PTZ Visca Control with USB Joystick

[mikeba]

It appears the PTZOptics App doesn't work with the Lumens PTZ (VC-A52S) camera per this post:
https://help.ptzoptics.com/support/discussions/topics/13000022947/page/2?url_locale=

Hi Meldryn Mawr,

Unfortunately this solution was designed by PTZOptics for their customers to use with the PTZOptics cameras and was not built to support other manufacturers. There are some other brands that operate in a similar fashion and thus can be used with our control solutions but be aware that PTZOptics is unable to provide support in such instances. One could compare the Lumens API against the PTZOptics API and communication specifications to determine what level of compatibility exists...

Our Stake Center was recently upgraded with Extron A/V and the Lumens PTZ is connected to a Keystone USB to Serial.

We've tried quite a few different apps (whether serial based or TCP/IP using COM over TCP) without result. The Lumen VMS software doesn't work with 'ports' so COM over TCP doesn't work, and their USB software doesn't do anything.

I can send some serial cmds via Putty and I can see ACK so I know it's talking. I'd like see if Jeremy's GoLang option works however we don't have a Raspberry Pi to play with at the moment.

Fortunately, we're not fully dead in the water as the Lumen IR remote works however the contractor did not connect a remote IR sensor in the A/V room. Lots of walking to make an occasional adjustments...

[iStreamer]

Hi all,

we have bought a PTZ camera recently (https://www.amazon.es/Zowietek-PTZ-Pro- ... 37W2&psc=1)

It comes with an IR control that is pretty unusable (only if you point to the front part). It has an ETH connection, so as an alternative, we can open a browser and configure and operate the camera. This includes PTZ control via buttons, and configuration of presets via a checkbox list.

I see I am not the only one that is willing to control the PTZ movements with an xbox controller using the PC. The PTZ is 15 meters away the PC. Of course the PC does not have any serial input.

I have seen Rocosoft software can be installed on a Win10 PC and you can simply plugin your xbox controller to the PC and control the PTZ camera (via ETH I guess). Is there any simple solution like this available for free?

Some of you provided a Visca controller software (100€) that seems to be able to do this but via a RS-232 cable from PC to PTZ. I don't know how can I use this method if my PC does not have serial ports.

Can you share some experience on this?

Thnaks!

[Biggles]

In our Stake building we have used a RS232 to USB adaptor module. Sorry don't have any more details on the adaptor, as the control system was installed by our FM. A Google search should find something suitable.

For control we use the free Visca software, at this link http://www.rnl3c.com/ptzc/ made available to us by a Church member.

[iStreamer]

In our Stake building we have used a RS232 to USB adaptor module. Sorry don't have any more details on the adaptor, as the control system was installed by our FM. A Google search should find something suitable.

For control we use the free Visca software, at this link http://www.rnl3c.com/ptzc/ made available to us by a Church member.

Thank you so much for the reply! Interesing software. I will test this as soon as possible. I will use a USB to RS-485 adapter + some cabling (you can use ETH internal cables) to conect to the RS-485 port of the camera (2 pins). I cannot use the RS-232 due to the long distance.

I will update the info as I test it.

Bless!

[iStreamer]

Hi all,

I can finally control my camera using the same network (PC and PTZ) with an Xbox360 USB controller. PC and PTZ are in the same LAN. The control information is sent to the LAN port of the camera so you don't need any extra cabling. Just HDMI for video and ETH for control (and possibly video too). To do that, I have tested the demo version of http://camcontroller.com/index2.html software (100$).

For this to work, your PTZ has to be compatible with VISCA over IP.

It is possible to make a free version using python with some combination of:

Python examples for reading Xbox360 commands (See it in google caché, it seems no longer active):
http://teachintech.noacsc.org/activity.php?id=251125

Python code for VISCA-over-IP:
https://github.com/misterhay/VISCA-IP-Controller

If any end up combining both feel free to share the program.