Calling PTZ Camera Shots in vMix from a Phone or Tablet: Virtual PTZ Inputs for Church Volunteers

The idea: every shot is an input

vMix can save PTZ camera positions as virtual inputs. Instead of one input called “Camera 2,” you get inputs called “Pulpit,” “Wide,” “Piano,” and “Baptistry,” all using the same physical camera.

The key behavior: when a PTZ virtual input goes into Preview, vMix moves the camera to that position. The camera gets framed off air, and the director takes it when it’s ready.

That makes “calling shots” something a volunteer can do with a tap, from anywhere on the church network.

Setting up PTZ virtual inputs

1. Add your PTZ camera in vMix as a PTZ-capable input, following vMix’s PTZ instructions for your camera model.
2. Frame a shot using vMix’s PTZ controls.
3. Create a virtual input for that position and name it plainly: “Pulpit,” “Wide,” “Band.”
4. Repeat for each regular shot, on each camera.
5. Test the moves: put each virtual input into Preview and make sure the camera lands where you expect.

(For camera networking and setup, see PTZ camera setup for churches and why we recommend NDI PTZ cameras.)

Giving shots to a volunteer

The camera volunteer opens the vMix Web Controller on a tablet, laptop, or phone and:

• Puts the next shot into Preview from the Switcher page, or with shortcuts you’ve set up for each virtual input, then
• Tells the director it’s ready: “Pulpit’s ready.”
• The director takes it to Program.

That’s the same rhythm as a camera operator working with a vMix director, just from a browser.

Rules that keep the stream calm

• One camera, one shot at a time. If two virtual inputs share a camera, only one can be in use: don’t preview “Wide” on camera 1 while camera 1 is live as “Pulpit.”
• Plan around the live camera. Prepare the next shot on a camera that isn’t on air.
• Name every virtual input so the volunteer reads shots, not numbers.

Where WorshipMetrics helps

WorshipMetrics Camera Control gives the camera seat a dedicated panel: nine picture presets per camera, showing the actual shot; touch, keyboard, game pad, or joystick control; and focus lock. It’s free in the booth, and on Pro and Max the same panel works from any browser. The Signal Map keeps each camera’s address and presets documented for the next volunteer.

Build your own buttons: vMix shortcuts as a volunteer button panel in the Web Controller.