With this guide, learn how to set up PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) cameras on the VR-6HD using IP control. This model controls up to 6 cameras.

 

Compatibility

First check that your brand and model of camera is supported. You can find the latest list here:

• VR-6HD Manuals and Documents

If your model is not listed, it's possible that the VISCA Over IP protocol will work with your camera, but it may not be fully functional.

 

 

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Connecting Equipment

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Every PTZ control setup requires at least 2 devices:

• Roland Switcher
• PTZ Camera

Additional devices include:

• Network Switch
• Additional PTZ Cameras
• Windows or Mac Computer
• 3rd Party Joystick Controller (optional)

 

Each device needs it's own IP address to communicate (example: 192.168.0.254). This requires cameras with a network port that supports IP control. This is important, because some cameras have identical looking RS-422 network ports that will not work.

Back of a camera, use the port on the left.

 

If using a 3rd party PTZ controller with multiple ports, use only the IP or LAN port, do not use the RS-422 ports.

Back of a joystick controller, use the port on the right.

 

On the VR-6HD, use the Direct Stream port on the back.

 

 

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Static IP Addresses

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The easiest way to set up the network is to give each device a static IP address and connect them all to a dedicated network switch without an internet connection.

The network switch allows for data to travel between devices on a Local Area Network, or LAN.

• For most unmanaged switches, it does not matter which port you use on the switch.
• If you only use this switch for PTZ control, an older 10/100 BaseT one will be work fine, it does not need to be 1000 BaseT (aka gigabit).

Your equipment typically uses Class C IPv4 Private addresses, which have 4 numbers (aka octets) divided by periods.

192.168.0.254 is what most Roland switchers default to when you change the Address Type setting to Manual:

• 192.168.0.254 - The first 3 numbers are the Network ID.
  • All devices must have the same first 3 numbers.
  • Only advanced users should change the first 2 numbers.
  • The third number can be between 0 and 255.
• 192.168.0.254 - The 4th number is the Host ID, a unique number between 2 and 254.
  • No devices can share this number.
  • Do not use 0, 1, or 255.

Here is an example of a LAN with 7 valid IP addresses. The Host ID's do not need to be in sequential order:

• 192.168.0.2 - Roland Switcher
• 192.168.0.3 - Windows or Mac computer (if using Roland RCS software)
• 192.168.0.4 - 3rd Party Joystick Controller (optional)
• 192.168.0.5 - PTZ Camera 1
• 192.168.0.6 - PTZ Camera 2
• 192.168.0.7 - PTZ Camera 3
• 192.168.0.8 - PTZ Camera 4, etc.

 

 

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Network Settings

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To change the IP address of your VR-6HD, change the following settings:

• Menu > 23: Network > LAN Setup > Configure > Manual
• Menu > 23: Network > LAN Setup > IP Address > 192.168.0.2 or choose your own
• Menu > 23: Network > LAN Setup > Subnet Mask > 255.255.255.0

These settings do not need to be changed:

• Menu > 23: Network > LAN Setup > Default Gateway > Leave as-is or blank
• Menu > 23: Network > LAN Setup > DNS Server > Leave as-is or blank

 

Your other devices likely have the following network settings in their menu:

• Address Type - Set to Manual (aka Static, Fixed)
• IP Address - See above for rules and suggestions
• Subnet Mask - 255.255.255.0 for all devices (Class C networks only)
• Gateway - Not used with static IP addresses, leave as is or blank
• DNS - Not used, leave as is or blank

Some PTZ cameras require that you use a web browser or dedicated software to change network settings. You may need to reboot the camera for the changes to take effect.

To set up a static IP address on a Windows and Mac computer, use this guide:

• How To Setup Your IP Address For Pro AV Products With LAN Control
  • This is only recommended if the computer is not connected to the internet, or you have a separate USB to Ethernet adapter to connect to the PTZ LAN.

 

Dynamic IP Addresses

The other option is to use dynamic IP addresses with DHCP, where a Wi-Fi router assigns an IP address to to each device, but you need to log in to the router and reserve the assigned IP addresses so they don't change on you.

The main reason to use DHCP is to connect any of your devices to the internet. For example, the Roland AV mixer's direct streaming output, or a computer streaming USB video while controlling cameras in the AV mixer's RCS software. This guide will not cover DHCP configuration at this time.

• If you want to use a router, set up address reservation for each device, so the IP address does not change each time you power on the equipment.
  • You can find the Roland Switcher's MAC address in the network menu settings, this helps you identify it when reserving the address.

 

 

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Camera Setup

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Once all the IP addresses are configured and the network cables are connected, you need to tell the VR-6HD what the IP address of each camera is.

Open the camera control menu to adjust these settings.

• Menu > Remote > Camera Control

 

Adjust the following settings to set up a camera:

• Camera ID - How the Roland switcher numbers cameras. This is separate from the IP address and you can assign cameras in whichever order you prefer.
• Protocol - Select the brand of your camera. Options include JVC, Panasonic, Canon, PTZOptics, Avonic, and VISCA Over IP.
  • If your camera is a Sony or not on the list, use VISCA Over IP.
  • Brands not on the list (except Sony) may not be fully compatible with the VISCA Over IP setting.
• IP Address - Enter the IP address of the camera you want to control
  • Going back to my example, I would set up Camera 1 as 192.168.0.5.
• Login Name and Password - Only used with JVC cameras, default credentials are usually found in the camera's manual.
• Tally Ch - If your camera has a built-in tally light, change this setting to the HDMI or SDI input the camera is connected to.
  • When that input is selected as the Program source, the camera tally is lit.

The rest of the settings are for control using the menu.

• Camera ID is at the center of the top of the LCD screen
• Tap Setup to access IP Address, Login Name, and Password

 

 

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Camera Control

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The best way to control cameras is to use Camera Control Setup menu.

The RCS Software and Remote App will be released in Q4 2023.

 

When you open the Camera Control menu, you will see a graphical layout to control your cameras using the touchscreen.

 

• Camera X - Selects the camera you want to control.
• Positioner - Use like a joystick to pan and tilt your camera.
  • Pan Tilt Speed adjusts the sensitivity of the joystick.
• Zoom - Wide zooms out and Tele zooms in.
• Exposure - Sets how bright or dark the camera image is.
• Focus - Adjusts the sharpness of your image.
  • If you find that your image briefly gets blurry when someone walks by, turn of Auto Focus and set it manually.
• Tally Ch - If your camera has a built-in tally light, change this setting to the HDMI or SDI input the camera is connected to.
  • When that input is selected as the Program source, the camera tally is lit.
• Camera Preset - Tap the right arrow along the top of the LCD screen.
  • To save a preset, first tap Store, and then tap the preset number that you want to overwrite.
  • To recall a preset with the LCD screen, turn off Store, and tap a preset number.
  • To recall a preset with the Video Switcher buttons, tap the button in the top right corner, and the Video Switcher buttons will turn purple for the current preset.
    • If you assigned Camera Control to a User button, when this top right corner button and the User button are linked.
  • To recall the same preset number on all connected cameras, enable All Cameras Load.

 

 

If you want easy access to this menu, assign Camera Control to a User button on the Dashboard. 

• Menu > Dashboard > LCD Assign A (or B) > User Button 1/2 (or 3/4)
• Category > Camera Control
• Exit menu, tap Camera Control on bottom of the LCD screen
• Tap Setup on top of the LCD screen

 

 

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Troubleshooting

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If your Roland switcher or 3rd party joystick controller will not control one or more cameras, here are some common issues to check:

• Two Devices Have the Same IP Address
  • It's important to remember that the Roland Switcher and cameras cannot have the same exact IP address.
    • If they do, they basically cancel each other out.
  • When setting the IP Address setting in the Roland Camera Control menu, you enter the IP address of the camera you want to control.
    • Do not enter the Roland Switcher or 3rd party PTZ controller's IP address.
       
• You are Using a Wi-Fi Router
  • If you are not familiar with DHCP networks, use an unmanaged network switch instead. Routers can complicate setup and are only necessary if a device needs to be connected to the internet.
    • If you want to use a router, set up address reservation for each device, so the IP address does not change each time you power on the equipment.
      • You can find the Roland Switcher's MAC address in the network menu settings, this helps you identify it when reserving the address.
         
• Can't Log In to Camera
  • If you're having issues accessing the camera's network settings, contact the manufacturer for support.
    • Some cameras come with free utility software that scans the network for the camera, and some of those will help you login without configuring the computer to have the same Network ID (first 3 IP address numbers) as the camera.
  • If you are short on time, most cameras have a way to find the default IP address. It can be either in the menu, pressing certain buttons on the camera's IR remote, printed on a sticker beneath the camera, or briefly displayed while powering on and calibrating.
    • If the default camera IP addresses follow the rules in this guide, change the Roland Switcher and 3rd party PTZ controller to have the same Network ID (first 3 IP address numbers) as the cameras.