If you need to integrate with a legacy, analog PTZ you can use an Axis video server, such as the 241Q. Not only does it digitize the video, it also provides an ethernet-to-serial bridge so that you can control a serial PTZ.
The first step is to wire your PTZ serial into the Axis. Supported interfaces may vary by device, but the 241Q supports both RS-232 and RS-485 connections. You will need to consult the User’s Manual for your Axis for instructions on connecting RS-485 devices.
Once the hardware is physically connected, you need to configure the server settings on the Axis. In this example, we will assume your are using RS-485 (the setup for RS-232 is essentially the same). Navigate to the web interface for your Axis, and click on the ‘Setup’ link. Using the links on the left hand side of the screen, navigate to System Options->Ports & Devices->RS485.
The usage option should be set to Generic TCP/IP. The serial connection settings such as baud rate and parity are specific to the PTZ you are connecting to; check its User’s Manual for information.
You need to select the port on which the Axis will receive control connections. We recommend port 10001, as it is the default in iRa. You may want to set a timeout (in seconds) so that unclean disconnections will eventually be closed. Make sure you hit ‘Save’ when you are done.
Now that the Axis is configured, you need to enter the appropriate settings in iRa. In this example, we will assume that the device you have attached uses the Pelco D protocol. Go into a group, and add a new camera of this type.
You will need to provide the full URL to the Axis video stream. It should be of the form http://<ipAddress>/axis-cgi/mjpg/video.cgi?camera=<number>, where ‘<ipAddress>’ and ‘<number>’ are filled in appropriately.
The other important setting to enable is ‘Supports VAPIX’. This indicates that the video source implements the Axis HTTP API, which allows us to use bandwidth much more efficiently. The rest of the settings should be fairly self-explanatory.