PTZ cameras have become an important part of professional video systems in houses of worship, corporate AV, education, studios, live production and other installations where remotely controlled cameras provide flexible coverage without requiring an operator at every camera position.
But selecting the camera is only part of building a reliable system.
The video connection between the PTZ camera and the switcher, router, recorder or production system must also support the required video format over the actual installation distance.
If your PTZ cameras use SDI outputs, choosing the correct SDI cable can make the difference between a clean, reliable installation and an intermittent signal that becomes difficult to troubleshoot.
WHY PTZ CAMERA CABLING DESERVES SPECIAL ATTENTION
PTZ camera installations are often different from simple equipment-rack connections.
A camera may be mounted:
- High on a wall
- On a ceiling
- At the rear of a sanctuary
- Inside an auditorium
- Across a studio
- In a conference room
- On a balcony or production platform
The cable then has to travel from that location back to the video-production equipment.
This can create substantially longer cable paths than the physical distance between the camera and control position initially suggests.
START WITH THE CAMERA'S SDI FORMAT
Before selecting a cable, determine which SDI format the camera and receiving equipment will use.
Professional systems may operate with HD-SDI, 3G-SDI, 6G-SDI or 12G-SDI depending on resolution, frame rate and equipment capability.
This matters because higher SDI data rates place greater demands on the complete transmission path.
HD / 3G-SDI
Common in many HD production workflows.
6G-SDI
Provides additional bandwidth for higher-resolution workflows.
12G-SDI
Supports high-bandwidth UHD/4K workflows over a single coaxial connection when the equipment and complete signal path are designed for it.
If you are unsure how the formats differ, see our guide to 3G-SDI vs 6G-SDI vs 12G-SDI.
MEASURE THE ACTUAL PTZ CAMERA CABLE ROUTE
Do not measure only the straight-line distance from the camera to the switcher.
A ceiling-mounted PTZ camera might be only 60 feet from the production position in a straight line, while the actual cable has to travel vertically from the camera, across a ceiling pathway, down a wall and through the equipment rack.
The real cable path could therefore be considerably longer.
Measure the route the cable will actually follow and allow appropriate service slack at both ends.
MINI RG59 FOR COMPACT PTZ INSTALLATIONS
Mini RG59 can be useful when physical cable size and routing flexibility are important.
Its smaller diameter can make it easier to route through equipment racks and other high-density areas.
For appropriate distances and signal formats, professional Mini RG59 assemblies can provide a clean solution between cameras and production equipment.
AV-Cables offers 12G-SDI Mini RG59 cable assemblies for professional video applications.
However, cable size should not be selected based only on convenience. Required distance and SDI data rate also need to be considered.
WHEN RG59 MAY BE THE BETTER CHOICE
Standard RG59-style professional video coax provides a useful balance between physical size and transmission performance for many installations.
It can be a good option when a PTZ camera run extends beyond the short interconnection distances typically found inside an equipment rack but does not require a larger RG6-style cable.
The exact choice should still be based on the required SDI format, cable construction and total distance.
WHEN TO CONSIDER RG6
Longer PTZ camera runs may benefit from the lower attenuation characteristics associated with larger professional RG6-style video coax.
RG6 is physically larger than Mini RG59 or standard RG59, so routing and connector clearance should be considered during installation planning.
For longer fixed camera paths, however, transmission performance may be more important than minimizing cable diameter.
Our Mini RG59 vs RG59 vs RG6 SDI cable guide explains these cable types in more detail.
PTZ CAMERA DISTANCE MATTERS MORE AT 12G-SDI
12G-SDI can simplify UHD production by carrying a high-bandwidth video signal over one coaxial connection.
That higher data rate also makes cable selection and transmission distance particularly important.
A cable that works reliably for a lower-bandwidth signal should not automatically be assumed to provide the same usable distance at 12G-SDI.
If your PTZ system will operate at 12G, evaluate the cable construction and total distance specifically for that application.
Read our 12G-SDI cable distance guide for a deeper explanation.
USE PROFESSIONAL 75-OHM VIDEO CONNECTIVITY
Professional SDI video systems use nominal 75-ohm coaxial transmission paths.
The cable, connector and termination all contribute to the performance of the assembly.
A connector that physically fits is not the only requirement.
For professional SDI camera systems, use cable assemblies and connectors intended for 75-ohm video applications.
BNC ISN'T THE ONLY CONNECTOR YOU MAY ENCOUNTER
Standard BNC remains common throughout professional video systems, but high-density production equipment may use smaller connector formats.
These can include HD-BNC and DIN 1.0/2.3.
For example, your PTZ camera might have a standard BNC output while the router or other equipment at the production rack uses HD-BNC.
Rather than adding an adapter, a purpose-built BNC-to-HD-BNC assembly can provide the required connector on each end.
MINIMIZE UNNECESSARY COUPLERS AND ADAPTERS
Sometimes a camera cable needs to be extended after installation.
A professional 75-ohm BNC coupler can provide a practical temporary solution, but remember that both cable sections and the additional connection become part of the complete signal path.
For permanent installations, using one appropriately sized cable assembly can reduce connection points and simplify future troubleshooting.
PLAN FOR SERVICEABILITY
PTZ cameras are frequently mounted in locations that are difficult to reach.
That makes installation quality especially important.
Leave appropriate service slack near the camera so the equipment can be accessed without placing excessive tension on the BNC connection.
At the production end, route and label each camera cable clearly.
A rack containing Camera 1, Camera 2, Camera 3 and Camera 4 should not require tracing unidentified coax every time a problem occurs.
LABEL BOTH ENDS OF EVERY PTZ CAMERA CABLE
Good labeling becomes increasingly valuable as the camera system grows.
A useful label might identify:
- Camera number
- Camera location
- Destination equipment or input
- Cable identifier
Labeling both ends makes installation, equipment replacement and troubleshooting substantially easier.
HOUSES OF WORSHIP AND PTZ CAMERA SYSTEMS
PTZ cameras are particularly useful in houses of worship because multiple camera angles can be controlled from a centralized production position while minimizing equipment and operators in the sanctuary.
Typical camera locations might include:
- Rear sanctuary camera
- Left and right side cameras
- Balcony camera
- Stage or platform camera
- Choir or musician camera
Each position may have a very different cable distance back to the production system.
Instead of automatically purchasing the same cable construction for every camera, evaluate each path based on its required distance and video format.
DON'T CONFUSE VIDEO CABLING WITH PTZ CONTROL
A PTZ camera system may require multiple types of connectivity.
SDI coax carries the professional video signal in an SDI-based workflow, while camera control, network connectivity and power may use separate connections depending on the camera and system design.
Always verify the manufacturer's requirements for the specific camera.
When planning an installation, think about the complete cable pathway rather than only the video cable. This helps avoid discovering after installation that additional network, control or power connectivity is required at the same camera location.
WHAT IF YOU HAVE MULTIPLE PTZ CAMERA RUNS?
If several camera signals repeatedly travel between the same production locations, individual loose cables may not always be the most organized approach.
AV-Cables manufactures multi-channel SDI snake cables that organize multiple video channels into a single assembly.
These can be particularly useful for mobile production, temporary installations, fly packs and other systems where multiple video channels are deployed together.
PTZ CAMERA SDI CABLING CHECKLIST
1. Determine the SDI format.
HD, 3G, 6G or 12G?
2. Measure the actual cable pathway.
Include vertical and horizontal routing.
3. Select the appropriate coax construction.
Mini RG59, RG59 or RG6 based on the application.
4. Verify connector types.
BNC, HD-BNC or DIN 1.0/2.3?
5. Minimize unnecessary connections.
Use the correct cable configuration whenever practical.
6. Allow appropriate service slack.
Avoid placing tension on the camera connector.
7. Label both ends.
Make future troubleshooting easier.
8. Plan network, control and power cabling too.
Video is only one part of many PTZ installations.
PROFESSIONAL SDI CABLES FOR PTZ CAMERA SYSTEMS
AV-Cables manufactures professional SDI cable assemblies for PTZ camera systems used in houses of worship, studios, corporate AV, education, live production and broadcast applications.
Available solutions include BNC SDI cables, Mini RG59, RG59 and RG6 assemblies, HD-BNC cables, DIN 1.0/2.3 cables and multi-channel SDI snakes.
Custom cable lengths can be especially useful for permanent PTZ installations because each camera location may require a different cable distance.
AV-Cables professional cable assemblies are hand assembled in the USA and individually tested before shipment.
BUILDING A PTZ CAMERA SYSTEM?
Tell us your camera model, SDI format, connector types and approximate cable distances. AV-Cables can help identify the appropriate cable construction and configuration for your installation.
AV-Cables — Professional Broadcast Connectivity Solutions