FAQ's

PTZ cameras allow you to capture multiple angles, zoom levels and reposition remotely — effectively replacing multiple fixed cameras in many cases. This gives you flexibility and cost savings when you want dynamic camera control without an operator at each camera.

Yes, you absolutely can use PoE cameras in your broadcast setup! In fact we like to recommend using technologies like NDI or Dante AV simply because they allow for a simplified installation and workflow for these cameras. You can power the camera, control the camera, and if using Dante AV or NDI you can also broadcast all through the same Cat cable! 

A simple way to do this is to do a “clap test”. Essentially have someone stand in front of the camera and clap while you are recording. You can then review the footage in an editing software to get an accurate reading of how delayed the audio and video are (either in milliseconds or frames) and then introduce a delay on either the audio or video source so that they align when encoding or streaming!

This mostly comes down to your use case. A capture card will take an input (USB, HDMI or SDI most commonly) and deliver the raw or sometimes lightly compressed video to a computer where you can edit it, record it or even stream it. A hardware encoder however will take the video input and then convert that into a format designed for streaming without you needing a computer. Both can be useful but if you want to eliminate the need for a computer, an encoder might be useful for you!

The first thing we’d recommend is to check if the display’s settings are properly set. Your options might be something like “Fit to Screen” or “Overscan/Underscan”. Once that’s done verify that the multiviewers output resolution or scaling is matching what your display is both capable of and set to. Then double check the aspect ratio as well. Make sure that your sources are correctly assigned and if necessary use the bevel correction feature!

You can find the firmware upgrade package of your device under the Resources tab on the respective product page.

If the firmware package isn't there, please reach out to our technical support team.

To put it simply, latency can add up like a snowball rolling down a hill! From your camera’s processing power, what capture card or encoder you’re using, the load on the network or switch, and even how you’re decoding and displaying can all contribute to a larger latency. To keep latency down, try using the camera’s direct output, try to utilize efficient codecs, and make sure your switch and hardware are up to the task. One way can measure latency would be by sending a visual signal from the camera and seeing how long it takes to show up on the stream or display.

The answer is that it really depends on distance and other needs for the project. HDMI is fine for short runs (less than 50ft for 1080p and less than 15ft for 4k)  and can be a great option for single camera setups. SDI is the standard and preferred for professional studios due to it being more suited to long cable runs and how well it holds up to abuse. NDI or IP-based streaming is ideal when you want network-based flexibility, remote production or multiple sources over a LAN/WAN and it's also well suited to long runs.

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You most likely need to clear the cache and refresh the page. If that doesn’t help, try power cycling the unit and disconnecting/reconnecting to the network.

1. Open the PC tool
2. Enter [ctrl+shift+F2] on your keyboard
3. Click on the Network Settings tab that appears on the upper right side of the screen

• Determine IP Scheme: Align camera IPs with your network (e.g., 192.168.30.***).

• Assign Unique IPs: Modify the last octet for each camera (e.g., Camera 1: 192.168.30.164, Camera 2: 192.168.30.165).

• Prevent Conflicts: Move cameras from default IPs to avoid conflicts.

• Sequential Setup: Configure cameras individually to prevent IP conflicts during the process.

The camera's manual or web interface under 'Network Port' lists the port number to use based on the protocol used.

If you've set your 2x2 video wall, but the image seems to run off the screen, or not fit evenly on all sides, you will need to turn on 'Fit to Screen' on your TV. 

The 'Fit to Screen' setting can be found under picture size settings on most TVs. You might see that this setting is set to 'Auto', but it will need to be set to 'On' to take effect.

If you need to change the IP address of your camera, you will need to log into the WebGUI of your camera using your current IP address by typing and searching the IP address in any web browser. 

Once you log in, you will go into the settings (CONFIG) and change the IP address under the Network settings. Note: you will need to change the IP address and the default gateway.

To access the WebGUI of your camera, you will first need to find the IP address of the camera. 

Once you've confirmed the IP address, you will type that IP address into a web browser and search. From there, you should see a login page, where both the username and password will be 'admin'. If you cannot access the login page, you will need to change the IP address of your laptop. Please contact support if you need assistance.

For any BZBGEAR device, you can find the default IP address in the Network section of the manual. 

For cameras, the IP address can also be found using the IR remote if you are connected to a monitor.

Please see these instructions Steps_Eliminate_Flickering_Bars

Power over Ethernet (PoE) allows you to power your camera and deliver a network connection over a single ethernet cable. This gives you more flexibility in camera placement and eliminates the need for expensive electrical work to move or install a power outlet near the camera. Ethernet cables are inexpensive and low-profile, allowing for a cheap, clean installation.

Here is a link to some BZBGEAR PTZ cameras with POE capability.

The most obvious benefit of PTZ cameras is the ability to capture more than one angle. Where a stationary camera can capture a single, static shot, a PTZ can capture multiple angles and zoom levels. This gives you flexibility in the look of your production, as well as allowing a single PTZ camera to do the work of multiple fixed cameras. The motorized optical zoom can also be used to help identify smaller details that a fixed lens camera may not catch. For a closer look at the PTZ cameras offered by BZBGEAR follow the link below.

Yes, you can easily mount your PTZ camera upside down by using a compatible bracket. Once your camera is mounted there are a few ways to invert your camera picture depending on which camera you have. One option is to access your camera’s settings via theWebGUI. Locate the option in image settings for vertical flip and check the box. Another option is to use the IR remote control to change your view via the on-screen menu. This option will typically be found under image settings. On a select few cameras there is a dedicated button on the remote labeled ‘flip’.

Click HERE to watch the video.

PTZ cameras can be controlled in a variety of ways including an IR remote, a joystick controller, and WebGUI. IR remote controls usually offer a limited set of basic features for controlling the camera and recalling presets. IR remote controls are easy to use for close-range camera control but generally do not work when the camera is mounted far away from the operator. We recommend the joystick controller as the most efficient way to control your PTZ camera by either utilizing a local area network or traditional serial controllers that can daisy-chain through direct connections. Chris shows us how it’s done in the video below!

A capture card is a device designed to convert a video signal to USB for storing, editing, and/or streaming from a computer. They typically support HDMI or SDI signals but are also made for various other formats. If your camera or video device doesn’t have a USB video output, you need a capture card. In the video below Steve demonstrates how they work.

The answer to this question is very dependent on your situation.

SDI is a good option for long distance or for temporary setups. It is durable and holds up to the abuse of a live environment better than an HDMI cable. It is typically used in multi-camera situations along with a video mixer.

HDMI is a good option for cable lengths less than 50 feet. It is the most widely used video connection and provides compatibility with the largest number of devices. It is a great choice for homes, offices, and any other setting with permanently installed wire runs of less than 50 feet.

USB is best used for webcam and video conferencing purposes. It works best with cable lengths below 15 feet. It is the simplest method of connection, only requiring a computer running a compatible software platform to operate.

IP Streaming is a good option if you are streaming live video from a single camera directly to a host like YouTube or Facebook. Most streaming cameras feature an audio input jack which allows you to connect a microphone or external audio feed directly into the camera.