Turn your video camera into a PTZ
Audio Effects introduces the all-new Datavideo PTR-10MKII, a robotic pan/tilt head designed to turn an ordinary camera into a fully remotely controllable PTZ! In addition, the ZEK-2 KIT, which includes components such as sprocket and motor, also provides your camera with zoom control without the need for on-site camera operators. In fact, events such as concerts, theatrical performances, church ceremonies, and any other situation where subjects are in motion are often not supported by budgets to pay for one or more video operators, especially in small productions. In some of these cases, this can be remedied by using PTZs…. However, the image quality they can return, while good, does not reach that of Micro four-thirds mirrorless (or even full-frame) cameras, such as the more popular Blackmagic Design cameras. To address this quality need, Datavideo has come up with the PTR-10MKII. You can thus decide to hook any compatible camera/video camera/box camera or camcorder onto this robotic head, with the lens you deem most suitable, to turn it precisely into a remotely controllable PTZ.
A winning idea that stems from a popular type of product
As we know, PTZ cameras are equipped with a motorized lens assembly that can be moved according to horizontal (pan, right/left), vertical (tilt, up/down) and zoom movement. The zoom movement allows the focal length of the lens to be varied, widening or narrowing the angle of view. In PTZs, the operator can control the movement and position of the camera remotely via the Web, through specific software, or by remote control; even multi-camera remote control operations can be handled by one person. Now, let’s think about doing the same thing with our mirrorless camera or box camera: we can then combine their advantages with those of PTZs!
A close look at PTR-10MKII
Datavideo has taken care of that with this excellent new product intended for professional users. Made of aluminum alloy for maximum strength and lightness, it supports a maximum weight of 4 kg. It can be attached to a tripod, or placed on any surface, installed on a wall or ceiling, for maximum flexibility of use. The camera attaches to the PTR-10MKII via an aluminum plate with a standard ¼” screw. The panning range of 340° corresponds almost to full rotation, while the tilt is ±45°. The respective movement speeds are variable between 0.12 to 15° / s for pan and 0.06 to 10° / s for tilt. For zoom adjustment, the ZEK-2 kit is used, which by means of a Tilta Nucleus-M motor mounted on a 15-mm bar, gear and spur gear, drives the respective ring nut on the lens. This kit enables automatic movement, storage and repositioning of the zoom on the Panasonic Lumix BGH-1/BS-1H and, in combination with Lumix Tether software, full camera control including aperture and manual focus.
Features are rounded out by the presence of a tally light, support for PoE++, and a D-tap connector for DC power, selectable for different cameras between 7.4 / 8.4 / 10 and 12 V. Both the camera and the zoom controller can be powered by the PTR-10MKII, which also supports many signal interfaces for pass-through. These include SDI, HDMI, RS-232, RS-422, DVIP, tally, and LANC: this allows all cables on the moving head to be separate from the base, preventing them from twisting during movement.
The PTR-10TMKII is the same version but with an HDBaseT interface. The usefulness of this model is especially evident in more complex installations, as one network cable carries the HDMI video signal output from the camera, power, USB, serial control cable, and network cable.
Sophisticated control systems
The Datavideo PTR-10MKII motorized head can be controlled in a variety of ways:
By the included IR controller,
By a universal controller based on VISCA protocol,
Using the Datavideo RMC-180 Camera, which can manage up to 4 cameras,
Using the Datavideo RMC-300° (up to 24 cameras in DVIP),
Using DVIP over Ethernet and other integration solutions such as Crestron.
It also implements LanC control compatible with a wide range of professional camcorders, allowing you to select the best camcorders for your needs. When video production requires many different angles and positions, 50 presets come to the rescue, which can also be recalled by IR remote control. The only optional accessory provided for the PTR-10MKII is the ZEK-1 Zoom Encoder Kit, which can detect and convert zoom position information via an encoder to send it back to controller memory in order to recall the saved position. It is compatible with lenses that have a rotary zoom ring.
Strengths.
Turns any camera/video camera/box camera or camcorder into a PTZ
Does not require physical operator presence on site
Numerous remote control options
Info: www.datavideo.com
