Can't get 2 cameras working on PTZ Serial Port Tool software

[garnet2 0]

Hi,

Has anybody been able to run more than 1 camera on Serial Port Tool's PTZ controller???

I am trying to get 2 cams on 2 different Coms (1 & 3).

Both Cams work and both Com ports work. Somehow I can't get the settings to save or assign?? The Cams are the same so the only parameter I am changing is the Com Port. When I highlight Cam 001 and make the settings it works great. I assume from their instructions that I would highlight Cam 002 and make the settings for Cam 2 which is Com Port 3. All this does is change the Com Port setting literally (globally). When I go back to Cam 001 the Com Port is 3. The settings aren't taking affect.

I can't find anything in their literature about this. When I e-mail support I get dumb responses like check the BAUD rate even though I tell them the Cams work etc. Anybody?? Must be simple... Is it a Camera address issue. These are Tandberg (Sony) Videoconferencing cameras. I have used these with Camerapad software no problem running 4 cameras etc.

[tomcctv 190]

Hi. You only need 1 com port and it's best not to use com port 1 as you will get conflict with mouse or keypads.

 

 

Have you gave each camera an address cam 1 , cam 2 in camera settings on camera ....not on software. ( might be call cam ID on Sony)

[garnet2 0]

I understand that method. It will not work with these cameras. You have to assign a particular com port. The SerialPortTool people have a section on there site that says you can assign separate com ports to cams. I can't find out anywhere specifically to do it on their site & their response is minimal.

[Fritz_Geiger 0]

You have to assign a particular com port. The SerialPortTool people have a section on there site that says you can assign separate com ports to cams. I can't find out anywhere specifically to do it on their site & their response is minimal.

 

Yes, they wrote in their FAQ that you need to run different/separate instances/copies of the program,

each with different port setting(s)/number; it can be done by documented command-line switch/parameter:

PTZController.exe -f “PathToConfigurationFile".

 

But they did not explain how to get the "ConfigurationFile".

 

However, you can find the option "Export Settings..." in the program's main menu.

The format of the saved file is XML, it can be edited with any text (not document!) editor,

or may be with HTML editor (do not know for sure, I do not use them, all my HTMLs are written by text editors...).

 

So, after exporting:

1. Rename saved "config.xml" to something like "PTZCc1.xml".

2. Copy it to "PTZCc2.xml".

3. Edit the string "COM2" in the second file

("COM2" is my setting, you may have other initial/exported port number)

to the desired port number - for example, to "COM7"

(of course, you need to specify the port that your system/computer recognise, mine COM7 is virtual/IP... well, mine COM2 too...).

4a. Edit any other strings in "PTZCc2.xml" that you want and can understand.

5. Run the 1st program instance (through command line or shortcut) -

PTZController.exe -f “c:\Program Files\Serial Port Tool\PTZ Controller 2.9\PTZCc1.xml"

(your path to configuration file may differ - your choice).

6. Run the 2nd program instance (through command line or shortcut) -

PTZController.exe -f “c:\Program Files\Serial Port Tool\PTZ Controller 2.9\PTZCc2.xml".

7...

8. PROFIT!!!

 

P. S. May be "minimal response" will "erect" after they get our money (program registration)?

The background idea: "user who need more than one port definately can pay,

and after that we will _privately_ explain everything in details".