Esports production has a whole different set of needs and requirements from traditional live event production. While many corporate or broadcast events usually follow a script, esports frequently does not - we need to be able to deal with the real-time reactions, celebrations, and defeats of competitors. The difficulty is having enough cameras, and experienced operators to cover all of these potential scenarios. The solution... PTZ cameras.
What are PTZ Cameras?
PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) cameras are advanced imaging devices capable of moving horizontally (panning), vertically (tilting), and zooming in or out to capture detailed images. These cameras are widely used in security systems for their versatility and ability to cover expansive areas with minimal blind spots. Equipped with motorized components, PTZ cameras can be controlled remotely or programmed to follow specific patterns, such as tracking a moving subject or scanning a predefined area. They are commonly deployed in public spaces, industrial facilities, retail stores, and even for live-streaming events.
The benefits of PTZ cameras are manifold. Their flexibility allows a single camera to perform the work of several static cameras, reducing installation and maintenance costs. High-quality optical zoom capabilities provide clear images even at a distance, making them ideal for large spaces like stadiums or parking lots. Advanced models often include features like motion tracking, night vision, and integration with AI for smart analytics, such as facial recognition or crowd counting. This combination of precision and adaptability enhances security while providing cost-effective and efficient monitoring solutions.
Adding PTZ Cameras to our Inventory
In our productions, PTZ cameras will be a powerful addition to our services. We'll be able to show close-ups of our competitors as they win, lose, celebrate, and more.
Our first addition is from our friends at AVKANS.
This PTZ camera features a 20-times optical zoom and a fast aperture for excellent quality in low-light situations - a must for our events where consistent lighting is not always a given, considering our venues range from hotel ballrooms to convention center expo halls.
Network Video
Probably the most important 3 features we love is the ethernet port... yes that IS three features. The camera can be controlled over a standard ethernet network so our broadcast control computer is able to fully operate the camera live during the show. At the same time, the ethernet jack supports POE (power-over-ethernet) - a feature where a supported network switch can supply power over the same ethernet cable used for network control. This alleviates the need for a power source wherever the camera happens to be... which often times may be an inconvenient location. And third, the camera supports NDI.
NDI, or Network Device Interface, is a high-performance video-over-IP protocol developed by NewTek. It allows video and audio signals to be transmitted over standard Ethernet networks with low latency and high quality, making it ideal for live video production, streaming, and broadcasting. Unlike traditional video transmission methods that rely on dedicated hardware and cabling, NDI leverages existing network infrastructure, enabling devices such as cameras, computers, and video switchers to connect and share video streams seamlessly. Its flexibility and scalability have made it a popular choice for broadcasters, content creators, and live event producers, as it supports multiple video sources on a single network while maintaining synchronization and minimal data loss.
The major downside to NDI is that the video stream uses an extremely high bitrate. This means that 3 or 4 NDI streams on a standard gigabit network can easily saturate the entire network causing interruptions to other devices.
The AVKANS AV-E20-NDI camera features a lower latency version of NDI called NDI HX-3. NDI HX-3 is a version of the NDI protocol designed to balance high-quality video transmission with efficient bandwidth usage. It stands between the full-bandwidth NDI protocol, known for its superior video fidelity, and earlier versions of NDI HX, which prioritize minimal bandwidth consumption. NDI HX-3 delivers visually lossless video with lower latency than previous NDI HX versions, while still requiring significantly less network bandwidth than full-bandwidth NDI. This makes it ideal for scenarios where high-quality video is crucial, but network resources are limited, such as remote production, live streaming, and hybrid workflows. By supporting 4K resolutions and frame rates up to 60fps, NDI HX-3 offers a powerful solution for professional video applications, bridging the gap between efficiency and performance. This will overcome the high bandwidth issues presented by standard NDI.
NDI video streams can be brought directly into software video switcher solutions like OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) and VMix.
All of this together provides a ONE CABLE solution for our PTZ camera.
Camera Placement
Take a look at our PeoriaCon 2024 setup.
With PTZ cameras, we could have had excellent camera shots of ALL of our competitors by mounting PTZ cameras to the lighting trees at the bottom of the diagram. This is our plan for all future events.
We're excited for the future and we look forward to what PTZ Cameras from AVKANS will bring us.
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