Guardzilla Person Detection Wrong? How to Improve Accuracy
One of the most valuable features of a modern security camera is its ability to distinguish between general motion and the specific movement of a person. When person detection works correctly, it provides you with meaningful alerts. When it's wrong, it can lead to a constant stream of false alarms, or worse, fail to notify you when someone is actually there.
If your Guardzilla camera's person detection is proving unreliable, don't worry. There are several practical steps you can take to fine-tune its performance, reduce false alerts, and ensure you're only notified about the events that truly matter. This guide will help you troubleshoot and optimise your camera's settings.
Common Causes of Inaccurate Person Detection
Understanding why the detection might be failing is the first step to fixing it. Common culprits include:
- High Sensitivity Settings: The camera may be set to be too sensitive, causing it to flag pets, swaying branches, or even shadows as potential people.
- Poor Camera Placement: The camera's angle and field of view can significantly impact the algorithm's ability to identify a human shape correctly.
- Lighting Conditions: Strong backlighting, deep shadows, or lens flare can confuse the camera's image analysis.
- Outdated Software: The detection algorithms are constantly being improved. Running old firmware can mean you're missing out on accuracy enhancements.
- Obstructions: Objects partially blocking the view can make it difficult for the camera to recognise a person.
Steps to Calibrate Your Guardzilla's Person Detection
Work through these solutions to dramatically improve the accuracy of your camera's alerts.
1. Adjust Motion Sensitivity
This is your primary tool for reducing false alarms.
- Open the Guardzilla app and select the camera you want to adjust.
- Go into its Settings.
- Find the "Motion Detection" or "Sensitivity" menu.
- If you are getting too many false alerts, lower the sensitivity level. If you are missing events, increase it.
- You may need to experiment with a few different levels to find the perfect balance for your specific environment.
2. Optimise Camera Placement and Angle
Where you put your camera is just as important as its settings.
- Ideal Height: Mount the camera between 2 and 3 metres off the ground.
- Downward Angle: Angle the camera to look down slightly. This provides a clearer view of people as they approach and reduces the impact of background movement.
- Avoid Pointing at Busy Areas: Try to frame the shot to exclude public footpaths, busy roads, or neighbours' gardens.
- Check for Obstructions: Make sure there are no tree branches, flags, or other moving objects in the immediate foreground that could trigger the sensor.
3. Manage Lighting
Poor lighting can trick the camera's AI.
- Avoid Direct Sunlight: Do not point the camera directly at the sun. The intense glare can wash out the image and make detection impossible.
- Consider External Lighting: For night-time accuracy, ensure the area is reasonably well-lit. While night vision helps, a motion-activated security light can work with your camera to provide a clear, colour image that is easier for the AI to analyse.
- Clean the Lens: A smudged or dirty lens can cause glare and reduce clarity, affecting detection. Clean it regularly with a microfibre cloth.
4. Keep Your Software Updated
Always ensure you are running the latest software versions.
- Update the App: Check your phone's app store for any updates to the Guardzilla app.
- Update Camera Firmware: Within the app's settings for your camera, there is usually an option to check for and install firmware updates. These updates often contain vital improvements to the person detection feature.
By taking a systematic approach to adjusting settings, optimising placement, and keeping your software current, you can transform your Guardzilla's person detection from a source of frustration into a reliable and accurate security tool.