PTZ cameras
Canon PTZ camera automation for radio studios
VRA runs Canon CR-N and CR-X PTZ cameras over Canon's XC protocol and recalls their angles from your studio microphones. For the framing you choose: VRA's AI framing holds a shot size per angle, or the camera's own auto tracking takes over once the angle is reached.
What VRA does with Canon.
Canon's XC protocol
Pick a CR-N or CR-X model and VRA sets the Canon XC protocol on port 80. The same connection can give you the preview: switch on Use native MJPEG stream and VRA pulls the picture straight from the camera, without an NDI source.
Hand the framing to the camera
On Canon XC cameras you pick the tracking provider: our AI framing, or in-camera tracking. With in-camera tracking the camera's auto tracking app takes over once an angle reaches its base position, with the settings set, subject size and multi-person choice you gave that angle.
The same angle from a mic or a button
An angle stores a camera position and the command that takes it to air. An Audio Manager trigger, a macro or a dashboard button all run the same angle.
The next shot is framed off air
After calibration, Camera Assist frames a camera that is not on air to the shot size and face count you set per angle, from close up to wide. When the switcher takes it, the picture is already right.
VB models and the CR-S700R stay still
The VB network cameras (ONVIF) and the CR-S700R (CR-A100) are in the model list without a control protocol. Camera Assist cannot move them.
How to set it up.
Requirements
- Camera Assist running on the same network as the camera.
- The camera's IP address, plus its username and password if it uses them.
- A preview source if you want pictures in VRA Cloud.
- A video switcher connected to VRA. Camera Assist moves and frames the camera; the switcher makes the cut.
Install Camera Assist on a machine in the studio network.
On the Cameras page, choose Add new camera, then PTZ camera, and pick your Canon model from the list. The model fills in the protocol, the port and the lens data.
Enter the camera's host and, if it asks for them, a username and password. Add a preview: an NDI source, a stream URL or, where the model has one, the camera's own stream.
Set the PGM trigger, the switcher command that takes this camera to air. Save, and check that Camera Assist reports the camera as connected.
Build angles from preset slots or captured positions. Run calibration before you switch on AI framing.
Canon questions
Can VRA use Canon's auto tracking instead of its own framing? +
Yes, on CR-N and CR-X cameras that have Canon's Auto Tracking Application (RA-AT001) installed. Choose in-camera tracking as the tracking provider, then switch it on per angle. You can load one of the camera's five tracking settings sets and set the subject size from 1 to 5. In-camera tracking is part of AI framing, which we switch on for your station.
Can I see a Canon preview without NDI? +
Yes. A Canon XC camera can send its built-in MJPEG stream as the preview. Turning that on clears the NDI source, so use one or the other.
Is my Canon model supported? +
Look for it in the model list when you add a camera. The entry sets the protocol and lens data, and badges show which models have PTZ and NDI. If yours is missing, send us the model and firmware before you fall back on a generic profile.
Does VRA replace my video switcher? +
No. Camera Assist moves and frames the camera. The angle's PGM trigger tells your switcher to take it to air, so the switcher still makes the cut.
Can I mix in a fixed camera? +
Yes. A fixed camera gets a preview and a PGM trigger, so it can go on air like the others. It has no movement and no AI framing.
Canon
About Canon.
Canon's remote cameras run from the CR-N studio range to the CR-X outdoor models. In VRA, the CR-N and CR-X models use Canon's XC protocol on port 80. The model list also carries Canon's VB network cameras and the CR-S700R robotic system.
What you can do with this connection
Automated camera switching for radio
Switch cameras from microphone activity and prepare PTZ shots off air.
More infoThe products behind it.
More integrations.
Sony
Run Sony BRC and SRG cameras from your studio microphones. VRA recalls angles over VISCA over IP and frames each shot before it goes on air.
Panasonic
Panasonic AW PTZ cameras carry their own HTTP control and a built-in video stream. VRA automates them over that control and previews from the camera.
Marshall
Marshall CV PTZ cameras fit on a radio desk, from the compact CV605 to the 30x CV730. VRA automates them over VISCA over IP or NDI and recalls angles.
Check your studio setup with us.
Tell us your camera models, video switcher and radio automation. We will check the connections and show you the workflow that fits your station.