Motion detection

When deciding to purchase a monitoring system, we do not necessarily need continuous recording. It very often happens that individual customers want to record only alarm events, only 'when something happens'. The Motion Detection function, which all Zintronic cameras are equipped with, comes to our aid here.

Motion detection is a mechanism that detects moving objects in the camera's field of view. The Detection function is closely integrated with the camera, which means that the camera, after detecting motion, automatically (if the option is enabled) records the image on the storage medium.

The Motion Detection function in the cameras is based on an algorithm that checks the real image (selected area) for changes in individual pixels. When a change in pixels in the image is detected, exceeding the set tolerance threshold (sensitivity settings, discussed later) - the image recording is started, e.g. on the memory card or recorder disk.

Some camera models are equipped with an additional algorithm that allows you to determine the nature of the changes and when they correspond to the human figure - start the recording, and ignore the changes when their source is e.g. a car, dog, cat, etc. This solution reduces the number of false notifications and helps to significantly save space on the data carrier.

The most visible benefit of running Motion Detection is the saving of space on the data carrier. Thanks to this function, the camera does not record material 24 hours a day, but only when a moving element appears in the field of view of the camera. This also helps in later reviewing the material, because the list of recordings includes only moments when something potentially disturbing happened. Thanks to Motion Detection, the user does not have to scroll through several hours of recording in which nothing is happening to find that one moment when something happened. An incredible advantage of Motion Detection is also the option of sending notifications. A camera with Motion Detection enabled can notify us of detecting an intruder in our area by sending e.g. an e-mail with a photo to the provided address or by showing a notification on a smartphone or tablet.

Before configuring the function, remember that its accuracy is largely influenced by the lighting of the area and the type of monitored area (level of scene complexity).

In the cameras we offer, we can choose the detection zones. And so for the 'B' series cameras - you can select the Motion Detection area quite precisely thanks to the extensive grid. The algorithm will analyze changes in the selected sectors. This is important because selecting individual sectors, only in critical points of the observed area, significantly reduces the number of false alarms.

A common mistake made when configuring Motion Detection in 'B' series cameras is selecting the entire field of view of the camera. By selecting the entire area, we run the risk of receiving incorrect notifications and recording unnecessary material. In addition, the camera must constantly analyze a wide area, which significantly burdens its buffer and may result in missing the recording of an important event.

Zintronic 'B' series cameras, in addition to the ability to precisely select a specific detection area, also offer the option of changing the sensitivity of the Motion Detection algorithm.

The 'A' and 'P' series Zintronic cameras have a completely different solution when it comes to Motion Detection. Here we still rely on similar algorithms for detecting changes in the image in real time, but we have only four possible detection areas to choose from,

however, they work independently of each other - you can select a different sensitivity for each area and they can overlap (and additionally - Character Detection; discussed in more detail below).

Zintronic 'A' and 'P' series cameras will notify you in which areas motion has been detected, allowing you to accurately identify the area where motion has been detected, even with fewer detection zones.

Of course, as standard - it is possible to set e-mail notifications for this type of event and select up to 3 photos from a single event.

As mentioned before, the Person Detection feature is available on the 'A' and 'P' series camera models and not on the 'B' series camera.

Character Detection works similarly to Motion Detection, however, it is a more advanced algorithm that analyzes the change in the image in terms of typical human movement, taking into account typically human anatomical features. Person Detection will not work if a dog, cat, etc. enters the monitored area, or if a car enters the monitored area.

Character Detection can work in conjunction with Motion Detection in a given area (alarm combination) - then the alarm will be triggered only if a character is detected in the Motion Detection area, as in the picture below:

This combination of alarms enables a more intrusion-focused setup, and is ideal for rooms and premises where occupancy should be strictly controlled.

If we want to detect a figure in the entire field of view of the camera - turn off (deactivate) the Motion Detection zones and separate the alarms. With this setting, any movement will be ignored and related actions will be triggered only if the algorithm detects a human figure:

Zintronic 'A' and 'P' series cameras allow quite a wide configuration of events related to Person Detection and Motion Detection; from standard recording to a data carrier, through the possibility of recording to an FTP server, to activating the built-in alarm siren or playing a personalized voice message on the camera itself, which will be perfect, for example, in a store to play a welcome message when a customer enters a building/room.

The notification function is extremely useful and helps to keep our area safe. Configuration of notifications is very simple and can be done both from the level of a particular camera and from the level of the recorder (only for cameras from the “B” series). It only takes a few minutes and the whole process is described below:

On “B” series cameras:

• Log in to the camera as described in the "First time connection of the camera" manual.
• Then go to Options (1) / System (2) / SD card (3);
• Mark the "Square" with our card (4);
• Press the "Format" button (5);

After formatting the card, the camera will restart.

• Log in to the camera again, then go to Options (6) / Alarm Events (7) / Alarm Events (8);
• Mark Run (9);
• Using the left mouse button, select the Motion Detection area (10) and the Sensitivity (11);
• Save (12)

• Then go to the Activation Schedule tab (13) and mark the days and hours when the motion detection function is to be active (14), click Save (15);

• Go to the Activation method tab (16) and select Record to SD card (17), Save (18) settings.

In order to configure notifications via the recorder, follow a few simple steps:

Log in to the recorder.

Go to Menu/Camera/Motion detection.

Select the channel with the camera on which motion detection is to be set.

Click on the "Set area" button.

Select the area where motion is to be detected.

After selecting the area, go back to further configuration and configure the settings one by one.

• Channel: The channel on which the detection will be configured.
• Sensitivity: Motion detection sensitivity
• Enable discovery: Start the discovery.
• Buzzer: Beep when motion is detected.
• Send e-mail: E-mail notification.
• Record channel: Video recording after detection:
• Recording time: The minimum length of the detection recording.
• Week: The day on which the detection is to run.
• Schedule: Hours in which the detection is to run.

Go to Menu/Continuous Recording.

Select the channel on which you previously set the detection from the list.

Select on the schedule in which days and hours the motion detection function is to be active.

Finally, press the "Apply" button.