How to Control PTZ Cameras with Rocosoft PTZ Camera Controller

With PTZJoy PTZ Camera Controller, you don't need anything else to control your PTZ Cameras. Our Virtual Joystick Controller mimics a real joystick and offers precise pan/tilt/zoom controls with variable speed.

PTZJoy also has key board shortcuts programmed into the app, so you can actually control your cameras using your computer keyboard. Control pan and tilt movement, zoom in and out, switch between cameras, switch between presets, and more.

Use PTZBall Mode to control PTZ cameras using a laptop touchpad, trackball mouse, or simply using the movement of any regular mouse. In the video, we demonstrate how convenient it is to use a trackball mouse for PTZ camera control.

If you like the feel of a hardware joystick, you can connect ANY wired USB Joystick, wireless Bluetooth joystick, or gaming controller and use it as a PTZ Camera Controller. With simultaneous pan/tilt/zoom, 3 joystick performance modes, and custom button mapping, the result smooth and reliable camera control.

Video Links:

Keyboard Hotkeys Diagram: https://www.rocosoft.com/knowledge-base/controlling-cameras/keyboard-hotkeys/

Joystick Button Mapping: https://www.rocosoft.com/knowledge-base/usb-joysticks/customizing-joystick-buttons/

Rocosoft PTZ Camera Controller Software Version 8 Release is Coming Soon

New Features and Functionality with PTZJoy PTZ Camera Controller Version 8!

You asked and we listened! We have been compiling a list of feature requests from our clients and will be releasing Rocosoft PTZ Camera Controller Version 8 in the coming weeks. We are making performance improvements to the current software features and adding some really exciting new functionality.

Here’s what to look forward to:

Macros to control vMix, TriCaster, and Panasonic switchers and PTZ Cameras. Added possibility to execute individual custom commands, run scripts, load programs, send HTTP requests, etc.
Use a Serial Joystick Controller like Sony RM-BR300 Joystick or Telemetrics Joystick controller to control IP Cameras
Multi-Camera Direct Control Panel being added to PRO Edition
Joystick Button Mapping supports joysticks with up to 30 buttons
4 Joystick Button Mapping Profiles – set up to 4 different configurations (profiles) of button shortcuts on your joystick
Support for multiple simultaneously connected USB or Bluetooth joysticks – have multiple joysticks connected and each joystick is assigned a camera to control
Multi-Joystick individual camera control - connect multiple joysticks and use them to control individual cameras, any joystick can control any camera
Three levels of Soft Joystick Mode
Support for Tricaster TC1
External Presets with Fade Speed Slider to change preset recall speed
Full API support to manage PTZ cameras from any device or other software using HTTP Requests
PTZLayer overlay feature added to PTZLive Visual Preset Panel
Tandberg/Cisco camera support with presets
Real time Iris, Shutter, Gain, White balance, R-Gain, and B-Gain monitoring and control
New COM Port handling in VISCA software so PTZJoy can work with Port Splitters on multiple active COM Ports.

PTZ Camera Automation – How to Create a Task Schedule

PTZ Camera Automation - How to Create a Task Schedule

PTZJoy Controller's Task Scheduler is a powerful camera automation tool that lets users create play lists for pre-determined control of your camera(s). Use this feature to create schedules for your cameras to run presets, move in a specific direction at a specific speed, turn on and off, and execute other specific commands.

Commands available for scheduling:

Presets
Directional movements with variable speeds – Left, Right, Up, Down, Up-Left, Up-Right, Down-Left, Down-Right
Zoom In and Out with variable speeds
Power On/Off
Backlight On/Off
White Balance On/Off
Manual Focus
Auto Focus
Night Mode On/Off
Camera Freeze On/Off
Video Mute On/Off
Negative Image On/Off
B/W Image On/Off

HOW TO CREATE TASK SCHEDULE

Open the Timeline Task Scheduler by clicking the Timeline button towards the bottom of the PTZJoy interface.
Input the time you want this event to occur.
Select the port and the camera you wish to create an event for from the drop down menus.
Select the desired command from the drop down menu.
Click Add to Playlist.
Repeat for as many events you want to add to your playlist and click Save Playlist.
Click on Open Playlist to run your saved playlist and click on the Play button to start playing the playlist.

You can edit events on any playlist and add and delete playlists.

Controlling PTZ Cameras with a USB, Bluetooth, or Gaming Joystick

Turn ANY Joystick into a PTZ Joystick Camera Controller

Instead of getting a costly dedicated joystick control surface, you can use our software to turn a budget-friendly joystick into a precise professional PTZ Joystick Camera Controller.

Rocosoft PTZ Camera Controller Software lets you connect ANY wired USB joystick, wireless Bluetooth joystick, or gaming joystick to your computer or live production system and use it to control your PTZ cameras.

Control your PTZ Cameras with simultaneous pan, tilt, zoom control as well as variable speed control with the connected joystick, a feature not usually available with many PTZ joystick controller surfaces on the market.

Joystick Performance Modes

There are also 3 joystick performance modes available that come in handy when broadcasting, live streaming, or recording with your PTZ Cameras.

X-Joystick Mode – Enables panning on X axis only. This is great for camera shots where you want a smooth, even pan from left to right.
Slow mode - Limits top joystick speed by expanding joystick travel between speed level changes. This is great for when you precision of control and to move the camera at a slower speed range. This mode eliminates any quick speed ups in movement.
Soft mode- Gradual joystick speed acceleration so the camera increases the speed of its movement steadily as you move the joystick, for a flying camera effect.