PTZ Cameras as a Conferencing Solution

When your corporate meetings and classes can't get together in the same room, looking for a complete solution to make video conferencing easy becomes a necessity. One of the most versatile camera types for video conferences is the PTZ conference camera, so let’s look at some solutions for your meetings, classes, and events.

PTZ cameras are ideal for installing in a static location while maintaining the ability to pan, zoom, and tilt to capture different parts of the room for multiple speakers and visual subjects. Their compact forms are designed to be mounted on a cabinet, wall, or ceiling, on top of monitors, on tables—pretty much anywhere. Wide-angle lenses allow the cameras to capture the entire room or conference room table, while the zoom function can isolate the active speaker.

Combining multiple PTZ cameras into your conference gives you even more options for quickly switching to different parts of the room, between wide and close-up shots, to a white board, or to a document. Current technology even allows you to set auto-tracking on your PTZ camera, such as with the Panasonic Auto-Tracking server software, so the camera can follow specific speakers automatically, without intervention.

Let Them See You

There are a few different options for your conference room PTZ cameras:

• All-in-one streaming cameras like the HuddleCamHD, PTZOptics SDI, or AViPAS HD.
• Cameras like the Marshall Electronics USB/HDMI or Lumens that require a computer or video switch to share on the Internet.
• Most PTZ cameras support remote control options such as serial remote, IR remote, video switching, or software control.
• There are numerous choices, such as resolution like HD or 4K, and connection method, such as USB, SDI, HDMI, or NDI.
• Cameras with integrated recording like the Panasonic 4K PTZ camera using SD cards. If the camera doesn’t feature a drive or SD card recording, the video output such as an HDMI or SDI port can be used to record onto a DVR or record your stream using software.
• Bring your own camera. There are all-in-one conferencing packages that allow you to use your own cameras, such as DSLRs, camcorders, or smartphones, that include everything you need to capture your cameras, edit, record, and stream, such as SlingStudio and its components.

Also consider your local network capabilities, where you’ll get power from, e.g., PoE (Power-over-Ethernet), whether you might need to convert your signal by encoding or decoding the video for streaming, what monitors you’ll use, and all the other required hardware and cabling.

Let Them Hear You, Too

Most PTZ and webcams are only cameras, so be sure to consider how you’ll send and receive your conference audio. Since conferencing is generally done in a closed environment, you may opt for professional sound installations or just basic microphones to convey your audio clearly. However, when you are in a conference room with many individuals, you may need to address noise canceling, a wide pickup range, power options, and how the mics will connect to your conference stream.

Be sure to consider:

• The size of the room and how many mics are needed.
• How many individuals will be speaking.
• Where the mics need to be placed.
• How the mics will connect to your conferencing system and whether you need a mixer.
• Whether your mic needs to be mounted, such as the Stem Audio Ceiling, or put on a table.
• Dynamic versus mics that require power.
• Whether you require mics to connect to your computer.
• Don’t forget the speakers!

There are several web-conferencing starter kits available that include various components such as microphones, encoders, switchers, remote controllers, and everything you need to get your PTZ conference room up and running, such as:

• The GROUP Videoconferencing System from Logitech that includes a camera, speakerphone, remote control, and speakers.
• The Rally Conference Camera System from Logitech that includes a camera, microphone, switcher, and speakers.
• The HuddleCamHD House-of-Worship Streaming Kit with a camera, tripod, and microphone.
• This Sony Wirecast kit for houses of worship with cameras, controller, and software.
• The Datavideo EZ Streaming Package, which includes a switch, camera, encoder, and video switcher.

Browse the B&H Photo website for more PTZ camera solutions, and let us know how your PTZ environment setup is progressing in the Comments section, below.