Time/Date is Off on Videos

Axon Camera Video Watermark Timestamp

All 4th generation Axon cameras (Axon Body 2, Axon Flex 2, and Fleet system) and future cameras made by Axon Enterprise, Inc. have the ability to embed a visual watermark containing the date, time, model, and serial number of the camera in the upper-right corner of captured videos.

The watermark date and time information uses the ISO 8601 international standard to indicate time in a 24-hour format and adds a Z zone designator directly after the time to denote zero offset from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). This is also known as Zulu time, since Zulu is the NATO phonetic alphabet word for Z.

Axon maintains the UTC unified time standard for all videos so there is no question as to when recorded events occurred. Customization of the watermark to match a particular customer's local time zone is not supported.

When a video is uploaded, Evidence.com converts the time for each video to the local time zone and displays that time in the metadata section adjacent to the video player. However, the watermark date and time embedded in the video remain in UTC time.

Example of watermark showing UTC timestamp on video

Important

If the camera internal clock is not set, the watermark will indicate that the time was not set when the video was recorded.

If the internal clock is not set, the camera provides an audio prompt of five quick beeps every 20 seconds.

To set the camera internal clock, place the camera in an Axon Dock or connect it to the Evidence Sync application.

Watermark Settings

Customers can disable the watermark for their cameras through Device Settings in Evidence.com.

The watermark can be disabled separately for Body-Worn Cameras (Axon Body 2 and Axon Flex 2) and Fleet system cameras. Disabling the watermark affects all cameras of that type at the agency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between GMT and UTC?

Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is often interchanged or confused with Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), but GMT is a time zone, while UTC is a time standard.

  • GMT is a time zone officially used in some European and African countries. Time may be displayed using either 24-hour or 12-hour format.
  • UTC is not a time zone but a time standard that forms the basis for civil time and time zones worldwide. No country officially uses UTC as a local time.

How does Daylight Saving Time affect UTC and GMT?

UTC and GMT do not change for Daylight Saving Time (DST).

However, some countries that use GMT switch to different time zones during their DST period. For example, during summer months, the United Kingdom uses British Summer Time (BST), which is one hour ahead of GMT.

How do I disable the watermark for my cameras?

The watermark can only be disabled by Evidence.com users with Edit Device Settings permission.

To disable the watermark for Axon Body 2 and Axon Flex 2 cameras:

  1. On the menu bar, click Admin.
  2. Under Devices, click Body Camera Settings.
  3. Under Axon Body 2 and Axon Flex 2, locate the Watermark setting.
  4. Select Disable Watermark on Videos.
  5. Click Save Settings.

To disable the watermark for Axon Fleet system cameras:

  1. On the menu bar, click Admin.
  2. Under Devices, click Fleet Settings.
  3. Locate the Watermark setting.
  4. Select Disable Watermark on Videos.
  5. Click Save Settings.