Third Party Video Support
Watch this video to learn more about adding or removing categories.
The Third-Party Video Support feature enables users play back videos not supported by the Axon Evidence default video player. When this feature is enabled, the system automatically starts converting an uploaded file for viewing in Axon Evidence, while retaining the original format.
Third-Party Video Support is available in Axon Evidence for customers in the United States, U.S. Federal region, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Support for Europe and Brazil is planned for a future release.
Converted files display an informational message at the top of the video player to inform the viewer that the video is not in its original format.
Users can manually request conversion of files that were uploaded before the feature was enabled, both in Axon Evidence and the Axon app.
The Third-Party Video feature supports playback for many third-party file formats. It does not however support playback of common formats already playable using the default video player.
Support for playback of newly added third-party video formats is expanded every month with the monthly Axon Evidence update.
Watch this video to learn more about adding or removing categories.
Switch between Axon Evidence and Third-Party Video playback
You can switch from Axon Evidence native playback to Third-Party Video playback, as an extension of Third-Party Video Support. The feature is only available for non-Axon videos with supported file extensions.
With this option, you'll see the Axon Evidence native player by default for non-Axon videos for the supported file types. Axon Evidence can play most videos with supported file extensions without any issues. However, in situations where a video does not display properly, you can switch to Third-Party Video playback and view the converted version of the video.
Additionally, this option offers direct access to features like Auto-Transcribe, Redaction, Clips, Markers and the ability to view videos without waiting for conversion, while maintaining the option to use Third-Party Video Support when needed.
Frequently asked questions
How do I start using Third-Party Video Support?
This feature automatically identifies and convert supported file types to produce a playable copy of an original CCTV.
Upload actual video files, not files embedded in a zip or a folder. To preserve a whole original evidence package (with player etc.), upload the zip of that evidence and then a separate video file.
Upload CCTV evidence with a tool such as Evidence.com uploader, Axon UploadXT v2, or Community Request. Evidence.com uploader has a file size limit of 4 GB.
Do I have to download all files and upload them again?
No. Files uploaded as a single video have an option to request a manual conversion. When you open the details page with a supported video file type uploaded prior to this feature being enabled, a message on the screen includes a 'Request Playback' button. Select that to begin the conversion; the video will be ready for playback in a couple minutes, depending on its size.
What file types are supported?
View a list of supported file types at Third-Party Video Supported File Types.
Manufacturers of CCTV video can have multiple codecs with the same proprietary format extension. Therefore, Third-Party Video Playback can convert and play back one file, while another file with the same extension can't be converted or played, because there's a codec within that file that Third-Party Video Playback doesn't currently support.
As we work towards finding and implementing solutions for conversion and playback support, we may request that customers share file samples with our Axon Investigate team. This will help us reach our goal of supporting the widest number of formats and codecs currently in use.
Are redactions, clips, markers, transcription supported for converted evidence?
These features will be available for users with the corresponding licenses. Converted files will need to be extracted as new evidence to be redacted, clipped, marked, or transcribed.
Why is my video playing too fast?
The frame rate of a video is the speed at which frames play back. For example, a file with a frame rate of 7 fps (frames per second) means that 7 frames should play during every second of time.
It is important that a file is played back at its originally recorded frame rate for motion to appear correctly. If a file plays at a higher frame rate than its original recording, the motion will appear in fast forward. If a file plays at a lower frame rate, it will appear in slow motion.
In some cases, the file does not have a record of its frame rate, and simply contains the number of still images without a reference for how fast they are supposed to play back. In these cases, the Evidence.com player will read the frame rate as “unknown” and will play the file at a default frame rate of 25 FPS. In these cases, it is recommended to review and playback the video using the proprietary player provided by the CCTV system manufacturer. Alternatively, if the user's organization has the Axon Investigate paid add-on available, the user can manually set an appropriate frame rate using Axon Investigate. For more information, refer to the “Frame Rate Options” section located in the Axon Investigate User and Administrator Guide.
Supported file types
This article lists the document, image, video, and audio file types supported for viewing in Axon Evidence. It is possible other file types can be viewed in Axon Evidence. Note that if Third-Party Video Support is enabled for your organization, other formats are available.
Document files
Axon Evidence supports viewing PDF document files.
Image files
The following image file types are supported in Axon Evidence:
|
|
|
Video files
The following video file types are supported by the Axon Evidence media player:
|
|
|
The .avi and .m4v file formats are container file formats. Because it is possible for them to contain unsupported media files, it is possible for files in these formats to be valid but unsupported by the media player.
Audio files
The following audio file types are supported by the Axon Evidence:
|
|
