CCTV

Manage aggregate directory-based CCTV exports using Third-Party Video

Some CCTV systems, including those from Milestone, Panasonic Arbitrator, Synectics, Ocularis, and certain Bosch systems, export proprietary multimedia in complex folder-based directories. These directories are often made up of fragmented audio and video clips accompanied by separate files for metadata and indexes. The Third-Party Video (3PV) feature in Axon Evidence offers a streamlined approach to managing these exports by simplifying the compilation of proprietary audio and video data into a single playback format, enhancing the review experience. CCTV video exports are only available to organizations with Third-Party Video Support.

Prepare and import

Follow these steps to prepare and import your CCTV video.

  1. From your desktop, right-click the folder where your CCTV video data is saved and select Compress to Zip file. This consolidates all nested files and folders into a single .zip file.
  2. Right-click the .zip file, select Rename, and change the name of the file to reflect the originating CCTV manufacturer as follows:
    1. For Milestone systems – Rename to .milestone
    2. For Panasonic Arbitrator systems – Rename to .panasonic
    3. For Synectics systems – Rename to .synectics
    4. For Ocularis systems – Rename to .ocularis
    5. For Bosch Xi1 Exports – Rename to .bosch
    6. For ViewCommander systems (.idx & .iva files) – Rename to .viewcommander
  3. On the Rename window, select Yes to confirm the file extension name change. This is necessary for the next step.
  4. Import the renamed CCTV file into your Axon Evidence case. The media player will automatically compile the data, process it, and create playable video streams with their corresponding audio tracks, if available. Learn more at Import Evidence to a Case.
  5. Under the media player, locate the videos corresponding to your uploaded file and select any video to review it in the media player. Each video can be played individually. Videos will be listed with their original file name, followed by the manufacturer's extension, such as 'filename.milestone'.
  6. Optionally, extract and download the videos in a visually lossless manner for broader usability with standard video players. Learn more at CCTV Rewrapping Quick Start Guide.

ZIP compression

Warning

Axon Evidence does not support 7Zip compression..

Use the standard ZIP compression tool built into Windows or MacOS. Do not use other third-party compression tools that default to .7z format. If your import fails, verify the extension is in one of the following formats:

  • .milestone
  • .panasonic
  • .synectics
  • .ocularis
  • .bosch

Learn more at Add Evidence to a Case or contact support at www.axon.com/help.

CCTVConverter Limits for Archive Imports

To ensure stable performance and avoid delays when processing large CCTV archive files, Axon has introduced foundational limits for the CCTV Converter service. These limits apply to all imported archive-based CCTV formats and help ensure reliable video playback and rewrapping.

Conversion Limits

  • Maximum ZIP entries: CCTV archive uploads can include up to 10,000 files per archive. Archives exceeding this limit will fail to convert.
  • Maximum conversion duration: Conversion jobs are limited to 1 hour. Jobs that exceed this time limit will be automatically stopped and marked as failed.

Applies To

These limits affect any archive-based upload, including the following formats:

  • .milestone (Milestone)
  • .panasonic (Panasonic Arbitrator)
  • .ocularis (Ocularis)
  • .pana, .ocul, and other similar variants

These rules apply to both historical data migrations and day-to-day evidence uploads.

If a Conversion Fails

  • Retry conversion using the Request Playback option in the Axon Evidence media player.
  • If issues persist, contact [email protected].

CCTV video stitching

Using the Axon Evidence video stitching feature, two or more CCTV videos can be stitched together into a single video to present events in a chronological timeline. The stitched CCTV video is stored as a new piece of evidence and doesn't impact the original CCTV videos used in the stitching process.

Note

Axon Evidence video stitching is available to organizations using Third-Party Video and Review Mode 2.0.

Get started with CCTV video stitching

  1. Select Evidence, and then select one of the following tabs: All Evidence, My Evidence, Shared Evidence, or Evidence Map.

  2. Search for and select the evidence containing the CCTV videos you wish to review.

  3. Select Review to open Review Mode 2.0, and to start reviewing and stitching your selected evidence.

  4. From the content list, select the CCTV videos you wish to combine, and then select Stitch to open the Stitch pane.

    Note

    Stitching only supports CCTV videos that are converted and playable in Axon Evidence.


  5. Enter or edit any information you wish to apply to the new video, including:

    1. Title

    2. ID

    3. Cases

    4. Categories

  6. Under Stitch Order, select and drag the videos in the list to rearrange them.

  7. Select Stitch to confirm and create the new video. Video creation will take a few moments.

  8. Once completed, a link to the new video will be sent to your email.

CCTV video stitching tips

  • Third Party Video formats will be automatically identified and converted into a playable, more standard file format while preserving the original file. However, you do need to make sure you're uploading video files and not files embedded in a .ZIP archive folder. Learn more about Third Party Video Support.

  • CCTV evidence can be uploaded using the Evidence.com uploader, Axon UploadXT, or Community Request.

  • Redactions, clips, markers, and transcription can be used on stitched CCTV video files if your organization has corresponding licenses enabled.

CCTV rewrapping

Rewrapping changes the format of proprietary CCTV video files into a more widely used format in a visually lossless manner, ensuring the video's appearance is maintained. This enables you to play videos from various CCTV manufacturers on common media players, eliminating the need for additional viewing software. Rewrapping is only available to organizations with Third-Party Video Support.

Rewrapping example

Imagine you receive several CCTV files in a format specific to the camera manufacturer, which aren't directly compatible with standard media players like VLC, or Windows Media Player. Rewrapping converts these files into a universal MP4 format, allowing you to view them easily without installing proprietary viewing software. Just select the video in Evidence.com, apply rewrapping, and your files will be ready to play on any standard media player. This secure process maintains the original video quality, and leaves the source content untouched.

Get started with CCTV rewrapping

  1. Select Evidence, and then locate the evidence you wish to view. Learn more about how to search for evidence.
  2. Play the video file using third-party playback. This will be indicated by a message bar across the top of the video. If the video doesn't play, select the Play original file menu, and then select Play converted file.
  3. In the Converted Files list under the video, locate the file you wish to rewrap.
  4. Select Extract next to the chosen file to start the rewrapping process.
  5. In the Extract as new evidence pane, choose how you want to extract the evidence – Extract converted file only, or Extract converted video with overlays.
  6. Select Extract. A Media Processing window will confirm rewrapping has started. Select OK. Rewrapping time varies; for longer videos, it may take up to one hour.
  7. Once rewrapping is complete, in the converted file in the list, an extraction dropdown menu under the video lets you select and view the new file. The name of the extracted file will mirror the original, with 'Extraction' appended to the file name.
    Alternatively, go to your notification email, and select the view evidence link.

Files extracted using rewrapping no longer require third-party playback to view them in Evidence.com. These files can be downloaded and played on standard media players.

Frequently asked questions FAQ

What is CCTV rewrapping?

CCTV rewrapping is the process of changing the format of proprietary CCTV video files into a more universally playable format like MP4, in a visually lossless manner, without altering the original video content.

When should rewrapping be used?

Use rewrapping when you encounter CCTV files that require proprietary software to be installed for playback. Rewrapping will make the files compatible with standard media players you're likely already using.

How long does the rewrapping process take?

The duration depends on the file size and format. It could be instantaneous for smaller files, or take up to an hour for larger ones.

Can rewrapped files play directly on Evidence.com?

Yes, once rewrapped, the files no longer require third-party playback and can be viewed on Evidence.com.

What happens to the original files after they are rewrapped?

Rewrapping creates a new file with the same content in a different format. The name of the new file will mirror the original, with 'Extraction' appended to it.

Can the rewrapped files be downloaded?

Yes, once rewrapped, files can be downloaded and played on standard media players.