Instead of clicking on-screen buttons, you can use familiar sticks and buttons to pan, tilt, zoom, adjust focus, switch between video sources, and more.
What You'll Need
For gamepads:
An Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch Pro, Logitech, or other standard gamepad
Connected via USB or Bluetooth
A camera that supports PTZ controls in your Studio
For IP controllers:
A VISCA-compatible IP joystick controller on the same local network
The Iris desktop application (IP controllers can't be managed from the web browser)
Control permission — You must have Admin or Producer access. Viewers can't use gamepad controls.
Connecting a USB/Bluetooth Gamepad
Connect the gamepad — Plug it into a USB port, or pair it via your computer's Bluetooth settings.
Open Iris and navigate to your Studio room.
Iris automatically detects connected gamepads. You may need to press a button on the gamepad to wake it up so it's recognized.
Once detected, the gamepad is immediately active for controlling the currently selected camera.
That's it — no additional configuration needed.
Viewing and Managing Gamepads
Go to Settings > Controllers > Gamepads to see:
A list of all connected gamepads with their status and device count
Select a gamepad to see a visual diagram of the controller that highlights buttons and sticks in real time as you press them
A button mapping table showing which input maps to which action, with active inputs highlighted
Iris saves recognized gamepads automatically. If a gamepad is disconnected, it shows as "Not Detected" but will reconnect when plugged back in.
Default Button Mapping
The default mapping is the same for all recognized controller types:
Input | Action |
Left Stick X-Axis | Pan camera (left/right) |
Left Stick Y-Axis | Tilt camera (up/down) |
Right Stick Y-Axis | Zoom camera (in/out) |
Left Trigger | Zoom out |
Right Trigger | Zoom in |
Left Bumper | Decrease pan/tilt speed (5% per press) |
Right Bumper | Increase pan/tilt speed (5% per press) |
A / X Button | Focus near |
Y / Triangle Button | Focus far |
X / Square Button | Toggle focus mode (Auto/Manual) |
B / Circle Button | Add preset |
D-Pad Left / Up | Previous video source |
D-Pad Right / Down | Next video source |
Back / Select / Share | Toggle video arrangement (Single/Multi-Camera) |
Left Stick Press | Toggle pan/tilt Fixed vs. Variable speed mode |
Right Stick Press | Quick Shots: Stop all movements |
A small dead zone (~10% of stick travel) is applied to analog sticks to prevent unintended drift. This is normal — push the stick further to register input.
Custom button remapping is not currently available. All controller types use the same default layout.
While Using a Gamepad
Here's what to know while you're controlling cameras:
The gamepad controls whichever camera is currently selected in the source list. Switch cameras using the D-Pad or by clicking a different source.
Gamepad input is only active when the Iris window is in focus. If you switch to another app, the gamepad pauses and any ongoing camera movement stops automatically. When you return to Iris, it resumes.
Gamepad and keyboard shortcuts work simultaneously — you can use both at the same time.
Inputs are polled every 100 milliseconds. Very rapid button presses faster than this may not register.
On certain actions, the gamepad may vibrate briefly (haptic feedback) to confirm the input.
Speed adjustment: Use the bumpers to increase or decrease pan/tilt speed by 5% per press — handy for adjusting on the fly without touching the UI.
Connecting an IP Controller
IP controllers are professional VISCA-compatible joystick controllers that connect over your local network. They require the Iris desktop application — they can't be managed from the web browser.
Setup
Open the Iris desktop app.
Go to Settings > Controllers > IP Controllers.
Click Add IP Controller.
If your computer is on multiple networks, you'll be asked to select the correct one that matches your controller's subnet.
Step 1 — Connect: Iris displays an IP address and port number. Enter these into your IP controller's settings as a "camera" to connect to.
Step 2 — Test: Click Continue. Iris waits for a command from your controller. Once received, you'll see a green checkmark and "Connection successful!"
Click Save and Finish.
Managing IP Controllers
Rename from the controller's Advanced Settings dialog
Delete with a confirmation prompt
IP controllers are automatically restored when the app starts
Saved IP controllers appear read-only in the web version (but can't be managed there)
Limits and Restrictions
Window focus required — Gamepad input only works when Iris is in the foreground. Switching away pauses everything.
Control permission required — Viewers can't use gamepad controls.
One camera at a time — All connected gamepads control the same currently-selected camera. Switch sources with the D-Pad.
No custom remapping — All controller types use the same default layout currently.
IP controllers = desktop app only — Can't be added or managed from the web browser.
Auto-tracking protection — If tracking is active, manual gamepad movement is blocked. You'll see an alert.
Calibration lock — If a camera is calibrating, gamepad movement is disabled for that camera.
100ms polling rate — Very rapid inputs faster than this interval may not register.
What Happens If…
…you disconnect your gamepad while using it? Iris detects the disconnection immediately, removes it from the active list, and stops any ongoing camera movement. Reconnect and press a button to wake it — it'll be detected again automatically.
…you switch to another application or tab? Gamepad input pauses immediately and camera movement stops. Returns to normal when you bring Iris back to focus.
…you don't have control permission? The gamepad still connects, but no movement commands are sent. The Controls panel won't be visible.
…auto-tracking is active on the selected camera? A protection alert appears instead of moving the camera. You need to acknowledge it to proceed.
…you connect multiple gamepads? All connected gamepads are active simultaneously. Each is polled independently, but they all control the same currently-selected camera.
…you close the Add IP Controller dialog before finishing? The partially-created controller is automatically cleaned up. No leftover configuration.
Tips and Best Practices
Use wired connections for reliability — Bluetooth gamepads may experience latency or connection drops.
Press a button to wake up the gamepad after connecting — the browser won't detect it until it receives input.
Test before going live — always verify all functions work before a production.
Use bumpers for speed on the fly — adjust pan/tilt speed without leaving the gamepad.
D-Pad for source switching — cycle through cameras without touching the mouse.
Keep firmware updated on your controller for best compatibility.
Troubleshooting
What's happening | Likely cause | What to do |
"No Gamepads Detected" in Settings | Gamepad is off, not connected, or sleeping | Make sure it's connected and powered on. Press a button to wake it. |
Gamepad appears but doesn't control camera | Iris window not in focus, or no control permission | Click the Iris window. Verify you have Producer or Admin access. |
Stick feels unresponsive near center | Dead zone filtering | Normal — ~10% dead zone prevents drift. Push the stick further. |
IP controller stuck on "Waiting for command..." | Network mismatch or controller misconfigured | Verify the IP address and port. Ensure both devices are on the same network. |
"IP controllers cannot be managed on web" | Using the browser version | Switch to the Iris desktop app for IP controller management. |
Camera doesn't move even though gamepad is detected | Camera doesn't support PTZ, or auto-tracking/calibration active | Check camera supports movement. Disable tracking or wait for calibration. |
Gamepad disconnects during use | USB came loose or Bluetooth dropped | Reconnect and press a button. Iris re-detects automatically. |
FAQs
What gamepad brands are supported? Xbox, PlayStation (DualShock/DualSense), Nintendo Switch Pro, and Logitech controllers are recognized by name. Any standard gamepad that works with the browser's Gamepad API will also work, though it may appear as a "Generic Controller."
Can I customize the button mapping? Not currently. All controller types use the same default layout. Custom remapping may come in a future update.
Can I use a gamepad and keyboard at the same time? Yes. Both work simultaneously in a Studio room.
Does the gamepad work in the web browser? Yes — USB/Bluetooth gamepads work in the browser. IP controllers can only be added and managed from the desktop app.
Can I control different cameras with different gamepads? No. All connected gamepads control the same currently-selected camera. Use the D-Pad to switch cameras.
What is Fixed vs. Variable speed mode? Fixed mode: stick position doesn't affect speed — the camera moves at the configured rate regardless. Variable mode: camera speed scales with how far you push the stick. Toggle by pressing the left stick.
How do I adjust speed from the gamepad? Left bumper to decrease, right bumper to increase — 5% per press.
What does "Quick Shots: Stop all" do? Pressing the right stick stops any active Quick Shot movements on the selected camera.
Can I use multiple gamepads at once? Yes. All connected gamepads are active simultaneously, but they all control the same camera.
What if my gamepad disconnects during use? Iris detects it immediately, stops movement, and shows it as "Not Detected." Reconnect and press a button to resume.
Use Cases
Live event production — Control camera angles with familiar gamepad sticks for fast, intuitive operation.
Studio recording — Tactile control for precise camera movements during recording sessions.
Remote production — Use a gamepad to control remote cameras from anywhere in the Studio.
Multi-camera switching — D-Pad to cycle sources and sticks to frame shots, all from one controller.
Professional broadcast — IP controllers for operators who need a dedicated joystick panel.