Lumens Integration, Inc.

What is a PTZ Camera?

Sept. 24, 2021 - Just what is meant by PTZ camera? PTZ is an acronym for a ‘pan tilt zoom’ camera. They are cameras with a built-in mechanism that allows them to swivel left and right, tilt up and down, and zoom in and out. Unlike a traditional camera which needs an operator positioned next to each camera, a PTZ camera is designed to be controlled at a distance. Because of their simple operation, a single camera operator can control multiple cameras, whether the units are positioned on tripods, mounted to the ceiling or in a gallery.

What are PTZ cameras used for?

PTZ cameras used to be all about surveillance and CCTV, and they are still the backbone of the security industry. However, a new breed of camera has been developed for professional content creation and this new take on PTZ is experiencing dramatic growth. As PTZ cameras can shoot very high quality HD and 4K video with accurate colours and low noise performance, they are now used extensively in the AV, broadcast and commercial sectors to replace traditional cameras.

1. PTZ cameras in Education

Online teaching and e-learning empower students to engage fully with their education, whether it’s part of a distance learning course or for learning consolidation. A PTZ can be installed in each teaching space to record or live stream each session, and to introduce interactive teaching with remote students. The ability of certain PTZ ranges to integrate with lecture capture platforms such as Panopto and Kaltura unleashes the potential for scheduled recordings, secure access, monitoring student progress and media management.

2. PTZ cameras in Conferences, Training and Live Events

PTZ cameras can fulfil many vital roles in live events such as delivering live coverage of conference sessions on screens within the venue, recording presentations for delegates and enabling real-time attendance for remote guests, Installed and controlled with ease, PTZ cameras can be used not only in the main auditorium, but also in seminar and training rooms to provide complete event coverage.

3. PTZ cameras in Houses of Worship

PTZ cameras fulfil two key functions in churches, mosques, temples and other houses of worship. Firstly, they display the services to the congregation on big screens within the venue. Secondly, they can stream festivals, events, gatherings and meetings to worshippers around the world. The small size, simple operation and pan-tilt-zoom versatility of the cameras means that they won’t disturb the proceedings. For many historic places of worship, the ease of installation of PTZ is important when the fabric of the building is fragile or protected by planning laws.

4. Using PTZ cameras in Courtrooms

Recording and streaming judicial hearings are an essential part of the justice system. With the operator sitting in an adjoining room or out of sight, PTZ cameras can be installed in the court and operated without disturbing the proceedings.

5. PTZ cameras in Theatres

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. This gives production companies and venues the perfect opportunity to monetize performances with audiences who could not otherwise enjoy the show. This makes them popular in everything from high school theatres to international opera houses.

6. PTZ Cameras for Sport

Their speed of motion tracking and excellent zoom lenses make PTZ ideal for filming indoor games and broadcasting stadium sports. With live coverage displayed in venue and streamed to global audiences, shooting sport with PTZ opens up new revenue and sponsorship opportunities for clubs, associations and tournaments. With all-round movement and powerful zooms, PTZ cameras can follow all the action, provide any camera angle and shoot both the on-pitch action and crowd reaction.

7. PTZ Cameras for TV and Broadcast Studios

As studio managers are under pressure to reduce costs and increase efficiency, PTZ cameras are increasingly used either as an addition to studio cameras or as a replacement for traditional systems. Their ability to provide excellent picture quality, dynamic movement and remote control enables producers to reduce their capital investment and operational overheads at the same time.

8. PTZ Cameras in Documentary Production

The fixed rig unit has become incredibly popular over the last decade, with broadcasters producing fly-on-the-wall documentaries. Hospitals, restaurants, hotels, airlines… they have all been the subject of prime time TV shows and they have all been shot using PTZ cameras. Discreet, near-silent, easy to install and designed for remote control, they can go where traditional camera crews would be a distraction and an unnecessary expense.

9. PTZ in eSports and Radio Production

Radio and eSports share one thing in common: while their main activity is not video! Nevertheless, radio stations and gaming tournaments are installing multiple cameras to stream live to audiences, adding global coverage to their output at low cost and with minimal technical knowledge required. Working in confined spaces, small cameras are essential to give a wide field of view and keep production areas as free of kit as possible. A combination of PTZ, USB and mini cameras give these users the perfect solution.

How good are PTZ cameras?

The image from a CCTV camera can be poor – grainy, noisy, lacking detail and with very dull colours. Unfortunately, a lot of cheap PTZ cameras are based on these security cameras and are not suitable for professional video use. Good PTZ cameras deliver a level of performance that can rival TV cameras. So, what makes a quality product? With PTZ cameras, there are four factors that you should look for in a PTZ:

1. The quality of the lens: a video-optimized lens will deliver faithful colours and pictures without distortion at all zoom angles and at any F-stop.

2. The sensor must be able to deliver high sensitivity, low noise at excellent performance in low light.

3. Processing: in video, milliseconds count or pictures can fall out of sync with audio and producers cannot cut between different cameras. The processor must be able to deliver pictures without delay while adjusting for noise reduction, white balance, exposure control, focusing and other imaging parameters.

4. The pan tilt zoom mechanism needs to be smooth. It needs to be whisper quiet. And it needs to be adjustable to the finest degree to make sure the producer gets exactly the right shot every time.

The final thing to look for in a PTZ camera is the manufacturer’s guarantee. Some offer up-to 5 years at no additional cost, an indication of a quality product. 

How do I connect my PTZ camera?

If a car needs fuel, oil and coolant, a PTZ camera is all about power, video and control. As modern PTZ cameras are forward and backward compatible, many models have an incredible amount of versatility when it comes to connection.

Depending on the model, you can opt for:

- A single Ethernet (a LAN/Cat5) cable can provide power and control to the camera while delivering video output to the switcher or direct to the Internet - Video out via HDMI, SDI or HDBaseT

- Power via a network connection or via a dedicated power adapter

- Control over Ethernet using a PC/Mac or a dedicated hardware controller

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