Overview

In BluSKY, the Multiple Camera Timeline feature enables users to view and control playback for multiple camera feeds in sync using a single shared timeline. This functionality is especially useful for reviewing events that are captured by multiple cameras watching the same area—whether it's an entrance portal, an outdoor space, or any logical grouping of cameras.

The key to enabling this feature lies in associating cameras with either a portal or directly with one another. Once set up, these associations allow users to activate and control synchronized video playback across all related camera views.

When and Why to Use This Feature

You should use the multiple camera timeline feature when:

• Multiple cameras are observing the same portal or zone (e.g., main entrance, lobby, park).

• You want to synchronize playback for investigation or monitoring purposes.

• You are reviewing an incident that spans several camera views.

This feature is most commonly applied when cameras are tied to a portal, but it can also be configured without a portal—by manually associating cameras that are in the same general area.

Step 1: Configuring Camera Associations

To associate cameras in BluSKY:

1. Navigate to Setup
   Go to the Setup menu and select the Cameras section.

2. Edit a Camera
   Choose one of the cameras you want to associate with others and click Edit.

3. Scroll to Associated Devices
   In the camera configuration view, scroll down to the section labeled Associated Devices.

4. Select Association Mode
   At the top of the section, choose Manual as the association mode.

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5. Add Associated Devices

   • If you're associating with a portal, select it under the Portals field.

   • If you're associating cameras with each other (e.g., for outdoor areas without a portal), use the Cameras field.

   • Click into the Please Select dropdown to choose multiple cameras.

6. Save Your Changes
   After adding all associated devices, click Save at the bottom of the screen.

Tip: You only need to create the association on one camera for it to function as long as you select that same camera as the initial device to view later. For example, you can associate Park1 with Park2, Park3, and Park4. However, if you want the ability to initiate the timeline view from any of those cameras, then you'll need to repeat the association process from each one to the others.

Step 2: Using the Feature in Video Beta or Dashboard Beta

Once associations are set up, follow these steps to use the synchronized timeline feature:

1. Go to Video Beta or Dashboard Beta
   Navigate to Control > Video Beta or Dashboard Beta.
   Select your facility, expand Devices, and browse to your camera list.

2. Open the Primary Camera View
   Double-click the camera that has associations set up (e.g., Park1).
   This will open the camera view in the center viewing panel.

3. Access Associated Devices
   In the lower-right corner of the camera view, wait for a small camera icon to appear (next to a vertical divider).
   Click this icon to open a list of associated devices.

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4. Enable Camera Views
   Each associated camera will appear with an eye icon.
   Click the eye icon (initially crossed out) to make each camera visible.
   As each is activated, their video feed will appear alongside the original.

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5. Control Playback with a Single Timeline
   A unified timeline will appear at the bottom of the screen.
   Use standard playback controls—play, pause, select playback time reference —to review footage across all visible cameras in sync.

Note: Without associations, each camera view opened will have its own separate timeline, making synchronized playback difficult and manual.

Summary

The ability to view and control multiple cameras from a single timeline in BluSKY is a powerful tool for investigation, coordination, and efficiency. Whether linked by a common portal or manually grouped, this feature allows seamless multi-angle video review with minimal setup.