This article explains how to control your PTZ camera using an Axis encoder.
Just keep reading to understand what it takes to get everything working.
If your PTZ camera is not working here, you find the solution to the problem.
Communication between encoder and PTZ camera
There are some things you need to check to have the PTZ working with the encoder. Let's take a look at a list...
- Check the RS-485 wiring to make sure they are correct;
- Make sure the communication parameters are matching;
- Download the correct PTZ driver for your camera model;
- Double-check if the correct camera ID is being used.
If you have everything from this list in order, you will be able to make your PTZ camera work with the Axis encoder. It's not that complicated.
Wiring connection
The following diagram shows an example of the camera connected to an encoder.
As you can see, the PTZ camera has the RX-/RX+ connector that is correctly wired to the Axis encoder. The information about the way it should be connected is found in the camera's manufacturer user manual.
In this example, you can see a Pelco PTZ camera, but it's usually different for other brands such as Samsung, Bosch, Panasonic, Hikvision, etc.
Communication parameters
The camera and encoder communicate using standard parameters.
It's necessary to have all the communication parameters set correctly.
Here they are:
- Baud Rate
- Data Bits
- Stop Bits
- Parity
You really don't need to understand every single detail about those parameters.
The camera and the encoder just need to agree on using the same communication speed (Baud Rate) and also agree on how to send/receive chunks of data.
As long as they match on both sides, you are good to go on this part.
The following picture shows an example of these parameters on a Pelco camera.
And here is the same information on the Axis Encoder.....
Can you see the parameters are matching ???
Take a look at the Pelco camera parameters: 2400, N, 8, 1
Yes, they are matching, so you are good here.
Of course, if you are not using a Pelco camera, just look for the information somewhere in the camera's user manual or ask the manufacturer.
PTZ camera drivers
Your encoder and PTZ camera need to talk the same language.
That means your encoder needs to use a driver that contains the information on how to speak the "camera language". Since every manufacturer has a different protocol, you need to download the correct one.
You can download the PTZ drivers from the Axis website or FTP server.
Download from the website
To download from the website, go to classic.www.axis.com, look for the product page, click the "Support & Documentation" tab, and then look for the Firmware section.
Click the arrow on the right side to extend the menu and see the PTZ drivers link.
A new page with the driver pops up.
Here you can select the manufacturer and click to download the PTZ driver.
The last step is to upload the firmware to the encoder (more on that later).
Download from the FTP server
As an alternative, you can download the firmware from the Axis FTP server.
Go to http://ftp.axis.com/pub_soft/MPQT/<Encoder Model>/
Click the PTZ link to open the folder with the drivers.
See the picture below as an example for the Q7411 encoder.
Click the link for the encoder's firmware version.
Select the camera manufacturer and download the driver to your computer.
Upload the PTZ driver to the encoder
And now, you just need to upload the driver to the Encoder.
Click on Setup >> PTZ >> Driver Selection and click the "Choose File" button to upload the driver to the encoder.
Make sure to select the correct ID to control the camera and hit "Save".
==> It's super important to insert the correct device ID information so the encoder can send and receive a command from the right PTZ camera.
You can find the camera ID during the boot process or check the camera's dip switch. Please read the article: "How to connect a Pelco PTZ to an Axis encoder".
And that's all you have to do to get your PTZ working with the Axis encoder.
