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How To Connect A Ptz Camera To A Computer – Viral Believer
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How To Connect A Ptz Camera To A Computer

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Connecting Your PTZ Camera To Your PC

Two steps are required to connect your PTZ Camera to your computer. First, connect the camera controls. Second, connect the camera’s video feed to your PC. Both will be covered.

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Connecting the Camera Controls to Your Computer

PTZ cameras usually have an RS485/422 port that you can use to plug in your control cable (VISCA). These cameras can be connected to a computer using an RS485/RS232, RS422/RS232 converter. 

You can use an RS485/USB, RS422/USB, or RS232 converter if your computer does not have an RS232 port. This is known as a serial connection.

If your PTZ Camera is an IP camera, you can connect it using a Cat 5 or Cat 6 cable. The connection works in the same way as connecting your router to your computer for internet access. 

The Cat 5 or Cat 6 cable is plugged into the camera, and the other into the router, computer, or gigabyte switch. This cable is used to stream live software such as vMix and OBS.

Once the camera is properly connected to your computer, you can proceed to the next step. This involves setting up additional cameras in the same way as the first.

How to connect a PTZ camera to a computer using USB

This is the easiest solution. This is a simple solution. Connect one end to your camera and the opposite end to the USB port on your PC. Sometimes, you might need to do some extra steps. 

You may need to install drivers for some cameras before they can work. Sometimes you will need to modify the settings on your control panel to identify the camera you wish to view.

Although USB is very simple, there are some limitations. Your USB cable should not exceed 15 feet without using a USB signal booster. Connecting a USB cable when placing cameras far from your computer is difficult.

How to connect a PTZ camera to your computer using an SDI or HDMI capture card

Many computers don’t have inputs for SDI and HDMI. Do not connect a camcorder to an HDMI output that is used for monitoring. The camera will burn your computer’s video card.

A capture card is what most people use. This small piece of hardware transforms the signal from SDI to HDMI, depending on the video you send to USB.

An SDI (or HDMI) cable will connect your camera and the capture card. A USB cable will connect to the capture card. Your software will need to recognize the capture card. It will usually give you a brief description to identify the device.

Be aware that capture cards can cause latency. You may experience lag when you buy capture cards from Amazon.

How to connect a PTZ camera to your computer using NDI

You can choose NDI over SDI or HDMI. Although there may be additional steps after making this choice, they are generally self-explanatory. Here’s what you should do as a rule:

These connections are the same as setting up an IP address camera. Cat 5 or Cat 6 cables are required to connect the camera to the router, gigabyte switch, or computer. 

Next, you will need software to recognize the NDI signals. Not all cameras and software support the NDI protocol. It is more expensive to buy an NDI camera or for software that can capture NDI signals.

I hope you found this helpful in connecting a PTZ Camera to your computer.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.