PTZOptics

April 28, 2023 - In this blog post, outlines a detailed summary of the PTZOptics Move 4K camera review by John Mahoney from Streaming Alchemy. The Move 4K is a new camera from PTZOptics that offers 4K at 60fps, auto-tracking, and a range of IP and physical connections for easy integration into your studio setup.

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I/O Capabilities:

• 3G SDI and HDMI 2.0 connections for video (and audio if embedded)
• Network connection for control signals, NDI HX output, RTMP output, and SRT output
• USB 2.0 connection for webcam use
• PoE (Power over Ethernet) for single cable connection
• RS-232 and RS-485 for traditional PTZ camera control
• Line in and line out for audio

Camera Optics:

• Sony CMOS sensor (half-inch) with 8.5 million effective pixels
• 6.25mm to 125mm lens (20x version); also available in 12x and 30x versions
• Aperture size: around f7.5 to f19 in full frame equivalent
• Resolution: 4K at 60fps, 59.94fps, and 50fps (HDMI); 1080p60 and lower frame rates (SDI); 1080p at 60, 59.94, and 50fps; 720p at 60fps and 59.94fps
• Digital zoom: up to 16x, but recommended to stay within optical zoom range or the Hybrid Zoom mode in 1080p
• Gain an extra 2x zoom without resolution loss when using the camera at 1080p
• Field of view: 60.7 degrees horizontal and 34 degrees vertical
• Shutter speed: 1/30 to 1/10,000 of a second

IP Streaming Capabilities:

• Codecs: H.264, H.265 (HEVC), MJPEG, NDI HX2, NDI HX3, RTMP, RTSP, and SRT
• SRT support allows remote streaming in 4K

In summary, the PTZOptics Move 4K camera offers a comprehensive range of I/O capabilities, impressive optics, and versatile IP streaming options, making it an ideal choice for various studio setups and remote productions.

In this second part of our review, we delve deeper into the different flavors of NDI supported by the Move 4K camera and the camera's ability to perform motion tracking under real-world conditions. Additionally, we discuss how well the camera integrates with other cameras, its resolution quality, and some of its other notable features.

NDI Options:

The Move 4K camera supports two types of NDI: HX2 and HX3. HX2 is a lower bandwidth version with higher latency, while HX3 is a compromise between full bandwidth NDI and HX2, offering low latency and better image quality. It is worth noting that HX2 supports up to 4K, while HX3 is currently limited to 1080p in the camera's firmware.

Motion Tracking

The Move 4K performed well in various motion tracking tests, including single and multiple subjects, even when subjects momentarily moved behind others or were partially off-screen. The camera can easily switch targets using the included remote, allowing for smooth transitions between subjects.

Integration with Other Cameras

We found that the Move 4K could be easily matched with other cameras, such as the SimpleTrack Light, Gen 2, and Sony FX 30. The colors, especially flesh tones, were quite similar between the Move 4K and the Sony, likely due to both using Sony sensors.

Resolution Quality

While it's difficult to gauge the true resolution quality through an online video, we compared the Move 4K to the SimpleTrack Light and Gen 2 camera. All three cameras were fed over NDI HX2, and the Move 4K showed promising resolution quality.

Additional Features

1. Hide Camera Moves: This setting freezes the video output during camera movement, effectively creating a cut between presets and hiding unwanted camera moves in a live stream.
2. HTTP Commands: The Move 4K can receive HTTP commands to toggle tracking on and off, which can be useful for switching between manual and auto tracking during an event.
3. Built-in Tally Light: A subtle but valuable feature, the built-in tally light indicates when the camera is live in a program (red), in preview (green), or not in either (off).

Improvement Ideas

There are two features we would like to see improved in the camera's firmware:

1. Improved auto tracking to allow for user-defined framing of the shot.
2. More HTTP support for auto-tracking commands, such as changing subjects, toggling bounding boxes, and separate RTMP/RTSP feeds.

Despite these suggested improvements, the Move 4K camera's capabilities, signal quality, and auto-tracking performance are impressive. We hope you find this overview helpful, and please feel free to ask questions in the comments section.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the PTZOptics Move 4K camera is an impressive piece of equipment that offers a wide range of features and capabilities, making it an excellent choice for live streaming and production environments. Its high-quality image output, motion tracking capabilities, and versatile NDI protocol support make it a strong contender in its market segment.

The Move 4K's ability to handle various real-world situations, such as single and multiple subject tracking, reacquiring target subjects, and integrating with other cameras, demonstrates its potential to be a valuable addition to any production setup. The built-in tally light and HTTP command support for auto-tracking further enhance its usability and efficiency.

However, there is room for improvement in the camera's firmware, particularly concerning auto-tracking framing and expanded HTTP command support. Addressing these concerns in future firmware updates would make the Move 4K even more versatile and user-friendly. With the include 5-year warranty and the team's dedication to improving the camera firmware, this product is a solid choice.

Overall, the PTZ Optics Move 4K camera stands out as a reliable and high-performing option for those looking to upgrade or expand their production equipment. Its robust features, solid performance, and potential for improvement make it a worthy investment for professionals in the streaming and production industry.