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Playback Configuration

Overview​

This guide covers the configuration of video playback in GCXONE, including device recording setup, timeline configuration, playback preferences, and optimization settings.

What you'll accomplish:

  • Configure device recording for playback
  • Set up time synchronization for accurate timelines
  • Configure playback preferences in GCXONE
  • Enable event markers and timeline features
  • Optimize playback performance
  • Configure video export settings

Estimated time: 20-30 minutes

Prerequisites​

Before configuring playback, ensure:

  • Devices are successfully added to GCXONE
  • Devices have recording capabilities
  • Network connectivity is established
  • Time synchronization (NTP) is configured
  • Storage is available on recording devices

Configuration Workflow​

  1. Device Recording Configuration - Enable and configure recording on devices
  2. Time Synchronization - Ensure accurate timeline alignment
  3. GCXONE Playback Settings - Configure playback preferences
  4. Event Markers Configuration - Enable event markers on timeline
  5. Playback Optimization - Fine-tune performance settings
  6. Verification - Test playback functionality

Part 1: Device Recording Configuration​

Step 1: Enable Recording on Devices​

UI Path: Device Web Interface → Recording Settings

Objective: Enable and configure recording on cameras/NVRs for playback.

Configuration Steps:

  1. Access device web interface or management software
  2. Navigate to Recording Settings or Storage Settings
  3. Enable Recording:
    • Recording Mode: Continuous, Event-based, or Scheduled
    • Recording Schedule: Configure when recording should occur
    • Pre-Record: Enable buffer before events (5-10 seconds recommended)
    • Post-Record: Enable buffer after events (5-10 seconds recommended)
  4. Configure Recording Quality:
    • Resolution: Set recording resolution
    • Frame Rate: Set frames per second (15-30 FPS typical)
    • Bitrate: Configure bitrate for recording quality
    • Codec: H.264 or H.265 (H.265 for better compression)
  5. Configure Storage Settings:
    • Storage Location: Select storage device (HDD, SD card, NAS)
    • Retention Period: Set how long recordings are kept
    • Storage Allocation: Configure space allocation
  6. Click Save or Apply

Expected Result: Recording enabled and configured on device.

Step 2: Configure Recording Schedule (if needed)​

UI Path: Device Web Interface → Recording → Schedule

Objective: Set up recording schedules for specific times or days.

Configuration Steps:

  1. Navigate to Recording Schedule
  2. Configure Schedule:
    • Time Periods: Define when recording should occur
    • Days of Week: Select days for schedule
    • Recording Type: Continuous or event-based for each period
  3. Set Multiple Schedules (if needed):
    • Different schedules for different times
    • Weekend vs weekday schedules
    • Business hours vs after-hours
  4. Click Save Schedule

Expected Result: Recording schedule configured.

Part 2: Time Synchronization​

Step 3: Configure NTP Time Synchronization​

UI Path: Device Web Interface → System → Time Settings / NTP

Objective: Ensure accurate time synchronization for proper timeline alignment.

Configuration Steps:

  1. Navigate to System Settings → Time or NTP Settings
  2. Configure NTP Server:
    • NTP Server: timel.nxgen.cloud (GCXONE NTP server)
    • Alternate NTP Server: Secondary server (optional)
    • Time Zone: Select correct time zone
    • Daylight Saving: Enable if applicable
  3. Enable Auto Synchronization:
    • Sync Interval: Set sync frequency (daily or more frequent)
    • Auto Sync: Enable automatic time synchronization
  4. Verify Time Sync:
    • Check current time matches system time
    • Verify time zone is correct
    • Test NTP connection
  5. Click Save or Apply

Critical: Time synchronization is essential for accurate timeline alignment across multiple cameras. Incorrect time will cause events and recordings to be misaligned.

Expected Result: Time synchronized with NTP server.

Step 4: Verify Time Synchronization in GCXONE​

UI Path: GCXONE → Devices → [Device] → System Information

Objective: Verify devices are properly synchronized.

Verification Steps:

  1. Navigate to device System Information in GCXONE
  2. Check System Time: Verify matches current time
  3. Check Time Zone: Verify correct time zone
  4. Check NTP Status: Verify NTP synchronization is active
  5. Compare Multiple Devices: Verify all devices show same time (within seconds)

Expected Result: All devices synchronized to same time.

Part 3: GCXONE Playback Settings​

Step 5: Configure Playback Preferences​

UI Path: GCXONE → Settings → Playback Preferences

Objective: Configure global playback settings and preferences.

Configuration Steps:

  1. Navigate to Settings → Playback Preferences
  2. Configure Default Settings:
    • Default Playback Speed: Set default speed (1x recommended)
    • Default Quality: Auto, High, Medium, or Low
    • Timeline Display: Configure timeline appearance
    • Event Markers: Enable event markers on timeline
  3. Configure Performance Settings:
    • Concurrent Playback Limit: Maximum simultaneous playback streams
    • Buffer Size: Adjust playback buffer (default usually fine)
    • Preload Duration: How much video to preload
  4. Configure Timeline Settings:
    • Timeline Granularity: Detail level on timeline
    • Event Marker Display: Which events to show
    • Gap Indication: How to display recording gaps
  5. Click Save Preferences

Expected Result: Playback preferences configured.

Step 6: Enable Event Markers​

UI Path: GCXONE → Settings → Events → Timeline Markers

Objective: Enable event markers on playback timeline for easy navigation.

Configuration Steps:

  1. Navigate to Settings → Events → Timeline Markers
  2. Enable Event Types to show on timeline:
    • Motion Detection: ✓ Enable
    • Alarms: ✓ Enable
    • Camera Events: ✓ Enable (disconnection, etc.)
    • System Events: ✓ Enable (if needed)
    • Custom Events: Enable specific event types
  3. Configure Marker Display:
    • Marker Style: Choose visual style
    • Marker Density: How many markers to show
    • Marker Colors: Color coding by event type
  4. Configure Event Details:
    • Show Event Names: Enable to show event descriptions
    • Show Event Count: Show number of events in period
    • Click to Navigate: Enable click-to-jump functionality
  5. Click Save Configuration

Expected Result: Event markers enabled and visible on timeline.

Part 4: Playback Optimization​

Step 7: Configure Playback Performance​

UI Path: GCXONE → Settings → Playback → Performance

Objective: Optimize playback performance based on network and system capabilities.

Configuration Steps:

  1. Navigate to Settings → Playback → Performance
  2. Configure Bandwidth Management:
    • Adaptive Quality: Enable for bandwidth optimization
    • Quality Priority: Prioritize quality vs performance
    • Bandwidth Limit: Set maximum bandwidth per playback
  3. Configure Streaming Settings:
    • Prefer Local Mode: Enable for on-site workstations
    • Fallback Quality: Quality to use if bandwidth limited
    • Retry Logic: Configure reconnection attempts
  4. Configure Resource Limits:
    • Maximum Concurrent Streams: Limit per user/workstation
    • Memory Allocation: Adjust if system has limitations
    • CPU Priority: Adjust playback priority if needed
  5. Click Save Settings

Expected Result: Playback performance optimized.

Step 8: Configure Video Export Settings​

UI Path: GCXONE → Settings → Playback → Export

Objective: Configure video clip export options.

Configuration Steps:

  1. Navigate to Settings → Playback → Export
  2. Configure Export Formats:
    • Default Format: MP4, AVI, or other supported formats
    • Codec Options: H.264, H.265, etc.
    • Quality Presets: High, Medium, Low quality options
  3. Configure Export Options:
    • Include Audio: Enable if audio should be included
    • Include Timestamp: Enable timestamp overlay
    • Include Event Markers: Include markers in exported video
  4. Configure Storage:
    • Export Location: Where to save exports
    • Temporary Storage: Location for processing
    • Retention: How long to keep exported clips
  5. Click Save Settings

Expected Result: Video export configured.

Part 5: Verification and Testing​

Verification Checklist​

Recording Functionality:

  • Recordings are being created on devices
  • Recordings are accessible from GCXONE
  • Timeline shows available recordings
  • No recording gaps (or gaps are expected)

Timeline Functionality:

  • Timeline displays correctly
  • Timeline is synchronized across cameras
  • Event markers appear on timeline
  • Can navigate to specific times
  • Calendar navigation works

Playback Functionality:

  • Video playback starts correctly
  • Playback controls work (play, pause, speed)
  • Frame-by-frame navigation works
  • Jump to time/event works
  • Multi-camera synchronized playback works

Performance:

  • Playback starts within reasonable time (2-5 seconds)
  • No excessive buffering
  • Multiple concurrent streams work
  • Quality is acceptable

Export Functionality:

  • Can export video clips
  • Export quality is correct
  • Exported clips download successfully
  • Clips play correctly after export

Advanced Configuration​

Multi-Camera Timeline Synchronization​

For sites with multiple cameras:

  1. Time Sync: Ensure all devices use same NTP server
  2. Event Correlation: Enable cross-camera event correlation
  3. Timeline View: Use unified timeline view for all cameras
  4. Synchronized Playback: Enable synchronized multi-camera playback

Recording Retention Policies​

Configure retention based on requirements:

  1. Compliance Requirements: Set retention based on legal/compliance needs
  2. Storage Capacity: Balance retention period with available storage
  3. Event-Based Retention: Keep event recordings longer than continuous
  4. Archive Policies: Configure automatic archiving for long-term storage

Troubleshooting​

See the Troubleshooting Guide for common problems and solutions.

Quick troubleshooting:

  • No recordings available: Check recording enabled, verify storage, check retention period
  • Timeline misaligned: Verify NTP synchronization, check time zones
  • Playback not starting: Check device connectivity, verify recordings exist, check permissions
  • Poor playback quality: Adjust quality settings, check bandwidth, use Local Mode
  • Events not showing: Verify event forwarding enabled, check event marker configuration

Need Help?

If you need assistance with playback configuration, contact support.