You control a PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) camera in one of five ways: the included IR remote, the meeting app's far-end or camera controls, the manufacturer's PC software, a hardware joystick controller, or a control system sending VISCA commands over IP or RS-232. For everyday meetings, set a few presets (whole table, presenter, whiteboard) and recall them with one button, or turn on auto framing so the camera moves itself.
Control methods compared
| Method | Best for | How it connects |
|---|---|---|
| IR remote | Meeting rooms, quick moves | Infrared, line of sight |
| Meeting app controls | Teams, Zoom, Meet users | Through USB (UVC) |
| Vendor software | Admin setup, presets, image tuning | USB or network |
| Hardware joystick | Live streams, events, churches | VISCA over IP, RS-232/422 |
| Control system | Boardrooms, classrooms | Crestron, Q-SYS, Extron via IP or serial |
| Auto framing/tracking | Hands-free meetings | Built into the camera |
1. Use the remote
Most conference PTZ cameras ship with an IR remote. Typical buttons:
- Arrow keys for pan and tilt
- Zoom +/-
- Home to return to the default view
- Number keys to save and recall presets (often press and hold to save)
Point the remote at the camera, not the TV. Poly's Bluetooth remote works with certain Studio models, and Logitech's GROUP includes a remote and lets you control the camera from its speakerphone.
2. Control from Teams, Zoom or Meet
USB PTZ cameras appear as standard webcams. In Zoom, you can control camera pan, tilt and zoom from the video settings, and give far-end camera control to remote participants. Teams Rooms and Zoom Rooms consoles show camera controls when the camera supports them.
3. Use the vendor's software
Software gives the most control for setup:
- AVer: Room Management (successor to PTZApp 2) and the camera web interface. See AVer camera software.
- Logitech: Sync and Logi Tune. See Logitech Sync.
- Poly: Poly Lens.
Use it to set presets, adjust exposure and white balance, update firmware and set tracking options.
4. Use a joystick or switcher (VISCA over IP)
For live streams and events, a hardware PTZ controller gives smooth, variable-speed moves.
- Give the camera a fixed IP address.
- Enable VISCA over IP (on AVer Pro AV cameras, UDP port 52381) or another supported protocol.
- Add the camera's IP in the joystick or switcher.
- Map presets to buttons.
Cameras with HDMI, SDI or NDI outputs, like the AVer PTZ310UV2, feed video switchers while the joystick drives the camera. Details: AVer VISCA, NDI and RTSP control.
5. Set presets
Presets save a camera position so you can return to it instantly.
- Move the camera to the shot you want (pan, tilt, zoom).
- Save it to a preset number (remote, software or controller).
- Name presets in software if supported: "Table", "Presenter", "Whiteboard".
- Test recall speed; some cameras let you set preset move speed.
Most rooms need three to six presets.
6. Turn on auto tracking
Many PTZ cameras frame automatically:
- Group framing zooms to fit everyone.
- Speaker tracking follows whoever talks, using mic arrays.
- Presenter tracking follows one person walking at the front, like on the Poly Studio E60.
Auto tracking and presets usually don't run at the same time; recalling a preset often pauses tracking. See AVer auto tracking and presets and auto-tracking cameras explained.
Tips for good PTZ shots
- Mount at eye level, just above or below the display. See camera placement.
- Leave a little headroom; avoid cutting people off at the chin.
- Avoid bright windows behind people.
- Move slowly on live streams; fast pans look jarring.
- Lock presets once set so they aren't overwritten.
New to PTZ cameras? Start with what is a PTZ camera? or our best PTZ cameras for conference rooms, like the AVer CAM520 Pro3.
Need a PTZ setup that anyone can run? Tell us about the room and we'll recommend cameras and controls.
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