diff --git a/frigate/object_detection/base.py b/frigate/object_detection/base.py
index bc7910e4d0..858c8a5e4d 100644
--- a/frigate/object_detection/base.py
+++ b/frigate/object_detection/base.py
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ class BaseLocalDetector(ObjectDetector):
         raw_detections = self.detect_raw(tensor_input)  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
 
         for d in raw_detections:
-            if int(d[0]) < 0 or int(d[0]) >= len(self.labels):
+            if int(d[0]) not in self.labels:
                 logger.warning(f"Raw Detect returned invalid label: {d}")
                 continue
             if d[1] < threshold:
@@ -395,6 +395,9 @@ class RemoteObjectDetector:
         self.labels = labels
         self.name = name
         self.fps = EventsPerSecond()
+        # class ids already warned about, so an incomplete labelmap logs once
+        # per id instead of once per frame
+        self.unnamed_class_ids: set[int] = set()
         self.detection_queue = detection_queue
         self.stop_event = stop_event
         self.shm = UntrackedSharedMemory(name=self.name, create=False)
@@ -436,9 +439,21 @@ class RemoteObjectDetector:
         for d in self.out_np_shm:
             if d[1] < threshold:
                 break
-            detections.append(
-                (self.labels[int(d[0])], float(d[1]), (d[2], d[3], d[4], d[5]))
-            )
+
+            class_id = int(d[0])
+            label = self.labels.get(class_id)
+
+            if label is None:
+                if class_id not in self.unnamed_class_ids:
+                    self.unnamed_class_ids.add(class_id)
+                    logger.warning(
+                        "Detector returned class id %d for %s, which the labelmap does not name. Check that labelmap_path matches the model",
+                        class_id,
+                        self.name,
+                    )
+                continue
+
+            detections.append((label, float(d[1]), (d[2], d[3], d[4], d[5])))
         self.fps.update()
         return detections
 
diff --git a/frigate/test/test_keyframe_analysis.py b/frigate/test/test_keyframe_analysis.py
index 14dad5849d..4234ae112b 100644
--- a/frigate/test/test_keyframe_analysis.py
+++ b/frigate/test/test_keyframe_analysis.py
@@ -26,6 +26,26 @@ class TestClassifyKeyframeGaps(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(result["severity"], "warning")
         self.assertEqual(result["max_gap"], 5.5)
 
+    def test_fixed_pattern_for_regular_gop(self):
+        # a 5s GOP with normal encoder jitter is sparse but not variable
+        pts = [0.0, 4.98, 10.01, 15.0]
+        result = classify_keyframe_gaps(pts, segment_time=10)
+        self.assertEqual(result["severity"], "warning")
+        self.assertEqual(result["pattern"], "fixed")
+
+    def test_variable_pattern_for_smart_codec(self):
+        # keyframes bunched up then a long stretch without one
+        pts = [0.0, 1.0, 2.0, 8.0]
+        result = classify_keyframe_gaps(pts, segment_time=10)
+        self.assertEqual(result["severity"], "warning")
+        self.assertEqual(result["pattern"], "variable")
+
+    def test_fixed_pattern_for_short_regular_gop(self):
+        pts = [0.0, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0]
+        result = classify_keyframe_gaps(pts, segment_time=10)
+        self.assertEqual(result["severity"], "ok")
+        self.assertEqual(result["pattern"], "fixed")
+
     def test_error_when_gap_exceeds_segment_time(self):
         pts = [0.0, 12.0]  # 12s gap > 10s segment
         result = classify_keyframe_gaps(pts, segment_time=10)
@@ -40,6 +60,7 @@ class TestClassifyKeyframeGaps(unittest.TestCase):
         result = classify_keyframe_gaps([1.0], segment_time=10)
         self.assertEqual(result["severity"], "unknown")
         self.assertIsNone(result["max_gap"])
+        self.assertIsNone(result["pattern"])
         self.assertEqual(result["keyframe_count"], 1)
 
     def test_unknown_with_no_keyframes(self):
diff --git a/frigate/test/test_object_detector.py b/frigate/test/test_object_detector.py
index dc15b23516..e50723a0fa 100644
--- a/frigate/test/test_object_detector.py
+++ b/frigate/test/test_object_detector.py
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 import unittest
-from unittest.mock import Mock, patch
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock, Mock, patch
 
 import numpy as np
+import zmq
 from pydantic import parse_obj_as
 
 import frigate.detectors as detectors
@@ -108,13 +109,13 @@ class TestLocalObjectDetector(unittest.TestCase):
             ("label-2", 0.5, (8, 7, 6, 5)),
         ]
         TEST_LABEL_FILE = "/test_labels.txt"
-        mock_load_labels.return_value = [
-            "label-1",
-            "label-2",
-            "label-3",
-            "label-4",
-            "label-5",
-        ]
+        mock_load_labels.return_value = {
+            0: "label-1",
+            1: "label-2",
+            2: "label-3",
+            3: "label-4",
+            4: "label-5",
+        }
 
         test_cfg = parse_obj_as(DetectorConfig, {"type": "cpu", "model": {}})
         test_cfg.model = ModelConfig()
@@ -136,3 +137,69 @@ class TestLocalObjectDetector(unittest.TestCase):
             == np.zeros((1, 32, 32, 3)).shape
         )
         assert test_result == TEST_DETECT_RESULT
+
+
+class TestRemoteObjectDetector(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Cover the label lookup that turns raw class ids into detections."""
+
+    def _build_detector(self, labels, rows):
+        detector = frigate.object_detection.base.RemoteObjectDetector.__new__(
+            frigate.object_detection.base.RemoteObjectDetector
+        )
+        detector.labels = labels
+        detector.name = "front_door"
+        detector.fps = MagicMock()
+        detector.stop_event = MagicMock()
+        detector.stop_event.is_set.return_value = False
+        detector.unnamed_class_ids = set()
+        detector.np_shm = np.zeros((1, 320, 320, 3), np.uint8)
+        detector.out_np_shm = np.array(rows, np.float32)
+        detector.detection_queue = MagicMock()
+        detector.detector_subscriber = MagicMock()
+        detector.detector_subscriber.socket.recv_string.side_effect = zmq.Again()
+        detector.detector_subscriber.check_for_update.return_value = "front_door"
+        return detector
+
+    def test_maps_class_ids_to_labels(self):
+        rows = [[2, 0.9, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4], [0, 0.8, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8]] + [
+            [0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]
+        ] * 18
+        detector = self._build_detector({0: "person", 2: "car"}, rows)
+
+        results = detector.detect(np.zeros((1, 320, 320, 3), np.uint8))
+
+        self.assertEqual([r[0] for r in results], ["car", "person"])
+
+    def test_skips_class_ids_the_labelmap_does_not_name(self):
+        # a labelmap that names fewer classes than the model emits
+        rows = [[7, 0.9, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4], [0, 0.8, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8]] + [
+            [0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]
+        ] * 18
+        detector = self._build_detector({0: "person"}, rows)
+
+        results = detector.detect(np.zeros((1, 320, 320, 3), np.uint8))
+
+        self.assertEqual([r[0] for r in results], ["person"])
+        self.assertEqual(detector.unnamed_class_ids, {7})
+
+    def test_warns_once_per_unnamed_class_id(self):
+        rows = [
+            [7, 0.9, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4],
+            [7, 0.8, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4],
+            [9, 0.7, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4],
+        ] + [[0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]] * 17
+        detector = self._build_detector({0: "person"}, rows)
+
+        with self.assertLogs("frigate.object_detection.base", level="WARNING") as logs:
+            detector.detect(np.zeros((1, 320, 320, 3), np.uint8))
+
+        self.assertEqual(len(logs.output), 2)
+        self.assertEqual(detector.unnamed_class_ids, {7, 9})
+
+    def test_empty_labelmap_drops_detections_instead_of_raising(self):
+        rows = [[0, 0.9, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4]] + [[0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]] * 19
+        detector = self._build_detector({}, rows)
+
+        results = detector.detect(np.zeros((1, 320, 320, 3), np.uint8))
+
+        self.assertEqual(results, [])
diff --git a/frigate/util/builtin.py b/frigate/util/builtin.py
index c1a6e787cb..6bf5c6f380 100644
--- a/frigate/util/builtin.py
+++ b/frigate/util/builtin.py
@@ -152,12 +152,19 @@ def get_record_segment_time(config: "CameraConfig") -> int:
 
 
 def load_labels(
-    path: str | None, encoding="utf-8", prefill=91, indexed: bool | None = None
+    path: str | None, encoding="utf-8", prefill=0, indexed: bool | None = None
 ):
     """Loads labels from file (with or without index numbers).
+
+    Only the indices the file defines are returned, so the result describes
+    exactly the classes a model can name. Callers must treat a missing index
+    as an unnamed class rather than assuming a contiguous range.
+
     Args:
       path: path to label file.
       encoding: label file encoding.
+      prefill: pad indices below this with "unknown" before reading the file.
+      indexed: whether lines start with an index; auto-detected when None.
     Returns:
       Dictionary mapping indices to labels.
     """
diff --git a/frigate/util/services.py b/frigate/util/services.py
index ef5cd15d17..3336c59ba1 100644
--- a/frigate/util/services.py
+++ b/frigate/util/services.py
@@ -1061,6 +1061,7 @@ def ffprobe_stream(ffmpeg, path: str, detailed: bool = False) -> sp.CompletedPro
 
 KEYFRAME_PROBE_WINDOW_SECONDS = 20
 KEYFRAME_GAP_WARNING_SECONDS = 4.0
+KEYFRAME_GAP_JITTER_SECONDS = 0.5
 
 
 def parse_keyframe_packets(output: str) -> tuple[list[float], float | None]:
@@ -1100,6 +1101,10 @@ def classify_keyframe_gaps(
       - "error" when the longest gap exceeds the record segment length
       - "warning" when the longest gap exceeds the warning threshold
       - "ok" otherwise
+
+    The "pattern" key separates the two causes so callers can give accurate
+    advice: "fixed" is a regular GOP that is simply too long, "variable" is
+    the irregular spacing a smart/+ codec produces.
     """
     thresholds = {
         "warning": KEYFRAME_GAP_WARNING_SECONDS,
@@ -1112,6 +1117,7 @@ def classify_keyframe_gaps(
             "max_gap": None,
             "mean_gap": None,
             "min_gap": None,
+            "pattern": None,
             "segment_time": segment_time,
             "severity": "unknown",
             "thresholds": thresholds,
@@ -1119,6 +1125,7 @@ def classify_keyframe_gaps(
 
     gaps = [b - a for a, b in zip(keyframe_pts, keyframe_pts[1:])]
     max_gap = max(gaps)
+    min_gap = min(gaps)
 
     if max_gap > segment_time:
         severity = "error"
@@ -1127,11 +1134,16 @@ def classify_keyframe_gaps(
     else:
         severity = "ok"
 
+    # allow for encoder jitter and probe rounding before calling a GOP variable
+    tolerance = max(KEYFRAME_GAP_JITTER_SECONDS, min_gap * 0.25)
+    pattern = "variable" if (max_gap - min_gap) > tolerance else "fixed"
+
     return {
         "keyframe_count": len(keyframe_pts),
         "max_gap": round(max_gap, 2),
         "mean_gap": round(sum(gaps) / len(gaps), 2),
-        "min_gap": round(min(gaps), 2),
+        "min_gap": round(min_gap, 2),
+        "pattern": pattern,
         "segment_time": segment_time,
         "severity": severity,
         "thresholds": thresholds,
diff --git a/web/public/locales/en/views/system.json b/web/public/locales/en/views/system.json
index 2aaa15cd76..5f261eba4f 100644
--- a/web/public/locales/en/views/system.json
+++ b/web/public/locales/en/views/system.json
@@ -184,8 +184,10 @@
         "gap": "Keyframe gap (min / avg / max):",
         "segmentLength": "Recording segment length:",
         "ok": "Keyframes every ~{{seconds}}s, good for recording and playback.",
-        "warning": "Sparse or variable keyframes (longest gap ~{{seconds}}s), likely a smart codec (H.264+/H.265+), this is not recommended.",
-        "error": "Keyframe gap (~{{seconds}}s) exceeds the recording segment length ({{segmentTime}}s). Some segments may have no keyframe, which breaks playback. Disable the smart/+ codec on the camera or shorten its keyframe interval.",
+        "warningFixed": "Keyframes are evenly spaced but sparse (every ~{{seconds}}s). Recording still works, but live playback and seeking start more slowly. Set the camera's I-frame (keyframe) interval to match its frame rate.",
+        "warningVariable": "Keyframe spacing is inconsistent ({{minSeconds}}s to {{maxSeconds}}s), which usually means a smart codec (H.264+/H.265+) is enabled. This is not recommended.",
+        "errorFixed": "Keyframes every ~{{seconds}}s is longer than the recording segment length ({{segmentTime}}s), so some segments have no keyframe and will not play back. Shorten the camera's I-frame (keyframe) interval to match its frame rate.",
+        "errorVariable": "Keyframe gaps reach ~{{seconds}}s, longer than the recording segment length ({{segmentTime}}s). Some segments will have no keyframe, which breaks playback. Disable the smart/+ codec on the camera or shorten its keyframe interval.",
         "unknown": "Couldn't determine keyframe spacing.",
         "recordDisabled": "Recording is disabled for this camera."
       }
diff --git a/web/src/components/overlay/KeyframeAnalysisSection.tsx b/web/src/components/overlay/KeyframeAnalysisSection.tsx
index 299c2468e4..5424aea531 100644
--- a/web/src/components/overlay/KeyframeAnalysisSection.tsx
+++ b/web/src/components/overlay/KeyframeAnalysisSection.tsx
@@ -89,17 +89,29 @@ export default function KeyframeAnalysisSection({
       case "warning":
         summary = (
           <Row icon="warning">
-            {t("cameras.info.keyframes.warning", { seconds: analysis.max_gap })}
+            {analysis.pattern === "fixed"
+              ? t("cameras.info.keyframes.warningFixed", {
+                  seconds: analysis.mean_gap,
+                })
+              : t("cameras.info.keyframes.warningVariable", {
+                  minSeconds: analysis.min_gap,
+                  maxSeconds: analysis.max_gap,
+                })}
           </Row>
         );
         break;
       case "error":
         summary = (
           <Row icon="error">
-            {t("cameras.info.keyframes.error", {
-              seconds: analysis.max_gap,
-              segmentTime: analysis.segment_time,
-            })}
+            {analysis.pattern === "fixed"
+              ? t("cameras.info.keyframes.errorFixed", {
+                  seconds: analysis.mean_gap,
+                  segmentTime: analysis.segment_time,
+                })
+              : t("cameras.info.keyframes.errorVariable", {
+                  seconds: analysis.max_gap,
+                  segmentTime: analysis.segment_time,
+                })}
           </Row>
         );
         break;
diff --git a/web/src/types/stats.ts b/web/src/types/stats.ts
index c9f3f0032a..8354ed4ab6 100644
--- a/web/src/types/stats.ts
+++ b/web/src/types/stats.ts
@@ -161,6 +161,8 @@ export type KeyframeSeverity =
   | "unknown"
   | "record_disabled";
 
+export type KeyframeGapPattern = "fixed" | "variable";
+
 export type KeyframeAnalysis = {
   severity: KeyframeSeverity;
   stream_index?: number;
@@ -168,6 +170,7 @@ export type KeyframeAnalysis = {
   max_gap?: number | null;
   mean_gap?: number | null;
   min_gap?: number | null;
+  pattern?: KeyframeGapPattern | null;
   duration_observed?: number | null;
   segment_time?: number;
   thresholds?: { warning: number; error: number };