Recording Motion
While the Continuous option records in one continuous stream, the Motion option will only begin recording when a moving object is in the camera’s field of view. Video of the object in motion will then be recorded until the motion stops. Continuous + Motion records continuously on the low stream while Motion is recorded on the high stream. Below are the steps in choosing your recording option, configuring your camera for recording, and configuring your motion areas.
Recording Options
To configure a camera to record motion, connect to a recorder, click Setup > Cameras and select the camera you want to configure for motion recording. Click on the Live/Recording tab and select the option for the video you want the camera to capture.
Recording Mode
Event Only – Records only motion detected by motion thresholds.
Continuous Only – Records video stream continuously.
Continuous + Event – Records one Continuous stream, and then records an Event stream in addition when motion is detected.
Note: Smart Motion requires the Continuous + Event recording type.
Live Only (No Recording) – Camera displays live video, but does not record unless a macro is setup to record on sensor events.
After selecting a recording option, configure the stream and resolution options.
Continuous Video Settings
Continuous Recording Stream – Continuous Recording Stream records at a lower resolution and/or frame rate when motion is not detected and the Continuous + Event recording option is selected.
Enable Minimum Recording Retention – This setting forces the recorder to save video for that camera stream for the number of days specified. If it is set to 30 days and the recorder runs out of room, Apex Server will not delete data from that camera stream within the 30-day range, and instead delete more data from other streams. This range can be specified for each stream independently.
Event Video Settings
Event Recording Stream – Higher resolution and/or frame rate camera video stream used to record when a motion or a sensor event is triggered.
Enable Minimum Recording Retention – This setting forces the recorder to save video for that camera stream for the number of days specified. If it is set to 30 days and the recorder runs out of room, Apex Server will not delete data from that camera stream within the 30-day range, and instead delete more data from other streams. This range can be specified for each stream independently.
Stream Configuration and Live Remote Viewing
This is where the settings for high, medium, and low-quality streams are defined. One of these will be chosen as the recording stream, and the system automatically chooses the highest res stream under 720x576 (D1) to use for motion detection. These streams are also used as high, medium, and low-quality streams in the live view.
Note: If at least one resolution at 960x576 or below is not available, the following warning below will appear.
Note: Smart codec should not be enabled on the secondary stream that is used for video motion detection. For devices using single stream, smart codec should be disabled for video motion detection.
Motion Areas
Once you’ve selected a recording option and configured the cameras, select the Motion tab to select between Standard Motion or Smart Motion and set thresholds for the video to be captured. Smart Motion should be used strategically, specifically for cameras that may produce several false motion events due to elements such as wind or shadows, as the number of channels that can be enabled for Smart Motion is limited to the recorder and processor.
View the details here for Smart Motion.
For Standard Motion, configure the motion areas by following the steps below.
To configure a Motion Area:
- Click the desired camera in the Camera List.
- Click the Motion tab.
- Click Add Area or Remove Area, then click and drag the capture square to create or delete the area.
- Continue modifying Motion Areas as desired using the tools below the camera frame.
NOTE: Motion Areas can be subtracted to disable motion detection for specific areas of the video stream and motion grids can be drawn over each other
- Click Save.
To delete a Motion Area:
- Click to select the desired Motion Area.
- Click Remove Area to delete the selected area.
Motion and Motion Region Options
Motion Sensitivity – Reduce or increase the sensitivity of motion detection.
Noise Sensitivity – Reduce or increase noise sensitivity detected on a camera.
Image Offset – Offset when an image is captured from a motion event.
Reset Defaults – Resets motion sensitivity and noise sensitivity back to default values.
Select – Allows motion detection grids to be moved.
Select All – Draws a full motion detection grid over the image.
Add Area – Draw individual motion detection grids.
Remove Area – Allows removal of motion detection grid areas within a grid.
Clear All – Removes all motion detection area grids.