Telescope Reviews: Computer Control of Video Cameras

For any of you who wanted to control your cameras remotely from a computer or any device with a serial interface (be it rs232, rs485, 422 or just USB) , here are some control codes for Pelco-D cameras.
Important, all codes assume camera ID is set to 1 .
All codes are hex.

FF 01 02 00 00 00 03 - this opens the camera OSD menu and is also the code for the ENTER , OK or SELECT

FF 01 00 08 00 20 29 - UP button

FF 01 00 02 20 00 23 - RIGHT button

FF 01 00 10 00 20 31 - DOWN

FF 01 00 04 20 00 25 - LEFT

The Pelco-D protocol is sort of messy and there are multiple ways to accomplish the same commands. The above are just a small part.

If your camera is controlled by a different protocol, I found a piece of software that has multi protocol compatibility (Pelco-D , Pelco-P, Sony, various Samsung , Bosch , Linlin etc) :

http://www.serialporttool.com/PTZ.htm

This has the capability of software programmable buttons so you can assign them for functions you use frequently for astro video.