Marshall CV630 PTZ
PTZ cameras are a staple in many churches for a good reason. They are usually affordable, easy to use, and often one person can control multiple cameras. When it comes to volunteer-based church productions, they are simply an excellent bang for the buck.
Many recent advancements in camera technology are starting to filter down to PTZ cameras like 4K and NDI, both of which are available on the Marshall PTZ, the CV630. It comes in two different control/delivery options, NDI or IP, and is also available in either black or white, so you can get the model that best matches your aesthetic.
Tech Specs
Featuring an 8-megapixel 1/2.5" sensor, the CV630 can capture up to Ultra-HD 3840x2160p video. Of course, it also supports the lower 1080 and 720 HD formats. A multi-position dial on the unit's base selects the resolution and frame rate. The lens in front of that sensor has a massive 30x optical zoom, which works out to 4.6-135mm 35mm equivalent. This is an enormous amount of lens to put on a PTZ, giving the camera a nearly 70-degree angle of view at its widest point. As with most PTZs, it can be mounted in many configurations, including upside-down, with an extensive range of motion at 340° pan and 120° tilt.
This is an excellent option for small churches because it doesn’t require an entire production suite.
The other specs include interesting things, like; SDI, HDMI, and IP simultaneous outputs, which is an option more and more PTZs are offering. This gives users remarkable flexibility for routing video to multiple locations without needing external gear. For example, use the SDI feed for your in-room IMAG and the HDMI feed for a direct send to an overflow room.
It’s powered over standard 12v DC or PoE+. The PoE+ is a big deal because control, signal, and power can all come over a single ethernet cable. Alternatively, it has control via multiple options: IR remote, networked video management software (VMS), RS-232/ RS-422 with support for Visca, Visca over IP, Pelco, and Onvif platforms. Those control protocols are available through multiple connection types, including; 8-pin Mini DIN for RS 242, a 9-pin Phoenix connector for RS 422, and RJ-45 for the NDI and software controls. According to the spec sheet, one camera can receive control from multiple methods meaning there is some opportunity for built-in redundancy.
The CV630 also supports a simply insane number of IP delivery formats: SRT, UDP, DHCP, MPEG-TS, RTSP, RTP, RTMP, RTMPS, DNS, HTTP, HTTPS, IPv4, NTP, TCP, 802.1X, giving you the option to do things like stream directly to Facebook Live, YouTube, or your content delivery service of choice. This is an excellent option for small churches because it doesn’t require an entire production suite. Along those same lines, when it needs to be used standalone, there is a 3.5mm audio input (mic or line level) for embedding stereo audio into the video stream, so your online video doesn’t have to sound terrible.
Simultaneous vs Sequential Motors
One of the prominent features mentioned on the spec sheet is the simultaneous PTZ motors, enabling the camera to perform simultaneous 4D motion (pan, tilt, zoom, and focus). This is impressive, and something customers need to need to pay more attention to. Some PTZs have motors that will only operate sequentially, meaning when you recall a preset or try to perform a multidirectional move, the camera prioritizes one motion over another. This is especially true of cameras in the budget range. The result is slower position recalls because the motors move in sequence rather than simultaneously. Also, it makes more complicated moves impossible because, for instance, once you start zooming, the pan motor stops. According to the spec sheet, this shouldn’t happen with the CV630 giving it a leg up on many other PTZs in its price range.
The price difference in the NDI vs. the IP is only $200. If you don’t need NDI, it’s a cost-saving, but a $200 investment in future-proofing equipment seems like a solid investment.
One of the options not mentioned on the spec sheet was an OBS Studio plugin; I will assume this is for control. If so, this feature should have been highlighted more; with the proliferation of OBS in the churches, being able to control cameras from there natively is a value proposition worth emphasizing. They may have buried the lead on that, mainly because OBS is the type of software churches like best, free.
Another notable feature is that the front of the lens seems square, but is set in a cylindrical housing. This gives it the look of an anamorphic lens from the outside. This must be a simple cosmetic choice because there is no mention of an anamorphic lens anywhere in the documentation I could find.
From the functional/decorative side, the front of the camera features a large tally light, and the base has two small status lights. The status lights are essential on PTZs when it comes time to troubleshoot; often, that information alone can solve your problem.
Also, I noticed that the CV630 has a wide base, and the connectors are well spread out over the back of the base. Considering how many connectors are available, giving each a little space is a detail I appreciate. Also, the base appears flat on the back, so there is no lip to obstruct the connectors.
The Marshall CV630 PTZ cameras appear to be solid option on paper with a retail price of $2699 for the NDI version and $2449 for the IP-only version. We look forward to evaluating them soon.
