How to review and export video in AXIS Camera Station
Step-by-step help for AXIS Camera Station 5, for property managers, building operators and security staff.
The quick answer
In AXIS Camera Station, open a Recordings tab, choose the camera and go to the time on the timeline. Show the selection markers, drag them around the incident and open the Export tab. Check the times, choose the format, tick Include AXIS File Player and Add digital signature for police or insurance, then click Export, choose a folder and click OK.
We’ll do it for you
Need footage for police or insurance and short on time? We’ll find and export it for you, remotely where your system allows it, or on site.
Before you start
Works with: AXIS Camera Station 5. Newer AXIS Camera Station Pro versions look much the same.
Who it’s for: Property managers, building operators and security staff
You need: a user account allowed to view and export recordings, plus the camera, the date and the time of the incident.
Last updated: October 19, 2026
Review recordings
Open AXIS Camera Station and log in.
Click + and open a Recordings tab.
Choose the camera from the list.
Go to the date and time on the timeline: drag it, zoom in and out with the mouse wheel, or pick a day from the calendar.
Use the playback controls to play the video and find the incident.
Export a clip
On the timeline, click the button that shows the selection markers.
Drag the markers to the start and end of the incident.
Click the button to open the Export tab with your clip.
To add clips from other cameras or times, right-click a recording and choose Export > Add recordings.
On the Export tab, check each clip’s start and end time. You can add notes and preview the clips.
Choose the format and options (see below), click Export…, pick the folder and click OK. Progress shows in the Tasks tab.
Export options
- Format: .asf, .mp4 or .mkv.
- Include AXIS File Player: adds a player that opens the files without installing anything. Tick it for police and insurance.
- Add digital signature: lets the person receiving the export check it hasn’t been changed.
- Export to Zip file: puts everything in one zip file, which you can protect with a password.
- Include notes and Create playlist: add your notes and a playlist that plays the clips in order.
Open the export
Open the export folder and double-click AXIS File Player to play the clips.
To check a digitally signed export, open it in AXIS File Player and choose Tools > Verify digital signature.
Copy the whole export folder (or the zip file) to a USB drive or a secure file share.
Tips for police and insurance
- Note the camera name, the date and the exact time of the incident.
- Keep the original export unedited, and keep a copy.
- Check the recorder’s date and time are correct before you export (see wrong date or time).
- Include the player if the file won’t open on a normal computer.
- Ask your local police service which format they want.
If it didn’t work
You can’t export
Your user account doesn’t have permission to export recordings. Ask your administrator, or call us.
The file won’t open
Open it with AXIS File Player from the export folder, or export again with Include AXIS File Player ticked.
No recordings at that time
The camera wasn’t recording, or the clock is wrong. See camera offline or not recording and wrong date or time.
The export is taking a long time
Long clips and several cameras take time. Watch its progress in the Tasks tab.
Need footage for police or insurance?
We’ll help you export it, remotely where your system allows it, or on site.
Stuck with a system nobody will fix?
We repair and take over cameras, access control, intercoms and alarms installed by other companies, when your current provider has fallen short.
Questions
Which format should I use for police?
Ask your local police service. If they don’t mind, include AXIS File Player and a digital signature so they can play and check it.
How does someone open the export?
With AXIS File Player, which is included in the export when you tick Include AXIS File Player. It doesn’t need installing.
Can I password-protect an export?
Yes. Choose Export to Zip file and set a password.
Where do I see if the export finished?
In the Tasks tab. When it’s done, open the folder you chose.
Can you help us export it?
Yes. We’ll find and export the footage for you, remotely where your system allows it, or on site.
More answers: Security camera questionsGlossary: NVRvideo analytics
Need footage exported?
Tell us the building, the camera and the date and time. We’ll follow up to help.
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