Whether you are an educational institution or you’re in the process of transitioning over to a touchless workplace, pan–tilt–zoom cameras (PTZ) should be an essential pillar of your remote communications strategy. Through the use of camera-based AV equipment, you can better facilitate meetings held via unified communications (UC), conduct both live and pre-recorded distance learning classes, and minimize physical contact to better protect employees and students.
There are several available camera options that can augment existing AV setups and alternative solutions that can be implemented as part of new AV solutions for a more comprehensive and immersive experience inside meeting spaces, training rooms, and classrooms. Some are designed specifically for serving the UC as a service (UCaaS) market for providers such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams. By contrast, others are more suited to educational environments or non-profit organizations requiring comprehensive remote conferencing abilities to continue operations effectively.
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PTZ Video Conference Camera Applications in Workplace and Educational AV Environments
Meeting spaces and conference rooms
- Offers high-quality, high-definition broadcasting to fellow meeting attendees to better replicate the in-person collaboration experienced
- Most solutions facilitate clean connectivity over a category network cable. These cables can be run from either a wall or the ceiling of a meeting room through to an associated AV device or underneath a meeting table.
- Classrooms and other instructional spaces
- Video conferencing systems to livestream lectures, presentations, or lessons for remote learning. Providing those watching on a laptop or smartphone with a high-definition picture is crucial for comprehension and understanding.
- Ideal for recording courses in advance of uploading video course materials in bulk onto cloud-based platforms.
Leading PTZ Camera Solutions & Features
Crestron UC SB1-CAM
This solution not only makes use of a Huddly IQ camera providing a range of viewing benefits, but it also includes a top-of-the-range soundbar and microphone that picks up sound from as far as 15 feet away. It’s easy to install beneath an overall room display, and it can be easily connected to a computer via a USB connection. This specific product is perfect for firms with smaller to medium-sized conference rooms, looking for a hassle-free all-in-one solution.
Logitech Conferencecam PTZ Pro2
For those looking for a camera-only solution, the Logitech conference cam PTZ Pro2 offers a cost-effective solution. Providing 1080p30 definition, this camera supplies excellent video quality for both UC and instructional purposes. It has 10x HD zoom capabilities, benefits from motorized pan and tilt functionality, and provides a 90-degree viewing angle. In terms of connectivity, this camera can be paired up with existing AV equipment via USB.
Logitech Rally Ultra HD PTZ Camera
For institutions looking to benefit from Ultra-HD-quality pictures, Logitech provides one of the most affordable options for a 4k camera. On top of the features of the PTZ Pro2, it also comes complete with RightSight auto framing, Wide Dynamic Range (WDR), a 15x HD zoom, and an invertible mount. You can mount this camera to a wall or table, and, once again, it’s compatible with any AV solution that supports USB connections.
Huddly IQ
A much smaller, but no less powerful, camera is the Huddly IQ. Designed for smaller conference rooms and personal workspaces, Huddly IQ features an HD, 150-degree ultra-wide-angle video and benefits from a built-in 5-element microphone array (optional extra). It detects the people in its field of view and frames them perfectly, with AI-powered Genius Framing. The camera can be added to any desktop, laptop, TV, or monitor via USB, making this camera a very flexible solution.
Huddly Go
Smaller still is the Huddly GO. It also provides a 150-degree viewing experience despite its tiny size. This camera is perfect for those looking for flexible, high-definition camera quality at a low price point. It’s USB-powered and compatible with any platform, making it ideal for small huddle rooms, medium-sized meeting rooms, and open collaboration spaces.
Vaddio ConferenceSHOT 10
One of the Vaddio line of conference cameras, the ConferenceSHOT 10 offers 1080p60 high-definition quality unusual of a PTZ webcam. It offers an impressive 10x optical zoom, and with simultaneous and individual USB 3.0 uncompressed and IP (H.264) streaming video outputs, this provides users to bypass connecting to a computer. In fact, this camera has a browser-based user interface, which allows the user to control the camera’s functions with an internal web page with any browser from anywhere in the world. If you’re looking for more, you can explore the rest of the Vaddio range, including other fixed and PTZ cams that come with up to 30X zoom capability.
Marshall CV610-U3-V2
Marshall is another well-regarded purveyor of PTZ cameras. This model is remarkably affordable when considering the specification. In addition to 10x optical zoom, this camera is both USB 3.0 and 2.0 compatible, rendering extended cabling less expensive. The camera provides 1920x1080p and 1280x720p resolutions while packing in an onboard mic and a 350-degree horizontal pan range (120-degree tilt range). An excellent choice, if you often have seated attendees who need to address the camera during meetings.
Atlona AT-HDVS-CAM enterprise-grade PTZ camera
The AT-HDVS-CAM-HDMI features an HDMI output plus a USB 2.0 interface for video and camera control, with simultaneous video output available over both interfaces to support both conferencing and lecture capture, or legacy hardware utilizing modern software video conferencing. This camera delivers professional-quality imaging with video resolutions up to 1080p30 and rapid, accurate auto-focusing. With a 10x optical zoom paired with a 60.0-degree horizontal field of view, this camera can be affixed to walls and ceilings via a mounting bracket or placed on a table.
Whether you use them for personal workspaces, huddle spaces, conference rooms, or classrooms, ptz smart cloud cameras are perhaps the most vital element of your AV setup. Contact the NCS AV team to discuss your project requirements and learn more about these camera solutions.