oXyFire Media got hands-on with Atomos’ A-Eye PTZ Controller Pro to assess its place in the corporate production workflow
Reviewers Simon Taylor, technical director, and Jay Rozanski, founder and creative director of oXyFire media
reactions and maintain consistent shots throughout a hybrid conference. We encountered a few challenges during set-up, including connecting to the Atomos A-Eye PTZ camera, which we later discovered was operating on a different IP range/subnet than anticipated. We also found that the preset menus could be more intuitive. However, these are areas where a clearer workflow could make an already promising control surface even more useful. We’d also welcome a more compact version. For our work, a smaller panel with easy access to the essential controls would be particularly appealing. POTENTIAL FOR CORPORATE AV? Overall, we can see plenty of potential in the Controller Pro for corporate productions. Its combination of physical camera control, integrated monitoring and preset functionality offers a practical way to manage PTZ cameras, particularly for smaller teams looking to keep their operating position organised. We’d like to spend more time exploring its motion-path recording, which could be useful for presentations and productions requiring repeatable camera movements. We’d also like to investigate the image-control mapping with our cameras further, as getting these adjustments working reliably from the panel would add another layer of convenience. The foundations are good: we liked the joystick, appreciated the clear screen and saw real value in having key functions in one place. With further familiarisation and testing, we’re looking forward to exploring how the Controller Pro could support our corporate AV workflow.
hen LIVE sent us the Atomos A-Eye PTZ Controller Pro to test, we were keen to explore how
it could fit into our corporate AV workflow. At oXyFire Media, we work across video production, livestreaming and multicamera broadcasts, so we’re always interested in tools for more straightforward camera operation. We initially tested the controller with an OBSBOT Tail 2 during a live music stream, looking at its connectivity, physical controls, screen and presets. One of the first things we liked was the joystick. It felt nice to use and gave us the hands-on control we want when following live action. Being able to make adjustments without navigating menus is a real benefit when you’re concentrating on getting the shot right. The built-in, seven-inch monitor was another highlight. It was clear and bright, and having a camera preview alongside the controls is useful when desk space is limited. We also liked the idea of bringing camera selection, movement and picture controls together on one surface. With support for different camera brands, the Controller Pro has the potential to work alongside the equipment we already use. DOES IT MAKE LIVE OPERATION EASIER? For us, the real value of a controller is how much easier it makes an operator’s job. The Controller Pro has several features that could prove particularly useful in corporate environments, including its ability to save and recall camera presets. Having established framings ready to go could help us move quickly between speakers, capture audience
UNDER CONTROL Benefits of Atomos’ A-Eye PTZ Controller Pro include its screen, joystick and the key functions all being in one place
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