# ZineControl — Complete Reference

> The first professional filmmaking app built for Nikon. ZineControl_X is the multi-camera version for the entire ZCinema lineup (Nikon ZR + Z series + RED).

## What is ZineControl?
ZineControl is the first professional filmmaking application built specifically for Nikon. It turns an iPhone, iPad or Android device into a full-featured remote control and on-set monitor for the Nikon Z series mirrorless cameras and the Nikon ZR cinema camera. It provides broadcast-grade monitoring tools and precise camera-parameter control — wireless over WiFi (PTP/IP) or wired over USB-C.

The iOS version is live on the Apple App Store. The Android version is live on Google Play.

## What is ZineControl_X?
ZineControl_X is the multi-camera version of ZineControl, designed for the entire ZCinema lineup. It controls multiple cameras side by side from a single iPad — mixing Nikon and RED bodies in the same rig — with synchronized exposure, multi-view monitoring, touch-to-focus, and a single global REC ("Roll All") that triggers every armed camera simultaneously.

- Nikon ZR (cinema) — full LV + control
- Nikon Z series — full LV + control (Z8, Z6 III, Z50, Z50 II, Z30, Zf, Zfc today; Z9, Z7 II, Z6 II, Z5 coming)
- RED DSMC3 (V-RAPTOR, KOMODO, KOMODO-X) — full LV + control
- RED DSMC2 (HELIUM, GEMINI, MONSTRO, DRAGON-X) — control only (RED's DSMC2 WiFi stack does not expose live view)

Up to 6 cameras simultaneously. Open beta at https://www.zinecontrol.app/x.

## Supported Cameras

**Compatible today**:
- **Nikon ZR** — flagship cinema camera (R3D, ProRes, N-RAW, 6K)
- **Nikon Z8** — compact flagship (8K video, ProRes)
- **Nikon Z6 III** — full-frame video-focused
- **Nikon Z50** — APS-C
- **Nikon Z50 II** — APS-C
- **Nikon Z30** — vlog-focused APS-C
- **Nikon Zf** — retro full-frame (Full Control overrides the physical dials)
- **Nikon Zfc** — retro APS-C (Full Control overrides the physical dials)

**Nikon DSLRs (F-mount) and Nikon 1 V3** — around forty live-view bodies, from the D3 / D90 era through to the D780 and D6. USB, plus Wi-Fi on the models that offer it. Full live view, monitoring tools and writable exposure. Bodies without live view cannot be controlled this way. Live view pauses on every shutter actuation because the mirror drops — expected, not a disconnection.

**Rolling out in upcoming releases**:
- **Nikon Z9** — flagship hybrid (8K video, internal N-RAW)
- **Nikon Z7 II** — high-resolution full-frame
- **Nikon Z6 II** — full-frame video-focused
- **Nikon Z5** — entry full-frame

ZineControl_X additionally supports RED DSMC3 (V-RAPTOR, KOMODO, KOMODO-X) and RED DSMC2 (HELIUM, GEMINI, MONSTRO, DRAGON-X).

Camera availability of specific features depends on the body's firmware and supported PTP property set.

## Video Input Methods

### 1. WiFi Stream (PTP/IP)
Plug-and-play streaming with no extra hardware required. Connect your device to the camera's built-in WiFi access point, an iPhone hotspot, or a shared router (WiFi 6 recommended for multi-camera setups). Best for remote parameter control and live view.

### 2. USB-C Direct (Android)
Plug the camera straight into your Android phone or tablet over USB-C. Lowest latency, no pairing, no network configuration required. Recommended on set.

### 3. Coming soon
HDMI capture and Accsoon SeeMo integration are in active development for a future release.

You can switch between video sources on the fly without losing camera state.

## Camera Control Features

### Exposure
- ISO control (including R3D mode on ZR with Low/High base selection)
- Shutter speed and shutter angle (cine cameras / video modes)
- f-number (aperture) picker
- White balance in Kelvin

### Recording
- Video mode selection
- Codec switching (H.264, H.265, ProRes, N-RAW, R3D — model-dependent)
- HFR preset buttons for instant slow-motion switching (24p to 120p)
- Storage slot selection and monitoring (CFexpress and SD)
- One-tap recording start/stop

### Focus
- Touch-to-focus directly on the live view
- AF area overlay with real-time tracking
- Automatic metering/focus mode save and restore
- Works on WiFi and USB-C connections

### Full Control (dial-priority bodies)
- Overrides the camera's physical dials so the app's values are the ones applied
- Required on the Nikon Zf and Zfc, whose top-plate dials otherwise win over remote commands
- The camera turns off its own screen while active; switching it off restores normal dial behaviour
- Built for cameras out of reach: cranes, jibs, underwater housings, locked-off tripods and time-lapses
- Enabled from the monitoring tools, under Misc

### ZoomJog — virtual zoom lever (power zoom lenses)
- Pressure-style lever over the live view: push up to zoom in, down to zoom out
- Push further for a faster zoom, from a slow cinematic creep to a fast punch-in
- Long press to drag the lever anywhere on screen
- Requires a motorised lens: NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR or NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ
- Built for gimbals, cranes and solo shooting, where the zoom ring is out of reach
- Enabled from the monitoring tools, under Misc

### Camera screen off (battery saving)
- Puts the camera's own display to sleep from the app while live view keeps streaming
- The biggest continuous power draw on the body, removed on long sessions and sealed rigs
- Optional movable switch overlaid on the live view for one-tap toggling
- Enabled from the monitoring tools, under Misc

### R3D Support (Nikon ZR)
- Full ISO control in R3D mode (the only third-party app to provide this)
- Low/High base ISO switching with automatic range clamping
- ProRes and N-RAW codec selection on supported bodies

## Monitoring Tools

### Scopes
- Histogram (luma)
- Waveform monitor (Rec.709 + Rec.2020)
- RGB parade
- Vectorscope (roadmap)

### Exposure assist
- Zebras (configurable IRE threshold)
- False color (broadcast-style heatmap)
- Focus peaking (color-configurable)

### Framing
- Aspect markers (16:9, 2.35:1, 2.39:1, 1.85:1, 9:16, etc.)
- Safe-area grids (action, title, crosshair, rule of thirds)
- Anamorphic desqueeze (1.33x, 1.5x, 1.8x, 2x)

### Color
- .cube LUT import (3D LUT) with 16-bit pipeline
- Up to 64-cube resolution for high-quality color preview
- Real-time application to live view

### Audio
- Per-channel audio level meters (peak + RMS)
- VU + PPM display

### Reference
- Mirror mode (horizontal flip for in-camera reference)
- Auto-hide HUD for clean reference monitoring

## Multi-camera (ZineControl_X)

### Workflow
1. **Connect** — every Nikon and RED body on the same network is discovered automatically (Bonjour for Nikon, RED's discovery protocol for DSMC3/DSMC2)
2. **Adjust** — multi-control view with per-camera tile showing live thumbnail, ISO, shutter, WB, codec, FPS, focus state; tap a tile for per-camera detail
3. **Multiview** — live grid of every camera with touch-focus on bodies that support it

### Global REC ("Roll All")
A single button triggers REC simultaneously on every armed camera. Sub-second sync between bodies.

### Recommended network
A dedicated WiFi 6 (or higher) router used exclusively for the cameras is strongly recommended. Tested demo rig: 2× Nikon ZR + 1× Nikon Z8 + 1× RED V-RAPTOR + 1× RED KOMODO simultaneously.

## Platforms
- iOS 17+ (iPhone and iPad) — App Store
- iPadOS 17+ — required for ZineControl_X multi-cam
- Android 10+ — available on Google Play

## Comparison to other Nikon apps

| Feature | SnapBridge | NX MobileAir | ZineControl |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo transfer | Yes | Yes | Coming |
| Wireless live view | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Touch-to-focus | No | No | Yes |
| R3D control | No | No | Yes (ZR) |
| Professional scopes | No | No | Yes |
| LUT preview | No | No | Yes |
| Multi-camera | No | No | Yes (ZineControl_X) |
| Built specifically for filmmakers | No | Partial | Yes — first of its kind |

## Requirements
- Nikon Z series body or Nikon ZR with current firmware (ZR requires 1.11+ for full extended property support)
- iPhone or iPad running iOS 17+
- For ZineControl_X multi-cam: iPad + WiFi 6 router dedicated to the cameras
- For Android: device running Android 10+

## Status
- ZineControl (single camera): live on the Apple App Store
- ZineControl_X (multi-camera): Android beta on Google Play at https://www.zinecontrol.app/x
- Android: available now on Google Play

## Links
- Website: https://www.zinecontrol.app
- ZineControl_X (multi-cam): https://www.zinecontrol.app/x
- App Store: https://apps.apple.com/app/id6761366366
- Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zinecontrol.app
- Privacy policy: https://www.zinecontrol.app/privacy
- Terms of service: https://www.zinecontrol.app/terms
- Support: support@zinecontrol.com

## Independent
ZineControl is an independent application not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Nikon Corporation or RED Digital Cinema. Nikon, Z series, and ZR are trademarks of Nikon Corporation. RED, V-RAPTOR, KOMODO and DSMC are trademarks of RED Digital Cinema, LLC.