Viewing connected cameras

Overview

The Cameras page in ConnectAlarm lets users request, view, and review camera images or video clips from connected cameras.

Use this page when users need to:

• Request video from all available cameras.
• Open a camera.
• View a captured image or video from a selected camera.
• Open the camera view in full-screen mode.
• Share a captured camera video, if sharing is available.
• Request a new capture from the selected camera.

Before you begin

Preconditions

• The user is signed in to the ConnectAlarm app.
• The the security system is connected to PowerManage when requesting new camera media.
• At least one compatible camera is configured.
• The mobile device has network connectivity.

Dependencies

• Camera availability depends on the connected security panel and system configuration.
• Media loading depends on the connection between the app, PowerManage, and the security panel.
• Sharing depends on mobile operating system sharing options and app permissions.
• Full-screen viewing depends on the mobile phone resolution.

Limitations

warning

• Camera media may not be available immediately after a request. The app can show intermediate states such as Making video....
• Cameras may not return video if the device is offline, busy, not configured, or outside supported conditions.
• Supported SHARE destinations depend on the mobile device and installed apps.
• Camera media may contain sensitive information. Follow site privacy and security policies before viewing or sharing images or videos.

Page layout

The camera workflow shown in the screenshot includes two related screens:

• Cameras list
• Camera media detail

Callout	UI element	Description	When to use
1	Request all cameras	Starts a request for media from all available cameras.	Use when visual information is needed from all connected cameras.
2	Camera preview tiles	Shows available camera devices and their current media request status.	Use to check whether a camera has media available, is generating video, or has no video yet.
3	SHARE	Opens sharing options for the selected camera media, if sharing is available.	Use to send or save the captured media according to site policy.
4	Full screen	Opens the selected image or video in full-screen mode.	Use when a larger view is needed for review.
5	Media item	Shows a captured media entry with a timestamp, placeholder or thumbnail, and play control when applicable.	Use to review the history of available media items for the selected camera.
6	Camera request button	Requests a new video from the selected camera.	Use when updated media is needed for the selected camera.

Camera group label

The camera list shows a group label named PIR.

This label appears above the camera list of PIR-related devices.

note

Available groups may vary by system configuration.

Back button

The back arrow returns the user to the previous screen.

Use the back button to return from a camera detail page to the camera list.

Timestamp

The media detail page shows a timestamp above the displayed media.

Media preview

The media preview area displays the selected camera image or video frame.

Use this area to review visual activity from the selected camera.

warning

Camera media may include private or sensitive information. View and share media only when authorized.

How to use this page

Open the Cameras page

1. Open the ConnectAlarm app.
2. Sign in to your account.
3. Sign in to your panel.
4. Select the Cameras tab from the bottom navigation bar.

Request media from all cameras

1. Open the Cameras page.
2. Confirm that the app shows CONNECTED.
3. Select Request all cameras.
4. Wait for camera tiles to update.

note

Some cameras may take longer to return media than others.

View camera media in full screen

1. Open the Cameras page.
2. Open a camera detail page.
3. Confirm that media is visible in the preview area.
4. Select Full screen.

Share camera media

1. Open the Cameras page.
2. Open a camera detail page.
3. Confirm that the correct media item is selected.
4. Select SHARE.
5. Choose an available sharing option from the mobile device.
6. Complete the sharing flow.

warning

Share camera media only with authorized recipients and according to site privacy and security policies.

Request new media from a selected camera

1. Open the Cameras page.
2. Open the camera detail page for the required camera.
3. Select the floating camera request button.
4. Wait for the request to complete.
5. Review the updated preview or media item list.

Tips

tip

1. Check the connection status before requesting camera media. Requests are more likely to complete when the app shows CONNECTED.
2. Use Request all cameras when the situation requires a broad review. Use the camera request button on the detail page when only one camera needs updated media.
3. Review timestamps before sharing or acting on camera media. This helps confirm that the media matches the event being investigated.
4. If a tile shows Making video..., wait for the request to finish before selecting the tile again or sending another request.

Troubleshooting

Problem	Possible cause	What to try
A camera tile shows Making video... for a long time	The camera request is still processing. The panel connection is slow.	Wait for the request to complete. Confirm that the app shows CONNECTED. Request media again if the previous request failed with timeout error. Contact the administrator or installer if the camera remains unavailable.
A camera tile shows No video yet	No media has been requested for the camera. The camera has not returned media. The camera is offline or not configured correctly.	Select Request all cameras or open the camera and select the camera request button. Confirm that the security panel is connected to PowerManage. Check the mobile network connection status. Contact the administrator or installer if no media appears after repeated requests.
Share is not available or does not work	The selected media is not available. The mobile device has no available share destinations. The operating system blocked the share action.	Confirm that the media is loaded and selected. Confirm that sharing camera media is allowed by site policy. Try sharing again after reopening the media item. Check mobile device sharing permissions and available apps.
The expected camera is not listed	The camera is not configured.	Confirm the camera configuration in Devices page. Enroll camera to the security panel. Contact the administrator or installer if the camera remains missing.

Related pages

See also

• Panel control interface layout
• Controlling automation devices
• Managing devices