17 Pan/Tilt/Zoom (PTZ) Cameras
Pan/Tilt/Zoom (PTZ) cameras are specialty cameras that move according to commands given by the recorder. You can move PTZ
cameras manually using the recorder’s on-screen display, or create preset locations and patterns for the camera to follow
automatically.
17.1 Connecting PTZ Cameras to the Recorder
Lorex HD PTZ cameras connect to your recorder just like any other camera with no need to run special wiring — these cameras
can accept PTZ commands directly through the video cable.
If you are using a standard definition PTZ camera, you will need to run the camera’s RS485 cabling to the recorder in order
to send PTZ commands.
To connect standard definition PTZ cameras:
STEP 1: Physical connection
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Connect the BNC video cable to one of the video inputs on the recorder.
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Connect the RS485 cables. Connect the A (TX+) cable to the positive (+) terminal, and connect the B (TX–) cable to the negative (–) terminal.
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Connect the PTZ camera’s power adapter to a power outlet.
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CAUTION
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When the PTZ camera powers on, it will perform an initial diagnostics check. The camera will move around during this process,
so ensure the camera module is not resting against another object or surface.
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STEP 2: Camera configuration
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From the Live View display, right-click to open the Quick Menu, then click Main Menu.
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Click CAMERA, then click the IMAGE SETTINGS tab.
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Select the channel you want to configure.
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Configure the highlighted fields as needed.
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Note
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For Lorex HD PTZ cameras, there is no need for configuration — leave all fields at their default values. For third-party PTZ
cameras, select Serial next to Control Mode. For the correct settings to use in the remaining fields, please reference your camera documentation.
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Click Apply.
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(OPTIONAL) Click Copy to apply the settings for the current channel to one or more other channels (see
14.11 Copying Settings to Another Channel
for full instructions on using the copy function).
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Note
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If you copy settings over to connect multiple PTZ cameras, please note that each camera requires a unique address. You cannot
use the same address for 2 different cameras.
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17.2 Basic PTZ Controls
Controlling PTZ cameras.
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Note
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To access the PTZ controls:
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Open the Live View screen for your PTZ camera in single-channel view (fullscreen). Right-click to open the Quick Menu, then
click Pan/Tilt/Zoom.
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Right-click again to close PTZ controls.
To use the PTZ controls:
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Navigation Controls: Click the directional arrows to move the PTZ camera manually.
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Zoom-to-Area: Click, then click-and-drag to draw a box on the camera image. The PTZ camera will zoom in to the selected area.
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Mouse Tracking: Click to enable/disable mouse tracking. When enabled, click-and-drag in the direction you would like the PTZ camera to move.
The camera will follow the path of the mouse cursor.
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PTZ Settings:
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Speed: The speed of PTZ camera movement. A higher value means the camera will move faster.
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Zoom: Optical zoom level. Click + to zoom in, and – to zoom out.
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Focus: Manually control focus level. Click + to focus on objects further from the camera, or – to focus on objects closer to the camera.
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Iris: Controls the amount of light coming through the lens. Click + to allow more light, or – for less.
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Advanced: Expand to show advanced options. For a full overview, see
17.3 Advanced PTZ Controls
.
17.3 Advanced PTZ Controls
Using advanced options for PTZ cameras, including presets, tours, patterns, etc.
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Note
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To access the advanced PTZ controls:
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Open the Live View screen for your PTZ camera in single-channel view (fullscreen). Right-click to open the Quick Menu, then
click Pan/Tilt/Zoom.
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Click the arrow on the far-right side of the PTZ control panel to access advanced options.
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Right-click again to close PTZ controls.
To use the PTZ controls:
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No.: Enter the ID number for a preset, tour, or pattern you want to activate.
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Preset: Move the camera to the preset number specified in the No. field. For instructions on setting up preset locations, see
17.4 Presets
.
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AutoPan: Set the camera to rotate 180° back and forth.
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Tour: Perform the tour number specified in the No. field. For instructions on creating a tour, see
17.5 Tours
.
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Flip: Rotate the camera 180° from its current position.
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Pattern: Perform the pattern number specified in the No. field. For instructions on creating a pattern, see
17.6 Patterns
.
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Reset: Move the camera to the home position.
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AutoScan: Move the camera between a predetermined left and right point. For instructions on creating an autoscan, see
17.7 AutoScan
.
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Configuration: Click to open the configuration menu, where you can configure presets, tours, patterns and autoscans.
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OSD Menu: Click to open the camera’s OSD menu. This may not be supported on all camera models.
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Auxiliary Settings: Not supported.
17.4 Presets
Presets will save a camera position for quick retrieval.
To add preset locations:
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From the Live View display of your PTZ camera, right-click to open the Quick Menu, then click Pan/Tilt/Zoom.
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The PTZ controls open. Click
to open advanced PTZ controls, then click
.
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Click the Preset tab.
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Enter the number of the preset you want to create under Preset.
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Move the camera to the desired position and click Set.
17.5 Tours
Tours will cycle through a set of presets.
To add tours:
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From the Live View display of your PTZ camera, right-click to open the Quick Menu, then click Pan/Tilt/Zoom.
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The PTZ controls open. Click
to open advanced PTZ controls, then click
.
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Click the Tour tab.
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Under Patrol No., enter the number of the tour you want to create.
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Under Preset, select a preset you want to add to the tour.
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Click Add Preset.
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Repeat steps 5 & 6 to add additional presets to the tour.
To run a tour:
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Under No., select the number of the tour you want to go to, then click
.
17.6 Patterns
Patterns automatically move the camera according to manually-entered movements.
To add patterns:
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From the Live View display of your PTZ camera, right-click to open the Quick Menu, then click Pan/Tilt/Zoom.
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The PTZ controls open. Click
to open advanced PTZ controls, then click
.
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Click the Pattern tab.
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Under Pattern, enter the number of the pattern you want to create.
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Move the camera to the desired starting position, then click Start.
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Using the on-screen controls, move the camera in any pattern you wish. When finished, click End.
To run a pattern:
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Under No., select the number of the pattern you want to go to, then click
.
17.7 AutoScan
An autoscan automatically cycles between a left and right point.
To configure autoscan:
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From the Live View display of your PTZ camera, right-click to open the Quick Menu, then click Pan/Tilt/Zoom.
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The PTZ controls open. Click
to open advanced PTZ controls, then click
.
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Click the Border tab.
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Move the camera into the desired left position and click Left.
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Move the camera into the desired right position and click Right.
To run autoscan:
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Click
.