Overview

We use the Panasonic AG-CX350 Cameras. These are great cameras but just like most Camcorder Prosumer cameras you need a “professional” way of controlling them remotely. I have tried various ways from using the Panasonic CX ROP app to using the Stream Deck with Companion App and a Plugin and also Skaarhoj RCPv2 product but I always came up short on what I needed to control. Some products control a certain set of features xyz while others can control abc but not xyz. It was a maze of disappointment. 

More specific issues:

1.  Panasonic CX ROP App will not allow you to change the ND Filter! 
2. StreamDeck/CompanionApp with Plugin was not responsive enough and lacked features that someone else would have to implement.
3. SKAARHOJ RCPv2, extremely laggy controls, would randomly disconnect from network, could not change WHITE BALANCE settings, IRIS control was super laggy, Switching from one camera to the other took way to long and would try to load all settings every time you would switch cameras, this was a deal breaker because you couldn’t get to camera settings fast enough. Also, using a single RCPv2 you loose sight of what settings each camera is set on.

The Skaarhoj RCPv2, although it was designed for that purpose and gives you tactile buttons it just wasn’t stable enough for real production environments. After repeated requests from their support team I eventually gave up on them and their product. 

This need for more camera control led me into developing software that can do everything I need to do with the cameras without limitations or lack of features. My future plan is to integrate the Sony RCP’s I have with my software and this will give me tactile control over all the basic camera functions that I need. This software is super responsive and it just works. I have been very impressed with the performance abilities and responsiveness of the controls.

Some features: 

• Control up to 5 Cameras (more can be added later as needed)
• ND Filter Control
• Master Gain Control
• Shutter Control
• Color Temperature Control (Can even be changed WHILE RECORDING, yes I know!)
• RGB White Color Controls (Can also trigger the Auto White Balance feature)
• RGB Black Color Controls (Can also trigger the Auto Black Balance feature)
• Gamma Settings
• Detail Settings
• Responsive IRIS Control
• Master Pedestal Control
• Can trigger any of the Custom Buttons programmed on the Camera.
• Can trigger Tally, Bars, Close IRIS, Auto Iris On/OFF, High Sensitivity, Record, etc.
• Can select any of the 5 Scenes inside the camera and whatever settings are selected will save to the active scene.
• Can Integrate with the ATEM Switchers for Tally visibility, Camera Names, etc. 
• Can copy/paste camera settings from one camera to the others. (future release)
• Can link settings with other cameras: Pedestal, Record, Auto-Iris, etc.  (future release)