Fine-Tuning Hikvision Pet Detection for Better Accuracy
Hikvision's advanced features, such as pet detection powered by AcuSense technology, are designed to make your security system smarter and your notifications more meaningful. The ability to know when your dog is in the garden without getting an alert every time a car drives by is a powerful tool. However, if not configured correctly, you might find yourself getting false alarms or, worse, missing the events you want to see.
This guide will help you understand how Hikvision's pet detection works and how to configure it properly to minimise false alerts and maximise accuracy.
How Pet Detection Works
Traditional motion detection is triggered by any change in pixels, leading to countless alerts from swaying trees, rain, or shadows. Hikvision's pet detection is a far more intelligent system. It uses deep learning algorithms to analyse the shapes and movement patterns of objects in its view.
The system is specifically trained to recognise the characteristics of animals and differentiate them from humans, vehicles, and other irrelevant moving objects. This allows you to create highly specific alerts, such as "notify me if an animal enters the garden, but not if a person does."
Common Pet Detection Problems and Their Solutions
Let's address the most common issues users face and how to solve them through proper configuration.
Problem 1: Getting Too Many False Alerts (e.g., from birds, squirrels, or leaves)
This usually happens when the detection sensitivity is too high or the object size is not defined correctly.
Solution: Calibrate Size and Sensitivity Settings
- Log into your camera's web interface or NVR/DVR settings.
- Navigate to the event settings, often under 'VCA' or 'Smart Event'.
- Select the rule you are using, such as 'Intrusion Detection' or 'Line Crossing Detection'.
- Draw a specific detection area. Don't just use the entire screen. Draw a box around the specific part of the garden or room you want to monitor.
- Find the 'Sensitivity' setting. If it's at 100, try reducing it to around 60-70 and test again.
- Crucially, use the 'Min. Size' and 'Max. Size' settings. You will be prompted to draw boxes on the screen. For the minimum size, draw a box that is slightly larger than the smallest object you want to ignore (like a squirrel). For the maximum size, draw a box that is larger than your largest pet. This tells the system to only trigger for objects that fall between these two size parameters.
Problem 2: Not Detecting Your Pet
This can happen if the sensitivity is too low, or if the camera's view is not optimal.
Solution: Optimise Placement and Settings
- Check Camera Angle: The camera should have a clear, unobstructed view of the area. A downward-facing angle is generally better than a side-on view, as it provides a clearer profile of the animal.
- Increase Sensitivity: If you've previously lowered the sensitivity, try increasing it in small increments.
- Check Object Size: Ensure your pet is large enough in the frame to meet the 'Min. Size' you have set. If your pet only appears as a tiny object in the distance, the camera may struggle to identify it correctly.
- Ensure 'Animal' is a Target: In the event settings, there is usually a 'Target Detection' or similar option. Make sure you have ticked the box for 'Animal'. If you only have 'Human' and 'Vehicle' ticked, it will ignore your pets.
Problem 3: Mistaking Pets for Humans (or vice versa)
While the algorithm is very advanced, it's not infallible. This can sometimes happen in tricky lighting conditions.
Solution: Improve Environmental Conditions
- Lighting: Avoid pointing the camera directly at a strong light source like the rising or setting sun. Strong backlighting can create a silhouette, making it difficult for the algorithm to distinguish shapes.
- Firmware Updates: Regularly check for and install the latest firmware for your Hikvision camera or NVR. Hikvision is constantly improving its deep learning models, and updates will often lead to better detection accuracy.
By taking a methodical approach to configuring the detection area, sensitivity, and object size, you can transform your Hikvision camera's pet detection from a frustrating feature into a highly reliable and useful tool.