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Use Handheld Controllers with the PTZ

Control PTZ cameras with handheld controllers for an optimized user experience

While you have the in-Verkada Command controls available for the pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera, you can use your preferred handheld controllers for an enhanced experience. Two options are available for all PTZ cameras:

  • Third-party joysticks

  • Microsoft Xbox controllers

Connect an Xbox controller to the PTZ

Verkada has developed a customized experience specifically built for Xbox controllers. Without any configuration or button mapping required, Command users can easily control their PTZ cameras with Xbox controllers. As long as the controller is recognized as an Xbox device, it is automatically paired to your computer with the pre-configured button mapping, as shown below.

Connect your Xbox controller to MacOS

1

Connect your Xbox controller to Mac via Bluetooth. Learn more

2

Allow the web browser to read the Xbox controller inputs:

a. Go to System Preferences. b. Select Security & Privacy > select Privacy. c. Go to Input Monitoring and select your preferred web browser. d. Save your changes.

Note: The Xbox controller cannot be used when it is charging or connected via USB to an iOS computer. If you encounter any difficulties connecting the controller, contact Verkada Support.

Connect your Xbox controller to Windows

Connect your Xbox controller to Windows via Bluetooth or USB. Learn more

Required. To use Bluetooth to connect your Xbox controller to a PC, your computer must be running Windows 10 or later.

Connect a joystick to the PTZ

You can use the Vivotek AJ-001 and the Thrustmaster joystick to connect and control different joysticks to a PTZ camera.

By using a keyboard mapping software, you can customize the controls to fit their specific needs and preferences. You can use the same process with any third-party joystick.

Connect your joystick to MacOS

Vivotek AJ-001

1

Download the Joystick Mapper app from the iOS App Store.

2

Connect the AJ-001 joystick to your iOS device through a USB connection.

3

Once connected, open the Joystick Mapper app.

4

Click Add a new preset to create your customized button mapping.

​ ​Note: You should see the "1 Joystick connected" message at the bottom of your screen, as shown below. If you don’t see this message, make sure the joystick is properly connected via USB to your computer*.* ​

5

On Edit Preset:

a. Edit the preset and build your customized button mapping. b. Give the preset a name and an optional tag for easier management of your presets. c. Click Add a new bind to create a bind between the keyboard keys and joystick controls. ​

6

On Edit Preset, click Scan to create new binds.

a. Once pressed, you have a few seconds to use a joystick input (an axis or a specific button), which is automatically detected by Joystick Mapper. b. Once the input is detected, click the dropdown to associate a specific keyboard arrow key to that input. c. (Optional) Create binds for all of the joystick’s buttons and axes with Scan or manually enter the button and/or corresponding axes.

This example shows the (recommended) fully built-out mapping for a PTZ camera:

7

Once the mapping is complete, exit the dialog. Your changes are saved and updated in the home window to match the newly created preset.

8

On Joystick Mapper, check the preset box and open your PTZ camera in Command to use the joystick.

Thrustmaster HOTAS flight stick

You can follow the same steps, as outlined above, to create the joystick controls mapping for the Thrustmaster flight stick. We recommend the mapping shown in the image below. However, you can build the mapping in such a way that’s unique to each deployment, to satisfy various user preferences.

Connect your joystick to Windows

Vivotek AJ-100

1

Download the JoyToKey app from their website.

2

Connect the AJ-001 joystick to your Windows computer through a USB connection. You should get a message indicating that a USB connection was established.

3

Once connected, open the JoyToKey application.

a. In the JoyToKey window (bottom left), click Create and give the profile a name that you can recognize later (for example, "Vivotek AJ-100"). b. Click OK to save the profile.

4

Once the profile creation is confirmed, you can map any of the joystick’s buttons or axes to keyboard keys. Double-click the joystick inputs or click Edit button assignment to find the mapping configuration menu.

The following window opens separately to configure the button and axis mapping. ​

5

Using the box highlighted in yellow below, select the desired keyboard key to bind to the joystick’s input (for example, when configuring the left tilt axis, click the left arrow on the keyboard to pair the controls).

6

Once the input has been mapped, click OK.

7

Create binds for all of the joystick’s buttons and axes using the above method.

This example shows the (recommended) fully built-out mapping for a PTZ camera:

8

Once the mapping is complete, at the top, click the Options tab and click Refresh.

This saves your current profile and applies the mapping to the connected joystick. Your PTZ camera is now ready to be controlled with the joystick!

Thrustmaster HOTAS Flight Stick

You can follow the same steps, as outlined above, to create the joystick controls mapping for the Thrustmaster flight stick. We recommend the mapping shown in the image below. However, you can build the mapping that’s unique to each deployment, to satisfy various user preferences. ​

Need more help? Contact Verkada Support.

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