Inside the New Horizon Hub

Booth highlights include a preview of the expansion in the Horizon camera control platform. Building on the latest launch of the Horizon web interface for 4K cameras, PTZOptics is previewing Horizon Hub, the desktop app launcher which brings Horizon software features like voice tracking and desktop camera controls to all PTZOptics cameras. Desktop applications will include camera control, voice tracking and an all-new Device Manager. Device Manager is designed to simplify camera discovery, setup, monitoring and management across PTZOptics’ deployments, helping AV teams more easily scale from single-room installations to larger camera environments.

Welcome to Intelligent Video

PTZOptics will also show a connected ecosystem with intelligent, real-time capabilities enhancing production workflows across education, healthcare, public sector, conferencing, and live events. The showcase reflects PTZOptics’ continued evolution from a camera manufacturer into an intelligent AV workflow company, building the software, camera control, tracking and deployment tools needed for modern video environments.

The post PTZOptics Showcases Intelligent Video Ecosystem at InfoComm 2026 appeared first on PTZOptics.

Smarter cameras. Simpler control. Scalable workflows.

PTZOptics. Cameras, software and automation that make video work smarter.

NAB Preview

•  
• • Move 4K with Horizon is now fully available for dynamic camera automation and control
•  
• • Tech preview of all-new broadcast camera and immersive demos across sports and live events
•  
• • Presents Visual Reasoning initiative to analyze live video and trigger automated actions

 

PTZOptics will showcase its vision for intelligent video and advanced camera automation at NAB Show 2026 (#N1902). Through immersive demonstrations and technology previews for broadcast, sports, and proAV workflows, PTZOptics will highlight the powerful combination of its award-winning Move 4K PTZ cameras and Horizon, its next-generation, web-based control platform.

PTZOptics’ Move 4K with Horizon is now fully available, delivering a complete, intelligent video solution designed for modern production environments. The Move 4K series provides broadcast-quality 4K video, flexible connectivity, and proven reliability across a wide range of industries. Horizon introduces a browser-based control experience that centralizes camera management, automation, and system integration, enabling users to control cameras from anywhere without dedicated hardware. Together, they unlock advanced capabilities including intelligent tracking, automation, and continuous software-driven innovation.

 

“As the industry moves toward more adaptive and connected workflows, we see intelligent video as the next major step forward in making these systems more aware, responsive, and easier to integrate into everyday operations,” said Matthew Davis, Chief Technology Officer, PTZOptics. “At NAB, we’re showing how we bring high-quality camera systems together with new layers of control, automation, and long-term flexibility. Move 4K with Horizon reflects where video production is heading – toward workflows that are easier to manage, smarter over time, and provide ongoing value with new capabilities delivered by intelligent video.”

Key Demonstrations at NAB 2026

• • Broadcasting Solutions: Move 4K with Horizon showcases software-defined camera control with advanced features including remote 4K still capture during live streaming, AI-driven auto-framing, multi-target tracking, adjustable tracking delays, and tilt lock for enhanced stability enabling more dynamic, automated production workflows.

 

• • Horizon Control Software: Horizon delivers a powerful browser-based interface accessible across desktop and mobile devices. Demonstrations include advanced color and brightness controls, voice tracking with plug-and-play microphone integrations, real-time system monitoring, and continuous feature updates transforming cameras into evolving, AI-enhanced production tools.

 

• • Live Sports Streaming: A complete IP-based production workflow featuring Move 4K, Link 4K with Dante AV integration, and Studio 4K fixed cameras all unified through Horizon. This demo highlights synchronized multi-camera control, intelligent tracking for fast-paced action, and seamless audio/video integration.

 

• • The Test Drive Experience: Attendees can experience the full PTZOptics lineup, including Move SE, Studio SE, and SimplTrack3, with hands-on control using the SuperJoy controller to explore presets, performance, control options and quality.

• Live from the Lounge: See PTZOptics in action with a fully mobile, plug-and-play production setup streaming live interviews and educational content from the show floor to our YouTube channel. Powered by the Studio 4K camera and remote streaming partners, this demo showcases how cinematic, broadcast-quality productions can be created anywhere, with minimal crew and maximum efficiency.

Broadcast Camera Preview

PTZOptics will also preview a new broadcast-focused camera platform for the first time at NAB Show, offering an early look at a next-generation system scheduled for release later in 2026. Built for professional production environments, the camera features a 1” sensor, 4K60 output, precision motion, AI-powered subject tracking, and complete broadcast integration including 12G-SDI, Genlock, and Timecode, representing a major step forward in PTZ performance. Powered by Horizon, the platform is designed to become increasingly intelligent, adaptable and continuously evolve – delivering new features, integrations, and AI-driven capabilities over time.

 

As part of PTZOptics’ ongoing Visual Reasoning initiative, all demonstrations are intended to showcase how robotics, AI and the cloud come together to enable cameras to understand what they see,and respond in real time. PTZOptics is working with software partners and integrators across verticals including broadcast, sports, and proAV to showcase visual reasoning tools with advanced real-time capabilities, spanning auto tracking, smarter search, automated indexing, and event-driven triggers.

 

“Our presence at NAB this year is focused on bringing greater intelligence, control, and automation to the PTZ camera workflows our customers rely on every day,” said Claudia Barbiero, Director of Global Marketing at PTZOptics. “With enhancements to our Move 4K camera line and our broader platform, we’re making it easier for teams to take advantage of capabilities like advanced auto-tracking, smarter search, and more responsive, event-driven production. This is at the core of our Visual Reasoning initiative, where cameras don’t just capture video, but understand it and respond with actions in real-time.”

Ready to Learn More? Schedule a Live Demo at NAB!

Book Now

The post PTZOptics to showcase intelligent video and camera control at NAB Show 2026 appeared first on PTZOptics.

Introducing Visual Reasoning AI

PTZOptics has officially launched VisualReasoning.ai, a new brand dedicated to bringing advanced AI into professional AV workflows. At its core is a powerful innovation: the ability for a video system to look at an image and answer questions about it in natural language, or respond to simple text instructions like “Is someone at the podium?” or “Find the person in the red jacket.”

Powered by Vision Language Models (VLMs), including the real-time Moondream model, Visual Reasoning AI adds a new layer of intelligence to PTZ cameras by allowing the camera to understand and describe what it’s seeing. Instead of relying on traditional face tracking or motion detection, users can describe exactly what they want to track – a presenter, a scoreboard, a hand gesture – and the system handles the rest without retraining, markers, or firmware updates.

As a part of this exciting rollout, VisualReasoning.ai includes multiple free educational resources designed to help the entire ProAV industry incorporate the power of AV into their workflows:

• Visual Reasoning AI for Broadcast and ProAV, a free downloadable book by Paul Richards.
• A comprehensive video course series guiding users through API design and real-world system building.
• An open-source GitHub playground and upcoming mobile apps make it easy to start experimenting today.

There are more exciting developments on the way around Visual Reasoning AI, and we’ll update you in the next edition.

Meet PTZOptics’ New Owners – Us

There’s a new group of owners at PTZOptics, and they might look strangely familiar.

PTZOptics and its parent company, HSI, have turned the page to an exciting new chapter: becoming a 100% employee-owned company. Growing from our humble beginnings providing overhead projectors for classrooms, HSI has evolved into an innovative AV integrations company and a leading AV manufacturer and solutions provider.

Through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), the people who power the company’s innovation and service every day are now company owners. The transition rewards employees for their dedication, supports long-term growth and ensures continuity for customers and partners alike.

HSI owners had prepared for an ownership exit by transitioning day-to-day business operations to the next generation of management and ultimately sought a business succession strategy that would reward the commitment of their employees with the benefits of future success, sustain company growth and allow for a liquidity event for existing stakeholders. After a thorough analysis of alternative options, a 100% employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) achieved all the desired goals for the business’ evolution.

A Great Visit to ISE

From Feb. 3-6, PTZOptics joined the world of AV integration at Europe’s biggest show, ISE 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. Our team of six made the most of the event with nearly nonstop meetings and interactions with longtime customers, curious visitors, and future partners.

In the process, we got to share some of the most exciting products we were featuring at the show, as well as give some hints about the cool things coming down the pike. Claudia Barbiero and Jon Roberts from the PTZOptics team were front and center. Here are a few of their standout appearances.

• Jon Roberts with KitPlus at ISE
• Jon Roberts with InBroadcast at ISE
• Claudia Barbiero with Avixa TV at ISE (starting at 01:00:00)

Some International Recognition

One of the most exciting announcements to come out of our visit to Barcelona was the SimplTrack3 being named Best of Show Award winner in the AVTechnology category.

There was plenty of competition in the category, and we were delighted to stand out against our peers when being judged on innovation, ease of use, feature set, and real-world impact.

Read more about the SimplTrack3 Best of Show award from ISE

New to the PTZOptics Team

And speaking of our growing global presence, PTZOptics was happy to announce the recent expansion of our international team to include Juan Rodriquez, our first international sales representative. Based in Spain, Juan will be part of our expansion through the European market.

Juan is well-versed in PTZOptics products and services, having worked in distribution for Exertis, and is part of the team that brought our products to Europe in the first place. He joined PTZOptics at ISE 2026 and served as an enthusiastic addition to the trade show team.

The post PTZOptics Insider: New AI Initiative, An Ownership Update, International Recognition, and More appeared first on PTZOptics.

A PTZOptics camera is a remarkable piece of engineering. It pans, tilts, zooms, recalls presets, adjusts color, streams over NDI and SRT — all controllable through a well-documented HTTP API. But for all of that capability, the camera has always been fundamentally passive. It captures what’s in front of it. It has no idea what that is.

Visual reasoning changes that.What Is Visual Reasoning?

Visual reasoning is the ability for a system to look at an image and answer questions about it in natural language. Not pattern matching against a pre-trained library of objects. Not face-only detection. Actual comprehension.

Point a PTZOptics camera at a conference stage and ask: “Is someone at the podium?” The system answers yes or no. Ask “How many people are seated in the front row?” and you get a number. Ask “Find the person in the red jacket” and you get coordinates — x, y, width, height — precise enough to drive a pan/tilt command.

The technology making this possible is called a Vision Language Model, or VLM. It works the way large language models like ChatGPT work with text, except it processes images and text together. You send it a camera frame and a question. It sends back an answer. The model we use is Moondream, a VLM built specifically for fast, real-time visual reasoning.

The important part for PTZOptics users: you describe what you want in English. The AI handles the rest.

Why This Matters for PTZ Cameras Specifically

PTZ cameras have always had the mechanical capability to do remarkable things. Pan to any angle. Tilt with sub-degree precision. Zoom from wide to tight in a second. Recall presets instantly. The HTTP API exposes all of it.

What PTZ cameras have lacked is the intelligence to decide when to do those things.

Auto-tracking exists, of course. But traditional auto-tracking is built on conventional computer vision — it follows faces, or detects motion, or uses infrared markers. Each approach has hard limits:

Visual reasoning removes all of these constraints. Because the VLM understands language, you can track anything you can describe:

• “Person at the podium”
• “Presenter holding the microphone”
• “The white drone on the table”
• “Hand gestures”
• “The scoreboard”

No retraining. No markers. No limitation to faces. Just a text description and a camera feed.

How It Works With PTZOptics Cameras

The architecture is straightforward. A browser-based application captures frames from the camera’s video output, sends them to the Moondream API with a prompt, receives detection coordinates, and translates those coordinates into PTZOptics HTTP API commands.

1. PTZOptics Camera (video feed)
2. Browser captures frame
3. Moondream API: “Find the speaker”
4. Response: Bounding box [x: 0.35, y: 0.20, w: 0.30, h: 0.60]
5. Calculate: Subject is left of center by 15%
6. PTZOptics API: /cgi-bin/ptzctrl.cgi?ptzcmd&left&3&3
7. Camera pans left. Subject centered. Repeat.

The loop runs every 500 milliseconds. The camera makes small corrections continuously, resulting in smooth, natural tracking. A deadzone prevents jitter — if the subject is close enough to center, the camera holds steady.

This runs in a browser tab. The PTZOptics camera doesn’t need new firmware, a software update, or any hardware modification. If your camera has an HTTP API and a video output you can view in a browser, it works today.Five Things Your PTZOptics Camera Can Do Now

We built 17 open-source tools in the Visual Reasoning Playground to demonstrate what’s possible. Several are designed specifically around PTZOptics camera capabilities.1. Track Any Object by Description

The PTZ Auto-Tracker is the flagship tool. Type a description, click start, and the camera follows. It supports multiple operation styles — smooth tracking for broadcast, precise centering for presentations, fast response for sports — each tuning the detection rate, movement speed, and deadzone automatically.

It works with HTTP authentication, so cameras with access control enabled are fully supported. All PTZOptics models with IP control are compatible.

Try it: PTZOptics Moondream Tracker

AI-Powered Framing Suggestions

The Framing Assistant analyzes your camera’s current view and recommends composition adjustments. “Move camera up 5 degrees and zoom in 10% for better framing of the seated subject.” It combines Moondream’s scene understanding with PTZOptics pan/tilt/zoom control to offer — and execute — real-time framing improvements.

For operators who are still learning shot composition, or for automated systems that need to frame shots without human input, this closes a gap that no amount of mechanical precision could solve alone.

Try it: Framing Assistant

Intelligent Color Tuning

The PTZ Color Tuner captures a frame, asks the AI to analyze the scene’s color characteristics — overall tone, exposure, white balance, dominant colors — and generates specific adjustment recommendations. Then it applies those adjustments directly through the PTZOptics image parameter API.

Brightness, contrast, saturation, sharpness, and white balance mode — all controllable through the API, all adjustable based on what the AI actually sees in the scene. For multi-camera setups where color matching matters, this turns a tedious manual process into a one-click operation.

Try it: PTZ Color Tuner

Color Matching Across Cameras

Related to the Color Tuner but solving a different problem: the Color Matcher lets you upload a reference image — the look you want — and then analyzes your live camera output against it. The AI compares color temperature, saturation, contrast, brightness, and overall mood, then tells you exactly what to adjust to match.

For productions running three or four PTZOptics cameras that need a consistent look, this replaces the eyeball-and-guess workflow with AI-driven analysis.

Try it: Color Matcher

MediaPipe vs. Moondream Tracking Comparison

For the engineers and integrators evaluating their options, the Tracking Comparison tool runs Google’s MediaPipe (local, ~10ms latency, face/hand/pose only) alongside Moondream (cloud, ~200ms latency, tracks anything by description) on the same camera feed simultaneously.

You see the tradeoffs in real time. MediaPipe is faster but limited to what it was trained on. Moondream is slower but can track anything you describe. For some PTZOptics deployments, speed matters most. For others, flexibility wins. This tool helps you make that decision with data instead of guesswork.

Try it: Tracking Comparison

What This Means for PTZOptics Integrators and Operators

The PTZOptics HTTP API was designed to be open and accessible. That design decision is paying off in ways that would have been hard to predict even two years ago. Every PTZOptics camera sold in the last several years already has the API built in. No upgrade required. No additional licensing.

What visual reasoning adds is the intelligence layer on top. The API provides the how — how to move the camera, how to adjust the image, how to recall a preset. Visual reasoning provides the when and the why — when to move because the subject shifted, why to adjust color because the lighting changed.

For integrators, this opens a new category of solutions:

• Automated production in houses of worship.
• Intelligent camera coverage in conference rooms.
• Unattended tracking in lecture halls.

Every installation where a PTZOptics camera sits on a mount and someone has to operate it is a candidate for visual reasoning automation.

For operators, it’s not about replacement. It’s about offloading the mechanical work — keeping a subject centered, maintaining consistent color, following a speaker across a stage — so you can focus on the creative decisions that actually require human judgment.Get Started

Everything is open source and available now.

• Live demo (no install): streamgeeks.github.io/visual-reasoning-playground
• Source code: github.com/streamgeeks/visual-reasoning-playground
• The book: Visual Reasoning AI for Broadcast and ProAV by Paul Richards — the complete guide to building these systems, from first concepts to production deployment.

All you need is a PTZOptics camera on your network, a free Moondream API key, and a browser. Your camera already has the API. Now it has the intelligence to use it.—–Paul Richards is CRO at PTZOptics and Chief Streaming Officer at StreamGeeks. He has authored more than 10 books on audiovisual and live streaming technology. The Visual Reasoning Playground is open source under the MIT license. For PTZOptics API documentation, visit docs.ptzoptics.com.

The post Visual Reasoning AI: Teaching PTZOptics Cameras to Understand What They See appeared first on PTZOptics.

The Camera You Can Set and Forget

With the SimplTrack3, corporate enterprise, educational institutions, and conference and stage production companies enjoy a hands-free experience, with features like advanced zone management to track speakers entering and leaving a podium, presets to zoom in or out on a speaker based on their position on stage, and the ability to change presets with the wave of a hand using gesture control.

Want to See What the Buzz Is About?

If you didn’t catch SimplTrack3 at ISE – or you just want another look – you can explore the full set of features and see why it earned Best of Show.

Check out simpltrack3

The post Cue the Applause: SimplTrack3 Just Won Best of Show at ISE 2026! appeared first on PTZOptics.

Welcome to the PTZOptics Insider, your source for the latest updates on our products, events, and achievements.

The new year is upon us, and we at PTZOptics would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed to the ongoing (and growing!) success of our company. From our end users around the world to our growing team of distributors and resellers, you’ve all brought your creativity and your enthusiasm to the forefront and helped PTZOptics thrive during 2025.

Here’s to even more success in 2026!

In This Edition:

• PTZOptics Team Updates
• PTZOptics in the News
• PTZOptics on Panels
• Industry Honors
• Firmware/Product Updates

Brandy Clay Johnson

North American Sales Director

Silke Brown

International Sales Director

PTZOptics in the News

We were delighted to see several PTZOptics products appear in the Holiday Gift Guide 2025 from Videomaker! Among the many great products, VM featured the Action Bundle (including two Studio 4K 20X fixed cameras, one Move 4K 12X PTZ camera, and one SuperJoy joystick controller) and the Move SE PTZ camera. Check out the full Videomaker Holiday Gift Guide 2025 here.

Click here for the Full Guide

Jon discussed why every PTZOptics camera now includes built-in NDI® HX at no extra cost. During the chat, he discussed how NDI allows a single Ethernet cable to deliver power (PoE), video, audio, PTZ control, and tally – simplifying setups for live production, houses of worship, education, corporate AV, and more.

Watch the Video

Paul’s session focused on those who are new to NDI or need a refresher. Paul’s book, “The Unofficial Guide to NDI,” served as the basis for this beginner-friendly NDI Primer, breaking down exactly what NDI (Network Device Interface) is, why it’s revolutionizing live production, and how it simplifies IP-based video workflows.

Watch the Video

On Nov. 13, 2025, Paul Richards participated in the SmartPanel presented by TVTechnology to discuss new tech advancements in remote production.

Paul joined other industry experts from the AV tech and broadcast industries to chat about how at nearly every level of remote production, technology advancements are changing the equation – how resources are allocated, workflows are implemented and staff are assigned.

The panel took a look at some of the latest technologies and how they are being used to enhance quality, efficiency and viewer engagement, including:

• The three technologies having the greatest impact on remote production.
• Meeting the demand for more remote productions without breaking the bank.
• What tech advancements are right around the corner for remote production.

Check out the full panel discussion here

Industry Honors

PTZOptics is flattered to have received the Sound & Video Contractor Innovative Product Awards for the SimplTrack3, our innovative dual-lens PTZ camera.

The SVC Innovative Product Awards honor and celebrate the best in class within the Pro AV industry. Voted upon exclusively by the Sound & Video Contractor readers and subscribers, this achievement highlights which companies are pushing the boundaries within electronic and mechanical innovation in relation to Pro AV.

Thanks to the team at Sound & Video Contractor for recognizing the great work of the PTZOptics team.

The post PTZOptics Insider: Product, Events and Achievements Updates appeared first on PTZOptics.

Open, scalable robotic and fixed camera solutions powered by visual reasoning and AI enable seamless integration across enterprise, public sector, and industrial environments.

PTZOptics will showcase a comprehensive lineup of automation-driven PTZ and fixed camera solutions at ISE 2026 in Barcelona (Booth 5K200), demonstrating how visual and audio reasoning helps automate and streamline professional video from conference rooms to industrial manufacturing environments.

“For integrators, the message is clear: We deliver the highest quality video capture and the widest range of control and automation options for any application. At ISE, we’re showcasing how easily we integrate into any workflow, and also how PTZOptics video technology empowers the latest in visual reasoning and AI applications,” says Paul Richards, Chief Revenue Officer at PTZOptics. “This is why we make such an effort to partner with trusted brands, cutting-edge software developers and design our own solutions that help our customers break into new markets and generate new revenue streams faster than ever before.”

All demonstrations are designed around practical, integrator-friendly solutions. They include:

• Multi-Camera Automation with voice tracking and Audio-Technica and Sennheiser microphone solutions
• Industrial manufacturing applications with the new, high visibility Move 4K and visual reasoning AI software integration with Detect-It
• Public sector applications such as out-of-the-box courtroom live streaming solutions with BEINCOURT

Additional demo zones highlight other industry-specific applications such as live streaming with new wireless and remote camera management tools.

Across all demonstrations, PTZOptics emphasizes open integration, scalable automation, and workflow-first design built for integrators. Attendees interested in exploring these new ecosystems can schedule a demo with Silke Brown or Alexander McHugh. 

The post PTZOptics Showcases the Future of Intelligent Video Integration at ISE 2026 appeared first on PTZOptics.

Welcome to this month’s PTZOptics Insider, your source for the latest updates on our products, events, and achievements.

This edition features upcoming live events, recent trade show appearances, notable recognition from across the industry, and product and firmware updates.

In this issue (click to jump to section):

• Upcoming Live Webinars
  • Simplifying, Securing, and Streamlining AV Tech for Justice Systems
  • New Tech Advancements in Remote Production
• The Complete Guide to Multi-Camera Placement for Livestreaming
• Robotic Camera Options for Sports and Live Events
• PTZOptics in the News
• PTZOptics On the Road
• Industry Honors
• Product & Firmware Updates

Upcoming Live Webinars

Simplifying, Securing, and Streamlining Live Video for Justice Systems

Tuesday, November 18th @ 2pm EST

Register Now

Courtrooms need AV that just works — reliable, secure, simple, and affordable — because when the tech fails, justice slows down.

Claudia Barbiero of PTZOptics will host a panel of experts from Netgear and BEINCOURT to discuss current courtroom livestreaming technology advancements that make it easy for courtrooms of all sizes to enhance their AV systems without the cost, complexity or needing additional staff. This webinar will also include a live showcase of what some courtrooms have implemented including a mobile “courtroom in a box” solution.

Panelists:

• Gregory Fechner of BEINCOURT
• Nicoel Lewis of Netgear

New Tech Advancements in Remote Production

Thursday, November 13th @ 2pm EST

Register Now

Join the next TVTech Talk on Advancements in Remote Production: Thursday, November 13 at 2:00 PM ET/11:00 AM PT, hosted by Phil Kurz. PTZOptics CRO Paul Richards will join John Henkel, Michael Davies, and Abe Abt to dive into how game-changing technologies like automated camera action tracking, 5G private wireless networks, and drone-captured perspectives are reshaping remote production.

The Complete Guide to Multi-Camera Placement for House of Worship Livestreaming

Ever wonder how top churches create those cinematic livestreams? Here’s the secret: camera placement.

Whether it’s just providing coverage for your worship leader and others on the pulpit to creating a full TV production experience with multiple angles for choirs, musicians, the congregation, and cut-in shots, our Complete Guide to Multi Camera Placement for House of Worship Livestreaming will show you how thoughtful camera placement can transform online worship experience. From setting up your main shot to adding creative atmospheric views – you’ll learn how to capture every angle with PTZ cameras, all by yourself.

WATCH NOW

Industry Honors

Speaking of major international trade shows, PTZOptics was honored to have Hive Studio named Best of Show from TVBEurope at IBC in Amsterdam.

TVBEurope, the independent voice of the media and entertainment industry, provides independent commentary, insight and analysis of the expanding media and entertainment marketplace. Given TVBEurope’s standing in the AV industry, receiving the Best of Show award for IBC 2025 means a lot to us at PTZOptics.

And if you’re not familiar with all the cool ways you can use our revolutionary web-based camera control platform, consider this your invitation to learn more.

The post PTZOptics Insider: Industry Insights, Events, Product Updates appeared first on PTZOptics.

When West Chester University’s athletic department explored new technology for volleyball officiating, their goal was simple: make the game fairer, faster, and more accurate. What they didn’t expect was how quickly the new multi-camera instant replay system—powered by PTZOptics cameras and SkyCoach software—would prove its value.

During a recent volleyball match, the system was used in real time to overturn a critical call, marking a milestone moment for both the referees and the university’s athletic program.

From Live Streaming to Official Review

Until recently, West Chester relied on their live stream feeds for replay—a setup that offered only a single angle and limited playback control. With NCAA and conference-level expectations rising for video review, the school needed a professional-grade system that could keep up with today’s fast-paced matches.

The new setup combined multiple PTZOptics cameras, including a fixed Studio SE camera dedicated as a “net cam,” with the SkyCoach instant replay system. Together, they created a multi-angle video review system capable of recording at 60 frames per second, allowing for clear, frame-by-frame playback even during the fastest spikes and deflections.

The Game-Changing Moment

In the middle of the match, a close play at the net sparked confusion. Officials paused the game and turned to their new wireless SkyCoach iPad interface. Using touch controls, they quickly scrubbed through the footage—frame by frame—until the exact moment of contact became clear. The net cam footage revealed the ball had been tipped, confirming the opposing team’s point. The call was overturned.

This moment underscored exactly why video replay technology is becoming a requirement in collegiate sports: it provides transparency, accuracy, and confidence in every call.

Inside the System

The West Chester installation featured:

• (1) PTZOptics Studio SE Fixed Camera – Used as the net cam for detailed close-ups of ball contact
• (2) PTZOptics Move SE PTZ Cameras – Providing wide and dynamic coverage of the court
• PTZOptics SuperJoy Controller – Allowing operators to quickly adjust and save camera positions for different sports
• SkyCoach Replay Software – Offering instant wireless video playback, clipping, and slow-motion review

Because the same gymnasium hosts volleyball, basketball, and wrestling, the ability to reframe and reposition PTZ cameras remotely was essential. With a few button presses, operators can adjust camera angles for entirely different sporting events.

Benefits Beyond Officiating

The advantages of this system extend far beyond the referee’s table. Coaches can clip and review plays immediately after a match, condensing a two-hour game into 45 minutes of key moments. The footage is also valuable for training, scouting, and post-game analysis, helping teams refine their performance with precise, visual feedback.

Setting a New Standard for College Sports

West Chester University’s adoption of this technology reflects a broader trend in collegiate athletics: integrating multi-angle, high-frame-rate replay systems for fairness and development. As one of the first institutions in the region to implement this kind of setup, West Chester is setting a precedent for how mid-sized athletic programs can embrace video technology without breaking their budgets.

With PTZOptics cameras providing flexibility and SkyCoach enabling intuitive replay control, the future of sports officiating and coaching is clear—and it’s all captured in 60 frames per second.

Featured Technology:

• PTZOptics Studio SE (Net Cam)
• PTZOptics Move SE PTZ Cameras
• PTZOptics SuperJoy Controller
• SkyCoach Instant Replay System

The post How Multi-Angle Video Replay Changed the Game at West Chester University appeared first on PTZOptics.

PTZOptics to Visit Amsterdam for IBC

PTZOptics will showcase its ground-breaking camera control technology and cloud-based video production and collaboration software at IBC 2025 in Amsterdam (Stand 1.B07) Sept. 12-15.

“PTZOptics has built a reputation for pushing the boundaries of video technology beyond just its best-in-class cameras to include the latest in robotics, AI and automated camera management control,” said Paul Richards, Co-CEO at PTZOptics. “Now, combined with our Hive Studio remote production and collaboration software, we can showcase end-to-end how our customers can take advantage of advanced broadcasting, streaming and production technologies in both an easy-to-use and affordable way.”

Live demos at the show will showcase the built-in capabilities included with all PTZ cameras, such as:

• Computer vision-enabled detection
• Auto-tracking
• Voice-tracking
• Presenter Lock
• Multi-target select
• Camera grouping
• Automatic triggers

These features, combined with an open API architecture, provides AV, broadcast and many Industry 4.0 applications an unprecedented ability to integrate the range of both onsite and remote camera control and automation options into virtually any IT infrastructure.

Cameras in action at the show will include the complete Studio Series of fixed cameras and the ultra-HD Move 4K with the ability to shoot up to UHD 4K at 60 frames per second. We’ll also be demonstrating our innovative web-based camera control and production platform, PTZOptics Hive.

Book a meeting or schedule a demo at IBC 2025 now!

More Cameras Add Hive-Linked in Beta

In addition to the SimplTrack3 receiving Hive-Linked functionality in Beta soon, we’re happy to announce that the full range of Move (SE and 4K) and Studio (SE and 4K) series cameras can now test out Hive-Linked through our Beta program.

PTZOptics continues to make upgrades as part of the SimplTrack3 dual-lens PTZ camera’s transition from HuddleCam to a PTZOptics product, in addition to adding the function to cameras already a part of the PTZOptics line. Hive-Linked allows your camera to be automatically discovered and linked to PTZOptics Hive without the need for your camera to be connected to an on-site computer.

Also, if you haven’t done it already, don’t forget to perform the PTZOptics upgrade on your SimplTrack3. Here’s how. If you’re ready to go ahead and make your upgrades, find the latest firmware update files here under the HC20X-SIMPLTRACK3 tab.

New Features Added to the Move 4K 30X

PTZOptics’ flagship camera, the Move 4K, now includes some exciting improvements to the 30X model.

Production

• NDI 6 Upgrade: Upgraded NDI support from NDI 5 to NDI 6 for improved compatibility, performance, and access to the latest NDI protocol features.
• Super Zoom Feature Replacement: The previously named “Hybrid Zoom” feature in Video Settings has been replaced with the updated “Super Zoom” functionality. This improves zoom flexibility and preserves 1080p resolution across the extended zoom range.
• Exposure Mode – Bright Mode: Added “Bright Mode” option under Dashboard > Image > Exposure > Exposure Mode for enhanced low-light handling.
• One Push Exposure: Added One Push Exposure functionality, allowing the camera to automatically set optimal exposure based on the current lighting conditions. Once calibrated, the settings are held, similar to One Push White Balance.
• USB Video Configuration: Added the ability to define the USB video output resolution listed under USB Video Stream.
• Updated Volume Setting Behavior: Input and Output Volume settings now apply immediately without needing to reboot the camera or click apply.
• Increased Kelvin Scale Precision: Enhanced White Balance control in VAR mode by changing the adjustment increments from 100 to 20.
• ONVIF Profile S Certification: The camera fully complies with all ONVIF Profile S requirements and is officially certified.

Automation & Control

• Presenter Lock Mode: The Automation section has been updated to rename “Bounding Boxes” to “Presenter Lock Mode.” Information symbols have also been enhanced for clarity.
• Auto-Tracking Delay Behavior: Auto-Tracking now starts instantly after the user-defined Delay Time, eliminating the previous default 4-second delay that was added on top of the configured value.
• Tilt Lock Option for Auto-Tracking: Added a new Tilt Lock feature within Auto-Tracking. When enabled, the camera restricts vertical movement and only follows horizontal motion. A dedicated Tilt Lock option is now present in the Automation section for easier access.
• Tracking Preset Recall: Introduced dedicated preset numbers for toggling tracking: Preset 150 for Tracking ON and Preset 151 for Tracking OFF. This enables users with serial controllers to manage tracking more easily. This is especially helpful for SuperJoy joystick users, as this enables them to use presets and autotracking without opening the camera’s web interface.
• Auto-Framing Behavior: Adjusted the Auto-Framing feature to zoom in or out based on the number of subjects in the frame, instead of defaulting to a maximum zoom-out position.
• Multi-Target Select Visual Enhancements: Improved the visibility and persistence of bounding boxes during Auto-Tracking with Multi-Target Select enabled. Bounding boxes now remain visible during tracking, and the size of the identification numbers has been increased for better visibility.
• Multi-Target Select – Improved Identification and Reassignment Prevention: Improved bounding box assignments for each identified subject, providing a unique number with fewer false identification issues.

Interested in learning more about upgrades, new features, and bug fixes? Find the full update reports for your individual camera models at the PTZOptics Firmware Changelog.

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