PTZ Spotter Linkage, Activation, and Tracking

Modern IC Realtime equipment comes with powerful detection options that rely on complex interactions between Pan/Tilt/Zoom and stationary cameras. We refer to this as PTZ activation. 

PTZ activation works by using a video recorder as a catalyst and utilizes existing Intelligent Video System (IVS) features to interact with supported PTZ cameras. When a spotter camera sees an event, the recorder sends a command to a PTZ camera to perform an action. By using PTZ activation, you can effectively increase the coverage and accuracy of your PTZ cameras.

This guide educates on when to use, or not to use, these features and proper configuration of said devices. It won't go into depth on how to setup IVS rules as this is covered in both Tripwire and Intrusion. There is a lot to cover in this guide, so feel free to use the video as you follow along. PTZ activation isn’t for every install. We hope to assist you in determining if it’s right for your site.

Table of Contents

• Prerequisites
• Caveats and Restrictions
• Setup Instructions
• Video Guide

Prerequisites

• Must ensure compatible hardware is used. Not all devices support PTZ activation. Please contact technical support for verification.
• A computer is required to setup activation because you will need to access the PTZ camera directly. There are menus not accessible via the NVR.
• A Windows computer may be necessary depending on the age of the equipment. Many existing devices require an Active X plugin, which will only run on Internet Explorer. Newer devices use HTML5 and are more lenient with which browser is used. You can contact technical support if you need additional information on browser compatibility.

Caveats and Restrictions

Devices rely on IVS to activate tracking and will follow the same restrictions as IVS.

• Cameras are recommended to be mounted vertically at least 15ft. The wider the viewing angle the better IVS will operate. IVS can still work if mounted lower but will be less consistent.
• Drastically different zoom levels will take time for the camera to reposition and it may miss the event by the time it finishes.
• The analytics have to recalibrate in high contrast situations, e.g. a door opens in a dark garage and light comes flooding in. It's not advised to use PTZ activation with tracking in these situations.
• Don’t draw rules along the edge of the image. The analytic system needs to see objects coming and going and rules touching the edge of the image makes this impossible.
• Heavily trafficked areas make tracking significantly more difficult. It's recommended to setup tracking for controllable or less noisy environments. I.e. using a tracking camera for a parking lot with large amounts of traffic is a bad idea.
• It's not recommended to have a lot spotters sending commands to the camera so try to keep the presets to 3 or less. Performance is not guaranteed on larger amounts.
• Objects of interest may stop tracking if the target goes directly under the camera or behind obstructions.

Setup Instructions

*you can skip to the PTZ Activation setup if you already have the PTZ camera's presets configured and IVS rules on both the PTZ and spotter

Spotter Setup

1. Log into the camera(s) that will be acting as spotters via its IP address. You can also configure the spotter camera through the NVR's IP interface. 
   
2. Setup an IVS rule to act as the trigger. You can use the following guides for additional assistance with this step or review the video below. Tripwire / Intrusion

PTZ Setup

1. Log into the PTZ camera via its IP address to configure behaviors, presets, and tracking.
2. Select Setup -> PTZ -> Function -> Preset and select the Add button.
3. Use the controls underneath the video to position the camera to create a Home position. Select the save icon to set the location. *You can double click on the preset name to change the name.
4. Select Add again to create additional presets and follow the previous steps. The spotter cameras will command the PTZ camera to go to these location.
5. Modify the power up behavior by selecting the PowerUp menu and enabling it with the following:
   1. PowerUp - Set to Preset
   2. Number - 1 or whatever you set your Home position to
   3. Save the configuration
6. Modify the cameras idle behavior by selecting the Time Task menu and enabling it with the following:
   1. Time Task Action - Preset
   2. Action Number - 1 or whatever you set your Home position to
   3. AutoHome - The camera will go back to its home position every x seconds, preventing it from getting stuck after it's done tracking. It's recommended to set to at least a minute to prevent the camera from going home before it's done tracking
   4. Period Setting - Check All and Period1
   5. Save the configuration

Tracking Setup

1. Select Event -> Smart Plan and add a plan for each preset that needs tracking. *The IVS Icon looks like a lightbulb.
2. Select IVS/Deep IVS and create an IVS rule. Unlike non-PTZ cameras, you need to setup IVS rules on each preset that has tracking.

PTZ Activation

1. Log back into the NVR and navigate to Setup -> Event -> IVS
2. Choose your spotter camera from the drop down and enable PTZ activation
3. Select the Setup option next to PTZ Activation and locate the channel your PTZ camera is on
4. Change the trigger from None to Preset and type in which preset you want the PTZ to go to. This was setup in PTZ Setup steps 1-4.
5. Save the configuration and you're done!

Video Guide