I am looking for info on the actual RS-485 control codes to send to my
Pelco Esprit PTZ camera to make it acurately Pan/Tilt/Zoom. 

I am using an Axis 2400 network video server, which makes it almost 
impossible to acurately control the camera. Luckily, the server makes 
it very easy to send codes directly to the camera using a CGI-type URL 
request. If I knew the right codes, I could write an app to send the codes to
control the camera.

Example answer:
"To pan left 1 degree, send the camera the following bytes 45 7D 12 xx
8F where the xx is the speed to move (0-FF)"

(BTW those are all made up)

Here is the Camera:
http://www.cctvhardware.com/esprit--integrated-pan-and-tilt-system.html

Here is the video server:
http://www.axis.com/products/cam_2400/

I know it is possible becuase this software product does it with this
same camera and server...
http://www.earthcam.net/prod_software.php

Thanks!

---

Clarification of Question by bigjosh-ga on 11 Aug 2003 19:13 PDT

It looks like all I need are the specs for the "Pelco P Protocol"
and/or the "Pelco D Protocol".

I've found a project on SourceForge that implements simple
Up/down/left/right commands, but I'd like a to see *all* the possible
commands documented.

bigjosh-ga:

Here is the information you are seeking.

I was able to find electronic copies of both the Pelco "P" and Pelco
"D" protocols at the following website:

http://www.roboticcircuits.com/Download.htm

At this website, you can download copies of
"SpeedDomeProtocol_P_08-01-03" and "SpeedDomeProtocol_D_08-01-03",
which are, respectively, the Pelco 'P' Protocol and the Pelco 'D'
Protocol. Both documents are rather old (circa 1997, it seems), but
with RS-485 command protocols, changes rarely happen once the
equipment that uses it is in the field, and when they do, backward
compatibility is almost guaranteed.

Pelco 'P' Protocol:
http://www.roboticcircuits.com/Downloads/Pelco-P_Rev2.doc

Pelco 'D' Protocol:
http://www.roboticcircuits.com/Downloads/Pelco-D.doc

Unfortunately, given the source, I cannot vouch for these documents
remaining available for download, so I recommend you grab yourself
some copies as soon as possible. As these are in .DOC format, neither
one is cached in Google.

In reading through both protocols, I believe that you will be able to
achieve the fine level of control you seek by experimenting with the
value in byte 5 (referred to as data byte 3) of the "P" protocol, or
word 5 (referred to as data 1) of the "D" protocol; this appears to be
the speed and/or duration setting for the movement controls.

-------------------
Search Strategy:

pelco "P" protocol
://www.google.com/search?q=pelco+%22p%22+protocol

(followed by a visit to the root of the returned site,
www.roboticcircuits.com)

-------------------

I hope that this information enables you to control your camera the
way you want.

Regards,

aht-ga

Regarding the Pelco Esprit ES30C/ES31C cameras, I couldn't find what
you request. As close as I could get are the following sites:
ftp://www.pelco.com/ProductManuals/
http://rock2000.com/Company/Pelco/documents/

You may need insider help.


JF

After calling thier tech support folks, I was also directed to this
page...

ftp://www.pelco.com/ServiceBulletinsTechTips/TechTips/5013043.PDF

"How to Obtain and Use Pelco Protocols"

After a few emails back and forth, they did provide me with the
updated official "D" protocol spec. This document is particulary
helpfull since it includes the "extended D" commands including "seek
to (degrees)" and "zoom to (magnification)", which are exactly what I
need.

Unfortunately, to use the "Advanced Pelco D" protocol, you must order
your camera with special firmware. Apparently this firmware can not be
retrofitted in an existing unit. :(