I've been researching for several hours to resolve problems with the Smart Play app (v 3.34.8).
Specifically with the Sync Play and Preview functions.
Preview simply does not work. I'm unable to load any video clips into the file list. According to the PDF manual, it should already be populated with files in the Group File List of the Play Window.
Sync Play: according the manual,
* "System is in synchronization playback process when the button is highlighted."
* "System is in asynchronous process when the button is grey."
Note: it is for group playback mode.
There are no notes about how to enter 'group playback mode', nor does the button stick when clicked; either when multiple windows are playing, or when multiple videos of the same timeframe are already playing. (assumption was to sync them.)
This feature, along with the ability to play multiple videos in sub-windows, implies the ability to review multiple synchronized streams.
The app does allow me to load multiple files into the group file list by dragging their containing folder into it, but only a single parent. ie: I can drag each hour successively. But the app will not drill down further if I drag a day's worth from one directory higher. This oversight makes review a very tedious process.
Additionally, since the firmware update that switched the default (only) format from .dav to .mp4, the responsiveness of the app loading files and switching to the next has become very sluggish. I'd not call this an improvement.
Ideally, I'm looking for a review solution that mimics the playback interface of the web interface, and integrates multiple storage inputs. It appears that the web interface and Smart Play were written by two entirely separate dev teams, that had no interaction.
The two cameras I'm testing record to a local FTP store. (So bandwidth and throughput are not an issue.)
I'd appreciate some help with Smart Play, or a recommendation of another suitable app.