UniFi Protect – Manage Live Footage and Recordings

The UniFi Protect mobile and web applications allow you to view live and recorded footage as well as adjust the image and video playback quality. 

Live View

By default, the video bitrate of your cameras is automatically reduced during prolonged periods of low motion frequency in order to reduce storage utilization. You may choose a specific resolution by changing the Viewer Quality to Low or High on the Protect web application by hovering over the Live View, or on the mobile app within the Live View’s specific settings.

Note: If your bandwidth is limited, you may experience unstable playback while viewing a high quality live feed.

Recordings and Detections

Your recording’s duration and quality will depend on the camera’s Recording Mode. The When to Record setting can be set to AlwaysNever or Detections. Image quality and frame rate can be adjusted using the Recording Quality setting.

Note that:

  • A higher frame rate will give you smoother video playback while a lower frame rate will ensure better picture quality.
  • Recording with higher image quality will require more storage space than lower quality ones.

You can download the Detection clips from the mobile app by tapping the Share icon > Export clip, or from the web application by selecting the detection and clicking the Download icon.

Adjust the Camera Picture Settings

Most image quality issues can be resolved by adjusting the camera picture settings, which are specific to each camera and found within Devices > select a camera > Settings.

The camera’s image is dull, dark, or distorted

To correct imagery that appears dark, dull, or distorted:

  1. Open the camera’s settings and select Adjust Camera Picture.
  2. Adjust the BrightnessContrast, and Hue settings for the camera.

Note: There is no definite way of setting this for all cameras in any environment. Try adjusting these settings to achieve the desired image quality outcome.

The camera recording quality is low

To improve a camera’s recording quality, open its Recording Mode settings and increase the Frame Rate and Image Quality settings as described above.

The camera’s image is harshly lit

Harsh lighting creates a strong contrast that can make it difficult to see smaller, finer details in your live feeds and recordings. To resolve this, try enabling the HDR feature (or WDR depending on the camera model) in the Camera Picture settings.

The camera is out of focus (G3 Pro, G4 Pro, G4 PTZ cameras only)

If your G3 Pro, G4 Pro, or G4 PTZ cameras appear to be out of focus:

  • Make sure there are no objects between the camera and its focal point that may affect its ability to auto-focus.
  • Try manually setting the focal point with the Focus Camera Picture setting.

The camera isn’t switching to Night (IR) Mode

If your cameras are not switching to Night (IR) mode, or are rapidly alternating between Night and Day Mode, verify that:

  • Each camera’s infrared setting is set to Auto.
  • There are no external light sources, such as ambient lights in front of a camera, affecting integrated light sensors.
  • There are no obstructions near the front of the camera. Obstructions can cause the camera’s infrared light to reflect back at its sensor, causing it to switch back and forth between Night and Day Modes.

Night (IR) Mode imagery is blurry

If your Night (IR) Mode imagery is blurry:

  • Carefully clean your camera’s lens or dome using a soft cloth and isopropyl alcohol. The alcohol’s concentration should not exceed 70%; otherwise, you risk damaging its surface. Be sure to remove all residue to prevent unwanted reflections.
  • Ensure that no obstructions near the camera’s lens are causing IR reflections.
  • (For Dome cameras) Make sure that the dome cover is tightly secured to the lens housing. The rubber gasket should be firmly fastened to the dome’s surface and the dome should be in the locked position.

    Source :
    https://help.ui.com/hc/en-us/articles/360058867233-UniFi-Protect-Manage-Live-Footage-and-Recordings
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