VMI Canon PTZ Workshop

Full day workshop on how to make the most from using the Canon PTZ camera system.

PTZ stands for Pan, Tilt, and Zoom, and refers to a type of camera that can be remotely controlled to move horizontally (pan), vertically (tilt), and adjust its focal length (zoom). 

These cameras are commonly used for surveillance and security purposes, as well as in broadcasting and event streaming but the Canon PTZ camera system working with the Canon XC protocol is so much more this.

Read our Blog Post – Why I didn’t know I needed PTZ Cameras.

Whilst PTZ serves niche areas of production (think Big Brother/Traitors etc), we want our clients to appreciate that there is far greater scope for this type of equipment to be used for filming, hence the importance of workshops to demonstrate their capability.

This free workshop is designed to be a precursor to familiarise crews and producers ahead of a series of pilot productions to demonstrate the proof of concept for quality media productions.

In short, if you plan to be able to use the PTZ cameras to shoot pilot productions during May/June and want to understand what they do and how they work, then this workshop is for you. Don’t worry if you miss this one, as more workshops are planned for July 2025.

Course Plan

PART 1 – Introduction to the Canon PTZ Family

• XC Protocol and networking
• Camera types, functions and capabilities
• Integrating full-size cameras into the production mix.

PART 2 – Pre-setup

• Setting up the network
• Camera setup and recommended settings.
• Auto-tracking pan and tilt capability and setup.
• Tracking exclusion area setup.
• AF capability and setup
• Iris settings
• Full size camera integration into the production mix

PART 3 – SETUP

• Camera Mounting
• Grip options
• Local record, live mix, capture & streaming.

Part 4 – MONITORING AND MIXING

• Image Monitoring and cabling
• Live mixing

Part 5 – IN PRODUCTION

• Managing a Live Production
• Roles and Staff Numbers

Part 6 – AVOIDING PROBLEMS

• What can go wrong
• Troubleshooting

Trainer

The session will be presented by Barry Bassett, Gerard Botha and supported by Canon UK

Venue

VMI are working with the excellent facilities provided by West London College to host these events.

This is at their Ealing Green Campus, the home of the original BBC Ealing Studios. West London College’s studio is 13mx10m and is on the second floor of the main building and entrance for visitors is via the reception.

Location

West London College, Ealing Green Campus, TV Studio, 2nd Floor The Green, Ealing, London W5 5EW

Public Transport

Underground (Zone 3) Ealing Broadway for Central and District Lines (10 minute walk to College) or South Ealing Piccadilly Line.

Train Ealing Broadway (10 min walk) or West Ealing (15 min walk) for Great West Railway and Heathrow Connect

Bus Routes 65, 83, 112, 207, 297, 607, E1, E2, E7, E8, E9, E10, E11

Car Parking There is lots of local pay parking available, though the Ealing Broadway Car Park is just a couple of minutes walk away and has 800 spaces. (W5 5JY) View on Google Maps