Preset Camera Positions

Setting and Calling Presets

Presets let you save commonly used camera positions and recall them when needed. On the SimplTrack3, each preset stores the camera’s pan, tilt, zoom, and focus settings as they were when the preset was saved. Other image settings are not saved as part of the preset.

Before You Begin

tip

Set the room lighting to the conditions you expect to use during production. Changing the lighting after creating your presets may affect exposure, white balance, and the consistency between shots.

You can choose any number between 0 and 254 for your presets. However, the SimplTrack3 has specific settings tied to preset 0, and preset 1.

important

We strongly recommend establishing presets 0 and 1 according to their intended functions before saving any additional presets.

What Does Preset Zero Do?

Preset 0 Affects the Home Position

• PTZOptics cameras, including the SimplTrack3, have a factory default Home Position. For most PTZOptics camera models, the factory default home position cannot be changed.
• The SimplTrack3 is unique in that it allows you to redefine its home position by saving preset 0.
• When preset 0 is saved, pressing the [HOME] button on the IR remote or selecting the home position in the Web UI will return the camera to the position saved at preset 0.
• Users can configure the SimplTrack3's automation settings to use preset 0 as the starting location for auto-tracking, the location it returns to after tracking, and to configure other automated behaviors.

warning

Please Enable the Tilt While Tracking feature in the Web UI if you want the camera to automatically adjust its tilt angle during tracking. If this feature is not enabled, the camera will use the default height established in preset 0. This can produce unexpected framing.

What Does Preset One Do?

Preset 1 Functions Like All Other Presets with One Exception

The SimplTrack3 lets you configure the camera's zoom level during auto-tracking by enabling the Zoom While Tracking setting in the Web UI under Automation Settings tab. It provides a zoom range from 0 to 7, with 0 being the widest view and 7 being the most zoomed-in view while tracking.

warning

We strongly recommend enabling Zoom While Tracking. If Zoom While Tracking is not enabled, the camera will default to the zoom level saved in preset 1, which may result in unexpected framing during tracking.

Apart from this, preset 1 functions like any other preset. You can save a specific camera position to it, allowing you to quickly return to that position when needed.

Step 1: Save Your First Preset

Now that we understand the importance and functionality of presets 0 and 1, let's proceed to saving a preset.

Using the SimplTrack3 Web UI (Recommended)

1. Open the SimplTrack3 Web UI and locate the live preview and PTZ controls.
2. Zoom out to a wide view of the room.
3. Pan and tilt the camera toward the center of the primary shooting area.
4. Adjust the camera's focus setting as needed.
5. Find the Preset Control section in the top-right corner. Enter 1 in the preset number field and click Set.
6. To confirm the preset was saved correctly, move the camera to a different position, then recall preset 1 either by clicking the Preset 1 button or entering 1 in the preset number field and clicking Call.

Using the IR Remote

If you do not have access to the SimplTrack3 Web UI, you can establish Preset 1 with the IR remote:

1. Use the arrow and zoom buttons to create a wide, centered view of the primary shooting area.
2. Adjust the camera's focus setting as needed.
3. Press [1] followed by [SET] to save the position and focus settings.
4. Press [1] followed by [CALL] to recall Preset 1 and confirm that the camera returns to the expected position and focus settings.

Match the image, not necessarily the settings

Different areas of a room may require different exposure or color settings. The settings do not need to be identical across every preset. The resulting images should look consistent when switching between shots.

For easier comparison, monitor every shot on the same display. You can also capture a reference image of Preset 0 or compare the shots in production software such as OBS or vMix.

warning

Saving a preset to an occupied number replaces the previously stored shot.

Step 2: Calling Presets

Using the SimplTrack3 Web UI

1. Locate the Preset Control section.
2. Enter the preset number you want to recall. 3. Click Call to recall the selected preset.

Using the IR Remote

Press the desired number button to recall the corresponding preset, followed by [CALL].

Using a PTZ Controller

Select the preset number and use the controller's preset-call command. The exact procedure varies by controller, so refer to the controller's documentation for the correct button sequence.

note

The SimplTrack3 Web UI and compatible PTZ controllers can access preset numbers beyond the ten presets available directly from the IR remote.

Clearing Presets

Clearing Presets with the SimplTrack3 Web UI

The SimplTrack3 Web UI does not include a dedicated clear preset button. To replace a saved preset, move the camera to a new position and save that shot to the same preset number.

Clearing Presets with the IR Remote

To clear presets using the IR remote, follow the steps below. The procedure is similar for both individual presets and clearing all presets, with the difference being the number of times you press the [CLEAR] button.

Clearing an Individual Preset

1. Press [CLEAR].
2. Press the number of the preset you want to clear.

Clear All Presets

1. Press [CLEAR].
2. Press [CLEAR] again.

warning

Clearing all presets cannot be undone. Confirm that you no longer need any of the saved camera positions before clearing them.