Remote Controlled Video Cameras

First post, long time follower here. I have been involved in sound and video production since I was 8 years old. Its like a contagion! I can't get enough of it. I am in the process of building a new live video system. We have the computer and switcher taken care of. Were running vidblaster but even with a 4770k I7 SSD drives dual graphics cards and 32bg of ram it was still glitching. Switched to VMIX which is a amazing software, no tricaster but its a fraction of the price. While our delivery to the monitors are Full HD, the bottle neck in the system is the SD cameras. We run two remotely controlled Sony D70 PTZ cams. We are wanting to upgrade to HD units but have yet to find a sub $1,000 unit. We are looking into mounting a DSLR on a remote tripod mount, which would take care of the pan and tilt, but not the zoom or focus. I am turning to you guys. Short of rigging up a servo controlled zoom control to the Nikon D3100, I am at a loss.
 
Unfortunately, if you want something less than $1000, you are going to take a hit on quality of image.
 
There's a system called LANC on some camcorders which provides remote zoom control usually to the pan/tilt handle on the tripod to make operation easier. There are plenty of inexpensive LANC controllers available which can be used in addition to the pan/tilt controller. Not sure if this will fit your budget, but it may be worth looking into.

edit:
Found a page which lists a ton of cameras which include LANC connectors. Hopefully one will fit your budget.
http://www.trackercam.com/TCamWeb/powerpod_lanc.htm

Good luck!
Ron
 

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