I think that you could pickup some PTZ security cameras for next to nothing used that would be much easier than trying to build you own. It's not so much the noise. Stepper motors send positional info back to the software. It's a complex interaction. Of you get a PTZ camera it's all done by firmware in the camera.
Thanks Scott,
First, though, I see that you are out of Cleveland. Recently, Baker Mayfield's QB-camp's sound operator played "Old Town Road" and hundreds of kids at the camp started dancing to one song. They even got Baker Mayfield to join them. Whoever chose that particular song, "Old Town Road" for that spot - just before the awards of the day (I think) - did a great job of picking the music.
As for PTZ security cameras, great idea. But that suggestion was already turned down. So I've been trying to come up with a way to make the cameras blend-in with the rest of the stage and the auditorium. I've been experimenting with aluminum 20mm x 20mm 'beams' (black like the stage walls) ready to fly from above. The attic floor is fairly strong and an X support of 11 3/4" outriggers should hold things below. Just have to get a pneumatic swage crimper to make a single 1/8" stainless steel cable tie everything together.
20mm beams have five 'hidden' channels to hide wires and cables. Adapters are bulky though. So the job needs another crimper as well (to run SDI) that can handle mini BNC Din 1.0/2.3 connections as well as standard sized BNCs. (I already have a sturdy-framed crimper to handle RJ45's.)
Blackmagic has an Arduino 'shield' that works with some of their cameras. I can't see why other cameras wouldn't work until buying real gear (e.g. Blackmagic Micro Studio Camera 4K) later. The frame itself (to hold the various single-board computers, the motors and the cameras) would be there. And using the 20mm pieces can allow adjustments later if needed.
If we had $15k or $25k, my homemade rig wouldn't be needed. Unfortunately, neither I nor the venue have that kind of budget. What I do have is some time and invention ability.
best, john