Pan/Tilt

For a webcast, you have to have one camera that moves called pan / tilt. The pan / tilt system is comprised of two components, the controller and the pan / tilt itself. These can be set up for prepositioning, like for the podiums. Prepositioning in a PELCO part number is represented by a PP. They also come in 360° panning models. This is represented by a SL (for slip ring). I don't recommend these because the camera video must be fed through slip rings just so you can go a full 360° instead of 355°.

So far, I have not been able to find prepositioning in a manual control. Seems as though prepositioning is designed for automation via computer. This kindof makes sense for automated security systems. But, it does no good for us webcasters. Perhaps that is what I should be working on. Let's see, the pan / tilt as 2 potentiometers, hemm. What about using a comparator and some relays? Throw in the joystick and...

Commercial Controllers

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Note: This controller does not have prepositioning. As far as I know none of the manual ones do.

Commercial controllers can have a speed reduction adjustment to make precise positioning easier. In my experience, speed reduction is a big negative. Not only does it add one more thing to the operator workload, but it creates the nightmarish condition of not being able to beat the speaker to the podium. The PELCO model MPT24DT is a simple joystick controller with no speed adjustment.

Commercial Pan / Tilts

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Note: This particular pan / tilt does not have prepositioning. When I find or build a manual controller with prepositioning capabilities I will change the reference to a pan / tilt that does have prepositioning.

The most important thing to remember about pan / tilts is to set the limit stops as soon as it is physically attached to the wall or ceiling. Even though the limits will have to be changed again later on, this beats some kid trying to do a panoramic view and ripping the wires out of the camera!

Commercial pan / tilts may want you to run the video through a harness along with the motor controls. This is a very bad idea because you don't want anything running next to your video that could cause interference. The video cable can be connected directly to the camera and secured so it will not be in danger when the camera moves.

The PELCO model PT280-24P is an indoor pan / tilt with 12° / sec movement.