Frequently Asked Questions

Does SmartBlur upload my photos, videos, or camera frames?

Desktop AI processing is local. Internet-connected operations such as licensing, feedback, and update checks are separate from the media-processing worker. Do not paste private RTSP URLs or license keys into feedback text.

Can I use a webcam with SmartBlur Standard?

Yes. Standard and Pro can process a local webcam and show the processed preview inside SmartBlur. Free does not include live webcam input. See Webcam, RTSP & SmartBlur Camera for the exact plan and installer matrix.

Which live-camera features require Pro?

RTSP/RTSPS network-camera input and processed live recording require Pro. Local webcam processing is available on Standard and Pro on supported Windows and Mac devices. SmartBlur Camera output requires Standard or Pro plus a supported Windows or macOS website build; it is separate from Pro-only RTSP and recording. The Microsoft Store package does not include SmartBlur Camera.

What is the difference between Standard, Ultra, and Ultra Super?

They are detection models, not blur strengths. The Standard detector is available on Free, Standard, and Pro. Ultra requires Standard or Pro. Ultra Super requires Pro and is the heaviest option for difficult, distant, crowded, or obstructed subjects. A heavier model can improve coverage on representative scenes, but no model guarantees every detection. See AI Detection.

Should I lower or raise confidence for better accuracy?

Lower it when real subjects are missed; raise it when ordinary objects are incorrectly detected. Change only the affected target by about 0.05, then retest. “Higher confidence” means stricter acceptance, not universally better accuracy.

Does changing padding improve detection?

No. Padding expands a region after a face is detected. Use it when the blur is too tight. For no detection at all, enable an available target, lower its confidence, or test a stronger model. 360° Detection is available on Standard and Pro for angled footage.

Is 360° Detection enabled on the first install?

No. A clean first install or fresh app profile starts with the Default preset and 360° Detection off. A website Pro trial unlocks the control but does not turn it on. Street Footage turns it on; Default and Office CCTV turn it off. Later launches restore the saved local setting, and a reinstall can retain it if the operating system preserves the app profile.

Can I preview a video result without rendering the complete video?

Yes, in a release that includes Single-frame preview. Add a local video in the desktop app, move the playhead, and click Single-frame preview in the transport bar. SmartBlur processes only that frame and opens Before & After. Repeat at several timestamps before choosing Blur & save. The frame result is an approximation without full-video temporal tracking, so inspect the complete saved video before sharing it.

How can I soften a blur edge?

Use Edge Feather under Blur Configuration → Blur Style. It ranges from 0–40% and defaults to 8%. It softens the transition outside the fully redacted core for Gaussian, Mosaic, and Solid Shape without revealing the protected region. Padding is different: it enlarges the fully protected core. Overlay Image keeps its own alpha edge, so Edge Feather is disabled for that style.

Do Single-frame preview and Edge Feather work on Windows?

Their implementation is shared across Windows and macOS, but availability follows each platform's published release. They are included in the current macOS 2.1.2 release. The current public Windows 2.1.0 build predates them, so use a Windows release whose Release Notes specifically list these features.

Do controls update immediately on a webcam or RTSP stream?

Yes. Standard and Pro can process a local webcam; RTSP requires Pro. While the live session runs, SmartBlur groups rapid changes for about 400 ms and applies the latest available targets, confidence, padding, 360°, blur style, intensity, or preset to following frames. A model change briefly loads the new model while keeping the source connection open.

Why does Ultra Super briefly pause live frames?

Ultra Super requires Pro. The persistent worker is switching to a different model session, so the webcam or RTSP connection remains open while processing waits for the model. Standard webcam users can choose Standard or Ultra. If the status reports failure instead of resuming, see Troubleshooting.

Can SmartBlur read an IP/security camera?

Yes, with Pro through Live Camera → RTSP Stream. The URL must begin with rtsp:// or rtsps://. See Webcam & RTSP.

Can SmartBlur record the live processed result?

Yes, with Pro. Choose a recording folder, start the Pro live source, then start recording. SmartBlur saves processed frames locally. Stop recording cleanly and review the file before sharing.

Does SmartBlur provide a virtual-camera device on Windows and macOS?

Yes. SmartBlur 2 Standard and Pro can provide SmartBlur Camera output to Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, OBS, and other webcam apps when you use a supported Windows or macOS build downloaded from the SmartBlur website. SmartBlur 2.1.2 for macOS uses a signed Core Media I/O camera extension. The Microsoft Store package does not include SmartBlur Camera. See Webcam, RTSP & SmartBlur Camera for setup and limitations.

How do I make SmartBlur Camera appear on macOS?

Install the signed, notarized, and stapled SmartBlur 2.1.2 DMG, drag SmartBlur to Applications, then start a processed Live Camera preview and enable SmartBlur Camera. If prompted, approve the camera extension in System Settings → Privacy & Security, return to SmartBlur, and enable it again. Quit and reopen the receiving app before selecting SmartBlur Camera so it refreshes its camera list.

Does SmartBlur Camera work in the Microsoft Store version?

No. Microsoft Store packages do not include SmartBlur Camera. Standard and Pro can still process a local webcam inside the Store app; install the supported signed Windows or macOS website build when another compatible app needs to receive the processed feed as SmartBlur Camera.

How much do Standard and Pro cost?

Standard is $29 or IDR 149,000 for one year, including renewal. Pro is $49 for the first year and renewal. In Indonesia, Pro is IDR 599,000 for the first year and IDR 399,000 to renew. See Plans, Pricing & Licensing and verify checkout for the latest price.

Will version 1.5.7 update itself to SmartBlur 2?

No. Versions earlier than 1.5.8, including 1.5.7, do not receive a direct in-app update to SmartBlur 2. Download the current Windows installer from smartblur.app/download. See Updates for the supported update path.

Can I blur bodies or plates?

Body detection is available on every plan. Plate detection requires Pro. Their confidence sliders are independent, and plates cannot receive a keep-visible person identity rule.

Can SmartBlur add sunglasses, hats, and masks to faces?

Yes. The Overlay Image style includes landmark-aligned eyewear, headwear, and face coverings on Free, Standard, and Pro for supported photo, video, and batch workflows. You can stack one item from each accessory slot. In an entitled live session, the same overlay settings apply to following frames: Standard or Pro for a webcam, and Pro for RTSP. Review every result because placement and detection remain probabilistic. See Face Accessories.

Can I choose which people stay visible?

Standard can assign manual face decisions in one image at a time, without identity matching. Pro adds face/body identity matching across image, video, batch, and live workflows. Matching is probabilistic; inspect the entire final output, especially scene changes and uncertain matches.

Do manual blur regions track a moving subject?

No. A manual region is a fixed rectangle or ellipse at image/clip coordinates. It does not follow motion across video frames, so review the timeline and add coverage where needed.

Is there a video file-size limit?

Free processes video files up to 10 MB. Standard and Pro have no video-size limit, although available disk, memory, hardware, codec support, and review time still set practical limits.

What happens to my original file?

Adding media and previewing does not replace the source. Final processing saves to the configured output destination/naming rule. Use a separate folder and suffix, and never overwrite the only original copy.

Why is processing slow?

Resolution, duration, frame rate, crowd density, targets, model, 360°, output quality, and hardware all contribute. Test the Standard detector, disable unneeded targets, or, on Standard/Pro, disable 360°. Pro RTSP users can also test a sub-stream when the reviewed privacy result remains acceptable.

How do I get support safely?

Use Send Feedback or email [email protected] with the app version, Windows or macOS version, selected settings, exact error, and reproduction steps. For Mac camera issues, also say whether macOS approved the SmartBlur Camera extension and whether you reopened the receiving app. Redact RTSP credentials, license keys, names, and private footage.