gCMOB Playback Guide: How to View Recorded CCTV Footage

1

Introduction

gCMOB playback is an important feature for users who want to review recorded CCTV footage from supported surveillance devices. The keyword gCMOB is often searched by users who want to watch previous camera recordings, check missed events, review motion alerts, verify incidents, and access DVR or NVR footage from Android.

Live view shows what is happening right now, but playback shows what happened earlier. This makes playback very useful for security checking, investigation, delivery confirmation, staff timing, visitor activity, and after-hours monitoring.

For the main app guide, visit gCMOB Download for Android - CCTV Camera Monitoring App Guide

2

What Is Playback in gCMOB?

Playback is the feature that allows users to view recorded CCTV footage from supported devices. If the DVR, NVR, or camera system has recorded video, gCMOB can help users access that footage from Android.

It is one of the most practical features in a CCTV monitoring app.

Playback is useful for:

• Reviewing past activity
• Checking motion events
• Verifying alerts
• Confirming delivery times
• Investigating incidents
• Checking staff movement
• Watching after-hours activity
• Reviewing visitor entry
• Checking missed live view events

3

Live View vs Playback

Live view and playback are different.

| Feature | Purpose |

| ------------- | ----------------------------------- |

| Live View | Watch camera feed in real time |

| Playback | Watch recorded footage from earlier |

| Push Alert | Notify user about activity |

| Device Health | Check whether system is working |

| PTZ Control | Move supported camera view |

Live view is for current monitoring. Playback is for reviewing history.

4

Before Using Playback

Before opening playback, make sure your setup supports recorded footage access.

If recordings do not exist, playback cannot show footage.

Check:

• Device is added in gCMOB
• DVR/NVR/IP camera is online
• Recording is enabled
• Storage device is working
• Correct date and time are selected
• User has playback permission
• Internet connection is stable
• Correct camera channel is selected

5

How to Open Playback in gCMOB

General playback steps:

Menu names may vary by app version and device setup.

1. 1

   Open gCMOB on Android.

2. 2

   Go to playback or remote playback option.

3. 3

   Select the added device.

4. 4

   Choose camera channel.

5. 5

   Select date.

6. 6

   Select time.

7. 7

   Search or load recordings.

8. 8

   Tap the available recording segment.

9. 9

   Watch recorded footage.

6

Select the Correct Device

If you have multiple devices added in gCMOB, choose the correct DVR, NVR, IP camera, or video encoder before opening playback.

Use clear device names to avoid mistakes.

Selecting the wrong device may cause:

• No recording found
• Wrong camera channel
• Wrong location footage
• Playback error
• Confusion in timeline
• Connection failure

7

Select the Correct Camera Channel

Many DVRs and NVRs have multiple camera channels. Playback requires selecting the correct channel.

If the wrong channel is selected, the footage may not show the event you need.

Examples:

• Channel 1: Main entrance
• Channel 2: Shop counter
• Channel 3: Parking area
• Channel 4: Storage room
• Channel 5: Office floor

8

Select the Correct Date and Time

Playback depends heavily on date and time. If the wrong date is selected, gCMOB may show no recordings.

If device time is wrong, recordings may appear under a different time.

Check:

• Recording date
• Start time
• End time
• Device time zone
• DVR/NVR clock
• AM/PM format
• Correct day

9

Playback Timeline

Some playback interfaces show a timeline or recording bar. This helps users find recorded segments.

Users can drag or tap the timeline to move through footage.

A timeline may show:

• Continuous recording
• Motion recording
• Event recording
• Empty periods
• Available footage
• Time blocks

10

Playback for Motion Events

If the device records motion events, playback can help users review only the important moments instead of watching hours of footage.

For alerts, read gCMOB Push Notifications and Motion Alert Setup Guide.

Motion playback is useful for:

• Entry movement
• Night activity
• Delivery arrival
• Parking movement
• Door activity
• Suspicious movement
• Alert verification

11

Playback for Security Incidents

Playback is often used after something happens. Users may review footage to understand an incident.

Playback helps users verify facts from recorded video.

Examples:

• Missing item
• Unknown visitor
• Delivery dispute
• Gate activity
• Shop counter issue
• Staff timing question
• Vehicle movement
• After-hours entry

12

Playback and HDD Status

DVRs and NVRs often record footage to a hard drive. If the HDD has a problem, playback may not work properly.

For device status details, read gCMOB Device Health Monitoring: HDD, Online, and Offline Status.

HDD-related issues may include:

• No recording
• Recording stopped
• Storage full
• HDD error
• Device not saving footage
• Old footage overwritten
• Disk failure

13

Playback Not Working

Start by checking whether recordings exist on the device.

If playback does not work, possible causes include:

• No recording available
• Wrong date selected
• Wrong channel selected
• Device offline
• HDD error
• Poor internet connection
• User permission issue
• App bug
• Device time mismatch
• Recording not enabled

14

How to Fix Playback Not Working

Try these fixes:

For general troubleshooting, read gCMOB Not Working? Common Problems and Fixes.

1. 1

   Check if DVR/NVR is online.

2. 2

   Confirm recording is enabled.

3. 3

   Select the correct date.

4. 4

   Select the correct camera channel.

5. 5

   Check device storage or HDD status.

6. 6

   Restart gCMOB.

7. 7

   Refresh playback.

8. 8

   Try another time range.

9. 9

   Check internet connection.

10. 10

    Restart the surveillance device if authorized.

15

No Recordings Found

The app cannot show footage that was never recorded.

If gCMOB shows no recordings found:

• Check selected date
• Check selected time
• Check camera channel
• Check recording schedule
• Check HDD status
• Check device time
• Confirm the device was online at that time
• Verify that recording was enabled

16

Playback Loading Slowly

Playback can load slowly when internet is weak or footage quality is high.

Recorded video streaming needs stable connection.

Fixes:

• Use stronger Wi-Fi
• Reduce stream quality if available
• Avoid opening many channels
• Close background apps
• Check device upload speed
• Use shorter time ranges
• Restart app
• Try during lower network traffic

17

Playback Stops or Freezes

If freezing happens on all channels, the device or network may be the issue.

If playback freezes:

• Check internet speed
• Reload the recording
• Select a shorter clip
• Restart app
• Try another channel
• Check device health
• Check HDD status
• Use a stronger network

18

Playback Time Is Wrong

Wrong device time can make footage hard to find.

If playback time does not match real time:

• Check DVR/NVR time settings
• Check time zone
• Check daylight saving settings where applicable
• Check Android device time
• Restart app
• Ask authorized installer to correct device time if needed

19

Can gCMOB Download Recordings?

Some surveillance apps may allow clip saving or snapshot features depending on device and app support. Feature availability can vary.

If saving footage is supported, users should handle recordings responsibly.

Responsible footage use means:

• Save only necessary clips
• Protect private footage
• Do not share sensitive videos publicly
• Follow workplace or local privacy rules
• Store evidence securely
• Delete unnecessary private clips

20

Playback and Privacy

Recorded CCTV footage can contain sensitive private information. Users should be careful when viewing, saving, or sharing recordings.

CCTV playback should be treated responsibly.

Privacy tips:

• Use playback only for authorized purposes
• Do not share private footage casually
• Keep app access protected
• Lock your phone
• Use strong device passwords
• Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive access
• Remove old users from device access

21

Playback and Login Permissions

Some users may be able to view live video but not playback if their account lacks permission. Device administrators may restrict access.

Do not try to bypass permission restrictions.

If playback is unavailable:

• Check user role
• Ask authorized administrator
• Confirm playback permission
• Re-add device with correct account
• Check device settings

22

Playback After Push Notification

Playback is useful after receiving an alert. If a motion notification arrives, users can open playback and check the event time.

For notification setup, read gCMOB Push Notifications and Motion Alert Setup Guide.

This workflow helps:

• Verify whether alert was important
• Check movement source
• Review entry activity
• Understand what happened
• Save evidence if needed

23

Playback Safety Checklist

This improves playback reliability.

Before relying on playback, check:

• Device recording is enabled
• HDD/storage is working
• Correct date and time
• Correct camera channel
• Device is online
• Internet is stable
• User has playback permission
• App is updated
• Footage is handled privately
• Device access is authorized

24

What Playback Should Not Be Used For

Playback should never be used for unauthorized viewing or privacy violations.

For safety guidance, read Is gCMOB Safe to Use for CCTV Monitoring?.

Do not use playback to:

• Watch footage from devices you do not own
• Access private camera recordings without permission
• Share private recordings publicly
• Use leaked login credentials
• Bypass account permissions
• Monitor restricted spaces illegally