Managing Search Results

Managing Search Results

Once you've found relevant footage through searching, XProtect Smart Client provides several tools for reviewing, saving, and sharing your findings. This guide covers everything you can do with search results.

Understanding Search Results

Result Display

Search results appear as thumbnail images showing key moments from the footage. Each thumbnail includes:

  • Camera name and location

  • Date and time stamps

  • Duration of the video sequence

  • Preview image from the footage

Search Timeline

The timeline at the top shows the distribution of your results:

  • White markers indicate where search results are located in time

  • Hover over markers to see time and camera details

  • Click markers to jump directly to specific results

  • Multiple markers may represent the same result if it matches multiple criteria

Previewing Results

Quick Preview

  1. Click on any search result thumbnail

  2. The preview pane opens on the right side

  3. Click the play button to watch the footage

  4. Use standard playback controls (play, pause, speed adjustment)

Full-Screen Viewing

  • Double-click any search result to open it in full-screen mode

  • Double-click again to return to the search results

  • Scroll mouse wheel to zoom in or out on the video

  • Click and drag to zoom in on specific areas

Detailed Information

In the preview pane, click the "Details" tab to see:

  • Camera name and exact times

  • Event information and recording details

  • Associated alarm or event data

Taking Action on Results

Selecting Multiple Results

  1. Hover over search results and click the blue checkbox that appears

  2. Select multiple results to perform bulk actions

  3. The blue action bar appears at the bottom showing available actions

Available Actions

Export Video

Add selected footage to the export queue:

  1. Select one or more search results

  2. Click the export icon in the action bar

  3. Results are added to the Exports tab for processing

Bookmark Incidents

Save important incidents for future reference:

  1. Select search results to bookmark

  2. Click the bookmark icon in the action bar

  3. Add details in the bookmark window:

    • Headline - Brief description of the incident

    • Description - Detailed notes about what happened

    • Time span - Adjust the start/end times if needed

  4. Click OK to save

Bulk Bookmark Tips:

  • Use "Apply headline to all in list" to use the same title for multiple bookmarks

  • Use "Apply description to all in list" for shared descriptions

Take Snapshots

Capture still images from video footage:

  1. Select the search results you want

  2. Click the snapshot icon in the action bar

  3. Images are saved to your designated snapshots folder

  4. Find saved snapshots at: Settings > Application > Path to snapshots

Open in New Window

Review footage in a dedicated playback window:

  1. Select a search result

  2. Click the new window icon in the action bar

  3. A floating window opens in playback mode

  4. Use full timeline controls and export options

  5. Drag the window to a different monitor if needed

Transfer Time to Main Timeline

Sync the main timeline with a search result:

  1. Select a search result and preview it

  2. Click the transfer time icon in the preview area

  3. Switch to Playback mode to see related cameras at the same time

  4. Useful for investigating what other cameras captured during an incident

Working with Bookmarked Results

Searching Existing Bookmarks

  1. Use Search for > Bookmarks

  2. Filter by keywords, bookmark ID, or creator

  3. Keywords search both headline and description fields

Editing Bookmarks

If you have edit permissions:

  1. Find bookmarks using the bookmark search

  2. Select bookmarks to edit

  3. Click the edit icon in the action bar

  4. Modify headlines, descriptions, or time spans

  5. Click OK to save changes

Camera Location Mapping

Available in: XProtect Corporate/Expert with geographic positioning

View where cameras are located geographically:

  1. Select a search result

  2. In the preview area, click the "Location" tab

  3. The camera appears on a map showing its geographic context

  4. Zoom out with mouse wheel to see surrounding areas

  5. Click "Re-center" to return focus to the camera

Camera Status Icons

Map icons show different camera states:

  • Gray background - Camera not selected

  • Blue background - Camera selected

  • Red indicators - Cameras associated with alarms

  • Combined icons - Cameras with multiple states

Search Result Best Practices

Efficient Review Process

  1. Start with the timeline - Look for clusters of activity

  2. Preview before detailed viewing - Use quick preview to filter relevant results

  3. Use full-screen for important footage - Get better detail for key incidents

  4. Bookmark as you go - Save important findings immediately

Organization Tips

  • Use descriptive bookmark headlines - Include time, location, and brief description

  • Add detailed descriptions - Include names, actions, and outcomes

  • Take snapshots of key moments - Capture faces, license plates, or evidence

  • Export complete sequences - Don't just rely on snapshots for important incidents

Working with Large Result Sets

When searches return many results:

  • Use the search timeline to focus on specific time periods

  • Sort by relevance to see most important results first

  • Refine your search with additional filters

  • Focus on specific cameras rather than reviewing everything

Saving and Managing Searches

Available in: XProtect Corporate/Expert

Save Search Configurations

  1. Configure your search with cameras, time period, and filters

  2. Click the menu button (⋮) next to "Search filters"

  3. Select "Save as"

  4. Give your search a name and description

  5. Choose "Private search" to keep it personal or leave unchecked to share

Reuse Saved Searches

  1. Click the menu button (⋮) next to "Search filters"

  2. Select "Open and manage searches"

  3. Double-click a saved search to run it

  4. Modify as needed and save again

Delete Obsolete Searches

  1. Open the "Open and manage searches" window

  2. Select searches you no longer need

  3. Click "Delete search"


Related Articles:

  • Basic Video Search ←

  • Advanced Search & Filters ←

  • Exporting Video from XProtect →