🎥 VISCA PTZ Web Controller

A modern, responsive Web-based controller for VISCA PTZ cameras with full Gamepad (Joystick) support.

Designed for smooth, broadcast-style control via browser, supporting both TCP (IP VISCA) and Serial (RS-232) connections.

---

✨ Features

• 🎮 Analog Gamepad Control
  • Smooth pan/tilt with exponential curve
  • Instant direction change (no stop glitch)
  • Adjustable deadzone
• 🔍 Proportional Zoom Control
  • Trigger-based analog zoom
  • Proper zoom stop detection
• 🎯 Raw VISCA Motion Engine
  • Independent pan & tilt direction control
  • Direct speed override
• 🌐 Web-Based Interface
  • Works from any device on the network
  • Touch and mouse friendly
• 🔌 Dual Connection Support
  • TCP/IP (VISCA over IP)
  • Serial (RS-232)
• ⚡ Low-Latency Real-Time Control
  • WebSocket-based communication
  • Optimized command deduplication

---

📸 Interface Overview

            Main Control Interface

---

Web-based PTZ Control Panel with Gamepad Support

---

🛠️ Requirements

• Python 3.8+
• A VISCA-compatible PTZ camera
• One of:
  • Serial connection (USB to RS-232 adapter)
  • VISCA over IP support

---

🚀 Installation

1️⃣ Clone the Repository

git clone https://github.com/simoneluconi/visca-ptz-web-controller.git
cd visca-ptz-web-controller

2️⃣ Create Virtual Environment (Recommended)

python -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate  # Windows: venv\Scripts\activate

3️⃣ Install Dependencies

pip install -r requirements.txt

---

▶️ Running the Application

python app.py

Then open:

http://localhost:5000

Or from another device:

http://YOUR_PC_IP:5000

---

🎮 Gamepad Controls

Control Function

---

Left Stick Pan / Tilt (Analog) RT (R2) Zoom In LT (L2) Zoom Out D-Pad Up/Down Focus Near/Far A Button Emergency Stop Y Button Auto Focus

Movement Engine

The system uses:

• Exponential sensitivity curve (EXPO)
• Deadzone filtering
• Continuous move_raw VISCA commands
• Direction-based motion control

This allows:

✔ Instant direction reversal
✔ No jitter at center crossing
✔ Smooth slow movements
✔ Broadcast-style responsiveness

---

⚙️ Configuration

You can modify sensitivity directly in index.html:

const DEADZONE = 0.10;
const EXPO = 1.8;
const MAX_PAN = 24;
const MAX_TILT = 20;

---

📂 Project Structure

visca-ptz-web-controller/
├── app.py              # Flask backend + VISCA engine
├── requirements.txt    # Python dependencies
├── templates/
│   └── index.html      # Frontend (HTML + JS + Gamepad logic)

---

🔧 Supported Commands

• Pan / Tilt (Raw Direction Control)
• Zoom (Variable Speed)
• Focus (Auto / Manual / Near / Far)
• Iris Control
• Gain Control
• White Balance
• IR Remote Enable/Disable
• LED Control

---

🧠 How It Works

The backend:

• Wraps VISCA commands in correct header/footer format
• Supports both Serial and TCP sockets
• Sends optimized packets only when motion changes

The frontend:

• Reads Gamepad API
• Applies exponential smoothing
• Sends WebSocket commands in real time

---

🌍 Deployment Ideas

• Run on Raspberry Pi
• Install as Docker container
• Deploy behind Nginx reverse proxy
• Use on tablet as wireless PTZ controller

---

📜 License

MIT License

---

💡 Future Improvements

• Adjustable sensitivity via UI
• Multi-camera preset switching
• Rate limiting for serial stability
• Motion smoothing filter
• Camera position feedback (if supported)

---

👤 Author

Created by Simone Luconi
Industrial automation & software development enthusiast
Specialized in IoT, AI integration, and intelligent control systems.

---

If you found this useful, consider starring the repository ⭐