Note: Facial recognition is not available on Abus App2Cam Plus cameras. The App2Cam Plus platform does not include facial recognition functionality. If you are looking for person detection (detecting the presence of a human vs. other motion), see the section below.
What Abus App2Cam Plus Actually Offers
Abus cameras with App2Cam Plus support person/human detection — identifying whether motion is caused by a person rather than a car, animal, or other object. This is different from facial recognition, which identifies specific individuals.
If you are receiving false alerts from person detection, or person detection is not triggering when it should, see our Abus Person Detection Wrong guide.
Improving Person Detection Accuracy
If person detection is triggering incorrectly or missing events:
- Adjust detection zones: In App2Cam Plus, navigate to Motion Detection → Zone Configuration. Draw zones that focus on areas where people walk, avoiding driveways or areas with moving foliage.
- Check sensitivity settings: Navigate to Motion Detection → Sensitivity. Increase if missing events; decrease if getting too many false alerts.
- Review camera angle: Mount the camera at 2–2.5m height and angle slightly downward. This improves detection accuracy compared to extreme overhead angles.
- Update firmware: Open App2Cam Plus, go to Device Settings → Firmware Update. Newer firmware versions often improve detection algorithms.
Factory Reset Procedures
If person detection behaves incorrectly after a firmware update:
- ABUS PPIC31020 Privacy Indoor: Press the reset button on the bottom for 5 seconds using a paperclip.
- ABUS PPIC35520 Video Doorphone: Hold the reset button on the back for 5 seconds until the red LED flashes.
- ABUS PPIC42520 PTZ Outdoor: Open the side cover with an Allen key and press the reset button for 5 seconds.
After resetting, reconfigure the camera through App2Cam Plus and adjust detection zones as described above.
Contact Abus Support
For further assistance, visit https://www.abus.com/int/Service and provide your camera model, firmware version, and a description of the detection behaviour.
Optimising Camera Positioning for Better Detection
Camera placement significantly impacts person detection accuracy. Your angle and height should be carefully considered:
- Mount at 2–2.5m height: This range provides optimal coverage of the human torso and upper body, which the detection algorithm uses as primary cues.
- Angle downward at 30–45 degrees: A downward angle helps distinguish people from vehicles and reduces false positives from shadows or swaying vegetation at the periphery.
- Avoid extreme overhead angles: Mounting directly above a doorway or path can make people appear as abstract shapes, confusing the detection model.
- Clear the camera lens monthly: Dust, cobwebs, or condensation on the lens degrades the image quality, reducing detection accuracy. Gently wipe with a microfibre cloth.
Test different angles by recording short video clips and reviewing detection triggers in App2Cam Plus. Adjust gradually and monitor for improvements.
Lighting Conditions and Detection Failures
Poor lighting is one of the most common causes of missed person detection events:
- Insufficient illumination: Person detection relies on edge and shape recognition. In very dim conditions (less than 50 lux), the camera's infrared mode activates, which can reduce the model's ability to distinguish people from other objects. If possible, add a passive motion-activated light near the camera.
- Backlighting: If your camera faces a window or bright outdoor area, sunlight can wash out the foreground subject, making people harder to detect. Reposition the camera if possible, or install a sunshade.
- Glare and reflections: Shiny surfaces (wet driveways, car windows, puddles) can create false detection triggers. Adjust your detection zones to exclude these areas.
- Night-time detection degradation: Infrared detection is less precise than visible light. If night detection is critical, consider installing an infrared illuminator designed for security cameras, or use a separate passive light source.
Advanced Zone Configuration
Beyond basic zone drawing, refining your detection zones can eliminate most false alerts:
- Exclude high-traffic moving objects: Trees, bushes, and areas where parked vehicles change position should be outside your zones. The detection model may struggle to distinguish swaying foliage from human movement.
- Create layered zones: For driveways with both pedestrian and vehicle traffic, draw two separate zones — one for the path and another for vehicle areas. This allows you to apply different sensitivity settings to each.
- Test and iterate: After reconfiguring zones, let the camera run for 24–48 hours and review alerts. Adjust sensitivity or zone boundaries based on false positive patterns.
Checking for AI Model Updates
App2Cam Plus occasionally rolls out detection algorithm improvements via firmware updates. These updates improve accuracy without requiring hardware changes:
- Open App2Cam Plus and navigate to Device Settings → Firmware Update
- If an update is available, ensure the camera is on a stable power supply (wired models) or fully charged (battery models)
- Allow 10–15 minutes for the update to complete; do not disconnect the camera during this time
- After the update, test detection by walking in front of the camera; you may notice improved accuracy
Diagnosing and Resolving Persistent Misses
If person detection consistently fails to trigger for real events:
- Review the video timeline: Watch the full recorded video in App2Cam Plus to confirm whether the person was actually in frame. Sometimes people move quickly or just outside the detection zone.
- Increase sensitivity: In Motion Detection → Sensitivity, move the slider toward the right. Start at +20% and test for 24 hours before increasing further.
- Check the camera's frame rate: Lower frame rates (15fps vs. 30fps) can cause the algorithm to miss fast-moving subjects. In Device Settings, select the highest available frame rate if detection is a priority.
- Verify person detection is enabled: Confirm that person detection is active for your selected zones. Some older firmware versions may have it disabled by default.
Maintenance and Seasonal Considerations
British weather can impact detection reliability throughout the year:
- Rain and condensation: Heavy rain creates droplets on the lens, and condensation forms when cameras are exposed to rapid temperature changes (common during autumn and spring). Keep a microfibre cloth nearby for frequent cleaning.
- Seasonal foliage changes: As plants grow in spring and summer, your detection zones may capture more leaf movement. Review and adjust zones seasonally.
- Winter frost: Frost on windows or lens surfaces degrades image quality. Ensure the camera is not mounted in a sheltered corner where frost accumulates.
A Managed Alternative
If accurate detection is important to you, scOS uses AI-powered contextual analysis that distinguishes between real threats and everyday movements — considering time of day, behaviour patterns, and property layout — rather than simple PIR-based or silhouette detection. For security that adapts to your property, scOS offers a managed service starting at £19/month.