VISCA is a professional camera control protocol used with PTZ cameras. It works by sending commands to the camera either over a serial or an IP connection, in return the camera sends ACK acknowledgment and COM completion answers to let the sender know the commands have been received and completed. The list below describes the commands, ranges, and camera answers.

VISCA over Serial Connection

VISCA is based on RS232 Serial communication at 9600 bit/s, 8N1, with no flow control. It uses a serial repeater network configuration to connect a controller (device #0) with up to 7 peripherals (devices #1 through #7). Messages traverse the daisy-chained devices until reaching the intended target, and responses follow the same path back to the sender. Some packets can also be broadcast to all devices.

A command data packet consists of:

• 1 address byte (message header)
• 1–14 information bytes
• 1 terminating byte (0xFF)

You can use the Hercules SETUP Utility application and a serial connection to send VISCA commands.

VISCA over IP

Avonic IP cameras support both TCP and UDP communication over port 1259 by default. With VISCA over IP, the address is always set to 1 because each camera is uniquely identified by its IP address.

Each VISCA over IP command starts with 81 xx xx xx.

To control the camera, use a TCP or UDP-compatible application such as Hercules SETUP Utility or Packet Sender. Follow these steps:

1. Open the TCP/UDP supported application.
2. Enter the camera’s IP address and port (TCP/UDP: 1259), then establish the connection.
3. Input the VISCA command to be sent.
4. If return commands are shown (except in UDP), it means the camera has successfully executed the command. You can verify this in the camera’s WebGUI.

Default settings:

• TCP port: 1259
• UDP port: 1259
• VISCA address: 1

The images below show a typical VISCA command for "Focus Near" and the returned ACK and COM messages. These can be found in the Camera Return Command and Inquiry Command lists.

These are examples to illustrate how a TCP-supported application works. Interfaces may differ depending on the software you use.

VISCA over IP using the full Sony VISCA protocol

All Avonic cameras can be controlled using the full Sony VISCA over UDP protocol. These longer commands include headers and message counters, enabling accurate command-response matching, which is especially useful for automation systems.

In the following example, the Hercules SETUP utility is used to recall preset 1 via VISCA:

1. Set both the local and camera ports to 52381. This port must be used, or it will not work.
2. The camera responds to the port used for sending commands. Make sure your send and receive windows are set to display HEX data.
3. Type the command into the Sendbox. Example commands:
   • Preset 1: 81 01 01 3F 02 01 FF
   • Preset 2: 81 01 01 3F 02 02 FF
4. The full VISCA over IP command includes a header. The payload length (VISCA command length) is defined in the 4th byte. For example:
   • Preset 1: 01000007000000018101043F0201FF → 4th byte = 7 (7-byte payload)
   • Preset 2: 01000007000000058101043F0202FF → message counter = 5
5. Click Send to execute the command.

VISCA over IP Header Details:

• 01000007000000018101013F0201FF: 4th byte '7' means 7-byte payload.
• Message counter (8th byte): '1' for Preset 1
• For Preset 2: 01000007000000058101013F0202FF, message counter = '5'

Camera Return Commands

All parameter values are in HEX:

• x = Camera Address
• y = Socket Number
• z = Camera Address + 8

This is one list for all Avonic PTZ Cameras. Some features are camera series specific and will not work in the entry level cameras.

Return/Complete Command

Error Command

Camera Control Commands

All parameter values are in HEX• x = Camera Address• y = Socket Number• z = Camera Address + 8