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Controlling Your Cameras

This guide covers how to add cameras, select active devices, and control PTZ movement and presets with MiniJoy.

Adding Cameras​

There are two ways to add cameras to MiniJoy: via network search or manual VISCA over IP. The following sections cover both methods.

Use this method to discover and add IP cameras automatically on your local network.

1. Press the SEARCH button on the controller.
2. Wait for the search to complete. The screen displays "Searching for devices, please wait."
3. Browse the list of discovered cameras using the joystick or F4 knob.
4. For each discovered camera, choose one action:

  • Edit camera parameters: modify settings before adding
  • Add to the device list: make the camera available for control
  • Add to the ignore list: exclude the camera from future searches

5. Press CAM LIST to view the device list and select a camera to control.

important

Added cameras no longer appear in the search list.

Manually (VISCA Over IP / VISCA TCP)​

Use this method when you know the camera IP address or when the camera is not discovered by search.

1. Press MENU to open the keyboard settings menu.
2. Navigate to Device List > Add Device.
3. Configure the camera parameters:

  • Camera name: a descriptive name for the camera
  • Protocol: ONVIF and NDI protocols are auto-detected
  • IP address: Example 192.168.9.9
  • Compatibility mode: select the appropriate mode for your camera
  • Video stream address: the camera streaming URL
  • RTSP transport method: Supports TCP and UDP. We recommend using UDP for PTZOptics cameras.
    • RTSP over TCP: Prioritizes reliability by retransmitting lost data. This may add latency if the network is congested, but it generally provides a more stable preview.
    • RTSP over UDP: Prioritizes low latency and does not retransmit lost data. This provides a more responsive preview, but dropped packets may cause brief artifacts or interruptions.
  • ONVIF credentials: username and password (if using ONVIF)

4. Select Add to Device List.
5. Select the Camera Address.
6. Exit the menu and press CAM LIST to select the added camera.

Editing or Removing Cameras​

1. Press MENU > Device Management > Device List.
2. Select the camera you want to edit. You can:

  • Edit the camera name
  • Change the control protocol
  • Modify the IP address
  • Adjust compatibility mode
  • RTSP transport method: select either TCP or UDP. We recommned UDP for PTZOptics cameras.
    • RTSP over TCP: Prioritizes reliability by retransmitting lost data. This may add latency if the network is congested, but it generally provides a more stable preview.
    • RTSP over UDP: Prioritizes low latency and does not retransmit lost data. This provides a more responsive preview, but dropped packets may cause brief artifacts or interruptions.
  • Edit the ONVIF username and password
  • Delete the device from the list
⚠️Changing the RTSP Transport Method

TCP and UDP do not change the stream address itself. They determine how RTSP video is transported from the camera to the joystick.

Camera to Control​

Choose one of the following methods:

MethodSteps
Device ListPress CAM LIST, then select a device using the joystick or F4 knob
Direct SelectionPress CAM + a number key to directly select a camera
Serial AddressFor VISCA serial protocol with multiple cameras, use Reset Camera Address to assign addresses

Moving the Camera​

Use the joystick for manual camera movement:

MovementHow
PanMove the joystick left or right
TiltMove the joystick up or down
ZoomRotate the joystick clockwise (telephoto) or counter-clockwise (wide-angle)
Return to HomePress the top joystick button

Horizontal, vertical, and zoom movements can be performed simultaneously.

Saving a Preset Camera Position​

The steps differ depending on your keypad numeric mode (10 or 255). Check Menu > Knobs in the MiniJoy OSD to confirm your keypad mode.

Keypad Numeric Mode 10​

1. Move the camera to the desired position.
2. Press the SET button.
3. Press a number key (e.g., 1) to save that position as preset 1.
4. The screen displays "Store Preset 1" in the upper-right corner.

Keypad Numeric Mode 255​

1. Move the camera to the desired position.
2. Press the SET button.
3. Press the number key, then press ENTER.
4. The screen displays "Store Preset [N]".

Recall a Preset Position​

Keypad Numeric Mode 10​

1. Press the SET button.
2. Press the desired preset's number key (e.g., 1) to recall preset 1.
3. The screen displays "Recall Preset 1".

Keypad Numeric Mode 255​

1. Press the CALL button.
2. Press the desired preset's number key, then press ENTER.
3. The screen displays "Recall Preset [N]".

Return to Home or Reset PTZ​

ActionHow
Return to home positionPress HOME once
Reset PTZ mechanismPress and hold HOME for 5 seconds