RM-IP500

What the RM-IP500 controls

The Sony RM-IP500 is a compact desk controller for Sony PTZ cameras that connect over an IP network. A joystick handles pan and tilt, and zoom can be driven either from the joystick ring or from a separate seesaw lever, so each operator can choose the method that suits them. Three speed dials set pan-tilt, zoom and focus speed independently, which lets a camera move slowly during a lecture or quickly enough to follow a presenter across a stage.

Dedicated knobs and buttons reach camera settings without opening menus. The controller covers exposure mode, one-push white and black balance, backlight and flicker compensation, colour bars, and adjustments for detail level, knee point, AE level, iris, gain and shutter speed. A display shows the status of iris, gain, shutter speed and zoom position.

Network capacity and set-up

A single controller can address up to 100 Sony BRC or SRG Series cameras and ILME-FR7 cameras over IP, and several models can be mixed. Up to five RM-IP500 units can share one network, so several operators can control a large camera system at the same time. If RM-IP10 units are on the same network, the combined limit across both models stays at five.

• Up to 100 IP-connected cameras across BRC, SRG and ILME-FR7 models
• Up to seven BRC or SRG cameras over RS-422 serial control
• Normal, on-air and contact tally modes
• GPI I/O on a D-Sub 15-pin connector for tally in and contact out

Most set-up is automatic. The controller assigns IP addresses to connected Sony PTZ cameras and gives each one a camera number, which saves installers from configuring every unit by hand. The LAN port detects 10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX automatically, and control can be switched between VISCA over IP and VISCA over RS-422.

Where it fits in Qatar

In a lecture theatre at Education City, a PTZ camera can be mounted at the back of the room with the RM-IP500 at the lectern. The lecturer can frame the speaker and store presets for seminars, panel discussions and recorded lectures, switching layouts quickly when the same room hosts different sessions in one day.

A corporate events team in Lusail recording a multi-camera conference can place operators at separate positions, each with an RM-IP500, to share control of the same camera group. The joystick and speed dials keep movements steady when the room is busy.

A hotel ballroom in West Bay hosting regional conferences can store stage, panel and audience shots as presets and recall them between sessions, so the room looks consistent from one event to the next.

What to plan before you order

Start with a list of your cameras, their firmware versions and the room layout. Feature availability depends on the camera model and specification, and some functions need a camera firmware update. The ILME-FR7 panel sheet is included in the carton from version 2.20, while earlier units can buy the sheet separately. Check the firmware on every camera before installation.

Power needs planning. The controller runs from 12V DC (10.8 to 13.2V DC) and draws a maximum of 7.2W with all lamps lit. Outside the US and Canada the AC power supply and cord are sold separately, so specify them with your order. We will confirm the correct supply and plug for 240 V, 50 Hz mains before installation.

The operating range is 0 to 40°C and storage is -20 to 60°C. Qatar summer temperatures can exceed 45°C outdoors, so place the controller on a desk in an air-conditioned room, not in an outdoor kiosk or beside a window in direct sun. The unit measures 306 x 159.3 x 224.1 mm, weighs approximately 2,400 g and has a Kensington lock hole.

SmartRooms Qatar offers free site surveys, so we can check cable routes and desk space before you order. Send your camera list and room plan to request a quote, and our team will reply with a quotation, usually within one working day. Purchase orders and government tenders are welcome, and the controller is covered by the manufacturer's warranty.