Are You Missing Out on Your Ezviz Camera's Best Features?
Ezviz cameras are packed with smart features that can transform them from simple security devices into powerful components of your smart home. However, many users only scratch the surface of what their camera can do, leaving them feeling like the features are limited. The reality is that a wealth of advanced options is waiting to be unlocked within the Ezviz app and through integrations with other services.
This guide is designed to help you discover and utilise the full potential of your Ezviz camera. We'll explore advanced settings, cloud services, and smart home connections that you might not even know exist.
Key Features You Might Be Missing
Let's dive into some of the powerful features that can elevate your experience and how you can access them.
1. Intelligent Detection: Beyond Basic Motion Alerts
The biggest complaint about basic security cameras is the flood of false alerts. Ezviz's intelligent detection features are the solution.
- How to Access: In the Ezviz app, select your camera, tap the Settings icon (the gear symbol), and look for a menu named Intelligent Detection or similar.
- What to Look For:
- Human Shape Detection / Vehicle Shape Detection: This is a game-changer. The camera uses AI to analyse movement and will only alert you if it detects the shape of a person or a car, dramatically reducing false alarms from pets, swaying trees, or shadows.
- Image Change Detection: This is a more sensitive option useful for monitoring a static scene where any change, like a parcel being delivered or removed, is important.
- Customise Your Alerts: Within the Alert Notification settings, you can often change the tone of the alert on your phone and even set a schedule for when you want to receive notifications.
2. Activity Zones: Monitor Only What Matters
This feature lets you tell your camera which parts of its view are important.
- How to Access: Usually found within the Alert Notification settings. Look for 'Set Detection Area'.
- How it Works: You will see your camera's view with a grid overlay. You can draw one or more boxes over the exact areas you want to monitor. For example, you can draw a zone over your garden path and gate, while completely ignoring the public pavement next to it. Any motion outside your defined zones will be ignored.
3. Ezviz CloudPlay: Secure Your Footage
Relying solely on a local microSD card for storage can be risky. If a burglar steals your camera, they take the evidence with them.
- What it is: CloudPlay is Ezviz's optional subscription service. When your camera detects motion, it uploads a secure, encrypted copy of the video clip to the cloud.
- The Benefits:
- Security: Your footage is safe even if the camera is stolen or damaged.
- Accessibility: You can view your recorded history from any device, anywhere.
- Convenience: Easily scroll through a timeline of events in the app without needing to remove the SD card.
- Most new cameras come with a free trial so you can test the service.
4. Smart Home Integration with IFTTT
This is where you can truly unlock your camera's potential. IFTTT (If This Then That) is a free service that connects different apps and devices together.
- How it Works: You can create simple 'Applets' like: "If my Ezviz front door camera detects motion, then turn on my Philips Hue porch lights."
- Getting Started: Download the IFTTT app, create an account, and search for the Ezviz service. You can then link it to other services like Philips Hue, WeMo, or even have it log events to a Google Sheet.
By taking the time to explore these menus and services, you'll find that your Ezviz camera is far from limited. It's a versatile tool that, when configured correctly, can provide you with smarter, more relevant, and more useful security notifications.