How to export video from SmartCSS

Created by Scott Sarkan, Modified on Fri, 28 Jul, 2023 at 12:33 PM by Scott Sarkan

How to export video from SmartCSS

This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to export a video from SmartCSS. By following these detailed steps, users will be able to easily navigate through the export process and successfully save their video files.


1. Open SmartCSS and Click on Playback from the main menu

Screenshot of: Open SmartCSS and Click on Playback from the main menu


2. Expand your NVR to show your individual cameras

Screenshot of: Expand your NVR to show your individual cameras


3. Select the camera which you wish to pull video from. Note: You can only select 1 camera at a time

Screenshot of: Select the camera which you wish to pull video from. Note: You can only select 1 camera at a time


4. Click on the calendar icon:

Screenshot of: Click on the calendar icon:


5. Click on the date to that you wish to start/end video export

Screenshot of: Click on the date to that you wish to start/end video export


6. Select the time in 24 hour time.

Screenshot of: Select the time in 24 hour time.


7. For this example, I selected 0800 as my start time.

Screenshot of: For this example, I selected 0800 as my start time.


8. Next, click on the end time field.

Screenshot of: Next, click on the end time field.


9. You can leave this as default or you can enter the end of your search time. Note: You will be able to export video outside of these time frames.  This is just used to search for the video you wish to export.

Screenshot of: You can leave this as default or you can enter the end of your search time. Note: You will be able to export video outside of these time frames.  This is just used to search for the video you wish to export.


10. For this example, I am entering in 1300 (1pm) as my end time.

Screenshot of: For this example, I am entering in 1300 (1pm) as my end time.


11. When the time is correct, click on the search button.  You will notice that the checkbox is cleared when you do this.  If you get a message that states "Please select at least one channel", go back up and check the box next to the camera you wish to pull video from.

Screenshot of: When the time is correct, click on the search button.  You will notice that the checkbox is cleared when you do this.  If you get a message that states "Please select at least one channel", go back up and check the box next to the camera you wish to pull video from.


12. Click play button. The video will now begin to play. You can review the video and note your specific start and stop times. 

Screenshot of: Click play button. The video will now begin to play. You can review the video and note your specific start and stop times.


13. When ready to cut out a clip of video to export, click on the scissor icon once.  2 red bars will now appear in the timeline.  Note: If you do not see the red bars, use your scroll button on your mouse to zoom out to see both red bars.

Screenshot of: When ready to cut out a clip of video to export, click on the scissor icon once.  2 red bars will now appear in the timeline.  Note: If you do not see the red bars, use your scroll button on your mouse to zoom out to see both red bars.


14. Grab the red bar furthest to the left and adjust your start time as needed.

Screenshot of: Grab the red bar furthest to the left and adjust your start time as needed.


15. Grab the red bar furthest to the right and adjust your end time as needed.

Screenshot of: Grab the red bar furthest to the right and adjust your end time as needed.


16. When you are satisfied with the start/end times, click on the scissor icon once more to begin the export process. 

Screenshot of: When you are satisfied with the start/end times, click on the scissor icon once more to begin the export process.


17. Click on the Export Format field

Screenshot of: Click on the Export Format field


18. Select MP4 format

Screenshot of: Select MP4 format


19. Browse to where you wish to download the video to.  Common is the Desktop. The default path is "C:\Users\Public\Smart CSS\Record\DownLoad"

Screenshot of: Browse to where you wish to download the video to.  Common is the Desktop. The default path is "C:\Users\Public\Smart CSS\Record\DownLoad"


20. Click "Select Folder"

Screenshot of: Click "Select Folder"


21. Click "OK" to begin the download

Screenshot of: Click "OK" to begin the download


22. Click "OK" to stop playing the recording and start downloading.

Screenshot of: Click "OK" to stop playing the recording and start downloading.


23. When the download is finished, you will see a notification like this.

Screenshot of: When the download is finished, you will see a notification like this.


24. You are now finished!! Browse to where you saved it. You can now see the MP4 file that you downloaded. You can play the video in a player of your choice.  If you need a player, we recommend VLC Media Player.   It is a free download you can find off the internet.  To download more videos, repeat the steps above.  Note: you can only download one video per camera at a time.  You can download times from a different camera while the download from the first camera is in progress.

Screenshot of: You are now finished!! Browse to where you saved it. You can now see the MP4 file that you downloaded. You can play the video in a player of your choice.  If you need a player, we recommend VLC Media Player.   It is a free download you can find off the internet.  To download more videos, repeat the steps above.  Note: you can only download one video per camera at a time.  You can download times from a different camera while the download from the first camera is in progress.


If you have any technical issues, please open a ticket with us and we'll get you on the right track.  Support@jjadvantage.com





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