skoopia block cameras as well as skoopia board cameras support the VISCA protocol. VISCA offers operators / users of the camera systems to control, manage and determine status of multiple cameras.
All of skoopia's board and block cameras supporting SDI and/or LVDS support the VISCA protocol as well as the Pelco-D protocol. Despite the ease of Pelco-D, skoopia cameras are typically used in a setting in which operator efficiency and effectiveness is required. Over 99% of camera implementations (using skoopia board or block cameras) are using the VISCA as this offers more flexibility (significantly more direct commands) and control (VISCA has a back channel, indicating the message is received and handled, and even offers inquiry commands to determine the factual status of the camera for each parameter.
skoopia block cameras as well as board cameras offer unique VISCA commands for specific application purposes, such as:
Set AreaAutoExpose
Set Iris Min/Max
Set Shutter Min/Max
Focus Data
Block command
next to options that are typically not found in most VISCA cameras, such as:
Crop/Full CVBS
EX-SDI (and EX-SDI 1.0 / EX-SDI 2.0 / EX-SDI 2.1 / EX-SDI 3.0) vs. 3G-SDI / HD-SDI selection
Parallel video output selection (e.g. LVDS / SDI / CVBS output)
Strobe/Trigger commands
WDR selection (next to HLC / BLC etc.)
Contact us to find out what the purpose of such specific commands are.
The vast majority of VISCA implementations for cameras are RS-232 / UART 5.0V or UART 3.3V TTL based. A small fraction uses different transport protocols (e.g. RS-485), primarily to be compatible with Pelco-D / support both Pelco-D and VISCA.
Introduction VISCA
VISCA protocol has been introduced by Sony to allow customers to control one or more (Sony) block cameras in detail. It has become the "de facto" standard for communicating with block cameras in the industrial and medical market, outside of security applications.
VISCA is described as protocol, but has also an implementation standard of commands (Protocol = language) , implementation = factual content, >90% of content commands are derived from Sony block cameras having (near)-identical VISCA commands).
VISCA command structure
VISCA is default based on RS232 communications protocol, but also RS485 implementations of VISCA are known. The most common baudrate in VISCA is 9600 bit/s, but also 2400 bit/s (lowest), 4800 bit/s, 19200 bit/s, 38400 bit/s, 57600 bit/s and even 115200 bit/s are supported by block and/or board cameras offering VISCA commands structure (VISCA adhering ot he 8-N-1 convention).
VISCA offers no flow control typically though a DB-9 connector, but can also be on 8-Pin DIN, RJ45 and RJ11 connectors used in daisy chain configurations. Intrinsically, the VISCA command only requires 3 pins (Rx, Tx, GND).
VISCA utilizes a serial repeater network configuration in order to communicate between the command station (typically a PC or microcontroller (often referred to as device #0) and up to 7 cameras (formally called peripherals (#1 through #7). It offers daisy chaining capability, minimizing the cabling required. The VISCA message walks the wiring (daisy chain) until it reaches the target camera as selected in the VISCA (commands: 8x, x being the camera, or inquiry: 90 5x, x being the camera number). Responses then walk the rest of the way down the chain and back up again to reach the system. Specific packets can be broadcasted to all cameras.
VISCA data packet consists:
Address byte (1) message header
Typical: 8x, x being the device number, typical return message y0 with y = x+8, as in most implementations only 1 camera is present: 81 for command, 90 for return message)
Information bytes (1..14)
Terminating byte (1) 0xFF
Each VISCA data packet has a corresponding response data packet. The response to a particular packet is variable in size and may indicate an error condition. This is a major strength of VISCA, as users are informed of the situation / response of the camera on a command control or inquiry.
PELCO / PELCO-D / PELCO-C / PELCO-P
Introduction
Next to VISCA another standard (driven by security applications is the PELCO block camera standard. Although several flavours of PELCO exist (PELCO-D, PELCO-C, PELCO-P), the PELCO-D standard has been most widely adopted, and is adopted primarily in the security industry as it allows for easy PTZ (Pan, Tilt, Zoom), a key requirement in security applications using block cameras.
Pelco (Pelco-D) is typically RS-485 based, having the advantage that the signal can be transported over very long distances. The Pelco-D command set is very limited, yet allows for addressing more cameras, but just addressing primary functions. Camera configuration typically happens once, and then only basic camera modes can be adjusted (Pan/Tilt/Zoom, focus / iris).
Comparison PELCO / VISCA
Advantages VISCA Advantages Pelco-D
Significantly more commands Dedicated hardware available (e.g. joystick)
Back channel More cameras can be addressed
Inquiry commands Longer distance
Camera specific commands
Although multiple specific commands are available, the key command that often differs per camera is the addressing of the On Screen Display (OSD) menu. Whereas Pelco as standard addresses the OSD (it hereby tries to circumvent the minimum of commands available via direct commands, allowing the user to navigate the OSD structure), cameras supporting VISCA typically allow to address an OSD, but this is not seen as a standard function that should be implemented. Consequently, there are no standard VISCA commands for addressing the OSD. Naturally, the OSD is different per camera type.
VISCA implementation skoopia board cameras (21C26S /21C14S)
Underneath you find the Control and Inquiry commands for the above two cameras. VISCA commands for both cameras are identical, except when a function is not available (e.g. 21C14S has no digital zoom, 21C26S has no EX-SDI2.1 support).
Ack/completion messages
90 41 FF Returned when the command is accepted (Ack)
90 51 FF Returned when the command has been executed (completion).
Error messages
90 60 02 Returned when the command format is different or when a command with illegal command parameters is accepted.
Network Change messages
90 38 FF OK
90 38 FF Issued when power is being routed.
Command
CAM_DZoom
81 01 04 06 20 FF Tele(Variable)
81 01 04 06 30 FF Wide(Variable)
81 01 04 46 00 00 0p 0q Direct
CAM_WB
81 01 04 35 00 FF Auto
81 01 04 35 01 FF 3000K
81 01 04 35 02 FF 5000K
81 01 04 35 03 FF 8000K
81 01 04 35 04 FF Preset(OnePush)
81 01 04 35 05 FF AutoExt
CAM_Rgain
81 01 04 03 00 FF Reset
81 01 04 03 02 FF Up
81 01 04 03 03 FF Down
81 01 04 43 00 00 0p 0q FF Direct
CAM_Bgain
81 01 04 04 00 FF Reset
81 01 04 04 02 FF Up
81 01 04 04 03 FF Down
81 01 04 44 00 00 0p 0q FF Direct
CAM_AE
81 01 04 39 00 FF Auto
81 01 04 39 03 FF Manual
81 01 04 39 0E FF Flicker
CAM_AE_AreaDisp
81 01 04 40 02 FF On
81 01 04 40 03 FF Off
81 01 04 40 04 FF Area 1
81 01 04 40 05 FF Area 2
81 01 04 40 06 FF Area3
81 01 04 40 07 FF Area 4
CAM_DSS(Sens-Up)
81 01 04 5A 1p FF Direct (0-32)
CAM_Shutter
81 01 04 0A 00 FF Reset
81 01 04 0A 02 FF Up
81 01 04 0A 03 FF Down
81 01 04 4A 00 00 0p 0q FF Direct
CAM_Gain(AGC)
81 01 04 0C 00 FF Reset
81 01 04 0C 02 FF Up
81 01 04 0C 03 FF Down
81 01 04 4C 00 00 0p 0q FF Direct
CAM_Bright
81 01 04 0D 00 FF Reset
81 01 04 0D 02 FF Up
81 01 04 0D 03 FF Down
81 01 04 4D 00 00 0p 0q FF Direct
CAM_LR_Reverse
81 01 04 61 02 FF On
81 01 04 61 03 FF Off
CAM_PictureFlip
81 01 04 66 02 FF On
81 01 04 66 03 FF Off
CAM_ICR
81 01 04 01 00 FF Auto
81 01 04 01 02 FF Color
81 01 04 01 03 FF B&W
CAM_MENU
81 01 04 16 01 FF Up
81 01 04 16 02 FF Down
81 01 04 16 04 FF Left
81 01 04 16 08 FF Right
81 01 04 16 10 FF Menu
81 01 04 16 20 FF Esc
CAM_System
81 01 04 72 02 FF 1080p30
81 01 04 72 03 FF 1080p25
81 01 04 72 04 FF 1080p60
81 01 04 72 05 FF 1080p50
81 01 04 72 06 FF 720p30
81 01 04 72 07 FF 720p25
81 01 04 72 08 FF 720p60
81 01 04 72 09 FF 720p50
81 01 04 72 0A FF 1080i60
81 01 04 72 0B FF 1080i50
CAM_Backlight
81 01 04 33 02 FF Off
81 01 04 33 03 FF HLC
81 01 04 33 04 FF BLC
81 01 04 33 05 FF WDR
CAM_Stabilizer
81 01 04 34 02 FF On
81 01 04 34 03 FF Off
CAM_CrossHairDisp
81 01 04 64 02 FF On
81 01 04 64 03 FF Off
CAM_CvbsMode
81 01 04 56 02 FF Crop
81 01 04 56 03 FF Full
CAM_Baudrate
81 01 04 05 00 FF 2400
81 01 04 05 01 FF 4800
81 01 04 05 02 FF 9600
81 01 04 05 03 FF 19200
81 01 04 05 04 FF 38400
81 01 04 05 05 FF 57600
81 01 04 05 06 FF 115200
CAM_Memory
81 01 04 3F 00 00 FF Reset
81 01 04 3F 01 00 FF Set
CAM_ByHueNegative
81 01 04 6B 00 00 0p 0q FF Direct
CAM_ByHuePositive
81 01 04 6C 00 00 0p 0q FF Direct CAM_RyHueNegative
81 01 04 6D 00 00 0p 0q FF Direct
CAM_RyHuePositive
81 01 04 6E 00 00 0p 0q FF Direct
CAM_Sharpness
81 01 04 70 00 FF Reset
81 01 04 70 02 FF Up
81 01 04 70 03 FF Down
81 01 04 7E 00 00 0p 0q FF Direct
CAM_EXMode
81 01 04 80 02 FF On
81 01 04 80 03 FF Off
CAM_ShutterGainDisp
81 01 04 82 02 FF On
81 01 04 82 03 FF Off
CAM_USER_OSD
81 01 00 73 yy xx 00 "nnnnnnnnnn"FF
81 01 05 30 01 FF Clear
CAM_MemoryBlock1
81 01 04 55 0m 0n 0o 0p 0q 0r 0s 0t 0u 0v 0w 0x 0y 0z 0a FF Set(contact skoopia for details)
CAM_MemoryBlock2
81 01 04 54 0m 0n 0o 0p 0q 0r 0s 0t uu 0v 0w 0x yy 0z 0a FF Set(contact skoopia for details)
Inquiry commands
CAM_DZoomPosInq
81 09 04 46 FF 90 50 00 00 0p 0q FF
CAM_WBModeInq
81 09 04 35 FF
CAM_RGainInq
81 09 04 43 FF
CAM_BGainInq
81 09 04 44 FF
CAM_AEModeInq
81 09 04 39 FF
CAM_AEAreaInq
81 09 04 40 FF
CAM_DSSModeInq
81 09 04 5A FF
CAM_ShutterPosInq
81 09 04 4A FF
CAM_GainPosInq
81 09 04 4C FF
CAM_BrightPosInq
81 09 04 4D FF
CAM_ByHueNegativeInq
81 09 04 6B FF
CAM_ByHuePositiveInq
81 09 04 6C FF
CAM_RyHueNegativeInq
81 09 04 6D FF
CAM_RyHuePositiveInq
81 09 04 6E FF
CAM_LR_ReverseModeInq
81 09 04 61 FF
CAM_PictureFlipModeInq
81 09 04 66 FF
CAM_ICRModeInq
81 09 04 01 FF
CAM_SystemInq
81 09 04 72 FF
CAM_BackLightModeInq
81 09 04 33 FF
CAM_StabilizerModeInq
81 09 04 34 FF
CAM_VersionInq
81 09 00 02 FF
CAM_CvbsModeInq
81 09 04 56 FF
CAM_BaudRateInq
81 09 04 05 FF
CAM_SharpnessInq
81 09 04 70 FF
CAM_EXModeInq
81 09 04 80 FF
CAM_GainDispPosInq
81 09 04 82 FF
CAM_MemoryBlockInq1
81 09 04 55 FF
CAM_MemoryBlockInq2
81 09 04 54 FF
List of cameras supporting VISCA commands (skoopia and some competitor modules)
skoopia board cameras
skoopia 21C14S
skoopia 21C26S
skoopia 21C42S-LL
skoopia 128C42X
skoopia 20Z series
skoopia 20Z10S-NF
skoopia 20Z10L
skoopia 20Z20A
skoopia 20Z30A
skoopia 20Z30L
skoopia 20Z30S
skoopia 22Z36L-LL
skoopia 22Z36S-LL
skoopia 60Z36L-LL
skoopia 60Z36S-LL
skoopia 21Z series
skoopia 21Z10L
skoopia 21Z10S
skoopia 21Z20L
skoopia 21Z30L
skoopia 21Z30S
skoopia 21Z30S (u-fl)
skoopia 21Z36S
skoopia 23Z36L-LL
skoopia 85Z18H
Sony FCB EH series
Sony FCB-EH3150
Sony FCB-EH3310
Sony FCB-EH3410
Sony FCB-EH4300
Sony FCB-EH6300
Sony FCB-EH6500
Sony FCB EV series
Sony FCB-EV5300
Sony FCB-EV5500
Sony FCB-EV7100
Sony FCB-EV7300
Sony FCB-EV7320
Sony FCB-EV7500
Sony FCB-EV7520
Sony FCB-EV7520A
Sony FCB EX series
Sony FCB-EX1000C
Sony FCB-EX1000CP
Sony FCB-EX1010D
Sony FCB-EX1010DP
Sony FCB-EX1020
Sony FCB-EX1020P
Sony FCB-EX11D
Sony FCB-EX11DP
Sony FCB-EX12E
Sony FCB-EX12EP
Sony FCB-EX15E
Sony FCB-EX15EP
Sony FCB-EX20D
Sony FCB-EX20DP
Sony FCB-EX2200
Sony FCB-EX2200P
Sony FCB-EX2400
Sony FCB-EX2400P
Sony FCB-EX2700
Sony FCB-EX2700P
Sony FCB-EX45A
Sony FCB-EX45AP
Sony FCB-EX45B
Sony FCB-EX45BP
Sony FCB-EX45C
Sony FCB-EX45CP
Sony FCB-EX480A
Sony FCB-EX480AP
Sony FCB-EX480B
Sony FCB-EX480BP
Sony FCB-EX480C
Sony FCB-EX480CP
Sony FCB-EX48A
Sony FCB-EX48AP
Sony FCB-EX48B
Sony FCB-EX48BP
Sony FCB-EX48C
Sony FCB-EX48CP
Sony FCB-EX48E
Sony FCB-EX48EP
Sony FCB-EX490D
Sony FCB-EX490DP
Sony FCB-EX490E
Sony FCB-EX490EP
Sony FCB-EX780B
Sony FCB-EX780BP
Sony FCB-EX78B
Sony FCB-EX78BP
Sony FCB-EX980
Sony FCB-EX980P
Sony FCB-EX980S
Sony FCB-EX980SP
Sony FCB-EX985E
Sony FCB-EX985EP
Sony FCB-EX990D
Sony FCB-EX990DP
Sony FCB-EX995E
Sony FCB-EX995EP
Sony FCB H series
Sony FCB-H10
Sony FCB-H11
Sony FCB IX series
Sony FCB-IX11A
Sony FCB-IX11AP
Sony FCB-IX45A
Sony FCB-IX45AP
Sony FCB-IX45C
Sony FCB-IX45CP
Sony FCB-IX47A
Sony FCB-IX47AP
Sony FCB-IX47C
Sony FCB-IX47CP
Sony FCB P series
Sony FCB-PV10
Sony FCB-PV480
Sony FCB SE series
Sony FCB-SE600
Tamron block camera
Tamron MP1010M-VC
Tamron MP1110M-VC
Hitachi DI-S series block camera
Hitachi DI-SC210
Hitachi DI-SC110
Hitachi DI-SC211
Hitachi DI-SC233
Hitachi DI-SC231
Hitachi DI-SC120R
Hitachi DI-SC132
Hitachi DI-SC116
Hitachi DI-SC121
Hitachi VK-series block camera
Hitachi VK-U114R
Hitachi VK-U114ER
Hitachi VK-U174
Hitachi VK-S214R
Hitachi VK-S214ER
Hitachi VK-S274R
Hitachi VK-S274ER
Hitachi VK-S454N
Hitachi VK-S454EN
Hitachi VK-P554
Hitachi VK-P554E
Hitachi VK-S654N
Hitachi VK-S654EN
Hitachi VK-S665N
Hitachi VK-S665EN
Hitachi VK-S888N
Hitachi VK-S888EN
Hitachi VK-S858N
Hitachi VK-S858EN
HItachi VK-S274R
HItachi VK-S274ER
Hitachi VK-S634N
Hitachi VK-S634EN
Hitachi VK-S654R
Hitachi VK-S654ER
Hitachi VK-S454R
Hitachi VK-S454ER
Hitachi VK-S655N
Hitachi VK-S655EN