The PTZOptics Studio Pro was awarded the best camera and webcam at CES by both Videomaker Magazine and Twice 2023 CES Picks.
The Studio Pro was well received by video professionals and content creators alike who see the camera as a new level of quality designed for online meetings, virtual events, and the creation of live content. PTZOptics is already well known for its award-winning pan, tilt, and zoom (PTZ) cameras, but the company’s “zoom only” camera line has actually been around for quite some time. The PTZOptics ZCam cameras generally offer SDI and NDI connectivity, but the Studio Pro now brings a new level of ease of use with HDMI and USB connectivity.
Perhaps the first feature of the Studio Pro that many video professionals are drawn to is the included LED panel light. Most video users know that proper lighting on a video call or live stream is important to ensure high-quality video capture. The Studio Pro solves this issue by including an LED panel light that is powered by the camera which simplifies desk setups and cabling for busy professionals. The Studio Pro can easily be powered by USB or an ethernet connection with power over ethernet (PoE). So once the camera is ON, it can also power an LED light or other devices via a USB 2.0 connection designed for the LED panel light.
From a connectivity perspective, many video users are excited about a plug-and-play USB-C camera that is now available with such a high-quality integrated 12X optical zoom lens. The PTZOptics Studio Pro uses the same high-quality optics in the Studio Pro that they are known for in their 12X PTZ camera range. One notable difference is the addition of Time of Flight (TOF) focus capabilities which allow the Studio Pro to focus faster than previous ZCam models.
Beyond USB, the Studio Pro is ideal for multi-camera productions using HDMI video switchers such as Blackmagic ATEM Mini and Roland video switchers. Many professional video users prefer HDMI connectivity that can be switched via a hardware switcher and then converted into USB which reduces the processing burden on computers used to produce live video. The Studio Pro is ideal for HDMI video switchers with resolutions up to 1080p at 60 frames per second.
Beyond HDMI and USB, the Studio Pro also offers Network Device Interface (NDI) support. NDI is an IP connection option that allows video professionals the ability to send video over a standard network. The Studio Pro supports PoE and therefore can be connected to a network with a single ethernet cable used to power the camera, send video, and control the camera as well.
The Studio Pro also supports 3.5mm audio inputs which is ideal because it can embed that audio directly into HDMI, NDI, or USB connections. This is great for adding a shotgun microphone to the side of the camera such as a Rode microphone. Devices such as Rode microphones and tally lights can be connected to the side of the camera with additional quarter-twenty connections that have been made available.
