The sales team has had an initial presentation of the CamDirector system. Below is a summary of the questions and suggestions provided. The idea is to create a sales FAQ we can use for customer meetings.
Updated Q&A by Stephane:
CamDirector TEACHER TRACKER
Q: How does the software work?
A: Powered by AI (Artificial Intelligence), the Teacher Tracker software automatically finds the presenter on stage which will make the system switch to the FOLLOW (tracking) camera. No longer wear distracting equipment to be tracked!
Q: How can the AI detect someone on stage?
A: The AI will detect any human body like shapes
Q: When does the software switch automatically back to the Overview camera?
The software automatically switches back to the Overview camera (large shot) when it detects more than one person within the tracking zone (a stage for instance), or when the presenter leaves the tracking zone or if the presenter would walk faster than the tracking camera pan speed (instead of frantically trying to track the teacher, we deliberately limit the speed of the follow camera to maintain a pleasant watching experience)
Q: How to define this tracking zone?
A: This is defined by 20 points taken during the calibration process (software configuration) one after one. The aim is to take all these calibration points in all the width and depth of the tracking zone
Q: How long does the whole configuration take?
A: It is straightforward as you only need to assign a respective IP address to the 2 cameras and the CamDirector controller, then take 20 calibration points to define your tracking zone, which at the end can take ONLY 10 minutes in total!
Q: Can I configure the Teacher Tracker alone?
A: it is possible that only one person configures the Teacher Tracker: he just needs to start the calibration process and go on stage, then paying attention to the LEDs status and color on the front side of the camera he will know when to move to the next calibration point and when the whole configuration will be finally done
Q: What is the Hardware/Software setup?
A: The setup is composed of Hardware (2x CM70 series cameras, 1x wall mount MT220, 1x "CamDirector® AI Processing Unit" CD500) and Software (1x Teacher Tracker Life-time License)
Q: Does the Teacher Tracker need additional equipment to work?
A: No, no need to install anything else or to wear distracting equipment
Q: Why a tracking solution based on 2 cameras?
A: Especially for more demanding installations, the switching of that dual-camera tracking solution presents several pros: if a second teacher or a student joins the stage, we seamlessly switch to the Overview camera which ensure that the remote students don't miss any important details, plus this switching gives a pleasant and immersive viewing experience for the remote users
Q: What are the supported distances?
A: The Teacher Tracker AI Software tracks & switches automatically from 3/4m up to 55m (55m by utilizing the full 30x zoom range of our cameras)
Q: Which types of application is the teacher Tracker designed for?
A: Mostly for Education but also for any other application having one presenter to track even/especially within big rooms like auditoriums
Q: Can I send the tracking result to a video conference platform?
A: As the CamDirector output signal is HDMI and the usual ports on a PC are USB, then it would be priorly required to convert the HDMI signal to USB, please see the different solutions from our technological partner http://Inogeni.com
Q: Can I use the Teacher Tracker to track a speaker in a boardroom?
A: No, but we are working on a Boardroom tracker solution (beta) that would capture the speakers in a room (with one microphone on the ceiling)
Q: Does the CamDirector have to be connected to the internet?
A: Most of the time the Teacher Tracker does not need to be connected to the internet, it will be only required if there would be some software updates to download or if the VPN support would be needed
Q: Should the CamDirector be connected to the local network?
A: No, it is not a requisite however having the CamDirector on the network would allow a remote management (reduce so human resources and especially the costs)
Q: How can I mount the cameras?
A: The Cameras are mounted on the double wall mount MT220, which could be attached to a wall, a truss or set on a large tripod.
Q: Can the two cameras be installed upside down?
A: Yes
Q: Should the camera be connected directly to the CamDirector?
A: Ideally yes but not necessary (however in that case be sure to have a reliable network with enough bandwidth)
Q: Does the CamDirector controller provide PoE to the cameras?
A: Yes (the maximum being 3 cameras which can be convenient when using the Multishot where it is possible to connect from 2 to 8 cameras)
Q: Does the customer have to install the Teacher Tracker software?
A: The "CamDirector AI Processing Unit" CD500 will be always delivered with its own web interface where it can be enabled (before being sent or even remotely) the Teacher Tracker module if the customer has bought his life-time Teacher Tracker license (same concept applies with the Multishot)
Q: Can the teacher Tracker software be installed on a tablet?
A: No, it can only be installed in the CamDirector controller (its web interface however can be opened in a web browser in a tablet)
Q: Is the Teacher Tracker license annual or perpetual?
A: The Teacher Tracker license is perpetual/life-time
Q: What should I do to update my Teacher Tracker license?
A: Get the CamDirector controller connected to the internet (with the appropriate ethernet configuration in the CamDirector web interface to get access to the gateway of the router) and click on "CHECK FOR UPDATES" on its web interface. The software will inform you if a newer version is available and will automatically download it, you will just need to click on "UPDATE NOW". Once installed, the CD500 should reboot.
Q: Can the Teacher Tracker license be updated offline?
A: No, the CamDirector controller (where the Teacher Tracker software is installed on) needs to be connected to the internet. If there would be some security concerns, it is possible to take that controller and connect it to another network
Q: Can I use the CamDirector controller for other purposes?
A: The switch can be used for other purposes, however we strongly advise not to use it at the same time as the TeacherTracker software
Q: Can the CD500 controller be set to DHCP?
A: Yes, if you have one DHCP server in your local network (Cameras should be configured in the same way)
Q: Can I use the other camera outputs?
A: Yes it would be still possible to use the other simultaneous camera outputs (HDMI, SDI, USB)
Q: Is the tracking speed and zoom adjustable?
A: No, this is the Teacher Tracker which defines the zoom of the tracking camera. The advantage of this is that it will provide an uniform image/result in all rooms, regardless of the distance to the speaker and the size of the room. You will always have the same consistent shot. The speed of the follow-camera is limited to be able to provide a comfortable viewing experience for the students.
Q: Is the tracking frame dimension adjustable?
A: Not officially but we can configure it in some very specific cases
Q: Is the speed of tracking adjustable?
A: No
Q: Are PIP, logo or name overlays supported?
A: No, however it can be supported on the device/software that will handles the HDMI output stream from the CamDirector
Q: Will NDI be supported?
A: NDI is not interesting as it really has no functional benefit here
Q: What are the selling points of the Teacher Tracker?
A: Many! Installation is easy and quick, and its tracking result is smooth/nice, plus:
-Size support (from small classrooms to large auditoriums)
-Hassle-free lectures (no need to wear distracting equipment. Let teachers focus on teaching instead of technology!)
-Consistent and accurate tracking (even when the presenter is facing backward)
-Track and Switch TV-like experience (tracking is given in a calm and natural way, and the overview camera with shots of the room gives the viewers the experience of being present)
-Privacy Guaranteed (no need to be connected to the internet, no saved data, no picture to upload etc)
AUDIO
Q: How can we embed the audio?
A: The controller CD500 has an USB input port to embed the audio
(Audio will not work using the RCA IN/OUT ports or the Balanced Audio Ports on the CM70 series cameras)
Q: Is it possible to adjust the audio volume?
A: No
Q: Is it possible to adjust the audio delay?
A: No, there isn't any audio delay function and it is not needed
CAMERA SUPPORT
Q: 4K Support?
A: At the current time the Teacher Tracker only supports the CM70 series (CM70, CM71, CM73) with FHD resolution, not the CM90 series with 4K resolution.
Q: Other brands support?
A: Yes, the Teacher Tracker support Avonic camera (CM70 series) and some Sony cameras
CONTROL
Q: Can I control the cameras when the Teacher Tracker is enabled?
A: No, the cameras are normally completely under the control of the Camdirector Teacher Tracker, but if you disable the Teacher Tracker then the cameras can be used normally and controlled as in a setup without the Camdirector
Q: How can I control the Teacher Tracker?
A: By TCP (commands over IP) or by HTTP API (commands from a web browser), instructions and commands are given in the user manual
No control is possible via the CamDirector RS232 or RS485 ports (reserved for an eventual future use)
You can enable/disable the Teacher Tracker (if needed to use the Manual mode below), enable/disable the Privacy mode (to give some privacy to the teacher), and enable/disable the Manual mode to manually control the Follow and Overview cameras (from the respective camera web GUI or from a PTZ controller) or even to switch the video streams of both cameras.
Disabling the tracking function will leave the Overview camera shot in the HDMI output whereas enabling the Manual control leaves you the possibility to switch between the two cameras
Q: Can I use the GPIO ports?
A: No, they are reserved for an eventual future use
EXTRA
Q: Which communication protocol does the software use to control the cameras?
A: The Teacher Tracker uses TCP (whereas the Multishot uses UDP)
Q: Which video format does run the CamDirector?
A: CamDirector® uses H.265 video format. It should not be switched to H.264 for performance reasons.
Q: What is the latency of the CamDirector Teacher Tracker?
A: 1080p60 with 150 ms (typical) latency
Q: Is it possible to scale the output resolution?
A: No, it is a fixed 1080p60 resolution on the HDMI output of the CamDirector controller
Q: What is the HDMI level?
A: HDMI output is 2.0
Q: Is the CamDirector fanless?
A: Yes
Q: Is it possible to record directly in the CamDirector?
A: No
Q: Will Avonic install other softwares/modules on that CamDirector controller?
A: By now the CamDirector can run the Teacher Tracker and Multishot softwares and it is not excluded to have more in the future!
Q: Can the CamDirector controller be sold alone without any software?
A: Not at the current time
===================== CamDirector MULTISHOT
Q: What is the concept of the Multishot software?
A: The presenter (like a teacher) is in control of which preset is shown to the audience, eg. the blackboard, the audience, the (tracked) teacher, the overview of the room, etc
Q: Can it run without the Teacher Tracker?
A: Yes, the CamDirector MultiShot software module can extend the capabilities of the Teacher Tracker or can function just alone as a standalone IP video switcher with added intelligence
Q: What is the maximum number of presets supported by the Multishot?
A: The Multishot software can support up to 128 presets (including the 10 first presets reserved for the software)
Q: What is the maximum number of cameras that I can connect to the Multishot software?
A: Physically you can connect up to 8 cameras to the CamDirector controller (but technically the software can recognize more cameras in the same network)
Q: Can I add the Multishot module after having bought the Teacher Tracker?
A: Yes, you just need to contact your distributor to purchase it and then our team will enable remotely that module/license for you
Q: Can I use Multishot to replace a Conferencing system such as Bosch, Televic, Taiden..?
A: Potentially it can as it is able to respond to audio triggers
(but latency difference between both solutions would have to be considered)
Q: What is the latency of the MultiShot?
A: Difficult to respond to that one as it will depend on what needs to happen in the background: if the camera needs to be put in position, if the teacher tracker has to be disabled...it can take several seconds before the switch is done but again depending on what needs to happen in the background
Q: Can the MultiShot software be installed on a tablet?
A: No, it can only be installed in the CamDirector controller, however the CamDirector web interface can be opened in a web browser in a tablet but still for administration purposes. For the end user the Multishot is aimed to be integrated in a 3rd party control solution
Q: How do I access the switching page?
A: From the URL http://CamDirector IP Address/#/multishot/switcher (officially reserved for tests and demos)
Q: How can I create a preset?
A: Go to Multishot module and recheck that it is disabled, click ADD NEW, label your preset, enter the camera IP address and click the arrow to open its live preview, define the shot/preset with the PTZ control and save!
Q: What are the main differences between Teacher Tracker and Multishot?
A: Teacher Tracker works in a autonomous way (no user interaction) to track someone whereas Multishot waits for a user interaction or a trigger/command to switch to another shot
Q: Can I run the Multishot only with the two Teacher Tracker cameras?
A: Yes but the preset choice will be limited (but better than if you would have only 2 normal cameras):
The Overview preset
The Tracking preset (which can be the Overview camera or the Follow/tracking camera, depending on what's happening on stage)
Preset(s) of the Follow camera (no presets possible on the Overview camera), in this case this will disable the Teacher Tracker but choosing the Tracking preset will enable again the Teacher Tracker function.
Q: What happens if I switch between two shots of the Follow camera?
A: It will make the multishot switch with the Overview camera (that plays as a "Full back shot"), as follows: Follow shot 1 --> Overview --> Follow shot 2
Q: Can the Multishot be configured to start with a default shot?
A: By default, if the teacher Tracker is running at same time then the default shot will be the tracking result (the Overview or the Follow camera, depending on what happens on stage), but if not the default shot will be the first configured one
Q: Can I configure a preset with no video but with a (company?) logo or a background color instead?
A: No
Q: What would be the main applications using the Multishot software?
A: Mainly Education, but also Government, Broadcast, Conferencing, Worship...
Q: Can it be automated?
A: By combining it with a DSP to send relevant commands to the MultiShot based on activated microphones, the system can be fully automated.
CAMERA SUPPORT
Q: 4K Support?
A: At the current time, the Multishot only supports the CM70 series (CM70, CM71, CM73) with FHD resolution, not the CM90 series with 4K resolution
Q: Other brands support?
A: At the current time the Multishot only supports Avonic camera but we should soon be able to support Sony cameras (to be reconfirmed)
CONTROL
Q: How can I control the Multishot?
A: You can control the Multishot software by HTTP or VISCA commands (over IP) available in the Multishot User Guide but also all HTTP and VISCA presets commands are given directly in the CamDirector web interface (easy & quick to copy/paste into your 3rd control solution!)
Q: What type of control can I do?
A: With the control commands, you can turn the Multishot on or off, request its status and/or choose which shot you'd like to switch to