What is a VISCA PTZ camera?
VISCA is a camera control protocol originally developed by Sony and now widely used across PTZ camera manufacturers, including Sony, Datavideo, PTZOptics, Lumens, and many more. VISCA PTZ cameras are commonly used in broadcast studios, houses of worship, conference rooms, and live production environments. More information on VISCA-compatible cameras can be found on your camera manufacturer's website.
Note: Each VISCA PTZ camera needs to be added as a separate device in the Automator. If you have multiple cameras, repeat the setup steps below for each one.
Adding a VISCA PTZ 'device' to the Automator
In the top right corner of the Automator, we see 'Devices' - this can be either in red or green depending on the status of the configured devices. Click it and select 'Add device'.
Next, select 'VISCA PTZ' from the 'Device type' dropdown list, then give it a name.
Once the device is selected and given a name, we will see all fields needed to configure it so it can be used with the Automator.
Basic device configuration
You can enter the 'Host name' (the IP address of the camera) as well as the 'Port'. Once these settings have been entered, the device should show as 'online' (green) in the top right corner.
The settings entered by default by the Cuez Automator represent the default settings if the Automator is installed on the same network as the camera. You can change these settings as needed, depending on your exact configuration.
Note: The port number will vary depending on your camera model and manufacturer. A common default for VISCA over IP is 52381 (used by Sony and PTZOptics cameras), but this may differ for other manufacturers — check your camera's documentation or network settings to confirm the correct port.
Configuring actions
The next step is then to configure each Item and Block configuration with the (set of) functions you want to perform on the VISCA PTZ when triggering the Item or Block - more general information on that in this article.
Available functions
Recall preset
The 'Recall preset' function moves the camera to a previously saved preset position. Presets are defined on the camera itself and referenced by their preset number in the Automator.
Pan
The 'Pan' function moves the camera horizontally — left or right — at a defined speed.
Tilt
The 'Tilt' function moves the camera vertically — up or down — at a defined speed.
Zoom
The 'Zoom' function controls the zoom level of the camera — in or out — at a defined speed.
Focus
The 'Focus' function adjusts the focus of the camera. This can be used to trigger auto-focus or to set a manual focus position.
Tip: The most common use case is 'Recall preset' — set up your camera positions as numbered presets in your camera's menu first, then reference those preset numbers in your Automator Block configurations.
VISCA PTZ vs. Panasonic PTZ
If you are using a Panasonic AW-HE or AW-UE series camera, use the dedicated Panasonic PTZ device type instead. The VISCA PTZ device type is intended for all other VISCA-compatible cameras.