Thomas Moeslund's EVI-D30/D31 SONY Camera Application home page

During the last couple of years I have been contacted by several people about my work with the EVI-D31 SONY camera. At some point I started to store the names of the people who contacted me. The idea was to pass that list on to others who contacted me and thereby helping them in answering the questions which I could not answer.

Now I like to take this idea a step further by creating a web-page containing these names together with the different applications. This will be an inspiration site to people around the world who use or want to use the camera.

In order to make this site as useful as possible I advise people who have been or are going to be working with the camera to contact me at tbm@vision.auc.dk . Drop me a few lines about how you are using the camera (applications, SW/HW) and the different problems you have confronted (and solved). If you also have a link to your work or perhaps some driver SW which you wish to share with others, please mail it to me. The more information you give me, the better the site will be.

Looking forward hearing from you. Any comments you might have to my idea and this site are most welcome.

So far I simply present the raw information which I have. In future versions of this site I might want to group the different information in a more neat and natural way.

From: Andrea Emilio Rizzoli (andrea@idsia.ch)
Date: Thu, 24 Sep 1998 14:50:19 +0200
I ported Thomas Moeslund's EVI driver to the Windows NT environment. It wasn't hard at all, but for some strange behavior of NT which requires hexadecimal numbers to be written as /xFF instead of 0xFF in C++ (!). I also had to build the wiring for the RS232 comm port and so on. It took be about 1 week of full work to complete the project, but it was diluted in time. You can also try to remotely control the camera but we are still working on the site, and very probably you will find that the camera is not working. The driver is written in MS Visual C++ %.0 and runs on a Pentium II @ 300Mhz, Windows NT 4.0 The camera is connected to a Osprey 2000 video capture card, and the signal is fed into a Real Encoder. The resulting live feed is served by a Real Video Server. The Real Encoder is really demanding in terms of memory and CPU and therefore the PC has to be dedicated to this task. When our application is not working it is because we had to switch it off to use other resources on our PC. For the moment the driver SW can be down-loaded here.

Input from: Dan Kinney (dkinney@wamnet.com)
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1998 08:46:35 -0700
I was doing some consulting work with a client that wanted to remain anonymous, and is not keen on having a lot of the details about what I was working on be made public. I had to sign a rather stringent non-disclosure agreement, and I must abide by that.
Having said that, I can say a few things about what I did do. I wrote a Unix (IRIX) library that talked to almost all of the features of the D31, going much further than just pan/tilt/zoom...such as focus, gain, various toggles of modes, etc. I implemented this from a Sony specification document that we were able to obtain from Sony directly.
I will try to answer specific questions when and where I can, but I am working at a startup now (on a very different area of software) and do not have access to any of the code or the camera.

Input from: Francois Berard (Francois.Berard@imag.fr)
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1998 10:07:57 +0000
I wrote a driver for the EVI for a project about visual face tracking. The camera control code is available here. It's working on SGI Indy workstations running IRIX 5.3. It works fine on a SGI O2 workstation running IRIX 6.3 but I had to built the executable on an Indy: when building on the O2, the executable didn't work.
This package is not a good one: I wrote it before that the EVI documentation was available, so I had no idea about the VISCA protocol. Many things are not done in the right way, this should be mentioned.
I have a pdf documentation about the VISCA protocol and the EVI control commands.

Input from: Thomas Moeslund (tbm@vision.auc.dk)
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 1998 10:37:41 +0000
The camera was used in a project called:"Automatic Camera Control in Video conferencing". The work deals with video conferencing and how to control a camera in a videoconference system. One solution to this problem is to set up a microphone array which can pinpoint the 3D location of a speaker in a video conferencing scenario. The position from the microphone array is then used to control (pan, tilt and zoom) a camera. After having calibrated the microphone array to the camera, the system is actually able to keep a speaker in focus even thou he moves around.
The system has been implemented where the microphone array picks up the position and the speech of the speaker. The position is used to control the pan, tilt and zoom parameters of a SONY EVI-D31 camera. The camera is controlled from a Linux machine using my driver SW. To set the zoom value in the camera a test was conducted to find the relationship between the distance to the speaker and the zoom value. The result was that the relation is a 5th order polynomial.

In another video conferencing application a speech recognizer was implemented so the camera could be moved around by speech utterance e.g. "turn camera to the left", "zoom out" and "focus on Thomas". The same driver as before was used, but a Java native interface was build on top making it a very highlevel driver.

Date: Mon, 15 Sep 1999 15:30:34 +0000
Currently a student group is using the camera in a telepresence application together with a head mounted display (HMD). The idea is to place a rotation tracking device on the HMD making it able to calculate the rotation parameters of a user's head. These parameters are then used, through a network, to control the pan and tilt of the camera. The video signal from the camera is send back, through the same network, to the HMD and thereby immersing the user in the reality (location) of the camera.

Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2000 09:25:44 GMT
Another student group just finished a project where the goal was to control the camera via the Internet. They used a client-server configuration and wrote the browser software as a combination of a plug-in and a Java applet. The camera was controlled by the server using the driver software written by Vladimir Kravtchenko. A few problems with the driver was observed which resulted in dead-locks (mail me for more information). These have now been corrected. Both server and client was implemented on a SGI-machines.

Input from: Robert T. Collins (rcollins@cs.cmu.edu)
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 98 09:32:10 -0400
We are using Sony EVI-370 cameras, which have similar characteristics to the EVI-D31 and are also controlled using VISCA, but they do not have a built in pan-tilt capability (we have mounted the camera on a Directed Perception pan-tilt unit). Our application is video surveillance and monitoring. A web page on this project is available. In particular, to see our latest publications in this area go here.

Input from: Daniel Salber (salber@acm.org)
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1998 11:19:24 -0400
I've been working with a remote-controlled webcam application. The work is finished but new features will be added when I'll have the time. The application is programmed in C on a MacOS platform.

Input from: Vladimir Kravtchenko (vk@cs.ubc.ca)
Date: Mon, 05 Oct 1998 18:07:46 -0700
The code provides interface to a single SONY EVI D30/D31 Pan/Tilt camera (address 1), connected to computer via RS232 port. It defines a class EviCamera and provides execution of all VISCA commands and inquiries through class member functions. See class definition and 'VISCA/RS232C Command List' for details. The code has been compiled with GNU compiler and tested on Linux/PC and Solaris/Sun platforms.

Input from: Volker Krueger (vok@informatik.uni-kiel.de)
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1998 15:27:00 +0200
I'm working on applications on tracking, video conferencing and tele teaching. The camera is supposed to detect a person automatically and keep the focus on this specific person by zooming, panning and tilting. The system is supposed to function robustly with respect to illumination changes, occlusions etc. As a camera control we use our own implementation. The control employs a Kalman filter, which results in smooth movements, the speed is reasonable. We have done a comparison between our implementation and the one done by Francois Berard. A fused version is available here. We are working under Solaris, and we are using the CC compiler.

Input from: Stavros Mitrakis (s.mitrakis@caa.de)
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1998 14:01:16 +0100
I developed a remote control for the SONY EVI-D31 in December 1997...during this time nobody could serve me with useful information on programming the camera...even SONY wasn't able to help me out. So I used a protocol analyzer from HewlettPackard to "uncover the way of communication" between my PC and the cam, hehehe =;-)) A sample remote control via internet is accessible here

Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2000 14:37:08 +0100
I just wanted to let you know that I've developed "CamControl v1.12". It consists of a java applet (client side) and a C++ program (server side). CamControl can handle one camera per COM port. This way, you can connect as many cameras to your PC as you have COM ports available. Of course the number of cams depends on your framegrabber. The Winnov Videum PCI e.g. can handle up to 3 signals simultaneously. Furthermore, you can plug more than one Winnov board into your PC, so more than 3 cams won't be a problem!
Several parameters like COM port, network port and max. control time can be configured by the user. CamControl ensures that only one client can control the cam at one time by help of a waiting queue. Any graphical remote control interface can be used to fit everyone's needs regarding look-and-feel or even corporate identity.
CamControl v1.12 requires: a PC (PII-xxx w/ 64MB RAM), a webserver running on the machine where the cam is connected to, video for windows compatible TV-card/framegrabber (e.g. Winnov Videum, Hauppauge etc.), WIN9x, 2000, NT, and an internet connection w/ static IP address. Sample pages can be viewed at: here, here, and here

Input from: Chuck Schoeffler (chucks@turbonet.com)
Date: Sat, 02 Jan 1999 02:44:30 -0800
Its for a video classroom project that is going to have the camera swing around to who ever is talking at the moment. I think a lot more people will be using the camera if I can get this figured out and post the code. I know a lot of the PIC type programmers will like it. I'm using a Parallax BS-2 module right now and when this thing is working then will port it to a PIC 16CXX or 12C7XX.

Input from: Wolfgang Mauersberger (wolfmau@et-inf.fho-emden.de)
Date: Fri, 12 Feb 1999 13:14:17 +0100
We're using several EVI-D31 in our TeleTeaching project. We developed - and still continue to do so - an Internet based contol software. This is based on a VB5-class to control up to 7 daisy-chained cameras. Sorry, there is no complete description until now. In a TeleTeaching room we placed 3 EVI-D31 controlled by a PC. On the www, you can find some impression.

Input from: Massimo Portolani (maxpor@dps-promatic.com)
Date: Sun, 21 Feb 1999 16:47:14 +0100
We have developed a hardware controller for the SONY EVI-D31 camera that is very usefull when you do not want to use a PC. You can see it here.

Input from: Bob Cummings (bob@cter.eng.uab.edu)
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 23:48:18 -0600
I have written a server and client for the EVI-D31 entirely in Perl. At this point, I've tested the server and client under RedHat Linux (5.x), SuSE Linux version 6, and IRIX. The client requires that you have the Term::Readkey module for perl, but that's the only requirement. I don't know if anyone would be interested in this, but if you are, feel free to contact me, and I can supply the code.

Input from: Karoly Laszlo (laszlo@sztaki.hu)
Date: Tue, 22 Jun 1999 14:30:50 +0200 (MET DST)
Our lab is interested in image processing applications using a special architecture, namely the Cellular Neural Network. We have our own software environment for this special architecture starting from a high level language (called Alpha), using a compiler which generates the intermediate machine code which can be downloaded to the on-board running operating system which drives the CNN chip. Last year I interfaced a video capture board (manufacture Data Translation) to the system allowing us to use camera input. We also purchased an EVI-D31 camera. Currently I'm working on the interface between the camera and our software environment. We are working on PCs with NT (the interface is also tested in Win95/98) using Developer Studio, Version 4.0. In fact, the interface contains functions like ConnectCamera(), Pan(), Tilt(), Zoom() etc., it does not have graphical user interface. There are some menu items to test the functions, and there is also a camera control window where the user can type manually the packet and can see the sent and received packets.

Input from: Tony Knott (tony@tony-net.net)
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2000 18:24:46 -0600
I am looking for an applet that will remote control a EVI-D30 connected to a windows 95 machine which has an EVI-D30 connected to it with SVHS and VISCA cable. I have capture software, I want the applet to send instructions to the IP address of the remote machine to use its VISCA(RS232) output to steer the camera. There would have to be two portions of the code, one being the .exe on the windows machine that receives data over the network from the applet on the server.

Input from: KBalaga@aol.com
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2000 14:10:58 EST
I am using the EVI-D30 camera on Win NT.

Input from: engine@enteract.com
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2000 15:23:44 -0600
I just bought a EVI D30 used, and I bought a custom made cable for the VISCA controler. I use EVI Control software version 1.0 under windows98 on com 2. Everything worked fine until I tried to PAN UP. Then I stop getting data from the camera and nothing but a cold reboot of the camera could bring back communications. The problem was a loose ribbon cable on the back of the pan/tilt control unit. I put some Black tape on it and works like a charm. Currently I'm looking for software to control the camera through a web page?

Input from: Joachim Bottger (joachim@MIT.EDU)
Date: Tue, 29 Feb 2000 16:04:28 -0500 (EST)
I'm interested in controlling the camera in a java environment for the project I'm working on.

Input from: Kwabena Konadu (kkonadu@osf1.gmu.edu)
Date: Thu, 9 Mar 2000 23:31:52 -0500 (EST)
We have recently acquire the SONY EVI-D30 Camera and we are considering using it as part of our senior design project. The goal of our project is to automate the camera control by the MC68HC11 micro-controller. Inputs to the micro-controller will be a highly uni-directional microphone. The microphone will give the direction of the location of the speaker. The EVI-D30 shall be used to rotate the microphone to find the speaker.

Input from: Jurgen Bart (gcii09@fais.upm.es)
Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 17:12:08 +0100
I am controlling the EVI-D31 camera using a Windows NT system. I would like to be able to track objects, for instance a laserpoint, with the camera.

Input from: sajit rao (sajitrao@hotmail.com)
Date: Sat, 01 Apr 2000 09:59:29 GMT
I downloaded Thomas Moeslund's Linux code for communicating with the EVI-D30 camera. So far I have not been able to get any response from the camera (connected to /dev/ttyS1 on my box) The retCommand messages from the camera are always exactly equal to the sndCommand messages - one would think there was a short in the serial cable. However... WITH DOS (on the same dual-boot pc): When I run the dos test program (evi-d30.exe) it finds the camera on COM2 and the camera responds fine to all the commands! - so the hardware setup is fine. However, I notice the "Unknown CATEGORY" message for every RCV command that it gets For example when I choose "PAN RIGHT H" from the DOS menu the camera does the right thing, but the following messages are displayed:
SND PAN RIGHT H 8101060110100203ff
RCV My own Message 8101060110100203ff
RCV Unknown CATEGORY
Does this mean that in DOS too, the Receive equals Send? But how come the camera does the right thing in DOS but not under linux? I would appreciate any suggestions about how to get the interface working under linux. A caveat - I'm using a canon VCC3 serial VISCA cable because the company I got this from didn't have the Sony Cable in stock - I dont know if this is relevant, but just thought I'd mention it.

Input from: (shipoopi@email.msn.com)
Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2000 22:42:51 -0500
My school is using four EVI-D30s hooked up to a MX-DVPRO switcher in our auditorium to videotape programs. We are currently using the IR remote to control the cameras. I'm interested in finding a program or writing one in C++ to control the four EVI-D30s with the Micro$oft SideWinder Pro 3D joystick.

Input from: Sam Saad (sam_saad@idcanada.com)
Date: Tue, 16 May 2000 15:48:16 -0400
I am trying to develop a twain interface using an integral mv-plus board and the sony evi-d30 A few years ago I had developed a proprietary interface between a panasonic cm-780 and an integral flashpoint 128 card and a photo software. I want to use a twain interface since it makes it easy to use with a variety of softwares. Can you recommend someone that can help me achieve this goal. I changed from panasonic to sony mostly for availabilty and ruggedness of the equipment as well as picture quality. Sony seems to use better ccd and optics.

Input from: florent_tymen@netcourrier.com
Date: Fri, 19 May 2000 17:12:47 +0200
I just bought a SONY EVI D31 camera, and I bought a custom made cable for the VISCA controler. I want control the EVI-D31 camera using a linux (Redhat6.2) system and I'm looking for software to control the camera through a web page.

Input from: Eddie Hughes (Eddie_Hughes@xontech.com)
Date: Sun, 21 May 2000 19:13:54 -0400
I just bought an EVI-D30 and found out quickly that there is not much info on VISCA or the computer control of camera. I am building a radar that is fully PC controlled. A joystick may be used to steer the radar, or it can automatically track objects using its track filter. I want to use the EVI-D30 as a second joystick controlled sensor and use data fussion techiques for object identification. Because many of my radar subassemblies use Visual Basic drivers, I would like to stick with that environment for development. Does anyone out there have Active X or other drivers that could be used to control the camera?

Input from: Karsten Bruch (bruch@brause.de)
Date: Mon, 12 Jun 2000 19:22:30 +0200
We tried for a couple of days to get the camera moving. But it wouldn't. Then I found your page and program and thought maybe the cable is not right and that was true. We did an adapter an went on. Your program works fine on windows98. But we are still trying to get the camera moving with perl(linux) but it wont. If you know anybody who has done that or is doing that at the moment we would greatly appreciate getting in contact with them.
Also we found that the documentation of the span of the absolute positioning is wrong. These spans are from positioning the camera with the remote-control and then reading the absolute position. They may vary because (we think) the motors are so awkward. The HEX-numbers of a EVI-D31 camera bought 2000:
center = 000000
down = FFF5-FEE4
up = 000B-011D
left = FFF4-FCA5
right = 000B-035C

Input from: Susanne Kaiser (Susanne.Kaiser@NOSPAMpse.unige.ch)
Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2000 12:59:40 +0200
We just started to work with 2 EVI D31 cameras and since we haven't written a program to use the VISCA-RS232 connection, we currently play around with the infra red remote controls. Now we confront a weird problem. We can control both cameras without any problem but after a while the cameras stop reacting to the infra red signal. When I retried the cameras the next morning it worked without a problem, but after a while the problem occurred again. It seems that our problem is caused by an interference between IR control and the neon lights (Electronic Ballast Fluorescent Lights). We do not know whether the problem is related to the light spectrum, the frequency of the gear control or the dimmer. People at Sony and Osram are now checking for possible sources and solutions.

Input from: Stavros Mitrakis (s.mitrakis@caa.de)
Date: Tue, 04 Jul 2000 10:49:11 +0200

IN REPLY TO THE ABOVE ENTRY:

I have noticed that the controller of the cams will "die" when trying to send commands via remote commander and RS232-C simultaneously. Since the cams are daisy chained, all the cams connected to the first cam will "die" too, as soon as the first cam locks up. Another thing is, that even with the remote commander I managed to flood the controller's command buffer, so it resulted in a "buffer overflow" error. The only way to solve this is to send a "clear buffer" (only via RS232-C) or to restart the cam (off->on). And last but not least: I had one camera which stopped working after 2 weeks. No known workarounds and no switching on/off helped. Sending it to Sony resulted in a defective controller... As you can see, many possibilities...just wanted to let you know, what I found out in the last 4 years... Feel free to visit my interactive webcams at: http://bvlab12.fh-reutlingen.de

Input from: Eric Meurville (eric.meurville@epfl.ch)
Date: Mon, 03 Jul 2000 16:48:36 +0200
We are developing our own pan/tilt camera and we would like to implement the VISCA protocol on it. The source code controller I already have and it is very useful but I would also be interested in:
- protocol source code for the camera side
- hardware schematics for the communication part of the camera
Anyone?

Input from: cihan ceylan (cihanceylan@hotmail.com)
Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2000 08:20:05 GMT
I have bought a evi-d31 video camera and want to control it via a program which is designed in Delphi. When installing the camera you can import the activeX component of the camera to the Delphi environment. However, I need the help file (VDK.CHM) of this component in order to costumize the control. Anyone know where I can find this file?

Input from: Mikhael Bahmed (mbahmed@wanadoo.fr)
Date: Sun, 16 Jul 2000 22:35:26 +0200
We have develloped software to remote control the SONY EVI-D31 camera and the VC-C3 CANON camera. The software controls the camera, take one or several snapshots and upload them by FTP. See our demonstration web site and software site

Input from: Jason Nguyen (nguyenjl@psns.navy.mil)
Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 07:19:26 -0700
To control your camera via an USB port you need to put together a 8-pin MINI DIN to 9-pin Serial cable then use this cable to connect the camera to a USB to Serial adapter from Belkin.com. From this adapter, you can use the USB port instead of the serial port. Software to control the camera can be downloaded from www.sony.co.jp/ISP.

Input from: Oscar H. Nasisi (onasisi@inaut.unsj.edu.ar)
Date: Wed, 2 Aug 2000 10:11:18 -0300
We are developing a tracking control system for the pan/tilt EVI D31 Sony camera. In order to design the controller with the kinematics compensation, we need the mechanical specifications of the device regarding the position of the pan and tilt axes, and the image plane location relative to these axes. I highly appreciate it if anyone could send me this information as I can not get it from the technical specification of the camera.

Input from: Roger Morris (rmorris@rconnect.com)
Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2000 20:32:47 -0500
I'm using the camera to videotape our Sunday morning church service. I've been using the camera and software from SONY for 3 weeks and all is working well. The software to control the camera is good and it might be better if I had a video capture card since the output of the camera can directly feed into the software. The software has built in speed control which comes in handy. The process to preset locations at this point seems to be a pain. I don't know if it exists but, several people, some controlling the camera, want a joystick control instead of the 8 way click feature of the software.

Input from: Kerry Kuznicki (kkuzn@innovativecomm.com)
Date: Fri, 29 Sep 2000 11:34:54 -0400
We are an integrator of distance education, video conferencing, multi-media rooms, etc. and through the years we could never find a suitable mount for the Sony EVI-D30, so we designed and now manufacture our own line of mounts. Wall, ceiling, recessed, etc. please visit our website and click on camera mounts for our full line.

Input from: David Naranjo (ndavid@aegiselect.com)
Date: Mon, 9 Oct 2000 10:24:00 -0400
Aegis Electronic Group in southern California is a Sony Distributor for the EVID30/31. We have many customers that are using the EVID30/31 for Medical, Security, Web, and Educational applications. I have many sources of information and carry additional accessories to the cameras including software via RS232, Visca cables, Daisy chain cables, wall mounts, ceilling mounts, joystick controls, and lots more. Please feel free to visit my website or contact me via email.

Input from: Graham Martin (grahamm@epic.co.uk)
Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2000 13:17:13 +0100
I have been programming a camera control module for the Sony EVI-G21 camera, and have been having problems getting the back light enquiry command to return anything but the OFF state, after a quick look at you web page on the G30 style camera i noticed that the back light enquiry command was 8x 09 04 33 FF this was different than the back light enquiry command listed in the Sony documentation for the G20/G21 camera ( 8x 09 03 3E FF ) i have discovered that the "3E" is a typo and should be "33" as in the G30. Also whilst on the same project i discovered another typo in the Sony docs on the Pan/Tilt Drive Command, the Absolute Position tilt range is listed as being E193 to 1E6D with 0000 as the center position. Actually it is E193 down to FFFF and 0000 to 1E6D. I Guess it is just a range from FFFF to -1E6D ignoring the -sign. Hope this errata is helpful to somebody!

Input from: Daniel Wolf (daniel.wolf@gte.net)
Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2000 23:52:23 -0700
Videobotics has EVI-D30 complete application software (as well as for a number of other popular pan/tilt/zoom cameras and pan/tilt devices from Canon, Panasonic, and others) and systems available for some time called CamMotionPro30. We include GUI host/server program, and remote control with several web-enabling Java applets and a remote-client non-web application for control over any TCP/IP network. This is a camera-control system that is compatible with virutally all methods of video-transmission over the net (web cam programs, NetMeeting, etc.) and is low-cost and with many extra features (scripting ability using Rebol, etc.). Our CamMotionPro30 system has proven popular with many EVI-D30 users around the world for webcams and use on corporate and government internal network applications. You may review product information and see an online demonstration here

Input from: John Kuchera (kuchera@mpinet.net)
Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2000 15:34:16 -0500
I currently have about 15 of the cameras in use with the Intel Proshare 500 cards. I'm looking to write an application in VB or VBA to control the camera's pan-tilt-zoom and also show just remote or both remote and local windows. I can no longer get the 500's so I will be building the new application on the PictureTel 550 and the Sony D30 camera. Any ideas or comments are appreciated.

Input from: Robert E Sell (robertesell@home.com)
I recently got a good deal on a Sony evi-d30 and thought it would make a good web cam. I'm using a Matrox Meteor capture card with it. The drivers from Sony are only for Windows 98/95 so I have had to dedicate a computer for just this (as my others are all 2000 now). That was my first irratation but now 98 still does not recognize the camera. Any suggestions? Do you have any 2000 drivers?

Input from: (alpha_81@asiamail.com)
Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2000 14:12:38 +0800
I'm doing a final year project on EVI-D30/D31 SONY camera. I will be using a hauppage framegrabber to program this camera, is there anywhere that I can get the source code of this framegrabber using C++ or is there any sample program for me to have a look.

Input from: Jonathan Marianu (jmarianu@home.com)
Date: Sun, 31 Dec 2000 14:10:17 -0800
I have a couple of EVI-D30's and I am using one with a Zydacron board for video conferencing. With the other I would like to have a remote control web cam. I don't want to buy the CamControl so I'm being creative. I have Windows Terminal server which lets me open up a window into my server from a web page. From there I can execute any application as if I am local. At one time I had a copy of a Sony application that lets you control the camera. When I find it I will install it on the computer and use that to remotely control the camera. If you know of a free web based evi controller I would be very grateful.

Input from: Justin (blacky98@hotmail.com)
Date: Tue, 2 Jan 2001 00:38:10 -0500
I have a couple EVI-D30 cameras and recently upgraded to Win2k. Unfortunately, the Sony Software for remote control software doesn't work anymore any alternatives?

Input from: John Happy (john@housekeeping.com)
Date: Fri, 5 Jan 2001 12:51:49 -0800
I called a local video products dealer and gave him a brief explanation of my system and he recommended I begin by checking out the Sony EVI D30 or the Cannon VCC3. Following my phone conversation I went to Yahoo and found a link to your web page. Per your recommendation I am contacting you ... before I go to more trouble and expense than I need to to get my 'dream' system working. This is the scenario I want:
Large suburban home with a home office. I do website creation and hosting. My web server is co-located on my ISP's network in a building in another part of my hometown. I may soon relocated my server to my home office if I can get a wireless connection to my ISP's network. I want to install three exterior color cameras with audio. Two with pan/tilt/zoom capability and one stationary - all in weatherproof housings. One attached to the second story of my home on an addition we will be addding this summer, one will be located on a wooden post already installed and wired about 80 feet from the house and the stationary one will be focused on those coming to the front door. I want to install three interior color web-conferencing type cameras. All with pan/tilt/zoom and audio. I want to be able to control all 6 cameras in two ways 1) via a keyboard/joystick and switch and NTSC monitor in my home office and 2) via a secure web page. Presently my home office network and my co-located web server run Windows NT 4.0. I'll probably upgrade to Windows 2000 Server in the near future. Given the above can you offer me any advice? Wiring, streaming software, camera control software, hardware requirements, etc?

Input from: Barry Gurberg (cyberg@magma.ca)
Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2001 13:57:58 -0500 (EST)
I'm interested in getting a zoom/pan/tilt camera like the sony EVI-D30 to work using a web browser like Netscape and controlling it on a Linux (perl) system through the serial ports. Anyone?

Input from: Joe Chesak
Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2001 18:08:06 -0800 (PST)
I plan to set up a realtime webcam with my cameras. One will use the camera's own motion sensing ability as survelliance and the other I want to be able to control it through a web page.

Input from: Laurence Davies (Laurence.Davies@ukcouncil.net)
Date: Mon, 19 Mar 2001 13:48:59 -0000
I am trying to find information on writing a control system in Visual Basic. What I am looking for is information on how to code communication between VB and my COM port. Any help would be greatly appreiciated!

Input from: EDUARDO ANDRADE (eduardo.andrade@gvideopro.com)
Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2001 13:08:30 -0600
Our company, Video Pro, is a Sony Videoconference distribuitor right here in Monterrey, México. Actually we are involved on a special quotation for a big customer regarding a videoconference system for a "face to face" distant business lunch. On the local site there will be a lunch table and an identical one on the remote site; in front of such lunch tables there will be the videoconference back projection screen, so an ilussion of being on the same table will be displayed during the videoconference business lunch. Any application note or info regarding such kind of project?

Input from: Stephane Gourichon (Stephane.Gourichon@lip6.fr)
Date: Wed, 11 Apr 2001 15:32:42 +0200 (CEST)
Corrections to the code made by Thomas B. Moeslund:
1) The example program on page 46-47 of the documentation has several unbalanced parantheses.
2) With the default setup (a timeout of 5 seconds waiting for a "complete" signal) the SetInit would fail if the camera is directed to the right, with an angle greater than 45 degrees. This is because the pan-tilt reset operation may take up to nearly seven seconds in those conditions: when the motors have to do a full round trip from right to bottom-left, then back to right. So I increased the timeout from 5 to 7 seconds like this in SendCmd() :
/* Wait for an complete signal. Retransmit if nessesary */
do {
/* Read from the camera. A complete signal is expected */
if(WaitFor(aFd, 7, &retCommand) < 0) {

Input from: Hugo Varvaró Marcinek (huvarmar@doctor.upv.es)
Date: Tue, 15 May 2001 13:54:52 +0200
We are working with two EVI-400DR Sony module cameras with VISCA protocol communication. Our problem is: Each independent camera communicate very good with RS232 port, but when we connect both cameras in daisy chain connection, the buffer returns continously the "power on" information 9038FF and we suppose that this information fulls the port buffer (we can not control any camera). On the other hand, we do not know if it is neccessary to make anything with the out port cables from the camera 2 (Now, these cables are without connection DTROUT, DSROUT, TXOUT and RXOUT). The actual connection that we have made is: 232 Computer port TX,RX,DTR and DSR with the terminals to the camera 1 RXIN, TXIN, DSRIN, DTRIN, the output terminal from the camera 1 TXOUT, RXOUT, DTROUT and DSROUT to the input terminals to the camera 2 RXIN, TXIN, DSRIN and DTRIN. The output terminals to the camera 2 are without connection. We have been in contact with Sony but they did not help us. Anyone?

Input from: Jack Liao (jackponis@netscape.net)
Date: Fri, 18 May 2001 12:03:53 +0800
We want to control 60 units EVI-D30 through TCP/IP or RS-485. Where can we get the software? As we know via VideoServer RS 232 COM Port(AXIS. VCS ..) to control EVI-D30 VISCA Port that is limit must daisy chain wire it. Is any device you known can "star configuration" or some device can convert VISCA to TCP/IP then I can control it from a Browser (IE or Netscape) or proprietary software.

Input from: Ersen Sarioglu (ersen_sarioglu@bica.com.tr)
Date: Fri, 25 May 2001 12:24:02 +0300
My problem is i am using an evid31 to capture and make a realmedia file. i use real-encoder to do this. and while capturing and encoding i use a software i found from sony.jp/isp site. the problem is while capturing video from evi i cannot control it with software easily. there is some latency due to system cpu and memory power i think. so i thought maybe a little software programme which uses less power may solve my problem. i just need to control left right up down and zoom. do you have such an easy software?

Input from: Javier Traver (vtraver@lsi.uji.es)
Date:Fri, 25 May 2001 17:34:30 +0200
I got C++ code for an EVI-G21 camera, but I wanted some documentation about how to use the class. I wrote to Vladimir Kravtchenko --the author of the driver-- asking him for help. He has not worked again with this and has no access to the material, but he told me that he remembers having an article describing this. Could you help me?

Input from: Stephane Gourichon (Stephane.Gourichon@lip6.fr)
Date: Wed, 30 May 2001 18:53:23 +0200 (CEST)
Indepth modifications and corrections to the original EVI-driver developed by Thomas Moeslund. Please refer to this site for the actual entry. More information available at this site

Input from: Jordan Wooley (jwooley@hotmail.com)
Tue, 26 Jun 2001 19:43:41 -0000
I am developing software for the d30 series that will allow them to be control via a microsoft sidewinder joystick. The reason I am email you is because we are experiencing some very weird problems with the camera. After using the software for awhile two of the three camera have stopped sending a video signal. All of the control functions seem to work just fine, including the shutter and iris controls. The cameras are about three years old. Do you know of anyway that the software could be killing the camera or are they just getting old?

Input from: Howard (Dougberryh@aol.com)
Date: Thu, 5 Jul 2001 02:19:43 EDT
I have found a sony evi-370 camera and want to make a security system with it. The only problem is that i don't have any clue as to what wire does what. Could anyone furnish any info such as to a diagram of what wire goes where? any info would be greatly appreciated.

Input from: Norby, Rena Faye (RenaFayeNorby@BHSU.EDU)
Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2001 14:41:26 -0600
I want to use the camera as a weather web camera from my office window, to publish the real time video on my faculty web page. I haven't done this before but am something of a technology innovator (more software than hardware) so am ordering the camera , and need a recommendation for a video board, and software to put the picture on my web site. All help gratefully accepted!

Input from: Scott Harrison (scotthar@eltekco.com)
Date: Mon, 6 Aug 2001 03:33:53 -0700
I found this server and client system here, not only does this control the Sony EVI-D30 but it also supports several of the cannon models as well: Here is the main page. This is a complete camera client server that includes ports for Windows and several versions of Unix. I was able to take the server component, Devserv, it comes complete with binary and full sources to build in MS VC++. I run it on Windows XP and built a client application using Visual Basic and the defined remote control language, see here. There is also a stock java client but I did not try it out. Here is the download page. Hope someone finds this usefu, I looked for a long time to find a Windows solution and finally found this one, and it just works great for me. The bonus is full souce code is included...

Input from: David (david@simplex.freeserve.co.uk)
Date: Mon, 6 Aug 2001 21:07:40 +0100
I have a EVI-D31 camera and would like to use it with netmeeting. Currently I have it connected with my TV card with S-Video, only black and white ??? And i cannot see it through netmeeting, which I understand, but can you advise how to connect it so I can use it for video conf.

Input from: Hugo R. Salazar M. (hsalazar@integri.com.mx)
Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2001 11:49:20 -080
We are in the videconferencing bussines. Our product, Vcon, uses Evid30 cameras in its room products, and the vcon's sofware let you choise up to three video sources. Our problem is that when we want to put two or more EVID30 attached to the same serial port, just the first one moves. Can you help us? Do you know where can we obtain the correct cable configuration, and software needed?.

Input from: Rusty Strauss (Cirqmaster@aol.com)
Date: Thu, 13 Sep 2001 09:41:11 EDT
I am looking for used cameras now. Ebay has them going between 300 and $500.00 USD I am technical director for the Peking Acrobats. We are a Cirque Du Soliel style Theatrical circus. The plan is to mount one onstage, and one far out in the audiance, then control them both through the software on Sony's web site. From there we will use S-Video to send the live signal through a switcher, and up to two 10 video screens. My questions are.... 1) Will I have trouble with the control signal (or the monitor signal) degrading after 100' of cable. If so, does anyone make an inline booster? 2) I am looking at the Sony software, and I see a box where I assume a video picture would be if I had my camera hooked up. I would just like to confirm that this Live video feed actually comes in through the VISCA cable, and does not need to be brought in to the PC separately via composite cable and capture card etc... 3) I assume I will have to have control cable custom made. Where can I find the pin conjuration? 4) Have you heard of instances where the control software will not work with certain computers (what are the minimum requirements)?

Input from: Thomas Rosanski (thomasrosanski@web.de)
Date: Date: Wed, 26 Sep 2001 12:30:38 +0200
I just began to use the VISCA commands to zoom the camera, but I have detected a problem: After sending the CAM_zoom direct command, my camera just sends an ACK, but no comand completion. The next command I send to the camera then uses the second socket, and as there are only two sockets, I cannot use more than one zoom command. Did you hear about this problem before? I searched the internet, but I did not find any site reporting this kind of problem.

Input from: Stefan Wimmer (Stefan_Andreas_Wimmer@t-online.de)
Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001 10:24:21 +0100
We are setting up a new network of cameras over Mac G4 machines. One of the Macs is linked to a Sony EVI D30 ... Picture is VERY fine (even on 56k modems you get 1/2 screen size image ... fluently) ... but we cannot CONTROL the camera. I KNOW that there is SITEZAP ... but it costs quite a small fortune. So we are looking for a basic application which runs under OS 9 / X that controls the camera via TCP/IP ... SiteZap has solved the problem with its software ... but there MUST be another and cheaper way to do so ... please help me!

Input from: Stephan (mentat@mweb.co.za)
Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2002 01:14:21 +0200
I have the EVI-D30/D31 Command List document (99B?) version 1.21 in PDF format. It details the commands issued to the camera but what I need is an explanation of how the protocol actually works. Some examples of the kind of things I need to know are shown below. VISCA Command: 8x 01 06 02 VV WW 0Y 0Y 0Y 0Y 0Z 0Z 0Z 0Z FF In this Pan-Tilt "Absolute Position" command there are 4 variables as listed below: VV : Pan Speed WW : Tilt Speed YYYY : Pan Position ZZZZ : Tilt Position It is also indicated in the documentation that for the variables YYYY and ZZZZ, "0000 is center". QUESTION - Concerning YYYY : Pan Position. Q1. Is there a duration or a number of degress "step rate" attached to increments in the value of YYYY? Q2. How is the statement that "0000=Center" reconciled within the range of YYYY values? QUESTION - Concerning ZZZZ : Tilt Position. Q3. Is there a duration or a number of degress "step rate" attached to increments in the value of ZZZZ? Q4. How is the statement that "0000=Center" reconciled within the range of ZZZZ values? QUESTION - Concerning VV and WW : Pan and Tilt Speeds. Q5. Is there a duration "step rate" attached to increments in the values of VV and WW?

Franck Meschberger (Franck.Meschberger@eu.sony.com) replyed the following:
pan range is : FC90 to 0370 (hexa) ( -880 to +880 decimal ) center 0000 for EVI-D3x = -/+ 100 deg, in a total of 1760 steps
tilt range is : FED4 to 012C (hexa) - ( -300 to +300 decimal ) center 0000 for EVI-D3x = -/+ 25 deg, in a total of 600 steps
We do not have full conversion table as there is some allowance in movement while those has linier relation by basic design. Please find my calculation method as follows :
pan steps/100 degree: 0370(hexa)=1*0+16*7+16*16*3=112+768=880(decimal)
unit degree/step: 100(degree)/880(steps)=0.113 (degree/step)
accuracy/allowance(+-9 steps): +-0.113*9=+-1.022 degree
tilt steps/100 degree:
012C(hexa)=1*12+16*2+16*16*1=12+32+256=300(decimal)
unit degree/step: 25(degree)/300(steps)=0.0833 (degree/step)
accuracy/allowance)+-9 steps): +-0.0833*9=+-0.749 degree
Regarding pan and tilt speed :
VV = pan speed. Range is 01 to 18 and max speed for VV=18 is 80 deg/s.
WW = tilt speed. Range is 01 to 14 and max speed for WW=14 is 50 deg/s.
I do not have any conversion table between values of VV (or WW) and exact speed for the values. There is no specification about the intermediate values (only max speed). May I suggest you to test different speed values until you found out the right speed for your application ?

Input from: Franck Meschberger (Franck.Meschberger@eu.sony.com)
Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2002 10:49:38 -0000
The protocol for the new SONY camera EVI-D100 is slightly different than EVI-D30/31. Nevertheless, in order to keep software compatibility with EVI-D30/D31, a special feature called "EVI-D30/D31" mode, that enables the user to control EVI-D100/P with VISCA commands of EVI-D30/D31 has been implemented on EVI-D100/P. Please find information about this mode in the attached technical manual of EVI-D100/P.

Input from: Christian Stangl (Smashing1@yahoo.com)
Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2002 07:41:46 -0600
I wrote a VB 6 program for controlling the Sony EVI-D30. This is a good example on the basics of controlling the camera via com port.

Input from: Daniel Gatica-Perez (gatica@idiap.ch)
Date: Tue, 16 Apr 2002 10:49:13 +0200 (MEST
My name is Daniel Gatica-Perez. I work for IDIAP, a not-for-profit vision and speech processing research institute located in Martigny. We are creating a "smart" meeting room, and we will use multiple cameras to record meetings so that we can perform techniques such as automatic gesture recognition. We need 3 colour cameras. Each camera needs to have : (a) PAL output (b) Sync input (blackburst ?) (c) If feasible, a lens attachment that will give 55 degrees field of view Do you know it the EVI-D31 provides such capabilities? We need to synchronise image capture across all 3 cameras. We would prefer to use blackburst because we have an existing digital audio recording system that can synchronise to video blackburst. About timecode insertion, we want to insert a VITC timecode onto the analog video output of each camera. We have found numerous VITC insertion solutions on the internet. Do you happen to know about any Sony product that will do this? Specifically, we need 3 VITC Inserters that have (a) PAL input (b) SMPTE LTC input (c) PAL output

Input from: Dana Cole (DCOLE@okcareertech.org)
Date: Wed, 24 Apr 2002 10:30:18 -0500
We have several Sony EVI-D30 cameras located around our complex and we'd like to be able to control them from a central point. Multi-conductor cables have been run to wall-plates near each of the cameras and are connected to 14-pin D-Sub connectors. What we need to do is build cables with 15-pin connectors on one end and VISCA connectors on the other. My problem is I don't know a source for the VISCA plugs. Are they just 8-pin mini-DINs? They look like it, but with the wider space between pins 3 and 4, I wasn't sure.

Input from: Gordon Gomes (g.gomes@maxxvision.de)
Date: Thu, 2 May 2002 17:33:50 +0200
Reply to the above message.
The VISCA Connectors are 8pol. Mini DIN Plugs.( Commodore-Joystickadapter). You can order them from Conrad-Elektronik www.conrad.de. (Order Nr. 731790-22) . They cost about EUR 1,20/ pc.

Input from: BPapitto@mmhs-fla.org
Date: Mon, 13 May 2002 10:29:56 -0400
I have the camera connected to an Intel Team Station Teleconference Server. The camera works fine for a while and the color goes out. When the color goes out the camera displays images in black and white. Then occasionally and for no apparent reason the color comes back. Any suggestions?

Input from: George Richards (GRichard@lsuc.on.ca)
Date: Mon, 13 May 2002 16:56:29 -0400
Can anyone provide (subjective or objective) evidence for the EDI D100 producing a better video quality image over the EDI D30 ?

Input from: Yaza Design (YazaDesign@attbi.com)
Date: Tue, 2 Jul 2002 12:55:02 -0500
I built a system for a zoo that allows visitors to view Okapi (a rainforest relative of the giraffe) using a touchscreen interface. The application was written in iShell (a *great* multimedia authoring system, btw), and runs on a G4. We wrote plugins to preview the video on screen, pan/tilt/zoom the camera and switch between alternative cameras. Camera output is also displayed on a video monitor above the touchscreen so other visitors can see what the immediate user sees. The system has been in operation for two years, works great, and is a real favorite with zoo visitors. Now for the questions... The same client has asked for a bid on another project (this time involving wolves). One part of the bid is for a "simple" hardware-based viewing station. One of the design team at the zoo has seen a simple system at another facility using video monitor, joystick (pan/tilt) and rocker button (zoom). At least the way the system has been described to me, it doesn't seem to involve a computer at all. I'm trying to use the EVID30 to do something similar, but haven't been able to figure out a way to combine the joystick and rocker button activity in a way that results in a VISCA command stream. It looks like my simple system will need a computer as well, unless someone has built special hardware for this purpose. Do you know if any such hardware exists?

Input from: Joseph J. Janus (j3soft@j3soft.com)
Date: Tue, 16 Jul 2002 09:54:17 -0400
Christian Stangl's VB6 driver (see above) (with his permission) and my edited version of his source code are available on my EVI-D30/D31 page. Power On/Off, Comm Port Selection, Help and Exit have been added to Christian's source code so far. Help isn't functional at the moment, I'll write that later this week. A complied version with installation software will be available on my site later. Christian did an excellent job with his project and it was easy for me to modify it a little and add the new functions. Later I plan to write something using this code and OCXs provided by Winnov to have a video preview from the camera attached to the Winnov Videum 1000 Plus that I have on order.

Input from: Filippo Bertamini (fbertami@itc.it)
Date: Wed, 07 Aug 2002 10:11:49 +0200
Have you ever tried to acquire two video signal from two Sony Evi (D30)? I'm working in a research institute and my target, if possible, is to syncronize two video signals. I'm wondering if with these cameras there exists a method, hardware or software to trigger the image acquisition? Any suggestion?

Input from: Mike Stratil (mstratil@nc.rr.com)
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 15:05:14 -0400
I am interested in developing a series of videotaped lectures. Recently I came across the Sony EVI-D30, which appears to enable me to move around in front of the camera and have the camera track my movements. My question is about the effectiveness of the D30's tracking. Basically, I want to know if the D30's tracking begins quickly (after the speaker begins moving) and runs smoothly thereafter? I don't want a lot of awkward movements ruining the professional appearance of my videos.

Input from: Thomas Moeslund (tbm@cvmt.auc.dk)
Date: Thu, 15 Aug 2002 10:13:00 +0200 (MET DST)
REPLY TO Mike Stratil:
The tracking begins right away and runs smoothly. The problem with the tracking is the following. When reading the info. about the camera provided by Sony (or anyone selling this product) you are left with the impression of a 'perfect tracking system'. The tracking algorithm is good (they even have a patent on it) but it can NOT replace a camera-man. I have tried setting the camera up to follow me while I gave a lecture and can assure you that it will not keep track for more than 5 min. (unless your moving in a very limited area). Prior to using the camera for tracking you need to initialise it. This is done by selecting the part of your body (defined by a small rectangle window) you wish the camera to follow. After that the tracking is fast and ok, as long as the camera can see this rectangle and the lighting don't change significantly. Moving in a way which makes the camera incapable of seeing the rectangle for some seconds - the track is lost. Some times it recovers but after a while the lose is permanently. From a engineering point of view the problem is that the tracker is based on texture from a rigid surface and a human consist of articulated, self-occluding, and deformable parts. Let me finally stress that the algorithm as such is very good also compared to others, but still no product/research-project have been able to solve the problem of tracking a human (or any other complex object) for a long period of time in a non-lab. environment. So the only problem with the EVI tracker is what the sales people wrote about the camera... So I guess you either need a camera man or use a number of cameras observing different parts of your environment (black-board, where you are typically standing, etc.) and then combine all the views into one combined video signal.

Input from: Kevin Liao (kevinliao@iei.com.tw)
Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2002 12:58:07 +0800
I know there is a command set (0x88 0x30 0x01 0xff) for auto address assignment. But do you know if there is another command set to set different address to individual camera? For example, I want to assign the address of first camera to 2 but not 1. Is it possbile?

Input from: Howard Apple (HPApple@aol.com)
Date: Wed, 25 Sep 2002 17:30:12 EDT
I'm interested in using the Sony EVI-D30 in a medical application but need to use 850 nm infrared light illumination (or perhaps 910 nm). Do you know if the EVI-D30 camera is sensitive at this wavelength? If the camera sees the light beam of an actuated TV IR remote aimed at it, it most likely is? There may be an IR blocking filter. Do you know of such? It might be possible to remove it. I'm hoping that the basic CCD Sony chip (HAD Technology) is sensitive to IR as their camcorders are.

Input from: Mike Shaw (shaw.mike@btinternet.com)
Date: Tue, 8 Oct 2002 12:22:37 +0100
I wondered if it is possible to convert my D31 to PAL without using a separate convertor.

Input from: Don Shrader (shrader3@charter.net)
Date: Wed, 9 Oct 2002 20:11:03 -0400
We are just now waiting for the D30 camera to arrive. We are planning on using it for outside surveillance of an intruder entering our property and tracking him. We are not sure this unit will do the job and just wondering if anyone else has tried this? We have to do the same thing with a IR camera at night time but just wanted to play with this one for awhile to get our feet so called wet. Would appreciate any comments you may have on utilizing this camera for this type operation.

Input from: Jack Thomasson (jetset@iserv.net)
Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2002 20:33:09 -0500
We are using the D30 to video tape worship services at our church. WE are seeking information on the best way to operate them from a remote location. We have the software, but have not been able to locate cables 50 feet long. We found information on a "joy stick" operation. it represents at $1000 investment. Which application would be best for out purposes?

Followup:
Input from: Bruce McClenahan (bmcclenahan@hotmail.com)
Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 22:25:25 +1000
I have a similar need to remotely control a D31. I purchased a Giga-Air 2020 Wireless Audio/Video sender for this purpose. http://www.tranwo.com.tw/product_htm/product_2020.html This allows the signal from the camera to be recorded remotely without running video cables. It also claims to transmit the IR from the camera remote to allow it to be controlled from a distance.
However, I've found that the Giga-Air seems to scramble the IR signals so they aren't recognised by the camera. The signal is getting there as I can see the IR led illuminated in the camera, but the camera does not respond to the commands. The system works ok sending commands to my Samsung VCR using its remote.
Does anyone know if there is something special about the IR commands or protocol used to control the D31 that would cause problems with retransmission.

Input from: tcote (tcote@unb.ca)
Date: Mon, 9 Dec 2002 11:13:22 -0400
I am experiencing an integration problem with the following equipment: Polycom Viewstation VS4000, software version 5 AMX Axcent 3 Pro controller 2 x Sony EVI-D30 cameras We are using the Sony cameras for other purposes in addition video conferencing, so I need to be able to control the cameras from my AMX controller. Even during a video conference, I need to be able to set presets and control the off-line camera. I am using IR commands with IR emitters at each camera for this purpose. Therefore, all local control of cameras in this installation is by means of IR. Then, during a video conference, I want to use the Polycom VS4000 RS232 camera control ports to provide the far end viewers with control of my cameras. Information from AMX indicates that an EVI-D30 camera can be successfully controlled by both IR commands and RS232 commands, and my early experiences in doing so seemed to be successful. However, once the equipment was installed I discovered a significant problem. It appears that the issue is really with the Sony camera. It is a bit complex, but I will try to explain it. The Sony EVI-D30 camera RS232 processor has 2 command input buffers to allow it to receive and process 2 commands at once. An important example would be accessing a preset sent from the Polycom VS4000. The VS4000 does not use the Sony camera's internal stored preset memory, but rather, it issues absolute position commands for both pan/tilt and zoom. This is comprised of 2 sequential RS232 commands, one to buffer 1 for pan/tilt and one to buffer 2 for zoom control. These 2 commands set the camera lens to the appropriate spatial coordinates. The VS4000 waits for an acknowledge response and a completion response from each of the camera's 2 buffers before it will proceed with any other camera control. If one of the camera's internal memory presets is accessed from the IR port, the camera subsequently will not issue a completion response to any RS232 command that uses buffer 2, even though it will perform the command. When the cameras and VS4000 are first powered up, if no IR presets are accessed, all camera controls from both IR and RS232 work correctly. If an IR preset is accessed, all camera controls from both IR and RS232 still work correctly, providing no RS232 preset is accessed by the VS4000. However, if an IR preset is accessed, and at some subsequent time, an RS232 preset is accessed, the VS4000 will no longer control the camera. It is waiting for a buffer 2 completion response from the camera, which is never sent. The problem can only be corrected by rebooting both the camera (so it will send buffer 2 completion responses) and the VS4000 (so it is no longer hung, waiting for a buffer 2 completion response). This is a Sony EVI-D30 problem, but I believe that the camera firmware cannot be upgraded. Therefore, the only option I can think of is to route the VS4000 RS232 camera control ports through the AMX Axcent 3 Pro controller. This will allow me to monitor the camera's response and forward the appropriate completion response to the VS4000 when required, thus eliminating the "hang" problem. I have tried to do this and have encountered another problem which is the real reason I am asking for Polycom technical help. It should be possible to bridge the RS232 communications from a VS4000 camera control port and an EVI-D30 between two RS232 ports on the AMX Axcent 3 Pro controller. It should take only a couple lines of AMX code to route the bi-directional communications accordingly. However, this does not seem to work. Once the VS4000 is connected to the Axcent 3 Pro controller, the VS4000 stops sending camera motion commands. I have installed an RS232 sniffer in the loop in several configurations. The VS4000 will work correctly through the sniffer to the camera. However, when the VS4000 is hooked to the Axcent 3 Pro, either directly or through the sniffer, the VS4000 somehow senses that it is not hooked to the EVI-D30 camera and it stops sending camera motion commands. It still sends other camera commands, some of which I would expect should normally be sent to stop camera motion. These commands include "camera auto exposure full auto", "camera zoom stop", "camera position inquiry", "auto focus on", and "stop pan/tilt". So, my question is, "How can I get the VS4000 RS232 camera control ports to communicate with the Axcent 3 Pro, or do you have some other workaround for my problem?"

Input from: Sean Chumura (Sean@silassoc.com)
I am using the sony evi-d30 for a visitor management software. Thia software is set up to take pictures of the visitor in line. The software is setup to use twain drivers. Is there a way to get the sony evi-d30 to work?

Input from: Betterbox Technical (technical@betterbox.freeserve.co.uk)
Date: Fri, 3 Jan 2003 13:32:03 -0000
We are trying to connect our computer to our Sony EVI-D31 Camera, I believe it is D-Sub 9 to Sony Mini-Din plug Visca RS232 Type Cable, do you have a cable like this and if so does it have any part code written on it anywhere.

Input from: Wayne Walker (wayne@itsallgods.com)
Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2003 11:43:54 -0600
I just installed 3 Sony EVI-D30 cameras. I am using the software from Sony and it works. I am looking for something better. I downloaded a newer version of Sony's software (Version 2.1) from their Japan site. It will enable creating the panorama image - but it will only work with one camera. I need a better software solution. We need all of the basic functionality of the Sony software, with the panorama, - to control multiple cameras. Do you know of anything better? I also control two Canon VC-C4 cameras at another location. The canon software does not have the panoramic feature. Do you know of anything better for the Canon? We are filming at both locations. Camera signals are sent to a Videonics MXPro - where mixing and switching occurs. The cameras are great - but the software of both could be much better. Any suggestions? It would be great if someone developed a control application that used the panoramic control, and showed separate panoramas and control buttons for each camera - all on the same screen. I don't care about seeing the actual video input - I have video equipment for that.

Input from: Kurt Wolter (kwolter@rths.rochelle.net)
Date: Fri, 04 Apr 2003 17:27:19 -0600
I am trying to learn more about controlling my EVI D30 camera and found your web page from http://www.j3soft.com/webcam/evi-d31.htm
I do not have an IR controller and I doubt I will be purchasing one any time soon.
I have downloaded and successfully installed the sample program EVI Controller Version 1.0 from Sony, but I do not have a cable to go between the Windows 98 boxen and the camera. (I gather this is a RS232 to VISCA cable). I would like advice on how to get this cable.
I also wonder if having the cable, the software, and the camera is sufficient for me to display images on the Windows 98 box. In other words, do I need anything else??

Input from: Gordon Cameron (Gordon@thecameronclan.fsnet.co.uk)
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2003 20:06:00 +0100
Do you know anything about the Sony HVR-500 pan and tilt head? This device looks like it uses the same protocol as the EVI-D31.
I would like to be able to control this from a PC. Any help would be appreciated.

Input from: Stefan M. Strasser (strasser_1973@hotmail.com)
Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2003 15:53:32 +0100
Basically I wrote the following:
- A Java Driver API for controlling the Camera. For serial communication, the Comm API by IBM is used. The VICSA Command set is stored in an XML file allowing you to add future commands that may come with newer cameras.
- A Java Client/Server Framework for controlling the camera over SOAP/XML messages over the internet.
Based on these components I have then developped a Java Servlet, that not only controls the camera but also transmits live audio&video data over RTP UDP streams. On the other end there is the Java Client which sends the Visca XML Commands to the servlet, and receives the media streams.
I thought I make the source code for the Java Driver, the Servlet and the Client available to others.
Personally, I use the camera to track my dog at home while I'm at work... I have now started to write a Java class for Mobile devices capable of running the J2ME runtime environment.

Input from: Paulo Feliciano (paulofeliciano@mail.telepac.pt)
Date: 07-09-2003 04:23
I have a video production business and I have been using two normal camcorders to cover stage shows. I have done the mixing live with a video mixer and I also tried it in post using computer software. The fastest and easiest way is to do it on the location but this requires 2 cameramen and I have to be on the mixer (so this means 2 more people and more production costs).

I was wondering if by any chance this camcorder could work alone by using the object follow technology. Probably not, because during a show we have different people coming and leaving the stage but if it could track the person moving maybe it would work. I know that for good composition, my camcorder would be the main one but just for cutaways it could work. What do you think based on your experience with it?

Any idea?

Input from: stephenbooth@charter.net
Date: 29-01-2004 14:38
Been a while but this little note may be helpful to people.

I have 3 EVI-D30's all hooked up together with there video

output also hookup up to the same video wire going into

my system. Only one EVI is powered on at a time. I issue

power on and power off commands to individual EVI's to

be able to select which one I want to see. There is only

one serial cable which is also daisy chained to all the cam's

and are addressed but the channel number on the back.

Just a simple way to have multiple cam's on one video channel.

Input from: barakas@clientes.euskaltel.es
Date: 25-02-2004 16:09
I´m a student from spain and i´m interested in finding the drivers for EVI-D31 camera which could let me work with it under windows xp, I would be grateful if you could send me these drivers or if you could tell me where i can find them.

Input from: Philippe (gladieux@physionom.com)
Date: 02-03-2004 12:18
I’m working with MAX/MSP www.cycling74.com and need to build in C++ a max object to pilot EVI cam throught serial cable.
Do you have the source code in C++ under win XP for a serial visca control?

Input from: Michael Masquith (barkinbeaver@barkinbeaver.com)
Date: 04-03-2004 18:50

If you have a few moments, I'd sure appreciate if you could apply your obviously considerable expertise to a few questions:

Is there a large difference between the EVI-D31 and the EVI-D100? (especially in the area of VISCA control).
Is there any (preferably commercial grade) software out there to control multiple D100 cameras via a computer?
If yes to previous question, what hardware is needed to connect 3 D100s to said computer?

I work with a company doing webcasts, and we have three D100 cameras. We currently control them with a Telemetrics box. Each camera can have 6 presets. In many instances, this isn't close to enough presets to cover the number of individual speakers at some events we've covered. The result is lots of manual zooming and panning that looks unprofessional to the viewers. I envision an app that could have a graphical representation of each camera's field of view and the ability to preset multiple targets (many more than 6), and recall them (pointing the camera) by clicking on hotspots/icons on the screen.

I am a programmer, but with Java, Javascript, Flash, and some VB. I frankly don't have time to write my own app, but will try if nothing exists.

Input from: William (waquino@bellsouth.net) 
Date: 08-03-2004 19:20
I've been doing some initial research on the Sony EVI-D30 camera, and I was hoping that you could make a recommendation or two for me.  I have the camera and the VISCA/S-Video cable, but no card to attach the camera to my computer.  Ideally, I'd like to connect it to my PC, for use as both a webcam and a home security camera.  I'd like to be able to control the camera remotely over the internet as well, but that part I may be able to figure out on my own.

Can you recommend a low-cost hardware solution that would allow me to at least control the camera with my PC, and also have it recognized by Windows XP so that it can be used with any webcam application?  For control, I imagine that I'd either need some kind of VISCA port/card, or perhaps there's some kind of RS-232C adapter or card I can use?  Thanks for the input...

Input from: Roozbeh Mottaghi (r_mottaghi@yahoo.com)
Date: 24-04-2004 00:23
I'm working in a robotic project and I'm using an
EVI-D100 camera. I want to send 30 commands to the
camera per second but the camera hangs after a while.
Would you send me an email and tell how I can overcome
this problem. I cleared buffer at the beginning of
every cycle but it didn't work and the camera didn't
move at all.

Input from: hganta@CLEMSON.EDU
Date: 11-06-2004 19:39
I'm actually need to write a program to control the motors of canon VCC4 cam on Windows XP using VC++, but I have no idea as to how to start it. Could you please suggest me how should go about doing it as I need to do it as soon as possible. I'm not able to find any groups also for it and neither any proper documentation. I shall look forward to hear from you soon.

Input from: Christian Seidler (seidler@charter.net)
Date: 30-06-2004 06:19
I am about to purchase a Sony but the 30 is hard to find and everyone tried to sell me the 70 or the 100. What concerns me is that I must have the tracking software and cannot find if it will work with these newer models. Would you be so kind as to inform me it you know if tracking software will work with these new models?

Input from: jveith@andersons.com.au
Date: 06-08-2004 04:09

I have read your D31 application home page from top to bottom and it was very interesting and informative.

I am trying to find out if there is a device that can deliver very fine motor control over the pan and tilt motors. I am attempting to move the camera in a similar motion to a human cameraman - constantly following a preacher walking back and forth across a stage, stopping and starting etc. I need to be able to have full variable speed control over the motors, so that I can start at a crawl and speed up and slow down smoothly as the person moves - and instantly change direction as well. It has to be smooth and gradual - not just going to position "x" and stopping. It would involve controlling pan and tilt at the same time.

I am happy to use VISCA to control zoom and focus, Although it would be good if the hardware control box does that as well.

I am aware of the Italian product EVD-RS232 from DPS Promatic and I have written to them. They could not guarantee that their product could deliver very fine control as I think it just uses the standard in-camera RS 232 commands to move the motors, and I think that just gives 2 speeds. I have not yet seem the VISCA software and so it may be possible to vary the pan speed, but a stand alone unit would be better for motor control in any case.

So.... I was thinking that wiring some sort of controller directly to the DC motors themselves and perhaps using a system of adjusting voltage as a way of controlling them - (therefore bypassing the RS232 commands). The idea being - more power, faster pan - less power, slower pan etc. In theory it should be possible to start at a crawl and vary up and down from there. In any case, if someone out there has come up with a hack like this I'd love to know about it.

Input from: (Gang Wei) gang.wei@accenture.com
Date: 27-08-2004 00:59
I am a researcher/manager at Accenture Technology Labs. We are about to launch a video surveilance project that would use a PTZ camera, and as you are an expert on this, your suggestions would be appreciated. To start with, I wanted to use EVI-D series PTZ camera, and need to use C/C++ program to control the PTZ functions of the camera through a computer. You provide the driver for EVI-D30, however now Sony has discontinued the EVI-D30 product. Do you know any API in C++ available, preferably for EVI-D100?

Input from: Marco Campitelli (marco.campitelli@scholzsue.de)
Date: 06-10-2004 08:59

I Work for a middle sized Firm in Weiden,Bavaria Germany and we do Quality Managment with Vision Systems.

We've been working with EVI D70 for awhile now but haven't had to programm it intensivly.

Know that we have a Customer who wants exactlly that(Programming EVI to check more than the 6 positions avalible and to work with Cordinates on the given picture).

My problem is that I can't find anything on how to Programm (in Visual Basic 6.0) EVI effectively. My college who used to programm left the Firm and left me with nothing.

I would be very greatful for Help from sites, examples ect.

Input from: Leonard Sathish (leo@careersindia.com)
Date: 07-10-2004 12:55
I just need your guidance. i'm developing an web application using asp. in that i'm using creative web cam to take a snap and then i am attaching that photo to my application.I want to control the snaping and saving the file through my applications is there any ActiveX control is there or how can i proceed further or is it possible to do like this...


Input from: Larisa Sitorus (larisa@itproducts.sdu.dk)
Date: 31-10-2004 15:28
We are students at the University of Southern Denmark currently studying at 
the IT Product Design program.  We came across your work with the EVI-D31 Sony 
camera on the Internet. We are wondering if any of the programs can be used 
for java programming? Specifically for the zoom in and out function. We are 
currently working on a design concept that might need some programming of this 
camera.  We are using Javelin stamp as our main processor.  Could you help us?

Input from: tmcdade@mindspring.com
Date: 08-11-2004 03:37
How are you! I just happened to come across a Sony EV-D30 - I was attempting to hook it up to the PC and check it out just for fun and seem to be having some difficulty getting it to work.
I am attached it to a make shift server I have running Windows 2003 Server Std.
Its got an ATI Radeon VE video card 32MB or 64MB model, plently of Harddrive space.
I downloaded the controller software from Sony for the camera. When I kick the software off I get an error indicating that it couldn't find the capture device - please check your connection and try again. All the connections are in order. I'm thinking that I missing a driver for 2003 perhaps....

Input from: admin@weinerd.com
Date: 29-12-2004 19:16

We have an existing website (hosted off site) that I work on. The idea was to mount a PTZ cam to the wall and let our web-based customers look around the showroom. When they are ready to purchase, we would move a refurbed game closer to the camera for them to inspect the cabinet for anything that they are specifically looking for. For example, our pinball customers like to see that there isnt wear on the playfield near the flippers.
We are now just emailing our customers digital pictures but we thought a webcam would allow a nice interactivity that our
competitors dont have. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Input from: katiekins_17@hotmail.com
Date: 26-02-2005 18:53
Hi, i have been using the EVI-D30 for months, but when i unhooked it from the PC and tried to hook it up later on it would not work properly. The color on it is all black and white... is there anyways i can fix this. Any information would be great about this... Like the settings it should be on and so on... Thank you!

Input from: Paolo Napoletano (pnapoletano@unisa.it)
Date: 18-04-2005 15:52

i'm starting to use the EVI d-31 sony pan tilt camera.

I have a Micorsoft Pc connected to the Sony camera.

I would to receive the frames from the camera on PC and process the frames. After some processing i would to send to the camera specific pan tilt signals. I know about the visca protocol, but the question is : Is all that i have described possible in Java?

Input from: Ray Hardy (rjhardy@starnett.com)
Date: 28-04-2005 22:09

I have have just been given two Sony EVI D31 cameras one of which I would like to use as an ordinary webcam - is this at all possible ? and if so what drivers do I need to make this possible.

Input from: Jeff Kamper (JKAMPER1@mhc.net)
Date: 01-06-2005 19:35

Just wanted to let you know that Sony has come out with a new controller for their EVI series of cameras.

It controls via rs-422 or rs-232. It works well.

I got most my info from the sony website itself. It is also listed for sale at bhphotovideo.com

Just do a search for RM-BR300.

Input from: Don Warren (don@warrentech.com)
Date: 16-06-2005 18:51

I want to locate at least four Sony EVI-D30 cameras in our sanctuary and also control two Canon VC-C4 cameras in a live production manner. I want to semi automate the recording process so that the church youth can take charge of the process and take video recordings home to the shut-in folks of the congregation. It would also get used for weddings and concerts etc. I have a vidionics pro switcher but only IR handheld remote control of the cameras. I am wanting to have two modes of operations wherein one could control the cameras with a manual joystick with a very smooth and slow PTZ functions. The semi automatic mode would be PC based and operate at the input of an operator to focus on a "scene" such as the altar or pulpit or choir and have the cameras sequence programmed to give various views of the "scene" or stop on one scene and resume until prompted to move to another scene or be overridden by the manual control. There are only about 10 different scenes for a standard service and another 6 for weddings. I know that the two cameras require different asci code and that the Cannon has a higher magnification. I have only four inputs on the Videonics. I want to record the event in real time and in two formats, VCR and CD/DVD. I plan to integrate lighting control via X10 to focus on the appropriate scene when selected. Eventually X10 scene input to the PC could be controlled from the pulpit if we run out of willing youth to manage the process. I realize this is an aggressive project and I have the cameras and titlemaker and switcher. Someday I would like to do a live webcast of the services. I am familiar with DPS promatic that can only work with 3 cameras and Telemetric. I would like to keep as much control with the PC as possible but almost have it working in foreground for recording and background for setting up the next camera in the que if it is not in the preset scene sequence. Is there any software that will come close to what I am trying to accomplish? and if so what hardware is also needed?

I have reviewed the Yahoo user group web site and found lots of questions and not many answers. The security monitoring industry has 16 camera input cards that can do 30fps for thee or four cameras concurrently but quality and control may be a bit crude for this application.

Input from: Martin Smith (m.g.s@blueyonder.co.uk)
Date: 22-06-2005 13:24
I have bought a sony evi-d31 in a job lot of electronics goods but I know nothing about it. All I have is the main camera unit and the mains transformer/lead. Could you tell me if it needs other bits to function?
I tried it thru a television and it's picture is great but the camera doesn't move on it's base. Should it automatically move, following any motion it senses? Perhaps this is broken...
I also wonder what it's value is?

Input from: Mark (mtweats@uua.com.au)
Date: 22-09-2005 09:12
I am looking at passing the image through a Desktop PC using S-Vidio, is there a driver for this camera (operating system Windows 2000)

Input from: Ray Keyzer (Raymond.Keyzer@us.pilkington.com)
Date: 19-12-2005 17:46
I currently own the Sony EVI-D30. I want a smoother pan and tilt. I am using it in a church setting. It is wall mounted with an infrared line running to the booth.

Input from: ellemiller8@hotmail.com
Date: 15-01-2006 02:26
I would like to use the Sony EVI-D30 as a webcam, but I am a little lost as to how to do this. Do I need a different video capture card? I currently have an ATI 9600 and it looks like it does not have and S video in, only out. Some people have recomended the Dazzle video adapter and an Osprey 210 capture card. Will either of these work with this camera? Any help would be very appreciated!!!

Input from: chuk@chuktech.net
Date: 19-01-2006 19:15
I've certainly got a lot of usefull info from your site. Since many of the links to software/drivers on your site are outdated, I've put up my recent work to share. I just started this yesterday, so there is some work to do. But I'll put it up now to see if there is still interest in this.
I wrote a Windows command line app to send Visca commands through the serial port. It currently supports basic movement at full speed and includes a command to delay. So a single command line can contain a small 'script' of commands, processed in order with delays as needed. Source will be available when I get some more functions in there.
Command Line app: http://www.chuktech.net/video/ViscaCmd/ViscaCmd.exe
This and other Visca related links at: http://www.chuktech.net/video.html

Input from: peter.bielski@gmail.com
Date: 05-02-2006 15:24
I've got EVI-G21 camera but without any control hardware and I was trying to find any software / drivers for this cam but without any
results. It has been working on MagicLook lately. Is there any other software ( for win xp) that will be able to work with EVI-G21?

Input from: tech@fbcregina.ca
Date: 28-02-2006 17:27
I came across your site about a year ago and was impressed with the fact that this camera was used to record church services. This started my journey down the road to try out using remote cameras instead of having operators for each camera to reocrd a service. I managed to buy two Sony EVI-30
cameras last year off of Ebay and just this last month one more. Right now we are using one camera to record the service and in the future we will install the other two cameras once we get the video switcher in place. The only thing that is holding me back in getting the other two cameras installed is that I’m not sure which way we should proceed in controlling the cameras, should we go with all PC control software or go to a joy stick arrangement product such as SONY RM-BR300 which is a great deal off money. I need to find out if the EVI-D30/D31 Control Software via RS-232C/VISCA “Two sample programs provided by Sony” will be able to control three cameras via one com port via the VISCA.
Does any one know if this will work? I know if I use the seconded com port on the computer I can open a second instance of the Control Software. Because must computers have only 2 com ports this rules out the installation of the third camera. Unless someone knows any other why?

Input from: katiekins_17@hotmail.com
Date: 26-02-2006 18:50
Hi there, i have a question about the color on the camera... I have used it before and i unhooked it from one PC then hooked it up to another... But when i hooked it up to the new pc the color was black and white and could not be adjusted... is there anyway you can tell me the ways i can fix this... Just the settings i should have it on... I'm guessing when you unhook it, it must go back to some sort of default that might make this happen. Any information would be great!

Input from: LapierreB@Darden.virginia.edu
Date: 14-03-2006 21:55
Hello my name is Bruno, I worked for myself when I don’t work on week end.
I do have a lot of project and one of them is to add a fourth camera for council ‘s chamber of Charlottesville.
They purchase a Canon VC-C4 (PTZ) pan tilt and Zoom. This unit use a Visca Protol which is the same as the RS 232 protocol.
The distance between the camera and the CPU is more then 120 Ft which create problem of transmission.
Question 1 I would like to convert RS 232 to RS 422 ( balanced ) from the Camera and at the arrival to CPU down converted to RS 422 to RS232 to com1 of the CPU.
Question 2 Do you know another way to allow those machines to communicate so far to each other?

Input from: rxu@csu.edu.au
Date: 30-03-2006 05:50
This is Richard, I am a computer vision researcher, started working on robotic cameras
I know it's EVI-D31 is pretty old, but that's the only machine I manage to find from Uni's ware house.
I am wondering, if anybody is kind enough to send me the source code for controlling this beast. Hopefully in VC++, or C++ or C.

Input from: yuvaltwig@yahoo.com
Date: 31-03-2006 23:17
i saw your site, and couldn't find any working link for a c++ source code for controlling the camera , do you have one ?
Also, do you know if there is difference between command structure of the evi-d100 and evi-d70 ?

Input from: Bruce L. Poulter (blpoulter@t6b.com)
Date: 13-08-2006 04:21
I am in the process of picking up a few used Sony EVI-d30 cameras for our church. We have been using a small hand held Sony digital (on tripod) to record our services to a DVD recorder with hard-drive. Would like to up grade and add a few cameras, and have remote camera control, and have a video mixer so we can go from camera to camera on our final send to the recorder. Will the EVI-D30 work in that application ok.   Any suggestions on the set-up and source for economical camera control and mix?

Input from: *********************************@me.freeserve.com
Date: 02-09-2006 18:08
First of all thanks for producing a page concerning everything EVI-D30/31. It is really interesting reading all about the vast and varied applications that this little camera can be used for. so, I hope you don't mind if I tell you how I use mine. A short while ago I had the idea of creating some kind of in-car mobile surveillance system, and began experimenting with different dash-mounted cameras, all of these worked reasonably well but as they were all of the fixed variety, I was stuck with a camera that was facing forward all the time, this is OK when you're traveling with someone who can make adjustments as to the direction of the camera manually, but, obviously, when traveling alone you need both hands on the wheel ....Enter the EVI-D31 PTZ. After devising a centrally mounted stand and platform for both camera and recording device...an ARCHOS 100Gb PVR and fixing the remote commander of the camera vertically to the dash I can now control the camera's position at the touch of a button giving me full control of all pan tilt and zoom functions. I was so happy with this that I now use the camera every time I use the car and find that it has a certain usefulness in providing personal security when out on the road.

Input from: Harlan Garbe (hpgarbe@charter.net)
Date: 19-10-2006 04:12
I am a self-employed electronics technician and have installed this camera at our church and two others for recording services.I use a "remote extender" so the camera operator can sit most anywhere to control the camera via the hand held remote. Right now I have a situation where we may want to send a video signal to another location besides the VCR/monitor used to make recordings.
My questions are:
1) Can a person use the composite video output and the S video output at the same time to
get a picture to two devices at the same time?
2) Is there going to be an appreciable difference in picture quality when using the S video compared to the composite video if displaying the image on a large screen plasma/lcd display or a video projector?   This would be used to display the camera's output in an "overflow" area.
If the S video cable has to be approx 100' long, will this still give a good picture.. we have used the composite video via RG59 coax and it is good but wondering if it would be enough better with S video to be worth the effort of running a new cable etc.

Input from: John & Harriet Stapp <jhstapp@bellsouth.net>
Date: 13-11-2006 00:44
I recently installed 2 D70 cameras in my church and I am controlling with the RM BR300 controller using the daisy chain configuration. Can I add a D30 as my third camera and control with the others.

Input from: briank3@verizon.net
Date: 26-02-2007 18:57
Greetings and thank you for your web site.   I m using the D30, on the bottom of the camera is a switch maked- I F on/off - what does this switch do. I can't find any infomation in the manual? Also my image is yellow, can this be corrected?

Thomas Moeslund's EVI-D30/D31 SONY Camera Application home page

Names & Applications

Thomas Moeslund's
EVI-D30/D31 SONY Camera Application home page