Proton Mini Cameras
Proton cameras are compact PoV and mini cameras controlled over a serial RS-485 link. They connect directly to the CI0 serial port — no dedicated cable is needed, and the CI0 provides both data and power. Typical use cases include goal cameras, drone cameras, and broadcast PoV positions.
Supported Models
All Proton cameras are currently supported:
- PROTON CAM, RAIN, FLEX
- PROTON ZOOM
- PROTON 4K, 4K FLEX, 4K ZOOM
- PROTON HFR
The PROTON PIO-E is a small PoE camera interface that allows controlling Proton cameras over Ethernet (IP) in a similar way to the Cyanview CI0. The PIO-E can replace the CI0 in the wiring diagrams below. Note that the PIO-E is only compatible with Proton cameras.
Supported Controls
| Control | Notes | ✔ |
|---|---|---|
| Iris | Available on the ZOOM model only | ✔ |
| Gain / ISO | Gain can be set to ISO | ✔ |
| Shutter | Including CLS (Clearscan) | ✔ |
| Auto Exposure | Iris, Gain, Shutter | ✔ |
| White Balance | Color temperature and tint, RGB gains. RGB gains are applied on top of the color temperature settings — start by selecting the correct color temperature. | ✔ |
| Auto White Balance | AWB (single shot), ATW (continuous) | ✔ |
| Master Black / Black Balance | R, B, Master | ✔ |
| Flare | R, G, B, Master | ✔ |
| Detail | Level | ✔ |
| Saturation and Hue | ✔ | |
| User Matrix | ✔ | |
| Multi-Matrix | Selection of 12, 16, 24 or 32 vectors | ✔ |
| Knee | Point, Slope | ✔ |
| White Clip | ✔ | |
| Gamma | Master | ✔ |
| Denoise | Level and Color noise | ✔ |
| OETF | SDR, HLG, PQ, S-Log3; extra options for PQ and HLG supported | ✔ |
| Color Space | BT.709, BT.2020, S-Gamut3, S-Gamut3.Cine | ✔ |
| Video Formats | 1080i 50/59/60, 1080p and 2160p 23/24/25/29/30/50/59/60 — formats can be changed from the RCP | ✔ |
| Genlock | ✔ | |
| Zoom / Focus | On the ZOOM model only | ✔ |
| Flip | Upside-down or mirror | ✔ |
| Tally | Red | ✔ |
| Audio | Mic levels | ✔ |
| Fan | Mode — available in Custom pages | ✔ |
| Record using Timecode | In Custom pages; enabling timecode triggers external recorders | ✔ |
| Status | Temperature and firmware version reported | ✔ |
Connection
Proton cameras connect via RS-485 serial to the CI0 serial port. The CI0 provides both data and power — no separate power supply is needed for the camera.
Alternatively, the PROTON PIO-E can be used in place of the CI0 to connect the camera over Ethernet (IP).
Required Accessories
Required:
- 1 × CI0 — provides RS-485 serial connection and power to the camera
- 1 × RCP
No specific cable is needed. The camera plugs directly into the CI0 serial port, and the CI0 provides both data and power.
Optional:
- PROTON PIO-E — replaces the CI0 for IP-based connection (Proton cameras only)
Configuration
Camera Configuration
The camera is powered and controlled directly through the CI0 serial port. Most setups require no camera-side configuration beyond ensuring the camera firmware is up to date.
Use the Proton Control Software to verify or update the camera before troubleshooting a Cyanview setup. Proton Control Software is Proton's camera control application and can also update camera firmware.
Lens Calibration
On PROTON ZOOM and PROTON 4K ZOOM models, the built-in lens is detected automatically by the RCP. If zoom, focus, or iris movement behaves incorrectly, first verify the lens behavior in Proton Control Software before troubleshooting the RCP.
Bus Camera ID
If several Proton cameras share the same RS-485 link, each camera must use a unique bus ID. Configure the camera IDs in Proton Control Software before connecting the cameras to the shared bus.
Without a bus-specific ID, a single-camera setup works normally, but a shared bus can make several cameras respond to the same commands at the same time.
RCP Configuration
This is a serial camera — follow the Serial Camera Setup Guide to add it to the RCP. Select brand Proton and model Cam, then select the CI0 and the serial port the camera is connected to.
Proton cameras support unidirectional mode for setups where the RS-485 return path is unavailable (RF links, fiber converters).
Operations
All parameters that the RCP controls are restored from its stored values each time it connects to the camera. Parameters outside the RCP's control, such as lens calibration and camera settings not exposed by the RCP, must be configured in Proton Control Software and saved on the camera.
Unidirectional Mode
The RCP operates in bidirectional mode by default: it sends commands and waits for the camera to respond within a timeout. This requires a working return path on the RS-485 link.
For setups where data return from the camera is unavailable, such as RF modems, fiber converters, or other unidirectional links, unidirectional mode can be enabled in the Advanced Mode of the camera configuration in the RCP web interface.
In unidirectional mode, the camera icon on the RCP will remain red even when the camera is correctly receiving and applying commands. Use the video output to confirm the camera is responding. See Unidirectional Mode for full details.
External Lens Configuration
Only configure the Lens menu when using an external lens controller that is not connected through the camera. Configuring external lens control while using the camera's built-in ZOOM lens will route lens commands away from the camera.
To configure external lens control, open the camera configuration menu, scroll down to Lens, then enter the lens controller model and the RIO interface port.
Power-Up Defaults
The RCP restores its controlled parameters when it reconnects to the camera, so power cycling the camera does not normally lose the last RCP state once the control link is back.
Settings outside the RCP's control must be saved on the camera itself. Use Proton Control Software for camera-side setup and firmware maintenance, then confirm the camera still responds correctly from the RCP.
Use the RCP FACT-D command if unexpected behavior appears to come from camera settings changed outside the RCP. It resets the camera to factory settings and is also accessible from SCENE > S FILES > Reference > Load Factory.
Multi-Camera / Bus Setup
Proton cameras can share an RS-485 bus so several cameras use one serial link from the CI0 or RIO. A single camera per CI0 port is still simpler and easier to troubleshoot, but a bus can reduce cable runs when physical access or available ports are limited.
Camera ID Assignment
Before connecting cameras to a bus, assign each camera a unique bus ID in Proton Control Software. If multiple cameras keep the same ID, they can respond simultaneously and bus operation will not be reliable.
After a camera firmware update, re-check the bus ID and any serial communication settings in Proton Control Software before reconnecting the camera to a shared bus.
RCP Bus Configuration
A Proton bus is added in the Feature block of the RCP Configuration:
- Click
+in the Feature section and select the Proton bus type. - Set the camera ID range and select the CI0 / RIO serial port the bus is connected to.
- Cameras configured on the bus will appear as separate camera entries on the RCP.
The RS-485 bus selector in the RCP configuration UI does not persist — this is expected behavior, not a bug.
Physical Wiring
The RS-485 bus uses a daisy-chain topology. Wire and terminate the bus according to Proton's RS-485 specification. The CI0 can power and control a directly connected Proton camera; for bus wiring or longer runs, make sure the cabling and power distribution match the camera and installation requirements.
Proton cameras can also be used on wireless RS-485 links using RF modems. Enable Unidirectional Mode if the RF link does not carry return data.
Troubleshooting
Before You Start
Update both the camera firmware and the RCP / RIO to the latest available release before troubleshooting:
- Camera firmware: use Proton Control Software or Proton Updater.
- RCP firmware: see the release notes.
Then verify the camera responds to Proton Control Software. This isolates whether the issue is camera-side or Cyanview-side, and makes it easier to reproduce and report.
Camera icon stays RED / camera not detected
Even when the icon is red, the RCP continues sending commands. Use the video output to distinguish two failure modes:
Video output changes when you adjust controls (commands are reaching the camera):
- The camera is receiving commands but not sending data back to the CI0 / RIO.
- If any equipment sits between the CI0 / RIO and the camera, such as an RF modem or fiber converter, return data may not be relayed correctly. This can happen with unidirectional links or devices that do not switch RS-485 direction fast enough.
- If this is expected for the installation, enable unidirectional mode in the RCP.
Video output does not change (commands are not reaching the camera):
- Verify the serial connection — confirm the camera is plugged into the correct CI0 serial port and the port is selected in the RCP configuration.
- Check power — the CI0 must be powered for it to supply power and data to the camera. Verify the CI0 power LED is on.
- Use Proton Control Software to test the camera directly and perform a factory reset if communication settings may have been changed.
- Bypass any custom equipment, such as fiber or wireless links, and test with a direct connection.
- Try a different cable and a different port on the CI0 / RIO.
A specific parameter is not controllable
- Iris and Zoom/Focus are only available on the ZOOM model.
- Fan control is available in the Custom pages, not the main paint view.
- Record via Timecode is available in Custom pages — enabling timecode triggers external recorders, not an internal record function.
- Confirm both the camera and RCP are on the latest firmware (see Before You Start).
- Some controls are disabled by the camera when a specific OETF or camera mode is active. Change the camera mode and test again before assuming an RCP issue.
- Reset the camera to factory defaults:
- Via Proton Control Software, or
- From the RCP:
SCENE > S FILES > Reference > Load Factory.
Lens Control Not Working
- Lens control is only available on PROTON ZOOM and PROTON 4K ZOOM models.
- Verify zoom, focus, and iris directly in Proton Control Software before troubleshooting the RCP.
- Ensure nothing is selected under Lens — External control override in the camera configuration unless an external lens controller is intentionally used. An accidentally selected entry routes lens commands away from the camera. Select the empty line to remove any selection.
Tally not working
- Only Red tally is supported.
- Confirm the camera icon is green (camera must be detected before tally is sent).