Iris, Shutter etc Feedback - Request

[issic]

It is possible to get these feedbacks from cameras? We have four cameras and would love to know their settings in Companion, especially shutter and iris for manual control.

AM_ShutterPosInq 8x 09 04 4A FF y0 50 00 00 0p 0q FF pq:Shutter Position CAM_IrisPosInq 8x 09 04 4B FF y0 50 00 00 0p 0q FF pq:Iris Position CAM_GainPosInq 8x 09 04 4C FF y0 50 00 00 0p 0q FF pq:Gain Position CAM_BrightPosInq 8x 09 04 4D FF y0 50 00 00 0p 0q FF pq:Bright Position CAM_ApertureInq 8x 09 04 42 FF y0 50 00 00 0p 0q FF pq:Aperture Gain

All these will be handy as feedback from cameras: VISCA - Standby On/Off CAM_PowerInq Focus - Automatic Focus Sensitivity AF SensitivityInq Focus - Position CAM_FocusPosInq Exposure - Bright Level CAM_BrightPosInq Exposure - Exposure Compensation Level CAM_ExpCompPosInq Exposure - Exposure Mode CAM_AEModeInq Exposure - Gain CAM_GainPosInq Exposure - Iris CAM_IrisPosInq Exposure - Shutter Speed CAM_ShutterPosInq White Balance - Blue Gain CAM_BGainInq White Balance - Red Gain CAM_RGainInq White Balance - White Balance Mode CAM_WBModeInq

[goseid]

As you know the data is there so it is possible. The challenge with the VISCA protocol when implemented according to the spec is that all the cameras respond to only one instance of the the VISCA module. For multicamera setups this is a problem.

The companion project has plans to implement special UDP handling to distribute the packet to the instance that matches the IP of the camera but the coders there have been working on higher priority stuff. Once they add those features it will become much easier to get reliable feedback from all cameras to the proper instance and it should be pretty straightforward to implement actual data from the camera.

I have a work around in mind but haven't had the time to implement it yet. I want those features badly as well.

[issic]

Well I don't understand programming. But I independently control 4 cameras with 4 modules. VISCA over IP.

As well I just installed BirdDog cameras to client and they do have this implemented in their module. Check the feedback.js

[goseid]

Sony's VISCA protocol specifies UDP communications and that is what their cameras use. Their cameras only use UDP for VISCA control and they are meant to work well with Sony's controllers which handle the UDP instances in a different way.

Other camera manufactures such as BirdDog and PTZOptics use the Sony Protocol and commands but have implemented it over either TCP or UDP. With the TCP implementation each camera instance maintains a connection with the module instance that is controlling that particular camera. For what it's worth, I do like that implementation but Sony was first to market and chose a different path.

Are you using a Sony camera? If it is and you let us know what model you are using we'll make it a priority to have the proper values in place for your particular model. Sony cameras use different codes and values for their variety of cameras although the basis is similar.

[issic]

We using some cheap Chinese cameras. Using these protocols: Camera Control Protocol (1).pdf

Would be great to have it for this :D ❤️ As we are school and I use this to teach students to operate live 4 camera chain. With it, the quality would improve on our side.

[Gerrie12345]

I would also really like to receive exposure feedback, similar to the Skaarhoy controller (https://youtu.be/OES-iCXgR_w?t=286) Has there been any clarity on potential adjustments to Companion regarding UDP to make it work with a multi-camera setup?

[goseid]

@Gerrie12345 The expanded UDP functionality has been added to Companion and I'm working now to update the Sony VISCA module to get the feedback from the cameras. Expect it in the betas in a couple of weeks and in the next release of Companion.

[goseid]

@issic we do plan a full implementation of the Sony VISCA protocol and now have the ability to get values back from the cameras reliably. All the feedback you referenced should be available in a couple of weeks.

[issic]

@goseid This is AWESOME!!! Can't wait. If you need beta tester, let me know!

[Gerrie12345]

@goseid Great, Thanks!

[Ahansssson]

Hi, when will the 2.8 version be released?

[goseid]

Release dates are difficult to predict. The priority is getting reliable information back from the camera to enable much more functionality. That required more of a re-write than just adding some functionality on. It seems like its on home stretch so hopefully within a couple of weeks. I'm focused on getting things right so it can included in the next release of Companion.

[issic]

Hey Goseid, how it's looking? The next release of 3.3.0 Companion is done, would appreciate update on what's going on. Thanks.

[goseid]

I didn't make the deadline for new features. I'm working on this in my spare time and cannot reliably predict when it'll be ready.