How to Zoom In on Swann EliteX™ Live View and Playback
Need to zoom in on your Swann EliteX™ NVR to see more details? The EliteX™ is a 6K NVR security system, and its built-in digital zoom lets you inspect recorded footage or live video more closely without changing the camera view.
Whether you're reviewing an event or checking live activity, knowing how to use the EliteX™ digital zoom can help you identify important details more easily.
Things to Know Before You Start
- Your EliteX™ NVR is connected to a monitor or TV and a mouse.
- You are viewing either Live View or Playback.
- Digital zoom enlarges the existing image, so some pixelation is normal.
How to Zoom on Live View and Playback
Zoom on Live View
Short answer: Open a camera in full-screen mode, enable Digital Zoom, then use the mouse scroll wheel to zoom in or out.
Steps
- Double-click a camera channel to enter full-screen mode.
- Click the Digital Zoom icon on the Camera Toolbar.
- Scroll up to zoom in or down to zoom out.
- Move around the image by:
- Clicking the desired area on the small preview in the bottom-right corner, or
- Clicking and dragging the enlarged image.
- Right-click to exit digital zoom.
Zoom During Playback
Short answer: While playing back footage, enable Digital Zoom and use the mouse wheel to enlarge the video.
Steps
- Click the Digital Zoom icon on the Camera Toolbar.
- Scroll up to zoom in or down to zoom out.
- Move to another area by:
- Clicking a location on the small preview, or
- Dragging the blue box on the preview window.
- Right-click to exit digital zoom.
Why Does the Zoomed Image Look Pixelated?
This is normal because EliteX™ uses digital zoom, which enlarges existing pixels instead of capturing new image data.
Also, while EliteX™ supports 6K cameras, the recorder's video output is limited to 4K display resolution. This means your monitor cannot display the camera's full native resolution during live viewing or playback.
For the highest level of detail, export the recording first and digitally zoom the exported video on a computer.
See full resolution sample screenshot here
Why It Matters
Digital zoom is useful when reviewing security footage for faces, license plates, packages, or other important details. Understanding how digital zoom works also helps set realistic expectations about image quality and when exporting recordings will provide better results.
Related Scenarios or Questions
Why is my zoomed image blurry?
Digital zoom enlarges pixels, so some loss of sharpness is expected.
Can I zoom while watching live video?
Yes. Digital zoom is available in Live View.
Can I zoom during playback?
Yes. Playback also supports digital zoom for closer inspection.
How can I see the full 6K image quality?
Export the recording and zoom in using a computer for the best available detail.
Does digital zoom affect the original recording?
No. It only changes how the video is displayed on screen.
Summary & Next Steps
Using Digital Zoom on your Swann EliteX™ NVR makes it easier to inspect live and recorded footage. While some pixelation is expected during digital zoom, exporting recordings provides the best way to view your camera's full available detail.