Many third-party camera solutions include an in-stream timestamp within the live footage. When viewing streams from the Samsara Connected Sites platform, users may notice a difference between the burned-in timestamps on stream and the Live timestamp on the playback interface.
It is a best practice to make sure these timestamps are relatively in sync as a moderate offset may cause playback issues or conflicting user experiences.
Device Time Note
Samsara’s cloud platform references local browser time for all time window and reporting functions. When viewing from a device set in Pacific time, all times (including the playback header) will default to that time for that browser session. This also applies when viewing streams over mobile devices.
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A device with a compatible browser (Chrome, Firefox preferred)
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IP address of the camera(s) requiring timestamp configuration
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IP Camera admin-level credentials / login information
Manufacturer Note
Many IP Cameras include their own proprietary web interface. While most IP Cameras share similar navigation and settings, please refer to explicit hardware manuals for specific instructions on the steps required for making any changes. This may also be configured via a manufacturer’s NVR system.
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Log into the camera’s IP via web interface using a compatible web browser
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Navigate to Settings > Date and Time
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If available, enable Automatic date and time with the preferred NTP address. Otherwise update the time manually and Save.
NTP Servers
It is recommended to utilize an NTP server when available as it will better handle timezone changes and desynchronization caused by drift or outage incidents.
http://time.google.com (216.239.35.0) is a common and publicly available NTP server
Many manufacturers may have specific requirements or restrictions for setting NTP and timestamp configurations on their hardware. Here are the other available online resources by common IP Camera manufacturers:
