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By AVNetwork Staff ( AV Network ) published 31 May 22

New firmware update allows users to control a PTZ camera with any MIDI device.

PTZOptics (opens in new tab) , leading manufacturers of affordable broadcast-quality robotic cameras, and the MIDI Association (opens in new tab) , the international stewards of MIDI technology, announced a new frontier for MIDI control. In a joint project, rapidly executed over the past six weeks, they are bringing fully configurable MIDI control to the award-winning line of PTZOptics robotic cameras.

The PTZOptics MIDI control feature set will debut at the NAMM and InfoComm tradeshows. At NAMM, MIDI-controlled PTZ 12X cameras will be featured at the MIDI Showcase, where they will be used to highlight their fellow MIDI Innovation Award nominees; in Studio 108, the MIDI Association’s live broadcasting studio; and at the PTZOptics booth, 10103. InfoComm attendees can experience a live interactive demo of the technology at the HuddleCam HD booth, W1659. 

[PTZOptics Roadmap to InfoComm 2022] (opens in new tab)

Starting with the PTZOptics 12X-NDI and SDI cameras, PTZOptics will roll out direct MIDI control to their current generation camera line via a free firmware update. Users will be able to map camera commands including setting presets, call, pan, tilt, zoom in, zoom out, speed up, and slow down to available keys on any MIDI device. Once configured, the MIDI controller can steer and control the PTZ camera from anywhere in the world via the Web MIDI API.

“Live streaming has become extremely important to musicians and creatives, from performers and worship leaders to bloggers and DJs,” said Geoff Robinson, product manager at PTZOptics. “With this new feature set, users can control a live video production without any additional dedicated hardware—just the devices or even instruments they already have. We can’t wait to see what this incredibly creative community does with PTZ camera control.”

[The Inside Track—Straight from InfoComm Exhibitors] (opens in new tab)  

This release is the result of a rapidly formed relationship between PTZOptics and the MIDI Association. Athan Billias, president of the MIDI Association, reached out to Robinson to see if the camera maker had plans to further develop its existing—but limited—MIDI control software application. Billias and Robinson saw an opportunity to bring flexible, open-source camera control to the music industry. Less than two months later, PTZOptics was a newly minted MIDI Association member and the only camera manufacturer to implement direct MIDI control. 

"The MIDI Association is very excited to have PTZOptics as a member because we have already been working on remote collaboration using Web MIDI for our MIDI In Music Education and MIDI In Music Therapy Initiatives,” said Billias. “The ability to remotely control PTZ cameras over Web MIDI shrinks the world in a very significant way.”

Owners of current generation PTZ 12X cameras can unlock MIDI control immediately by downloading and installing the latest camera firmware from the PTZOptics website (opens in new tab)  in early June. MIDI control will roll out to all current-generation PTZOptics PTZ cameras by the end of 2022. 

The AVNetwork staff are storytellers focused on the professional audiovisual and technology industry. Their mission is to keep readers up-to-date on the latest AV/IT industry and product news, emerging trends, and inspiring installations.

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