Discover How Video Analytics Work & How to Get Started

Typically, when security cameras detect activity, they send a notification to your phone right away. That’s convenient—until it’s pinging you several times a day about the cat walking on the porch or a car driving by on the street. 

Too many alerts might lead you to ignore or mute notifications altogether. But then you run the risk of missing an important alert. So how can homeowners use their smart security camera system to stay safe—without going crazy? Two words: video analytics.

With video analytic software incorporated in your smart cameras, you’ll cut back on false alarms and will only be notified about activity that matters. Whether you’re protecting one home or several properties, Alarm.com makes it easier to manage notifications through video analytics. We’ll share how intelligent cameras work and your options for your Nashville, TN home below. 

SEE ALSO: Does My Home Need a Smart Security Camera System?

What Does Video Analytics Do?

Video analytic software lets your system notify you about certain camera events while ignoring less important activities. Alarm.com’s video analytics are highly customizable and recognize the difference between people, animals, and vehicles. Video analytics make it easier to search through footage, too, if you need to find evidence later on. 

How to Get Video Analytics with Alarm.com 

To get started with Alarm.com’s video analytics, you must first have a monitoring plan that includes access to video service. Your alarm monitoring company can then enable the video analytics feature on your account. Keep in mind that only newer and more advanced cameras support video analytics, so you may need an upgrade if you own outdated models.

From there, log into your Alarm.com account, and choose “Recording Rules” on the website. You’ll click “Add Rule” and select the camera you want to set a rule for. You can create zones on the ground to establish a detection area and make rules that are only affected at certain times of the day. You can set exemptions too—for instance, make zones not in effect when the system is disarmed.

You can also create a virtual tripwire from the camera’s viewpoint. If someone crosses the line, you’ll be instantly notified. You can establish rules about certain people, cars, and animals that can trigger a notification—or not. It’s all up to you! 

Example Rules You Can Set

Alarm.com’s video analytics let you create custom rules that report on some activities, but not others. With intelligent programming, you can be notified:

• If a person or vehicle enters a zone, but not when animals enter
• If a vehicle enters the driveway at night, but not when a vehicle drives past
• If a pet climbs onto specific furniture, but not when moving around the house
• If someone loiters outside, but not when dropping off a package
• If someone opens a specific cabinet, but not when opening others
• If someone walks past a trip line after a certain hour, but not before that

When your security devices are synced to your smart home system, you can program cameras to trigger specific events. For instance, if your video analytics detect a threat, it can prompt lights to turn on and window shades to lower. 

If you’re looking for smart security solutions in the Nashville area, trust Symspire as your local technology expert. Contact us here for a free consultation or to learn more about our surveillance solutions. We look forward to speaking with you!