Nearity Core Video Technology| Zone Following Mode

Ever sat through a virtual meeting where the camera drifted off, focusing on an empty corner of the room? Or maybe you worried the camera wouldn’t catch every speaker as folks chimed in? I’ve been there. Zone Following Mode to the rescue: it automatically keeps the action—and the speakers—front and center, just like having a dedicated camera operator but without the salary.

What is Zone Following?

Defining Zone Following Mode

Zone Following Mode is a camera intelligence feature that lets you draw or predefine “zones” in your meeting space. Whenever someone moves or speaks within those areas, the camera automatically pans, tilts, and zooms to keep them in the frame — no manual control needed.

How Zone Following Differs from Speaker Tracking

• Speaker Tracking centers on whoever’s talking at any moment; great, but if two people converse while walking around, it can get jumpy.

• Zone Following, on the other hand, respects the spatial context: you can divide the room into up to three zones (e.g., podium, whiteboard, seating area). It follows movement within those areas smoothly, without constant reframing.

🚀If you want to learn more, we explored auto-framing technology and auto-tracking technology here.

Advantages of Zone Following Mode

Let’s talk benefits—because you’re busy, and you need to know exactly how Zone Following Mode will make your life easier.

1. Enhanced Engagement with Smart Tracking

When your camera follows participants in designated areas, remote attendees feel more connected. They see speakers in close-up, whiteboard annotations in crisp detail, and group discussions without awkward cut-aways.

🚀For remote attendees, here is our guide comparing Zoom and google meet.

2. Reduced Operator Load

Manual PTZ control eats headcount and budget. Zone Following is self-driving, meaning no joystick jockey in the backroom. IT teams can shift focus to network health instead of camera positioning.

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3. Consistent Video Quality

Because the camera anticipates movement within zones, it applies smoother zoom transitions with minimal jitter. That keeps your stream looking polished, whether you’re in a boardroom or a lecture hall.

🚀If Zoom Cameras do not work, here are our solutions.

How to Use Zone Tracking to Its Fullest Potential?

To get the absolute most out of Zone Following Mode, you need to combine thoughtful setup, precise tuning, and ongoing evaluation. In the sections below, we’ll walk through best practices—from defining your zones intelligently to leveraging advanced controls and integration—so your camera becomes a true autopilot for seamless, engaging video coverage.

1. Define and Place Your Zones Strategically

Start by mapping out the key areas of interest in your space—lectern, demo table, seating clusters—and draw zones that cover those spots without overlap or blind spots. Proper placement ensures the camera always has a clear line of sight and minimizes unnecessary panning. For crowded or dynamic environments, consider slightly enlarging zone boundaries to account for movement “spillover,” preventing the camera from erratic reframing.

2. Fine-Tune Tracking Parameters

Most systems let you adjust minimum object size, tracking speed, and “return-to-home” time. Keep the minimum object size at zero or very low so the camera picks up heads and small gestures accurately. Set tracking duration (how long it continues to follow after motion stops) to about 300 seconds to avoid snapping back too quickly. If your camera supports zoom-while-tracking, experiment with different zoom levels: deeper zooms slow down tracking, so balance framing needs with smoothness.

3. Leverage Presets and Multi-Zone Integration

Combine Zone Following with PTZ presets so you can jump instantly to alternate views—wide overview, close-up on the whiteboard, or audience shot—at the touch of a button. In multi-camera setups, synchronize zones across devices via your control software or networked joystick, ensuring seamless hand-offs and continuous coverage without manual operator intervention.

4. Optimize Network and Hardware Performance

Zone Following relies on real-time video analysis, which can strain bandwidth and processing power. Assign static IPs and place your PTZ cameras on a dedicated VLAN to prioritize their control and video streams. Implement Quality of Service (QoS) rules to minimize latency and packet loss, keeping tracking smooth even under heavy network load.

5. Adapt to Lighting and Environmental Conditions

While Zone Following uses shape detection to stay locked on subjects, poor lighting or harsh backlight can confuse the algorithms. Position cameras so they’re not directly facing strong light sources and, where possible, enable infrared or low-light modes to maintain reliable tracking in dim conditions. For outdoor or high-contrast environments, consider hybrid solutions—like pairing thermal sensors or radar for perimeter events, then handing off to PTZ for close-in coverage.

6. Monitor and Iterate with Analytics

Enable any built-in analytics to log tracking performance: how often the camera loses the target, number of zone “leaks,” and panning speed. Use this data to adjust zone shapes, tweak object-size thresholds, and refine return-home timings. Some advanced systems even offer adaptive algorithms that learn optimal camera orientations over time, which can boost accuracy without manual tweaks.

7. Gather User Feedback and Train Stakeholders

Finally, solicit feedback from presenters, interpreters, and remote participants about whether the camera keeps up naturally or feels jerky. Schedule brief training for AV staff on on-the-fly adjustments—like temporary zone shifts or preset recalls—so they’re ready to respond if conditions change. Over time, you’ll build a finely-tuned Zone Following setup that feels invisible to users and elevates every meeting.

Conclusion

Zone Following Mode in Nearity Core Video Technology is your ticket to worry-free, professional-quality video sessions. By combining zone detection, speaker prioritization, and automatic framing, it solves the classic problems of “camera wander” and “who’s next on screen.” Whether you’re running hybrid board meetings, university lectures, or live streaming events, you’ll spend less time fussing with controls—and more time engaging your audience.

Next Steps for Your Team:

1. Review your room layouts and identify key “zones.”
2. Update your Nearity Core firmware to the latest version.
3. Schedule a quick training session for your AV/IT staff.
4. Monitor user feedback and adjust zone boundaries for optimal results.