{"id":1722,"date":"2023-08-26T08:01:14","date_gmt":"2023-08-26T07:01:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smarthomewinner.com\/?p=1722"},"modified":"2023-08-26T08:01:18","modified_gmt":"2023-08-26T07:01:18","slug":"difference-motion-detection-motion-alerts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smarthomewinner.com\/difference-motion-detection-motion-alerts\/","title":{"rendered":"Difference Between Motion Detection and Motion Alerts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Home security cameras provide extra protection and awareness for your home. Two key features of security cameras are motion detection and motion alerts<\/strong>. While they sound similar, some important distinctions <\/strong>exist between detecting motion and sending motion alerts<\/strong>. Understanding the differences can help you configure your cameras for optimal performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Motion detection and motion alerts work together to track activity and notify you when something is happening on your property. Motion detection is the camera’s ability to sense movement in the camera’s field of view. Motion alerts go a step further by sending a notification to your phone, tablet, or computer app, letting you know motion was detected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Knowing when motion is picked up versus when you get alerted can help tailor camera settings to your needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Motion Detection Works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Motion detection relies on the security camera’s image sensor and analysis technology to detect changes in the video frame that indicate movement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s a quick overview:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • The camera captures a continuous video stream, recording a series of still image frames.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • The camera compares each new frame to the previous one. Any differences between the frames are identified.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • If the differences meet pre-set sensitivity thresholds, they are considered motion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Some cameras may further analyze changes to determine if they correspond to human movement before marking as motion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • The detected motion then triggers other actions like recording video clips or sending alerts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Many factors influence a camera’s ability to detect motion accurately, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    • Camera placement<\/strong> – Positioning the camera with a broad vantage point of the area you want to monitor helps ensure activity detection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Lighting conditions<\/strong> – Low light or glaring light can impact motion detection capabilities. Cameras with night vision can compensate for this.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Activity distance from camera<\/strong> – Objects close to the camera are easier to detect versus far away. Wide-angle lenses improve distance detection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Sensitivity settings <\/strong>– Higher sensitivity picks up smaller movements, while low sensitivity detects only larger activities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Environmental factors<\/strong> – Elements like trees blowing, light changes or passing cars can erroneously trigger motion unless filtered out properly in zones and settings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Fine-tuning these factors will improve motion detection reliability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Configuring Motion Detection Zones<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      One key capability is configuring motion detection zones – selecting specific areas of the camera’s field of view to monitor for motion. This allows you to ignore background motion like trees swaying. Zones can be tailored in the camera app to focus on key areas like entryways, vehicles, or pool areas. Only motion within designated zones will be detected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Carefully laying out detection zones eliminates distracting motion triggers from non-essential areas. For example, you can set up zones around porch steps, sidewalks, and driveways while excluding areas with plants and trees that will move with the wind. Properly tuned zones filter motion to the most important locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      How Motion Alerts Work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Motion alerts take motion detection a step further by actively notifying you when motion events occur via push notifications to your smartphone, tablet, computer, or connected smart displays. Here is the basic process:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      • Motion is detected within the camera’s enabled motion detection zones.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • The video feed is analyzed to confirm motion corresponds to relevant activity and filter out false alerts. Types of movement, size of objects, and sensitivity thresholds help cameras determine if a motion event should trigger a notification.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • If the activity meets alert criteria, a notification is sent in real time to the user through the app, including images or short video clips showing the detected motion event.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Alerts only occur when motion analysis determines the event meets established criteria for sending a notification. Alerts add intelligence on top of raw motion detection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Alert frequency, sensitivity, zones, and other settings can be customized so you receive the most relevant alerts without becoming overloaded.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Configuring Alert Settings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Most cameras allow you to adjust your motion alert settings to avoid being flooded with too many notifications. Common configurations include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n