# Live View

Watch real-time video from your cameras with full control over playback and settings.

## Accessing Live View

Access live video in multiple ways:

1. **Dashboard** - Tap any camera tile
2. **Devices list** - Select a camera from the devices menu
3. **Notifications** - Tap an alert to jump to that camera
4. **Quick access** - Use 3D Touch/Long press on app icon

## Live View Controls

### Video Controls

| Control | Function |
|---------|----------|
| ▶️ Play/Pause | Start/stop live stream |
| 🔊 Volume | Adjust audio levels |
| 🔇 Mute | Toggle audio on/off |
| ⛶ Fullscreen | Expand to full screen |
| 📷 Snapshot | Capture still image |
| ⏺️ Record | Start manual recording |

### PTZ Controls (Pan-Tilt-Zoom)

For PTZ-enabled cameras:

```
         ⬆️
      ⬅️  🏠  ➡️
         ⬇️
     
    ➖ Zoom ➕
```

- **Arrow buttons** - Pan and tilt camera
- **Home button** - Return to default position
- **Zoom slider** - Optical zoom in/out
- **Presets** - Save and recall camera positions

### Digital Zoom

For non-PTZ cameras:

1. **Pinch to zoom** - Zoom in up to 8x
2. **Drag to pan** - Move around zoomed view
3. **Double tap** - Reset to normal view

## Video Quality Settings

Adjust video quality based on your network:

### Auto Quality (Recommended)

The app automatically adjusts quality based on your connection speed.

### Manual Quality

1. Tap the **HD/SD** indicator
2. Select your preferred quality:
   - **4K** - 3840x2160 (requires high bandwidth)
   - **1080p** - 1920x1080
   - **720p** - 1280x720
   - **480p** - 854x480 (low bandwidth mode)

```{note}
Higher quality requires more bandwidth. If you experience buffering, try lowering the quality.
```

## 2-Way Audio

Communicate through cameras with built-in speakers:

### To Speak Through Camera

1. Tap the **🎤 Microphone** button
2. Hold to talk (push-to-talk mode)
3. Release when finished

### Audio Settings

- **Talk Mode**: Push-to-talk or Toggle
- **Noise Cancellation**: On/Off
- **Volume Boost**: For noisy environments

```{warning}
Ensure your device microphone is enabled in system settings.
```

## Multi-View Mode

Watch multiple cameras simultaneously:

### Enabling Multi-View

1. From live view, tap the **Grid** icon
2. Select layout:
   - 2x1 (two cameras side-by-side)
   - 2x2 (four cameras)
   - 3x3 (nine cameras)
3. Tap empty slots to add cameras

### Multi-View Features

- **Audio follows focus** - Hear audio from selected camera
- **Smart switching** - App highlights cameras with motion
- **Picture-in-Picture** - Continue watching in other apps

## Video Timeline

Access recent recordings directly from live view:

1. Swipe up on the video player
2. Timeline appears showing last 24 hours
3. Colored bars indicate:
   - **Blue** - Continuous recording
   - **Red** - Motion events
   - **Yellow** - Sound detection
4. Drag to scrub through time

## Quick Actions

Long-press on the video to access:

- **Share** - Send snapshot or clip
- **Add to Favorites** - Quick access from dashboard
- **Device Settings** - Adjust camera settings
- **Timeline** - Jump to recordings
- **Report Issue** - Submit camera problem

## Performance Tips

For the best live view experience:

1. **Use WiFi** when possible for highest quality
2. **Close background apps** to free up resources  
3. **Keep app updated** for latest optimizations
4. **Restart app** if experiencing issues

---

**Next:** Learn about [Recordings](recordings.md) to access your saved video.