Where Does Camera Footage Come From?

Video footage accessible in Telematics Guru comes from our AI Dashcam integration, where an existing telematics device is dual-installed with a dashcam unit or a dashcam provides both telemetry and camera events. Footage is fetched from the media-server linked to the camera, so there can often be a delay between when telemetry is recorded and when the corresponding video is available.

AI Dashcams automatically upload any events their onboard AI flags as relevant, and they also record continuous video to an onboard SD card. That recorded media can be retrieved remotely either by using the Live Stream function or by requesting clips from the SD card. Because the camera’s SD card has limited capacity, older footage is overwritten in a rolling process, so timely retrieval is important.

To access stored media remotely, a cloud server must open a connection to the camera and request a short clip from its SD card. Telematics Guru supports this workflow with the Video Requests feature, which is available from several screens.
 

Where Can I View Historical Camera Footage?

On the Trip History View

1. To view camera footage on the Trip History view, simply navigate to History → Trip History Map View
    
2. Select your camera and the date you're interested in from the right-hand menu, then click on a trip to select it.
    
3. Media events will appear as icons on the highlighted route. Hovering over one will reveal details as well as a View Media button.
    
4. Clicking on View Media will bring up a popup view which contains the media available for that event.
    

On the Live View

The card for a camera-linked asset will display its last Camera Event on the Live View. Simply click on the asset from the map or side menu to see the card, then click View to open the player. The last Camera Event has no relationship to the current location
 

On the Asset Timeline

Camera Events will appear as events bearing a camera icon under History → Asset Timeline. Clicking the camera icon will open the player. To view them in context, click the magnifying glass for the trip that contains them and view on the Trip History View.
 

Against Video Requests

When requested media becomes available for your camera, a camera icon will appear on the Video Requests screen, allowing you to view the footage in the player. 

How do I access Live Streaming?

Users can view live footage directly from the Live View screen for supported camera platforms, enabling real-time visibility into what the driver sees and supporting faster operational decision-making. Live streams automatically stop when the window is closed, and present clear, actionable error messages if the camera is unavailable, already streaming, or experiencing connectivity or power issues. 

 

Before you start

If you don’t see a play icon next to a camera, or you don’t see a Camera Livestream link in Live View, it usually means the camera platform is not supported for live streaming, is not fully set up, or is not currently available.
 

• Confirm the camera integration is set up and the camera is linked to the correct asset.
   
• Make sure the camera has power and connectivity (many install issues come down to power, ignition state, or network coverage).
   
• Check you have the required permissions to access camera features in Telematics Guru.
   
• If another user is already streaming from the camera, you may see an “already streaming” error until their session ends.
   
   

Starting a Camera LiveStream

You can start a livestream from two places. The Camera asset list in Manage Cameras, using the play icon, or the Live View Information window, using the Camera Livestream link.
 

Manage Cameras

1. Open the Manage Cameras page in Telematics Guru.
    
2. In the device grid view, select the asset that has the camera attached.
    
3. Click on the play icon next to the asset you want to view.
    
4. The camera livestream opens and begins playing when the camera is available.
    
5. Close the stream when you’re done. The livestream stops automatically when closed.
   
   
    

Camera Livestream link in Live View Information

1. Open the Live View module in Telematics Guru.
    
2. Search and select for the relevant asset.
    
3. Open the Live View Information window for the asset.
    
4. Select the Camera Livestream link.
    
5. The livestream opens and begins playing when the camera is available.
    
6. Close the stream when you’re done. The livestream stops automatically when closed.
   
   
   
    
    

What to expect during a stream

• The stream stops automatically when you close the livestream player.
   
• If the camera is unavailable, already in use, or has a power/connectivity problem, Telematics Guru will show a clear error message so you know what to do next.
  
   

The Media Player

Regardless of where you access the media, the player used is the same, and will pop-up over the top of your current screen.
 

1. The time and location of the event will not match the exact location on the map, as the event snaps itself to the closest telemetry point from the asset during that trip. The exact time and location will be shown on screen at the bottom of the media itself while it plays. This comes directly from the camera and would be the source of truth. This information is part of the video itself.
    
2. Many cameras offer several different types of media, including wing mirrors and still shots. Clicking on the labelled icons on the left will change the displayed media accordingly.
    
3. If the media is a video, a three-dot menu will appear in the bottom right-hand corner, which can be clicked on to reveal an option to download the footage.
    
    

Need More Footage?

While AI Dashcams will automatically upload anything that their AI firmware detects to be relevant, they are also storing all video footage into their onboard SD cards during operation. See our guide on Requesting Media from Dashcams to learn more.

Further Reading

• Set up a supported camera integration: 
  
  
  • Integrating Lightmetrics Cameras into Telematics Guru
     
  • Integrating VisionMax Cameras into Telematics Guru
     
• AI Dashcam Integration
   
• Requesting Media from Dashcams
   
• Creating Camera Alerts
   
• See what’s changed recently in Telematics Guru: Telematics Guru Release Notes.