Ross PIVOTCam User manual

PIVOTCam Control Panel User Guide
Version 1.2

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PIVOTCam Control Panel User
Guide
• Ross Part Number: 4506DR-001-1.2
• Release Date: September 28, 2017.
• Software Issue: 1.2
The information contained in this Guide is subject to change without notice or obligation.
Copyright
© 2017 Ross Video Limited. Ross® and any related marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Ross Video
Limited. All other trademarks are the property of their respective companies. PATENTS ISSUED and PENDING.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any
form or by any means, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of
Ross Video. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this document, Ross Video assumes no
responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the
information contained herein.
Patents
Ross Video products are protected by patent numbers US 7,034,886; US 7,508,455; US 7,602,446; US 7,802,802
B2; US 7,834,886; US 7,914,332; US 8,307,284; US 8,407,374 B2; US 8,499,019 B2; US 8,519,949 B2; US
8,743,292 B2; GB 2,419,119 B; GB 2,447,380 B. Other patents pending.
Company Address
Ross Video Limited
8 John Street
Iroquois, Ontario
Canada, K0E 1K0
Ross Video Incorporated
P.O. Box 880
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USA 13669-0880
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Website: http://www.rossvideo.com

PIVOTCam Control Panel User Guide (1.2) Contents • i
Contents
Introduction 1
Overview ...............................................................................................................................................................1-1
Documentation Conventions .................................................................................................................................1-1
Interface Elements ..............................................................................................................................................1-1
Touch-Screen Support ........................................................................................................................................1-1
User-Typed Text ................................................................................................................................................1-1
Referenced Guides .............................................................................................................................................1-1
Menu Sequences .................................................................................................................................................1-1
Contacting Technical Support ...............................................................................................................................1-2
System Setup 2
Installing Cameras ................................................................................................................................................2-1
Configuring Cameras ............................................................................................................................................2-1
Configure Camera Communication Settings .....................................................................................................2-1
Configure Serial-to-IP Converters .....................................................................................................................2-2
Installing DashBoard and the PIVOTCam Control Panel ....................................................................................2-2
Launching the PIVOTCam Control Panel ............................................................................................................2-2
Joystick Panels and Other Manual Controllers .....................................................................................................2-3
User Interface Overview 3
Camera Selection Bar ...........................................................................................................................................3-1
Camera Configuration Interface ............................................................................................................................3-1
Camera List ........................................................................................................................................................3-2
Camera Settings Area .........................................................................................................................................3-3
Data File Area ....................................................................................................................................................3-5
Done Button .......................................................................................................................................................3-5
Store/Recall Shots Tab ..........................................................................................................................................3-6
Shot Bank Buttons .............................................................................................................................................3-6
Config Banks and Shots Button and Configuration Interface ............................................................................3-7
Shot Button Matrix .............................................................................................................................................3-8
Store Mode Buttons ...........................................................................................................................................3-8
Recall Shots Button ............................................................................................................................................3-9
Store Shots Button .............................................................................................................................................3-9
Rename Shots Button .........................................................................................................................................3-9
Delete Shots Button ...........................................................................................................................................3-9
Camera Controls Tab ..........................................................................................................................................3-10
Pan Tilt Control ................................................................................................................................................3-10
Zoom Slider ......................................................................................................................................................3-11
Focus Controls .................................................................................................................................................3-12
Exposure Area ..................................................................................................................................................3-12
Open Menu Button (on-screen menu control) .................................................................................................3-13
Color Controls Tab .............................................................................................................................................3-14
Using the PIVOTCam Control Panel 4
Adding Cameras and Editing Camera Settings .....................................................................................................4-1
Monitoring Camera Status ....................................................................................................................................4-3
Selecting the Store Mode ......................................................................................................................................4-4
Deleting Cameras ..................................................................................................................................................4-4
Saving and Loading Data Files .............................................................................................................................4-4
Controlling Cameras .............................................................................................................................................4-5

ii • Contents PIVOTCam Control Panel User Guide (1.2)
Panning and Tilting ........................................................................................................................................... 4-5
Zooming ............................................................................................................................................................ 4-6
Focusing ............................................................................................................................................................ 4-7
Adjusting Exposure Settings (Iris, Shutter, Gain) ............................................................................................. 4-8
Using the On-Screen Menu (Remote Control) .................................................................................................. 4-9
Storing, Recalling, Renaming, and Deleting Shots ............................................................................................ 4-11
Configuring Shot Banks .................................................................................................................................. 4-11
Configuring Shot Button Text ......................................................................................................................... 4-12
Creating and Storing Shots .............................................................................................................................. 4-12
Recalling Shots ................................................................................................................................................ 4-13
Renaming Shots ............................................................................................................................................... 4-13
Deleting, Restoring, and Discarding Shots ..................................................................................................... 4-15
Adjusting Color Controls ................................................................................................................................ 4-17
Operating the System During a Show ................................................................................................................ 4-18
Adding a USB Joystick or Other USB Controller 5

PIVOTCam Control Panel User Guide (1.2) Introduction • 1–1
Introduction
This chapter contains the following sections:
•“Overview” on page 1–1
•“Documentation Conventions” on page 1–1
•“Contacting Technical Support” on page 1–2
Overview
The PIVOTCam Control Panel is a DashBoard panel that enables you to configure and control PIVOTCam robotic
cameras. You can control cameras manually, store and recall shots, and configure camera settings.
This guide describes how to use the PIVOTCam Control Panel to configure and control PIVOTCam robotic
cameras.
For information about installing PIVOTCam cameras, see the PIVOTCam User Manual (5000DR-300-xx).
Documentation Conventions
Special text formats are used in this guide to identify parts of the user interface, text that a user must enter, or a
sequence of menus and submenus that must be followed to reach a particular command.
Interface Elements
Bold text is used to identify a user interface element such as a dialog box, menu item, or button. For example:
On the Store/Recall Shots tab, tap the Config Banks and Shots button.
Touch-Screen Support
This guide assumes you are using a touch-screen. The guide includes instructions to tap user interface elements. If
you are using a mouse instead of a touch screen, click the mouse instead of tapping.
User-Typed Text
Courier text is used to identify text that a user must type. For example:
In the File Name box, type Channel01.property.
Referenced Guides
Italic text is used to identify the titles of referenced guides, manuals, or documents. For example:
PIVOTCam User Manual (5000DR-300-xx)
Menu Sequences
Menu arrows are used in procedures to identify a sequence of menu items that you must follow. For example, if a
step reads “Server > Save As,” you would tap the Server menu and then tap Save As.

1–2 • Introduction PIVOTCam Control Panel User Guide (1.2)
Contacting Technical Support
At Ross Video, we take pride in the quality of our products, but if problems occur, help is as close as the nearest
telephone.
Our 24-hour Hot Line service ensures you have access to technical expertise around the clock. After-sales service
and technical support is provided directly by Ross Video personnel. During business hours (Eastern Time),
technical support personnel are available by telephone. After hours and on weekends, a direct emergency technical
support phone line is available. If the technical support person who is on call does not answer this line immediately,
a voice message can be left and the call will be returned shortly. This team of highly trained staff is available to
react to any problem and to do whatever is necessary to ensure customer satisfaction.
•Technical Support: ([phone]
•After Hours Emergency: ([phone]
•E-mail: [email protected]
•Website: http://www.rossvideo.com

PIVOTCam Control Panel User Guide (1.2) System Setup • 2–1
System Setup
This section describes how to set up and launch the PIVOTCam Control Panel system. It contains the following
topics:
•“Installing Cameras” on page 2–1
•“Configuring Cameras” on page 2–1
•“Installing DashBoard and the PIVOTCam Control Panel” on page 2–2
•“Launching the PIVOTCam Control Panel” on page 2–2
•“Joystick Panels and Other Manual Controllers” on page 2–3
Installing Cameras
Before you can use the PIVOTCam Control Panel to control your cameras, they must be securely mounted, cabled,
and turned on.
PIVOTCam cameras communicate over a serial RS232 interface. Each camera must communicate through a
serial-to-IP converter. All serial-to-IP converters must be connected to the same Ethernet network as the computer
running DashBoard and the PIVOTCam Control Panel.
Each serial-to-IP converter has a single IP address. It may have multiple ports. Each port may be attached to up to
seven daisy-chained PIVOTCam cameras. The maximum cable length for RS232 communication between nodes
(between two cameras, or between a camera and a serial-to-IP converter) is 50 feet (15m).
Refer to the PIVOTCam User Manual (5000DR-300-xx) for information about how to mount and cable the
cameras.
Configuring Cameras
After the cameras are mounted and cabled, turn them on and perform the following configuration tasks:
•“Configure Camera Communication Settings” on page 2–1
•“Configure Serial-to-IP Converters” on page 2–2
Configure Camera Communication Settings
Using the remote control unit that came with the camera, navigate the on-screen menu to configure the following
settings:
•ADDRESS — Set to a value between 1 and 7. If multiple cameras are communicating through a single port of a
serial-to-IP converter, each camera in the daisy chain must have a unique chain address. Note the chain address
of each camera so you can later configure connectivity to it.
•BAUD RATE — The factory default baud rate is 9600. Do not change this value. The baud rate of all cameras in
a daisy-chain must be set to 9600.
For information about using the remote control unit to configure camera settings, see the PIVOTCam User Manual
(5000DR-300-xx).

2–2 • System Setup PIVOTCam Control Panel User Guide (1.2)
Configure Serial-to-IP Converters
PIVOTCam cameras communicate over a serial RS232 interface. A serial-to-IP converter is required to enable the
cameras to communicate with the PIVOTCam Control Panel.
Each serial-to-IP converter has a single IP address. It may have multiple ports. Each port may be attached to up to
seven daisy-chained PIVOTCam cameras.
As you configure each camera, note its IP address, port number, and chain address so you can later configure
connectivity to the camera.
To configure a serial-to-IP converter:
1. Set a unique IP address for the converter.
This is the IP address for all cameras connected through the converter.
The IP address must be accessible to the computer running DashBoard.
2. Assign each port of the converter a port number.
This is the port number for all cameras connected through the port.
3. Set the baud rate to 9600.
4. For each camera, record the combination of IP address, port number (if applicable), and chain address.
Installing DashBoard and the PIVOTCam Control Panel
The PIVOTCam Control Panel is a DashBoard panel. DashBoard must be installed to run the camera control panel.
To install DashBoard and the PIVOTCam Control Panel:
1. Download and install DashBoard, following instructions in the DashBoard User Guide (8351DR-004-xx).
Tip: DashBoard, and the DashBoard User Guide, are available as free downloads from www.rossvideo.com.
2. Open the Ross PIVOTCam zip file, and then extract the Ross Camera Panel folder into a location of your
choice. Note the folder path.
Launching the PIVOTCam Control Panel
Add the camera control panel to the DashBoard File Navigator, to make it readily available from DashBoard.
To add the PIVOTCam Control Panel to DashBoard File Navigator:
1. Start DashBoard.
2. From the Views menu, tap File Navigator.
3. On the File Navigator tab, tap the green + symbol.
The Browse for Folder dialog appears.
4. Navigate to the Ross Camera Panel folder located where you extracted it, and then tap OK.
5. In the File Navigator tree, expand the Ross Camera Panel folder to show the
PIVOTCamCameraPanel.grid file.
6. To open the camera control panel anytime, double-tap the PIVOTCamCameraPanel.grid file.
The PIVOTCam Control Panel will always be available from the DashBoard File Navigator.

PIVOTCam Control Panel User Guide (1.2) System Setup • 2–3
Joystick Panels and Other Manual Controllers
A joystick panel and/or other controller(s) can be used to select and manually operate PIVOTCam cameras in
conjunction with the PIVOTCam Control Panel.
You can use a Ross Video joystick panel, which includes illuminated camera selection buttons, and requires no
configuration. Alternatively, you can add a USB joystick and/or other USB game controllers to DashBoard, and
configure them to provide data to the PIVOTCam Control Panel.
For information about adding a USB joystick or other USB controller, see “Adding a USB Joystick or Other USB
Controller” on page 5–1.

2–4 • System Setup PIVOTCam Control Panel User Guide (1.2)

PIVOTCam Control Panel User Guide (1.2) User Interface Overview • 3–1
User Interface Overview
This section describes the PIVOTCam Control Panel user interface.
The PIVOTCam Control Panel is a DashBoard panel that enables you to configure and control PIVOTCam robotic
cameras. You can control cameras manually, store and recall shots, and configure camera settings.
The main parts of the PIVOTCam Control Panel are as follows:
•“Camera Selection Bar” on page 3–1
•“Camera Configuration Interface” on page 3–1
•“Store/Recall Shots Tab” on page 3–6
•“Camera Controls Tab” on page 3–10
•“Color Controls Tab” on page 3–14
Camera Selection Bar
The camera selection bar (Figure 3.1) consists of a row of camera buttons, each representing a PIVOTCam camera.
Tap a camera button to select a camera. The blue camera button represents the currently-selected camera. All
actions performed on the Store/Recall Shots tab, the Camera Controls tab, and the Color Controls tab affect the
selected camera.
Figure 3.1 - Camera Selection Bar
Each camera button has a status indicator dot. A green dot indicates that the control panel can communicate with
the camera. A grey dot indicates that the control panel cannot communicate with the camera.
Camera Configuration Interface
The camera configuration interface enables you to add cameras to the control panel, and to edit camera
configuration settings.
To access the camera configuration interface, tap the Config Cameras button (Figure 3.2).
Figure 3.2 - Config Cameras Button
The camera configuration interface appears, as shown in Figure 3.3.

3–2 • User Interface Overview PIVOTCam Control Panel User Guide (1.2)
Figure 3.3 - Camera Configuration Interface
The camera configuration interface includes the following sets of controls:
•“Camera List” on page 3–2
•“Camera Settings Area” on page 3–3
•“Data File Area” on page 3–5
•“Done Button” on page 3–5
Camera List
The camera list (Figure 3.4) enables you to add and delete cameras.
Changes you make in the camera list are applied immediately.
Figure 3.4 - Camera List
The camera list includes the following controls:
•Add button — adds a new camera entry to the camera list.
•Delete button — deletes the selected camera from the list.

PIVOTCam Control Panel User Guide (1.2) User Interface Overview • 3–3
•Connection column — shows the connectivity status of all cameras. A green dot indicates that the control panel
can communicate with the camera. A grey dot indicates that the control panel cannot communicate with the
camera.
•Camera Name column — lists the names of all cameras.
Camera Settings Area
The camera settings area (Figure 3.5) includes controls that define the name, connection parameters, and behavior
of the selected camera.
Figure 3.5 - Camera Settings Area
The camera settings area includes the following:
•“Apply Camera Changes Button” on page 3–3
•“Video Mode Selection and the Reset Video Mode Button” on page 3–3
•“Connection Area” on page 3–4
•“Options Area” on page 3–4
•“Joystick Area” on page 3–5
Apply Camera Changes Button
The Apply Camera Changes button applies all changes made in the camera settings area.
Some changes take effect as soon as you make them, but they are not retained unless you apply them.
Video Mode Selection and the Reset Video Mode Button
By default, the PIVOTCam Control Panel sets the video output format of each camera to 1080i59.94. If you want
the selected camera to output a different format, select a format from the Video Mode list.
The video format setting is retained even after the PIVOTCam camera is shut down and restarted. In some rare
instances, a camera may not retain the setting after shutdown, and may output a different video format. If this
occurs, tap the Reset Video Mode button. The camera briefly switches to a different video format, and then returns
to the format shown in the Video Mode list.

3–4 • User Interface Overview PIVOTCam Control Panel User Guide (1.2)
Connection Area
Controls in the Connection area (Figure 3.6) enable communication between the control panel and the selected
camera.
Figure 3.6 - Connection Area
The Connection area includes the following controls:
•IP Address — The IP address of the camera. This is the IP address of the serial-to-IP converter through which
the camera communicates.
•Port Number — This is the port number of the camera. This is the port on the serial-to-IP converter through
which the camera communicates.
•Chain Address — This is the daisy-chain address of the camera. This value is configured on the camera. Each
port on a serial-to IP converter can connect to a daisy-chain of up to 7 cameras. Each camera in the chain has a
unique chain address.
•Camera Name — This is the name of the camera, as you want it to appear within the control panel. After you
apply changes, the name appears in the camera list.
For more information about configuring connectivity settings, see “Configuring Cameras” on page 2–1.
Options Area
Controls in the Options area (Figure 3.7) enable you to turn the selected camera on and off, and to set the video
image orientation.
Figure 3.7 - Options Area
The Options area includes the following controls:
•Power — Tap ON to turn the camera on. Tap OFF to turn the camera off.
•Mount Mode — Rotates the camera image 180 degrees.
•Image Flip — Reverses the camera view vertically, but not horizontally. This results in a vertical mirror-image.
•IR — Controls whether the camera can receive commands from the infra-red (IR) remote control unit. Tap ON
to turn on the IR receiver. Tap OFF to turn off the IR receiver.
Tips:
• For ceiling-mounted cameras, turn Mount Mode ON, and turn Image Flip OFF.
• To simulate a horizontal mirror image, turn Image Flip ON and Mount Mode ON.
• If you change the Mount Mode and Image Flip settings, remember to configure the Joystick settings so the
direction of joystick motion corresponds with the direction of camera movement.

PIVOTCam Control Panel User Guide (1.2) User Interface Overview • 3–5
Joystick Area
The Joystick area (Figure 3.8) includes controls that co-ordinate the direction of joystick motion with the direction
of camera motion, set maximum pan and tilt speed, and set maximum speed when recalling a shot.
Figure 3.8 - Joystick Area
The Joystick area includes the following settings:
•Invert Vertical — Reverses the directions (forward/back) you must move the joystick to tilt the camera.
•Invert Horizontal — Reverses the directions (right/left) you must move the joystick to pan the camera.
•Pan/Tilt Speed — Sets the maximum camera movement speed when controlled by the joystick. The value
ranges from 4 to 24.
•Recall Speed — Sets the maximum camera movement speed when recalling a shot. The value ranges from 4 to
24.
Tip: Configure the Mount Mode and Image Flip settings before you configure the Invert Vertical and Invert
Horizontal settings. For more information, see “Options Area” on page 3–4.
Data File Area
The data file area (Figure 3.9) includes controls for managing files that contain camera configuration data and shot
data.
Figure 3.9 - Data File Area
The data file area shows the name of the current data file, and includes the following buttons:
•Load — Loads a saved data file. After you load a data file, any changes you make in the control panel are
immediately saved to the data file.
•Save As — Saves all current data in a new data file. If you continue to make changes in the control panel, they
are immediately saved to the new data file.
•Create New — Creates a new, blank data file, and clears all data in the control panel. Use this option to begin a
new project.
For more information about using controls in the data file area, see “Saving and Loading Data Files” on page 4–4.
Done Button
The Done button closes the camera configuration interface.
If there are any unapplied changes, you are prompted to save (apply) or discard them.

3–6 • User Interface Overview PIVOTCam Control Panel User Guide (1.2)
Store/Recall Shots Tab
Controls on the Store/Recall Shots tab (Figure 3.10) enable you to store, recall, rename, and delete shots. You can
also configure shot banks and the text on shot buttons.
Figure 3.10 - Store/Recall Shots Tab
The following sections describe the controls on the Store/Recall Shots tab:
•“Shot Bank Buttons” on page 3–6
•“Config Banks and Shots Button and Configuration Interface” on page 3–7
•“Shot Button Matrix” on page 3–8
•“Store Mode Buttons” on page 3–8
•“Recall Shots Button” on page 3–9
•“Store Shots Button” on page 3–9
•“Rename Shots Button” on page 3–9
•“Delete Shots Button” on page 3–9
Shot Bank Buttons
Shot bank buttons (Figure 3.11) enable you to select which bank of 100 shots is currently in use.
Figure 3.11 - Shot Bank Buttons
To select a bank of shots, tap the corresponding shot bank button.
Shot banks are numbered (0-99, 100-199, etc).
For information about adding and deleting shot banks, see “Configuring Shot Banks” on page 4–11.

PIVOTCam Control Panel User Guide (1.2) User Interface Overview • 3–7
Config Banks and Shots Button and Configuration Interface
The Config Banks and Shots button (Figure 3.12) opens a configuration interface (Figure 3.13) that includes
controls for adding and deleting shot banks, renaming shots, and formatting the appearance of text on shot buttons.
Figure 3.12 - Config Banks and Shots Button
Figure 3.13 - Configuring Banks and Shots
The configuration interface includes the following controls:
•Add Bank button — Adds a new bank of shot buttons, numbered higher than the highest bank.
•Delete Bank button — Deletes the selected bank of shot buttons.
Shot buttons that contain shot data are never re-numbered. If any higher-numbered banks contain shots that are
not empty, the current shot bank remains, but all its buttons are emptied.
•Shot Names Format box — Enables you to specify how shot numbers and names are displayed on shot buttons:
› Shot Number Only
› Shot Name Only
› Shot Number & Name (1 line)
› Shot Number & Name (2 lines)
•Shots Text Size box — Enables you to specify the text size for shot names and numbers on shot buttons.
Valid values range from 8 to 50.
•Shot Number column — Lists shot numbers. This column is not editable.
•Shot Name column — Enables you to specify shot names.
•Apply button — Applies changes and closes the banks and shots configuration interface.
•Cancel button — Cancels changes and closes the banks and shots configuration interface.
For More Information on...
• adding and deleting shot banks, see “Configuring Shot Banks” on page 4–11.
• renaming shots, see “Renaming Shots” on page 4–13.
• formatting shot button text, see “Configuring Shot Button Text” on page 4–12.

3–8 • User Interface Overview PIVOTCam Control Panel User Guide (1.2)
Shot Button Matrix
A shot is a stored camera position. A shot includes the pan, tilt, zoom, and focus positions of the camera, as well as
exposure and color settings.
Shot buttons represent shots. The shot button matrix (Figure 3.14) shows one bank of shot buttons (100 shots).
There can be multiple shot banks per camera.
Figure 3.14 - Shot Button Matrix
Shot buttons are color-coded:
•Blue — recorded shots. These can be recalled, renamed, or deleted.
•Dark Grey — empty shots. These can be renamed.
•Light Grey — shots that have been deleted but not discarded. These can be renamed, restored, or discarded.
You can overwrite any shot button with a new shot position. You can also rename any shot.
For more information, see “Storing, Recalling, Renaming, and Deleting Shots” on page 4–11.
Store Mode Buttons
Store mode buttons (Figure 3.15) control the behavior of the panel after you store a shot.
Figure 3.15 - Store Mode Buttons
The two store modes are as follows:
•One-Time — After you store a shot, the panel reverts to shot recall mode.
This option reduces the risk of someone accidentally overwriting shots. If someone thinks the panel is in shot
recall mode when it is actually in shot storage mode, they may tap a shot to recall it, but instead the shot is
overwritten.
•Hold — After you store a shot, the panel remains in shot storage mode.
This option enables you to store or delete several shots in succession without having to re-enter shot storage
mode.