Uniview Camera

TC Uniview Camera Driver

Bring live Uniview camera video, PTZ control, intelligent detection events, camera accessories, and advanced Control4 integration into a single driver.

The TC Uniview Camera Driver supports Uniview fixed and PTZ cameras connected either directly to the network or through a Uniview NVR.

The driver provides live H.264/H.265 video, snapshots, PTZ control, camera-defined presets, intelligent detection events, and supported camera accessories. Camera capabilities are detected automatically so Control4 exposes only the functions supported by the connected device.

For systems using a Uniview NVR, the driver is designed to preserve the relationship between the camera and recorder while still providing real-time events to Control4.

Key Features

Live Video & Snapshots

View Uniview cameras directly from Control4 interfaces with support for live video and still-image snapshots.

Video features include:

• H.264 and H.265 streaming
• Multiple camera streams
• Selectable Preferred Stream
• Automatic stream and snapshot URL generation
• Direct camera connections
• Cameras connected through a Uniview NVR
• Configurable NVR channel selection

The driver dynamically generates stream information when Control4 requests it, providing reliable compatibility with Control4's camera architecture.

Control4 X4 Stream Compatibility

A dedicated X4 Stream Compatibility option helps accommodate differences between Control4 controller generations and video decoding capabilities.

This allows installers to select stream behavior appropriate for the Control4 system, including legacy configurations that may require lower-resolution H.264 streams and newer X4 systems capable of supporting higher-resolution video.

PTZ Camera Control

For compatible Uniview PTZ cameras, the driver automatically detects Pan, Tilt, and Zoom capabilities and exposes them to Control4.

Supported PTZ functionality includes:

• Pan
• Tilt
• Zoom
• Stop PTZ
• Adjustable pan speed
• Adjustable tilt speed
• Adjustable zoom speed

A configurable PTZ Safety Stop timer automatically stops movement after a defined interval, helping prevent continuous camera movement if a stop command is missed.

Camera-Defined PTZ Presets

The driver reads PTZ presets directly from the Uniview camera and dynamically makes those preset names available inside Control4.

Rather than requiring the installer to manually recreate preset numbers and names in Composer, the driver uses the configuration already stored in the camera.

Supported preset functions include:

• Automatic preset discovery
• Dynamic preset names
• Go To Preset
• Refreshing presets directly from the camera

To our knowledge, this ability to automatically retrieve and expose the camera's existing PTZ presets is not currently available in other Control4 Uniview camera drivers.

Patrol Control

Compatible PTZ cameras can also expose Uniview patrol functions.

Supported controls include:

• Start Patrol
• Stop Patrol
• Selectable Patrol ID

This allows existing camera patrol configurations to be controlled directly from Control4.

Intelligent Camera Events

The driver can receive real-time detection events from supported Uniview cameras.

Available events are automatically determined based on the capabilities reported by the connected camera and the configured event source.

Supported events can include:

• Motion Detection
• Tamper Detection
• Audio Detection
• Human Detection
• Line Crossing
• Intrusion Detection
• Object Recognition
• PTZ Tracking

Only events supported by the connected camera and selected event method are exposed, helping keep Composer configuration accurate and uncluttered.

LAPI & ONVIF Event Sources

The driver supports two methods for receiving camera events:

Uniview LAPI Alarm Events

Uses Uniview's native alarm interface for direct real-time event delivery.

This is generally the preferred option when the camera is operating independently and is not relying on a Uniview NVR for its event and recording relationship.

ONVIF PullPoint Events

Uses the camera's ONVIF event subscription interface.

ONVIF PullPoint is strongly recommended when a camera is connected to a Uniview NVR.

This is an important distinction from many conventional Uniview integrations.

When a Control4 driver establishes a Uniview LAPI alarm subscription directly with a camera that is also connected to a Uniview NVR, that connection can interrupt the camera's existing alarm-event relationship with the recorder. The result can be missing NVR event notifications and gaps in the recorder's event history.

Using ONVIF PullPoint allows Control4 to receive camera events without taking over that Uniview LAPI alarm connection, preserving the camera-to-NVR event path.

This means the camera can continue reporting events to the NVR while Control4 independently receives the same type of detection information.

For NVR-connected cameras:

• Use ONVIF PullPoint for the TC Uniview Camera Driver
• Allow the NVR to maintain its native Uniview event connection
• Preserve NVR notification and event history
• Use the TC Uniview NVR Driver for recorded-event integration

This architecture avoids a limitation that can affect other integrations that rely exclusively on direct Uniview LAPI alarm subscriptions.

Event Notifications

The driver includes configurable event-handling options for Control4 notifications and automation.

Options include:

• Adjustable event pulse duration
• Notification debounce
• Automatic snapshot notifications
• Event-based Control4 programming

When enabled, the driver can automatically capture a snapshot when a supported camera event occurs and include that image with the associated notification.

Control4 Programming

Supported camera events can be used as triggers within Control4 programming.

For example, camera events can be used to:

• Turn on exterior lighting when a person is detected
• Trigger security-related automations
• Send custom notifications
• Activate announcements
• Move a PTZ camera to a preset
• Coordinate camera activity with other Control4 devices

Because available events are generated dynamically from the capabilities of the connected camera, programming options remain specific to the installed hardware.

Camera Accessory Control

Compatible Uniview cameras can expose additional hardware controls directly through the driver.

Supported accessories can include:

• IR Light
• White Light
• Wiper
• Heater

Availability depends on the capabilities of the connected camera.

Direct or NVR-Based Connections

The same driver can be used for cameras connected directly to the network or cameras accessed through a Uniview NVR.

Installer options include:

• Direct Camera connection
• NVR connection
• Configurable NVR channel number

This allows a consistent Control4 camera experience across installations without requiring separate drivers for standalone and recorder-connected cameras.

Optional History Integration

The driver includes optional Direct History Filing for supported camera events.

For systems using a Uniview NVR, the recommended configuration is to pair the camera driver with the TC Uniview NVR Driver, which handles the recorded side of the integration.

The NVR companion driver can create Control4 History entries containing:

• Event information
• Snapshot thumbnails
• Recorded-video links
• Camera-specific History entries
• Configurable pre-event and post-event playback windows

Recorded Events with Live Camera Access

When the camera and NVR drivers are paired, History events remain associated with the camera itself rather than appearing as generic NVR events.

This allows the History experience to retain access to the camera's live view while also providing the recorded event and snapshot associated with the detection.

To our knowledge, the TC Uniview NVR Driver is currently unique among Control4 Uniview integrations in providing this combined camera History experience with both recorded-event information and live camera access.

Automatic Camera Discovery

The driver can query the connected device and automatically determine important capabilities, including:

• Camera model
• Available video streams
• PTZ support
• PTZ presets
• Supported detection events
• Available PTZ features

A Refresh Camera command allows this information to be re-read at any time without reinstalling the driver.

Connection & Status Monitoring

Composer properties provide real-time information about the camera and driver state.

Available status information includes:

• Connection Status
• Subscription Status
• Device Model
• Last Event
• Detected Events
• PTZ Features
• Driver Version
• Driver State

These properties provide installers with a clear view of the current camera configuration and event connection status.

Built-In Diagnostics

The driver includes diagnostic tools designed to simplify commissioning and troubleshooting.

Available tools include:

• Refresh Camera
• Log Diagnostics
• Configurable Log Mode
• Configurable Log Level
• Persistent journal logging

Diagnostic logs can be accessed through the Control4 system without requiring SSH access to the controller, making remote troubleshooting easier.

Updates & Licensing

The TC Uniview Camera Driver is licensed through the TC Master Driver and includes integrated license status and update management.

Licensing features include:

• Licensing status
• Check License Now

Update features include:

• Automatic Updates
• Check For Update
• Update Now
• Rollback to Previous
• Update Status

Automatic updates are managed independently for the camera driver, allowing each TC driver within a project to maintain its own update preferences.

Recommended Pairing

For the most complete Uniview integration, pair the TC Uniview Camera Driver with the TC Uniview NVR Driver.

TC Uniview Camera Driver Provides live video, snapshots, PTZ control, dynamically discovered camera presets, camera accessories, and real-time detection events.

TC Uniview NVR Driver Provides NVR-based detection events, Control4 History integration, snapshots, recorded clip playback, notifications, and channel-level event management.

When used together, the drivers preserve the camera's native relationship with the Uniview NVR while providing Control4 with both the live and recorded sides of the surveillance system.