Tag: Vizrt Group

PTZOptics and HuddleCamHD Expand Video over IP Support

DOWNINGTOWN, Pa. – PTZOptics, leading manufacturer of affordable broadcast-quality robotic cameras, announces the release of the PT-JOY-G4, a camera control joystick offering serial or network-based camera control. At the same time, PTZOptics’ sister company HuddlecamHD announces the rollout of NDI® (Network Device Interface technology)* to their SimplTrack2 and HuddleView cameras, which provide auto-tracking and auto-framing of subjects, respectively. NDI® enables users to encode, transmit, and receive multiple streams of broadcast-quality, low latency, frame-accurate video and audio in real time. These announcements demonstrate a commitment to helping users easily capture, display, share, and broadcast video over standard network infrastructure.

PT-JOY-G4 Joystick

With outputs for RS-232, RS-485, RS-422, and Ethernet control signals, the PT-JOY-G4 can connect to new equipment and legacy cameras from a wide range of brands, including PTZOptics, Sony, and others. The joystick offers the ability to switch between network and serial input protocols with the touch of a button: ideal for organizations in the midst of upgrading to IP-based video.

“We really wanted this joystick to just work,” says Matt Davis, Director of Technology & Information Systems at PTZOptics. “No matter what cameras you’re using or what kind of control signals you’re sending, adding the PT-JOY-G4 into your production workflow makes your life instantly easier.”

The PT-JOY-G4 was designed for maximum efficiency, allowing users to set up cameras using the built-in LCD display or a web interface. Internal testing has found that the PT-JOY-G4’s web interface can reduce camera setup time by up to 80 percent. The web interface also offers import/export settings functionality, allowing users to efficiently standardize multiple cameras or locations.

Now available for order for $549 USD (MAP), the PT-JOY-G4 offers nuanced control in a compact form factor. Users can operate camera position, zoom and focus in real time, or call up to 255 camera presets, including 9 quick pre-sets. For product specifications and more information, visit: https://ptzoptics.com/pt-joy-g4.

HuddleCamHD NDI® Rollout

A firmware update released on June 2 brings NDI®| HX capabilities to the SimplTrack2 and Huddleview cameras. Current owners can download and install the latest control software from the HuddleCamHD website to get this upgrade. Once the firmware is installed, the cameras will instantly be discoverable as NDI® devices; users will need to obtain an NDI®|HX license from Vizrt Group for each device for full functionality. Pre-licensed NDI® SimplTrack2 and Huddleview cameras are slated to begin shipping in early 2022.

“Our enterprise customers have been clamoring for this,” says Davis, “And for good reason. Now, they’ll be able to manage hundreds of cameras—or send feeds to hundreds of endpoints—centrally and securely, using their existing local area network infrastructure.”

The update empowers large-campus applications, including higher education and Fortune 500 corporate end users, to make more efficient use of video resources. In addition to NDI® discovery and distribution, the new update includes automatic multicast IP address assignment, eliminating the need for a media server to broadcast over a multicast-capable network. Users can also define NDI® discovery servers to handle all NDI® cameras and products, reducing overall traffic load, and segregate and hide cameras in virtual groups.

Free Training Resources

PTZOptics and HuddlecamHD are committed to ensuring that user expertise expands alongside device capabilities. Coinciding with the release of the PT-JOY-G4 and the rollout of NDI®|HX capabilities to the SimplTrack 2 and Huddleview, Paul Richards, Marketing Director for PTZOptics and HuddlecamHD, is releasing the free eBook The Unofficial Guide to NDI®. This book provides an introduction to NDI® and a deep dive into currently available technologies and tools for IP video production. The book is accompanied by an online course with further explanation on complex topics and real-world examples.

“This is the perfect book for anyone interested in the future of video production,” says Richards. “NDI® can eliminate the need for custom cabling, interfaces, capture cards, and black boxes. This kind of versatility and simplicity is where video streaming is headed.”

The Unofficial Guide to NDI® is available for free at https://ptzoptics.com/ndi-book/.

*NDI® is a registered trademark of Vizrt Group

June 23, 2021
Bidwell Presbyterian using NewTek TriCaster® to Offer Live Video and Connect Community During COVID-19 Restrictions

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Bidwell Presbyterian Church in Chico, California has many digital offerings, including a mobile app and live video of its worship services available to all – offerings that went from impressive to critical during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

“About two years ago we looked to video to enhance what we’re already doing, and start being more relevant to younger generations and integrating our services with technology,” said Miykael Goodwin, Director of Technology at Bidwell Presbyterian Church. “When the pandemic started, we were in lockdown and it was a little bit of a growing pain like everyone else had. But we also knew we had this resource available to us that we could take advantage of.”

That resource is NewTek’s TriCaster® live production system.

Reducing the burden with NewTek

NewTek’s line of TriCaster live production systems offer powerful and affordable tools to help craft more stories, better told. TriCaster systems put an entire suite of media production capabilities at a creator’s fingertips. The systems offer native Skype integration – perfect for bringing remote callers into a video. TriCaster live production systems also offer many social media integrations, allowing live streaming to Facebook Live, Microsoft® Azure®, Periscope, Twitch, YouTube™ Live, and more.

Further, when combined with NDI® – the free-to-use, video-over-IP protocol that allows video signals to be made instantly available over the network – the TriCaster can make use of NDI PTZ cameras. These cameras require only a single Ethernet connection for setup, power, operation, and signal flow.

Thanks to NewTek, church members can access the service on their phone.

Remote production, fully flexible

The video control room sits in a building across the street from the church. This helps meet social distancing requirements, and as the two locations are on the same network, there is no issue with taking complete control of the production remotely thanks to NDI.

“It’s been very convenient to where if we need to adjust cameras at the main campus, we don’t have to walk across the street or phone somebody to make those quick adjustments,” Goodwin said. “We can do it all on the fly. Or if we do see a problem, we’re able to address it quickly.”

NDI allows individuals and organizations to access the benefits of IP-based, software-defined visual storytelling for a fraction of the cost of other IP protocols or traditional video transport methods. Many manufacturers have adopted NDI, and many free-to-use NDI tools are available for download. With NDI, nearly any video source can be utilized for creative storytelling.

Easy to use, powerful connections

Goodwin praises the user-friendly layout of the TriCaster system and said the support offerings from NewTek have helped Bidwell Presbyterian with its broadcasts. Further, he says the system has been mission-critical for the church during COVID-19 restrictions.

“Using NewTek Technology, and using this equipment, allows you to reach more than just your immediate community,” he said. “It allows you to reach the hard-to-reach or the hurting…they can access it from their phone, they can access it from their computer.”

Goodwin said those results – coupled with the ease-of-use and flexibility of the system – make NewTek solutions easy to recommend.

“If you’re on the fence, or you’re looking for a solution to bring your house of worship into a digital world, then I highly recommend looking into the NewTek products and their offerings,” he said. “They have so many solutions that could help enhance what you’re already doing or help expand to people you are trying to reach.”

Read more and watch the video about Bidwell Presbyterian Church here.

April 12, 2021
NewTek Spark Plus IO Converter sends 12G-SDI over Ethernet

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — NewTek, the leader in IP-based video technology and part of the Vizrt Group, announced a new addition to its existing range of Spark Plus IO converters. The NewTek Spark™ Plus IO 12G-SDI encodes and decodes 12G-SDI sources to and from IP-friendly NDI^® at up to 2160p ultra high-definition for greater resolution, frame rates, and color fidelity catering to the most demanding of media workflows.

“With Spark Plus IO 12G-SDI we are able to support the full spectrum of video production needs with the groundbreaking benefits of NDI® to save producers time and money while opening up new creative possibilities,” said Barbara Spicek, president of NewTek. “This new product serves to cement the NewTek and Vizrt Group commitment to build products that allow our customers to make more stories, better told.”

NewTek Spark Plus IO 12G-SDI offers video and media production professionals a quick and easy solution to convert 12G-SDI UHD video into an IP-based media production workflow. It easily connects to 12G-SDI cameras or devices, converts the video signal to NDI and shares it with any compatible system, device, or application anywhere on the network including UHD screens, monitors, projectors, or video walls. It can also turn any legacy 12G-SDI-enabled output device like a screen or monitor into an NDI signal on the network by using the decode functionality. Setup requires just one Ethernet cable. A web-based interface allows easy configuration and monitoring from a desktop or mobile browser as well as tally support via NDI and the option to mount onto cameras.

The Spark family of converters are compatible with hundreds of systems, devices, and applications that support NDI technology. Sparks pair perfectly with the TriCaster^® Mini 4K and TriCaster TC1 for a configuration-free NDI experience and the flexibility to route NDI to screens.

Pricing and Availability

NewTek Spark Plus IO 12G-SDI converters are available now and are priced at $1,095 USMSRP. International pricing may vary.

For more information about NewTek and these new products, please visit https://www.newtek.com.

January 29, 2021