Smart map (usage)

Smart map (explained)

This feature is only available in certain XProtect VMS systems. For more information, see the product comparison chart: https://www.milestonesys.com/products/software/xprotect-comparison/

Smart map lets you view and access devices at multiple locations around the world in a geographically correct way. Unlike maps, where you had a different map for each location, smart map gives you the big picture in a single view.

You can zoom out to see all of your locations in multiple cities, regions, countries and continents, and quickly go to each location to view video from the cameras.

You can preview footage from cameras at your sales office in Rome, then zoom out, pan across the world with a single drag, and then zoom in to the cameras in your office in Los Angeles.

One key benefit of a smart map is the spatial reference data behind-the-scenes. For more information, see Geographic backgrounds (explained).

Smart map and alarms (explained)

Smart map displays alarms if they are triggered by a device and if the device is added to the smart map. See also Adding, deleting, or editing devices on smart map.

Depending on your user permissions, you may be able to see alarms on smart maps.

Smart map and search (explained)

While searching for video and related data on the Search tab, you can locate the devices geographically in the preview area:

Locate cameras geographically while searching in XProtect Smart Client.

When you select a search result, the smart map zooms in on the associated device in its geographic location. You may need to zoom out to get a better overview of the surroundings.

If the device is placed somewhere inside a multistory building, an indication of the level of the device appears:

Locate cameras in buildings while searching in XProtect Smart Client.

If a device is visible on multiple levels, only the first level specified is displayed, from the bottom and up.

Grouping of devices (explained)

When cameras and other types of devices are placed close to each other and you zoom out, the devices are grouped and displayed visually as circular icons.

A cluster of devices on a smart map.

The cluster shows the number of devices inside the cluster. As you zoom in again, for example by double-clicking the cluster, it turns into devices and possibly sub-clusters.

Multiple clusters on a smart map.

Clusters turn blue when you select them.

If a cluster contains different types of devices, for example cameras and microphones, then the cluster only shows the number of devices. However, if a cluster contains only one type of device, then the cluster shows both the type of device and the number of devices. This scenario is illustrated in the following image:

Two clusters, with one containing a camera icon.

If you see a cluster that looks this way, only some of the devices inside the cluster are selected:

A cluster that looks half blue and half black, indicating that only some devices in it are selected.

You have different options when you right-click a cluster - or one or more selected devices - for example Live preview:

Menu for a cluster after a user right-clicked the cluster.

The options differ depending on the situation. For example, you can only remove devices in setup mode.

MIP elementsClosed A plug-in element added through the MIP SDK. do not cluster with any type of device. They only cluster with MIP elements of the same type.

Example 1: If an area has two cameras and one MIP element, the cluster will look as follows: 

Camera cluster with MIP element underneath it.

Example 2: If an area has two MIP elements of different types, there will be no cluster.

In addition, MIP elements have their own layer that you can turn on or off by clicking Show or hide layers and custom overlays in the smart map toolbar.

Get overview of grouped devices

Clusters can contain different types of devices, for example cameras and input devices. To get an overview of the devices in a cluster, click the cluster once.

Overview of a cluster showing device types and the number of devices for each type.

Zoom in and out

There are different ways of zooming in or out:

  • Use the scroll wheel on your mouse

  • If there is a cluster, double-click it, or right-click and select Zoom to. The map zooms to a level where all the devices or sub-clusters within the cluster are visible

    A cluster of 3 cameras. The cluster icon is blue because all cameras inside were selected.

  • Press and hold the SHIFT key and drag the pointer to select an area on the map. The map zooms in and centers on your selection

There may be a limit to how much you can zoom in on a map if you're using one of the following services:

  • Bing Maps
  • Google Maps
  • Milestone Map Service
  • OpenStreetMap

The zoom limitation depends on if the services are able to provide an image at the requested zoom depth. When such a zoom limit occurs, the view item stops displaying the geographic background. Other layers, such as devices or shapefile images continue to display.

Preview live video from one camera

You can preview video from single cameras. The video is displayed in a preview window, which allows you to further investigate the video, for example in a new floating window.

Steps:

  1. Navigate to the camera.

  2. Double-click the camera, or right-click and select Live preview. The live video feed is displayed in the Preview window.

    Live video feed from a camera after the camera was double-clicked.

  3. To play back and investigate the video in more detail, do one of the following actions:
    • In the Preview window, click Independent playback. The controls of independent playback become available
    • Click More > Send to window > New floating window. A window appears.

Preview live video from multiple cameras

You can preview live video from multiple cameras at the same time - a maximum of 25 live videos can be shown at the same time. The video is displayed in a preview window, allowing you to further investigate the video, for example, in a new floating window.

Steps:

  1. Navigate to the place on the smart map, where the cameras are located.
  2. Select the cameras using one of these methods:

    • Press and hold the CTRL key while you select the cameras.

    • In the toolbar, click Select multiple cameras, then click and drag to select the cameras within an area.

      Only cameras are included in the selection.

    • Double-click a cluster to zoom to and select the devices and potential sub-clusters inside the cluster

  3. Right-click any of the selected cameras or sub-clusters and select Live preview, or press Enter.

    Live video feed from a camera after the camera was double-clicked.

  4. To play back and investigate the video in more detail, do one of the following actions:
    • In the Preview window, click Independent playback. The controls of independent playback become available
    • Click More > Send to window > New floating window. A window appears.

Use hotspot to view video from cameras on smart map

Instead of previewing video feed from your cameras, or sending the video feed to a secondary display, you can use a hotspotClosed A particular position for viewing magnified and/or high quality camera images in XProtect Smart Client views. to quickly shift between cameras on your smart mapClosed A map functionality that uses a geographic information system to visualize devices (for example, cameras and microphones), structures, and topographical elements of a surveillance system in geographically accurate, real-world imagery. Maps that use elements of this functionality are called smart maps..

You have already set up a view with a hotspot. For more information, see Add hotspots to views.

Steps:

  1. Open the view that contains the smart map.
  2. If the view also contains the hotspot:
    1. Navigate to the cameras on the smart map.
    2. Click the cameras you are interested in. As you click, the video feed is displayed in the hotspot view item.
  3. If the view does not contain the hotspot:
    1. In the Views pane, right-click the view that contains the hotspot.
    2. Select Send view to and select a display option, for example Floating window.
    3. Arrange the views on your monitor or monitors so that you can see both.
    4. Navigate to the cameras on the smart map.
    5. Click the cameras you are interested in. As you click, the video feed is displayed in the hotspot view item.

Go to smart map locations

You can quickly jump to locations added by yourself or others in XProtect Smart Client instead of panning manually to the location on the smart map. The list of locations displays the last location you selected.

Steps:

  1. Select the view that contains the smart map.

  2. In the upper left corner of the view, open the Select a location list.

    Go to locations on your smart map in XProtect Smart Client.

  3. Select the location to go to that location on the smart map.

Jump to device on smart map

If you want to view a device in its geographic context, you can jump to the place on the smart mapClosed A map functionality that uses a geographic information system to visualize devices (for example, cameras and microphones), structures, and topographical elements of a surveillance system in geographically accurate, real-world imagery. Maps that use elements of this functionality are called smart maps. where the device is. This is useful if, for example, you forgot the location of a device, or if you want to check nearby devices.

You can jump to a device only if the device has been geographically positioned in one of two ways:

  • The geo coordinates of the device have been specified in the device properties in XProtect Management Client
  • The device has been positioned on the smart map in XProtect Smart Client

Steps:

  1. To search for a device and then jump to it:
    1. In live or playback mode, go to the Views pane.
    2. Search for the device. If the device exists, it appears in the search results.
    3. Hover over the device that you want to jump to.
    4. Click to jump to the device. The smart map opens in a floating window.
  2. To jump to a camera from a view item:
    1. In live or playback mode, select the view item that contains the camera.

    2. Inside the view item, at the bottom, hover over the black bar to make the camera toolbar appear.

      Locate specific cameras on your smart map.

    3. Click to jump to the camera. The smart map opens in a floating window.

Jump to custom overlays on smart map

If you need to quickly navigate to a custom overlayClosed A user-defined, graphic element that users can add to a smart map, for example to illustrate a floor plan in a building, or to mark borders between regions. A custom overlay can be an image, a CAD drawing, or a shapefile. on the smart map, you can jump to the location where the overlay is.

  1. On the smart map, click Show or hide layers and custom overlays. A window appears.
  2. Go to the Custom overlays section.
  3. Click next to the overlay you want to find. This will take you to the location on the smart map.

Backtracking to previous locations (explained)

When you go from one location to another, XProtect Smart Client keeps a history of the locations you visit. This lets you backtrack by clicking Back. The history is based on the locations that you click. That is, if you pan to a location, but do not click it, the location is not added to the history.

When you backtrack, XProtect Smart Client removes the location you just left from the history. The history includes only forward movements.

The system clears the history when you leave the view.