Tags: FoMaKo KC606N PTZ Controller

Hi, this is Conrad again at Christ Lutheran today. I’d like to walk you through a new piece of equipment we have that complements our new cameras. This is a new PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) controller, which replaces our older, larger controller. While the old one worked fine, this new controller has some additional capabilities, especially for our newer cameras, including NDI (Network Device Interface) support. Let me share what I’ve discovered and how to set up this controller to take full advantage of both our older and newer cameras.

First, let’s talk about our camera setup. We have four cameras in total. Two are mounted on the walls, one is on a tripod, and the fourth is on the other side of the church. All four cameras feed into a Roland V-1HD video switcher via HDMI. The switcher also supports NDI, which I’m using for one of the cameras. The goal is to control all four cameras with this single PTZ controller, rather than having a separate remote for each camera.

The new controller is compact, about half the size of the old one, and feels solid in hand. It’s made of plastic but doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy. The menu is navigated using a joystick or buttons, and there are multiple ways to perform the same actions, which makes it user-friendly. For example, you can use the joystick to scroll through menus or press buttons to select and back out of options.

To set up the controller, I first ensured it worked with our older cameras as a fallback. All cameras are connected via HDMI, and we’re using a protocol called VISCA over IP for communication. The new controller supports this protocol, as well as NDI, which is a big advantage for our newer cameras.

The setup process involves assigning static IP addresses to each camera so they can be easily identified on the network. Once the cameras are connected, the controller can search for them using the VISCA over IP protocol. For the NDI camera, I used a separate protocol. The controller can handle multiple protocols simultaneously, which is very convenient.

After assigning IP addresses, I labeled each camera in the controller’s menu: Camera 1, Camera 2, Camera 3, and Camera 4 (NDI). This makes it easy to switch between cameras during services. The controller also allows me to adjust pan, tilt, zoom, focus, and other settings for each camera individually.

One of the key features of this controller is the ability to set presets for each camera. Presets are stored in the camera’s memory, so I can quickly recall specific positions with a single button press. For example, Preset 1 might focus on the altar, Preset 2 on the pulpit, and so on. This is especially helpful for volunteers who need to quickly adjust the camera angles during services.

I also demonstrated how to adjust the pan and tilt speed using the joystick. The new controller offers smoother and more precise control compared to the old one. Additionally, I showed how to reverse the joystick’s tilt direction, which is useful for someone like me, a retired pilot, who is used to pulling back to go up and pushing forward to go down.

The controller also has a preview feature, allowing me to see what each camera is capturing directly on the controller’s screen. However, I prefer using the Roland switcher’s multi-view display for a better overview of all cameras.

In summary, the new KC606N PTZ controller is a significant upgrade for our church’s camera system. It’s easy to set up, supports multiple protocols, and offers precise control over our cameras. The ability to set and recall presets makes it much easier for volunteers to manage the cameras during services. Overall, it’s a fantastic piece of equipment that enhances our ability to stream and record services effectively.