Camera Bridge

Appearance

Overview and Live View ​

Overview Grid ​

The Overview is Camera Bridge's main tool for viewing all your cameras at once in a grid layout.

Opening Overview ​

  • App menu: Click the Camera Bridge menu at the top, then Overview
  • Menu bar: Click the menu bar icon, then Overview

What You See ​

Overview displays:

  • Live view tile for each camera with a small video thumbnail
  • Camera name below each tile
  • Connection status (connected, checking, or error)
  • Pro plan indicator (if you're on the free plan, cameras not in Home show "Pro")

Using the Grid ​

  • Tap a tile to expand it and see the camera's settings and stream options
  • Resize tiles: Drag to adjust the grid layout
  • Full screen: Double-tap a tile for full-screen video
  • Camera details: Click the info icon to see settings, events, and HomeKit status

Performance ​

Overview analyzes video from multiple cameras at once, so:

  • Older Macs may use significant CPU
  • Consider closing Overview if not actively using it
  • For best performance, see Performance Optimization

Live View in Camera Bridge ​

Each camera has its own detail page with live video controls:

Opening a Camera ​

  1. In Camera Bridge sidebar, click a camera name
  2. The camera's page shows live video and settings

Live View Controls ​

  • Pause / Resume: Stop or resume the live stream
  • Snapshot: Capture a still image (saved to your Pictures folder)
  • Stream selector: Choose between main and sub streams (if available)
  • Settings controls: Adjust camera settings if ONVIF is connected

Keyboard Shortcuts ​

  • Space to pause/resume
  • S to take a snapshot
  • Esc to exit full screen

Video Quality ​

Live view in Camera Bridge can use either stream:

  • Sub stream (faster, lower quality): Good for checking in quickly
  • Main stream (higher quality, more CPU): Better for detailed viewing

You can switch streams from the camera's page or use Camera Bridge's settings.

Multiple Cameras ​

The sidebar shows all your cameras grouped by status:

  • Connected: Cameras currently accessible
  • Checking: Camera Bridge is connecting
  • Error: Connection failed (see Troubleshooting)

Pro Plan Indicator ​

If you're on the free plan:

  • Your "free camera" (the one in Apple Home) shows normally
  • Other cameras show a "Pro" label
  • Upgrade to Camera Bridge Pro to put all cameras in Home

Dragging and Dropping ​

Rearrange Cameras ​

Drag a camera in the sidebar to reorder them:

  • Your most-used cameras first
  • Cameras in the same room grouped together

Drag to Preview ​

Drag a camera onto the live view area to preview its stream.

Camera Information ​

Click a camera to see:

  • Live video with full controls
  • ONVIF settings (if connected)
  • HomeKit status (in Home, not in Home, pro plan, etc.)
  • Motion events from the camera or Camera Bridge
  • Connection details (IP, RTSP path, codec, etc.)

Troubleshooting ​

Overview is slow or freezing?

  • Close Overview and check individual camera pages
  • See Performance

Can't see a camera?

  • Check the connection status (should say "Connected")
  • See Common Issues

Video is pixelated or choppy?

  • Lower the quality in Camera Bridge settings
  • Check your network and camera settings
  • See Performance