Creating and Managing Bookmarks

Bookmarks in XProtect Smart Client allow you to save important video incidents for quick access and easy sharing with other users. Think of them as "saved clips" that you can easily find and reference later.

What Are Bookmarks?

Bookmarks are saved video sequences with descriptive information that help you:

• Quickly find important incidents without re-searching

• Share specific events with other team members

• Document incidents with detailed descriptions

• Build a searchable library of notable events

Each bookmark includes:

• Unique ID for easy reference

• Time span of the incident

• Headline (short description)

• Description (detailed notes)

• Creator information (who made the bookmark)

Creating Bookmarks

From Live or Playback Mode

Quick Bookmark:

1. Navigate to the camera and time you want to bookmark

2. Hover over the camera view to reveal the toolbar

3. Click the bookmark icon 📑

4. The bookmark is created instantly with default settings

Detailed Bookmark:

1. Navigate to the camera and time you want to bookmark

2. Hover over the camera view and click the bookmark icon 📑

3. In the bookmark window that appears:

   • Headline: Enter a brief, descriptive title (max 50 characters)

   • Description: Add detailed notes about the incident

   • Time span: Drag the timeline handles to adjust start/end times

4. Click OK to save

From Search Results

You can bookmark multiple search results at once:

1. Perform a search to find relevant incidents

2. Hover over each result and click the blue checkbox ☑️

3. In the blue action bar, click the bookmark icon 📑

4. For each selected result:

   • Add a headline and description

   • Adjust time spans if needed

   • Use "Apply headline to all" or "Apply description to all" for batch editing

5. Click OK to save all bookmarks

Bookmark Window Fields

Finding Existing Bookmarks

Using Search

1. Go to the Search tab

2. Set your time period (when the incident occurred)

3. Select relevant cameras

4. Click Search for > Bookmarks > New search

5. Results show all bookmarks matching your criteria

Filter Bookmarks

You can narrow down bookmark searches using:

• Keywords: Search in headlines and descriptions

• Bookmark ID: Enter the full ID (e.g., no.000004)

• Added by: Find bookmarks by specific users

• Time period: When the incident was recorded

Managing Bookmarks

Editing Bookmarks

Note: Requires edit permissions from your system administrator

1. Find the bookmark using Search > Bookmarks

2. Select bookmarks to edit (blue checkboxes)

3. Click the edit icon in the action bar

4. Modify headlines, descriptions, or time spans

5. Click OK to save changes

Deleting Bookmarks

Note: Requires delete permissions from your system administrator

1. Find the bookmark using Search > Bookmarks

2. Select bookmarks to delete (blue checkboxes)

3. Click the more actions (...) icon and select Delete bookmark

4. Confirm deletion - this permanently removes the bookmark

⚠️ Warning: Some systems may have restrictions preventing deletion of certain bookmarks.

Best Practices for Bookmarks

Effective Headlines

• Be specific: "Customer complaint - Register 3" vs. "Incident"

• Include location: "Loading dock - delivery truck"

• Add time context: "Morning shift - suspicious activity"

• Use consistent naming: Develop naming conventions for your team

Detailed Descriptions

Include key information:

• What happened: Brief summary of the incident

• People involved: Names, descriptions, actions

• Follow-up needed: Investigation steps, reports filed

• Evidence details: License plates, clothing, items

Example Bookmark

Headline: "Parking lot - vehicle break-in north side"
Description: "White sedan, license ABC-123, broken passenger 
window at 2:45 PM. Suspect: male, dark hoodie, fled on foot 
toward main street. Police report #12345 filed. Security 
footage backed up to incident folder."

Working with Bookmark Search Results

Preview Bookmarks

1. Click on a bookmark search result

2. Click play in the preview pane to watch

3. View details tab for incident information

4. Double-click result for full-screen viewing

Export Bookmarked Video

1. Select bookmarks in search results

2. Click Add to export list in the action bar

3. Continue with standard export process

Common Use Cases

Daily Operations

• Shift changes: Bookmark unusual events for next shift

• Training examples: Save good/bad customer interactions

• Maintenance issues: Document equipment problems

• Safety incidents: Preserve footage for safety reviews

Investigations

• Evidence collection: Bookmark key moments in incidents

• Timeline building: Create sequence of related events

• Witness verification: Save footage supporting statements

• Report documentation: Reference specific footage in reports

Troubleshooting Bookmarks

Can't Find a Bookmark

Possible reasons:

• Wrong time period: Bookmark may be older/newer than search range

• Insufficient permissions: May not have access to view the bookmark

• Bookmark deleted: Another user may have removed it

• Video no longer exists: Underlying footage may be past retention period

Can't Create/Edit Bookmarks

Solutions:

• Check permissions: Contact IT administrator for bookmark permissions

• Verify camera access: Ensure you can view the specific camera

• System restrictions: Some cameras may have bookmark limitations

💡 Pro Tips

• Use keywords consistently - this makes searches much easier later

• Bookmark immediately - don't wait until end of shift when details are fuzzy

• Include context - note what led up to and followed the incident

• Regular cleanup - periodically review and update bookmark descriptions

• Team coordination - establish naming conventions with your colleagues

Related Articles:

• XProtect Smart Client - Basic Video Search →

• XProtect Smart Client - Managing Search Results →

Last updated: July 18, 2025