camera is connected to from the list of available COM ports and choose the desired method of camera control from the Control Type Selection buttons: VirJoy, USBJoy, KeyPad, or HotKeys.

In case with IP cameras:

Type the IP address of the camera in the IP address field, select the camera Protocol in the Settings panel, click Set and enjoy. Repeat for all your IP Cameras. Choose the desired method of camera control from the Control Type Selection buttons: VirJoy, USBJoy, KeyPad, or HotKeys.

Virtual Joystick Control

1)      Using your computer mouse, click on the virtual joystick and drag your computer mouse in the direction you want to move your selected camera*.

2)      To activate the Zoom In and Zoom Out feature, click and drag the Zoom Lever with your computer mouse up to zoom in and down to zoom out*.

3)      Adjust the focus of the camera but clicking and dragging the Focus Lever with your computer mouse up to focus near, and down to focus far*. Double click on the Focus Lever to auto focus the camera.                                                   

*Regulate the speed of the pan, tilt, and zoom movements by the movement of the computer mouse relative to the center point of the virtual controls - called the zero point, at which the speed is zero. The speed of pan and tilt movements is determined by the location of the mouse pointer relative to the center point of the virtual joystick; the speed of the zoom in and out movement is determined by the location of the mouse pointer relative to the center point of the zoom lever. The further away from the zero point of the virtual joystick or zoom lever that you move the mouse, the quicker the camera will move. The closer the mouse is to the zero point of the virtual joystick or zoom lever, the slower the camera will move.         

USB Joystick Control

We recommend checking if your cameras work with our Virtual Joystick first before trying to connect a USB Joystick.

1)      Connect your joystick controller to an available USB port on your computer and wait until your computer initializes it.

2)      Follow instructions below to calibrate your joystick.

Calibrating USB Joystick

Calibrating your joystick controller will help the joystick to work more accurately with the PTZJoy application by finding the exact zero points and peripheral borders of the controller.

It can be easily done in   Control Panel ŕ  Devices and Printers

After the USB joystick is connected and calibrated, you can begin using it to control your connected PTZ cameras.

1)      Click on the USBJoybutton.

2)      Move your USB joystick in the desired direction to control your camera. Regulate the speed of the pan and tilt movements by the movement of the joystick relative to its center point, or zero point. The further you move the joystick away from the zero point, the quicker the camera will rotate.

Using the Button Shortcuts on USB Joystick

All USB joysticks are different, but you can easily create your own button mapping scenario in the Settings panel.

It’s easy to reconfigure the buttons on the joystick controller to your needs.

            It can be done in the Settings Panel. Simply press a button on the joystick and you will see what number it is assigned to. Select desired command from the drop-down menu for that button.

Repeat for all buttons.

Important: Click the “Set” button to save changes. Your new settings will start working now.

 

Controlling Zoom Function on a gaming Joystick

If using a gaming joystick with a zoom lever, you can use this lever for controlling the zoom function with variable speeds. Since gaming joystick levers do not have a center, or zero, position like professional joysticks do, they will not return to the zero position when you release the lever – it has to be done manually.

Always start the program with the zoom lever in the middle position. By doing this, you will have full zoom control with variable speed of your camera.

1)    Start PTZJoy with the joystick’s lever in roughly the middle position.

2)    Move the zoom lever up and down to zoom in and out to find the point where you can completely stop the zoom. This is your zero point.

3)    Restart PTZJoy with the lever in middle position. Your joystick will be calibrated to use the zoom lever with a zero point. 

4)    You can now regulate the speed of the zoom by the movement of the zoom lever relative to its zero point. The further you move the lever away from it’s zero point, the quicker the camera will zoom in and out. To stop the zoom, move the zoom lever back to the zero point.

Slow Joystick Mode

This mode allows for slower, more precise movements of the camera by limiting top speed while using the Virtual joystick, USB joystick, or BallJoy control. Click on the “Slow Mode” button to switch to Slow Joystick Mode. There are three Slow modes available that you can cycle through.

The exact speed range depends on the joystick used and it’s calibration. Slow1 Mode will have the speed range from 0 to about 12. Slow2 Mode - from 0 to about 7. Slow3 Mode – from 0 to about 2.

SOFT Joystick Mode

This mode allows for gradual speed acceleration of the camera while using the Virtual or USB joystick. Click on the “Soft Mode” button to switch to Soft Joystick Mode.

X Joystick Mode

This mode limits camera movements to only the X-axis while using the Virtual Joystick, USB joystick, or PTZBall Control. Click on the “X-Joy” button to switch to X-Joystick Mode.

Keyboard Hotkeys

Control pan/tilt/zoom/focus/iris functions, change speed settings, call on presets, and switch cameras using pre-assigned shortcuts or “hotkeys” on any standard keyboard. This is a diagram of the PTZJoy pre-assigned keyboard hotkeys:

* Pressing Ctrl+1, Ctrl2, Ctrl+3, or Ctrl+4, or Ctrl+5 button combination allows to switch between active Port Numbers

** Pressing Ctrl+J button combination will Set Current Preset.

** Pressing Ctrl+~ button combination is to recall Home position.

Button “M” is for Manual Focus

Keyboard control speed can be changed by pressing buttons “-“ or “+”

*** Clicking on any text field in the PTZJoy required to activate directional arrows with some computers.

****Short tap on the directional buttons starts permanent camera movement until the button tapped again. Pressing and holding down any directional button will start camera movement in that direction until the button is released.

ConNecting Multiple Cameras

Home Run Connection

In case with the Serial Port cameras:

In a home run connection, multiple cameras are connected to different USB/Serial ports on one computer and each camera is controlled through a separate COM port.

How to connect:

1)      Connect your cameras to the USB/Serial ports of your computer using Serial/USB VISCA cables (described in detail in the Getting Started section).

2)      The Port Display Window will display which COM ports are being used by your cameras.

3)      Use the Port Manager to name the ports being used and to switch between cameras connected in home run mode. To name the port, select the number of the port, type in the desired name, and click Save. Switch between ports/cameras by clicking on the number or plus and minus buttons.

Note: You can connect and control up to 4 cameras in home run mode.

Daisy-Chain Connection

In case with the Serial Port cameras:

In a daisy chain connection, the first camera is connected to a USB port/Serial port of your computer and additional cameras are “daisy-chained” to the first camera using daisy chain cables. In this configuration, multiple cameras can be controlled through one COM port.

How to connect:

1)      Connect your first camera to the USB/Serial port of your computer using a USB/Serial VISCA cable.

2)      The Port Display Window will display which COM port is being used by your camera.

3)      Connect additional cameras to the first camera with daisy chain cables.

4)       Use the Daisy-Chain Camera manager to switch between cameras by clicking on the number or plus or minus buttons.

Note: You can Daisy Chain up to 7 Sony per COM port. Additional Daisy Chain connections can be added to additional available USB/Serial ports.

Naming cameras in Daisy Chain Mode

 Easily distinguish between multiple cameras by naming your connected cameras.

1)      In the Daisy-Chain Camera Manager section, select the number of the camera you wish to name.

2)      Type in the desired name for the camera and click Save. Repeat for all cameras connected in the daisy chain.

3)      Once all cameras are named, you can switch between cameras by selecting the camera from the list of camera number buttons and see which camera is currently chosen by name.

Working with Presets   

SETTING AND RECALLING Presets with Preset Tiles

       To activate the Tiles, click on the “Tiles” button so the Tiles become visible

1)      Click on a specific Preset Tile. Move your camera in desired position and click Set.

2)      Double click on a Preset Tile to replace the image. Any .JPG file can be used. It can be created using our USB Video monitor (if available) or can be copied from any external device.

We also provide a Snipping tool to crop an image off the screen and save it as a .jpg file. Use the “Snip” button for this task.

3)      Repeat for all available Preset Tiles.

4)      To recall a preset, click on a Preset Tile.

5)      The Preset Tile images are saved per port and per camera, so when using multiple cameras, the Preset Tiles will update with saved images every time the active camera is changed. 

6)      To clear all Preset Tile images for a specific camera, click the “Clear” button in the Settings panel.

Setting and recalling presets  with a preset dialer

To activate the Preset Dialer Panel, click on the “Tiles” button so the Preset Dialer Panel becomes visible

1)      Use the preset selection buttons in the Preset Setup section to select the preset number you wish to set up for the selected camera.

2)      Move your camera in the desired position, type the desired name for the preset in the preset name window, and click Set.

3)      Repeat for up to 256 presets*

4)      To recall a preset, use the preset selection buttons to select preset number and click Call. The current preset number and name will appear on the screen.

5)      If using USB Joystick to select presets, the current preset number and name will also appear on the screen.

 

*depends on your camera and on how many internal presets it can store.

WORKING WITH EXTERNAL PRESETS

With Internal Camera Presets, the camera itself stores the preset positions. We just send a command to recall a specific preset number.

With External Camera Presets, we store camera position coordinates in our software. It’s a process that requires a perfect two-way communication between the cameras and the controlling computer.

Click on the "Int"-"Ext" text field to switch between Internal and External camera presets.

External presets will give you an option to change the pan/tilt speed between presets. The Fade Speed slider is in the Tools Panel.

Important for Serial Port Cameras:

The External Presets Feature will only work if your VISCA Control Cable is wired correctly for the two-way communication.

Check your cable with our VISCA PTZ Tester Software. Your system works if you see a clear response (example: 90 41 FF 90 51 FF) from the camera after each command.

Only one program can be connected to a specific COM Port at a given time as well as only one computer or one hardware joystick controller can be connected to a single VISCA camera or to the Daisy Chain of the cameras on a specific COM Port at a given time.  Please Exit PTZJoy before starting VISCA Tester Software. Exit Tester Software before starting PTZJoy.

 

 

Preset Scan 

The Preset Scan feature allows you to command a selected camera to scan between presets at a specified time interval. Presets must already be configured.

1)      Click the “Preset Scan” button to start the scan cycle. Click it again to stop Preset Scan.

2)      Adjust the time interval between the presets with the Cycle Slider.

Using the PTZ Web remote

Control PTZ cameras connected to the Main Controller from the web browser of any computer or mobile device over any LAN, Wi-Fi, and WAN IP network. Use it as a far-end controller to switch between cameras, control pan, tilt, zoom, and focus, and call on presets. There is no limit on the quantity of simultaneous connections to our PTZ Web Server. It means that cameras can be controller simultaneously from as many devices as needed.

        

1)      Turn ON Web Control access on the Main Controller by clicking on the “On” button.

2)      The default port for Web Control is 80 and the current IP Address and access information of the Main Controller can be found in the Settings panel by clicking on the “Settings” button. The Port 80 is reserved by default in Skype, but Skype does not use this port. It is recommended to uncheck “Use Port 80 and 443 for additional incoming connections” field by opening Tools- Options- Advanced- Connection in Skype. Freeing the port 80 for PTZ control will allow distant PTZ camera control using the IP address only.

3)      Open the web browser on your mobile device and type in the IP Address of the computer with PTZJoy Controller

4)      The WebRemote will appear in the web browser of your mobile device and you can now control the PTZ cameras connected to the Main Controller.

5)      The WebRemote will appear full size in your web-browser – if you are using a computer, you can resize the WebRemote to a more convenient to use size by simply changing the zoom settings in the browser.

6)      The Camera Status Display will show relevant information such as which camera is being controlled, which port is selected, and the pan, tilt, and zoom speed.

*Control cameras using the WebRemote from a device outside of your local area network by configuring your router and opening ports to accept outside signals. Once your router is configured, you can open a web browser on any device and type in the IP Address of the computer with PTZJoy Controller and control your camera.

Additional Control Settings

Minimize to Taskbar: Minimizes program to taskbar for quick access

Start with Windows: Configure program to automatically start with Windows Startup.

1)      Click on the Start with Windows button in the Settings Panel to activate this feature

2)      Restart the computer.

3)      The program should start with Windows automatically.

If it does not start automatically, right click on the RocosoftPTZJoyController.exe program loader file in the program directory and select “Run as Administrator”. Click on the “Start with Windows” button in the Settings Panel again, close the program, and restart your computer.

Pan, Tilt, Zoom Flip: The P-Flip, T-Flip and Z-Flip buttons inverse the Pan, Tilt, and Zoom directions of a selected camera.

Camera ON/OFF: Turns selected camera ON or OFF

Camera Initiation: Allows you to add or remove cameras in a Daisy Chain connection without restarting all cameras.

Block Daisy Cams: Blocks daisy chain camera switching when in home run mode.

Auto-Pan

The AutoPan feature allows you to move the any camera left and right with a specified speed on a cycle.

 

1)      Click the “Auto Pan” button to start the pan cycle. Click it again to stop it.

2)      Adjust the AutoPan Cycle Time with the Cycle Slider and the AutoPan Speed with the main Speed Slider.

 

OSD Menu: Opens the camera’s onscreen display menu for additional controls           *Works with Cameras that support this feature

Wiper: ON/OFF  *Works with Cameras that support this feature

 

Additional VIDEO Settings

Wiper: ON/OFF

Tally Light: ON/OFF

Image Flip: ON/OFF

Mirror Image: ON/OFF

Backlight: Backlight Compensation

White Balance Settings: Auto Mode, Indoor Mode, Outdoor Mode.

Exposure Control Settings: Auto, Iris, Shutter, and Gain. Manually adjust settings with sliders.