The Avonic CM93 4K60 camera features four distinct tracking modes, each tailored for different environments and use cases. This article explains each mode to help you determine which is best suited for your application.

Presenter Tracking

Dynamic Tracking for Engaging Presentations

Presenter Mode is designed to follow a speaker naturally as they move across a stage or presentation area. Ideal for lectures, trainings, and live events, this mode ensures fluid, responsive tracking that keeps viewers engaged.

Three zoom levels are available to suit your presentation style:

• Close-up: for detailed facial expressions
• Mid-shot: for upper body framing
• Wide shot: to capture the full stage

You can define custom pan and tilt boundaries to keep tracking limited to the stage area. If the presenter leaves the defined zone, the camera automatically returns to a preset position. Presenter Mode offers a balance of precision and automation, delivering a polished and professional experience.

Conference Tracking (Preset Triggered)

Seamlessly Capturing Every Delegate

Perfect for formal settings like government assemblies and international summits, Conference Tracking Mode is activated automatically when a delegate's microphone is turned on. The camera locks onto the speaker and follows their natural movements at a slow, steady speed—without the need for zoom.

This ensures subtle actions like leaning or standing are captured clearly, all without requiring a camera operator. Each internal preset can be configured to enable or disable tracking, offering precise control for every seat in the room.

Conference Tracking Mode reduces the need for manual intervention while maintaining a consistent and reliable visual feed.

Conference Tracking (API Triggered)

Effortless, Absolute-Position Tracking for Professional Settings

Based on the same principles as the preset-triggered mode, this version enables external systems (e.g., MVI, Televic) to control the camera using absolute positioning. It does not rely on internal presets and can initiate tracking from any location.

The camera maintains a steady, wide-angle view without zooming, making it ideal for high-profile conferences, stage settings, or any environment where smooth, unobtrusive tracking is required. Designed for flexibility, this mode delivers natural video without the need for real-time operator control.

Tracking (No Zoom) offers a relaxed visual experience and ensures every speaker remains clearly in frame, no matter where they move within the coverage zone.

Hybrid Tracking Mode

Smart, Zone-Based Tracking for Interactive Environments

Hybrid Tracking Mode combines the benefits of Presenter Mode with fixed tracking zones. It is ideal for educational and interactive presentation settings where the speaker moves between key focus points like whiteboards, displays, or other teaching aids.

The camera remains fixed when the presenter enters a predefined zone, allowing focused attention on visual aids. Once the presenter exits the zone, the camera resumes normal tracking across the room.

As with Presenter Mode, Hybrid Tracking offers three zoom levels and configurable pan/tilt limits to keep attention on the presentation and avoid distractions. It’s a powerful tool for presenters who move between different parts of the room while keeping their audience engaged.

How to Enable Tracking

The Avonic CM93 camera supports automatic subject tracking, which can be activated using a one-time tracking license. This license is unique per camera and valid for the entire lifespan of the device.

To obtain a license, contact your Avonic sales representative and request a CM93 tracking license. You will need to provide the serial number of your CM93 camera. For convenience, this number is identical to the MAC address and can be found in the following ways:

• On the physical sticker on the camera
• In your network router's device list
• Via the camera’s Web Interface: Network > Ethernet

Once you receive the license, enter it in the Web Interface under: System > License, paste the license, then press Save. Reboot the camera afterwards.

After rebooting, a new tab labeled Tracking will appear in the Web Interface. From here you can enable or disable tracking.

You can also use the remote control: navigate to Menu > Tracking and set Tracking Switch to On or Off.

Important: Enabling tracking disables manual control and preset recall. The camera will automatically follow the subject (including zoom) and return to the home preset when tracking is lost.

Other useful articles

• How to define a tracking zone on CM93

Defining a Tracking Zone for the CM93

By default, the CM93 will track across its full pan/tilt range. However, this may not be desirable in all situations—for instance, when you want to exclude certain areas from tracking.

Defining a Zone via VISCA

Until support is available in the WebGUI, tracking zones can be configured via VISCA commands. Refer to our article on Camera Control Solutions for more guidance.

To define a zone:

1. Move the camera to the bottom-left corner of the area.
2. Send the inquiry command: 8x 09 06 12 FF
3. Note the returned pan/tilt position, e.g. {90}{50}{0F}{0E}{00}{0A}{0F}{0F}{01}{09}{FF}
4. Repeat steps 1–3 for the top-right corner.
5. Set the limits using the command: 8x 01 06 07 00 ... FF

Example limit set commands:

• Bottom-left: 81 01 06 07 00 00 0F 0E 00 0A 0F 0F 01 09 FF
• Top-right: 81 01 06 07 00 01 0F 0F 0E 0B 0F 0F 06 05 FF

Removing the Zone Limit

To reset the tracking area limits:

Examples:

• Clear bottom-left limit: 81 01 06 07 01 00 07 0F 0F 0F 07 0F 0F 0F FF
• Clear top-right limit: 81 01 06 07 01 01 07 0F 0F 0F 07 0F 0F 0F FF

Controlling the Tracking Function

There are several methods to turn tracking on or off on the CM93 camera. These include the Web Interface, remote control, VISCA, and HTTP API.

Using VISCA Commands

• Tracking ON: 81 0A 01 32 00 00 02 00 FF
• Tracking OFF: 81 0A 01 32 00 00 03 00 FF

Using HTTP API

• Enable Tracking
• Disable Tracking
• Check Tracking Status (1 = on, 0 = off)

Checking Camera Position

Although the HTTP API doesn’t support retrieving preset numbers directly, VISCA can be used for this. When queried, the camera will return the last active preset (e.g., C8 = preset 200). You can confirm the position by comparing it to the returned pan/tilt coordinates:

Defining a Tracking Zone

Currently, there is no graphical method in the Web Interface for setting tracking zones. Instead, VISCA commands must be used to set a bottom-left and top-right boundary. Detailed instructions are available here:

Define a Tracking Zone for the CM93

Tracking (license needed)

The CM93 camera has the possibility to track a person in front of the camera. The camera will automatically follow this person. This is very useful for (large) conferences, education (like teaching), worship, webcast etc. The Tracking feature is available when you obtain a separate license from the Avonic website.

This is a single camera tracking solution, meaning that the tracked person needs to stay in the picture. Unlike the CamDirector, there is no overview shot to use as fallback. If the speaker is no longer detected, the camera will return to the home position (preset 0) or Preset 200.

When you open Tracking, you will see the following page in the WebGUI with an overview image at the top and the Tracking settings on the right.

Tracking

Tracking has the following options:

Best Practices

• Camera needs time to focus: Do not run or walk very fast in front of the camera and stop regularly, as the camera needs time to move and focus on the presenter’s upper body and face.
• Max 15 meters: Tracking will operate up to a maximum distance of 15 meters from the camera. For larger distances we recommend the Avonic CamDirector.
• Film face and upper body: The speaker’s upper body and face should always be visible. If this is not the case (e.g. the speaker is behind a large object), the camera will return to the Home position (or preset 200).
• Person closest to the camera will be tracked: If multiple presenters are in the picture, the camera will track the person who is (relatively) closest to the camera. For example, if a small person is in the foreground and a larger person is in the background, the camera may track the larger person if they occupy more visible space.
• Avoid large objects and busy backgrounds: These can interfere with accurate tracking. Keep the background simple to allow the camera to focus on the speaker’s face.
• Focusing issues: If you experience problems with autofocus, try another autofocus strategy or switch to Focus Mode > Manual to configure focus manually.

Preset 200

If the camera is unable to locate the person on stage, the Tracking feature can be configured to return to preset 200 instead of the camera's home position. This can be useful for returning to a previous tracking position or using an overview shot of the room or stage.

The camera will only return to preset 200 if you have specifically set this preset. It will also use preset 200 upon startup instead of preset 0.

How to set Preset 200

• Disable Tracking. Click OFF to turn off the Tracking feature.
• Type 200 in the Preset field.
• Use the PTZ, zoom and focus buttons, or the remote control to adjust the camera position as desired.
• Click SET to store the preset. Preset 200 is now saved.

How to use Preset 200

• Turn Tracking OFF, click CALL preset, and then turn Tracking ON again. This ensures that the camera does not mistakenly follow other persons in the frame when using the Tracking feature.
• Walk out of the picture. When the camera no longer detects a person in front of it, it will automatically return to Preset 200.