Troubleshooting Mobotix Motion Detection Not Working
Mobotix cameras are renowned for their powerful, decentralised analytics and event logic. However, when the core function of motion detection fails, your entire recording and alert system is compromised. If your camera is not triggering events or recording on motion, this guide will walk you through the essential configuration steps to diagnose and resolve the issue.
Unlike simpler systems, Mobotix offers highly customisable event detection, primarily through Video Motion Detection (VMD) and the advanced MxActivitySensor. Correctly configuring these is key to reliable performance.
Prerequisite: Understanding Mobotix Event Logic
Before we begin, remember the Mobotix philosophy: an event must be triggered for an action (like recording) to occur. Our focus is on fixing the "event" part of this chain. We will assume you have already set up a recording action linked to the event you are troubleshooting.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing Motion Detection
Log in to your Mobotix camera's web interface and navigate to the Setup Menu to begin.
1. Verify and Configure Video Motion Detection (VMD) Windows
The most common reason for failed motion detection is that no detection window is defined, or it's defined incorrectly.
- Navigate to Event Settings: Go to Setup Menu > Event Control > Event Settings.
- Select a Video Motion (VM) Event: Click on one of the "Video Motion" profiles (e.g., VM 1).
- Draw Detection Windows: You will see your camera's live view. Click and drag your mouse to draw one or more yellow boxes over the specific areas where you want to detect motion. If there are no yellow boxes, the camera is not looking for motion anywhere.
- Define Sensitivity and Object Size:
- Sensitivity (%): This slider determines how much change is needed within the pixels of the window to trigger an event. Start with a value around 80-90%.
- Object Size (Pixels): This defines the minimum number of changed pixels needed to trigger an event. This is crucial for filtering out small movements like rain or insects. Draw a box around a person in the scene to get an idea of their size in pixels, and set this value accordingly.
- Save Your Settings: Click "Set" to apply the changes.
2. Use the MxActivitySensor for Better Accuracy
For outdoor or challenging environments, the built-in MxActivitySensor is far superior to traditional VMD as it intelligently ignores non-relevant motion like swaying trees, shadows, or rain.
- Navigate to ActivitySensor Settings: Go to Setup Menu > Event Control > ActivitySensor Settings.
- Enable the Sensor: Set "ActivitySensor" to "On".
- Adjust Sensitivity: The sensitivity slider here works intuitively. A higher value makes it more sensitive. Start with the default setting and adjust as needed based on testing.
- Link to an Event: Go back to Setup Menu > Event Control > Event Settings. Choose an event (e.g., AS 1 for ActivitySensor) and ensure it is enabled. You will then link this "AS" event to your recording action, instead of the "VM" event.
3. Check Lighting and Image Settings
The camera's ability to "see" motion is dependent on the quality of the image it's analysing.
- Sufficient Lighting: In low-light conditions, the image becomes "noisy" or grainy. This digital noise can either hide real motion or cause false triggers. Ensure the area is properly illuminated, especially at night. Check that the camera's day/night mode is switching correctly.
- Exposure Settings: In the Quick Controls or Setup Menu > Image Control > Exposure Control, ensure the exposure settings are not creating images that are too dark (underexposed) or too bright (overexposed), as both can hinder the detection algorithms.
4. Test and Analyse Events
Mobotix provides tools to see what the camera is detecting, which is invaluable for troubleshooting.
- Use Event Stream Display: In the live view, click the Display Event Stream button on the left toolbar. This will show you a log of all events as they happen, confirming if your VMD or ActivitySensor is triggering.
- Visualise Motion: In Setup Menu > Event Control > Video Motion Detection, you can turn on "Show Motion". This will highlight detected motion in red on the preview image, showing you exactly what the camera is seeing.
By methodically working through these configuration steps, you can ensure your Mobotix camera's powerful event logic is set up correctly for reliable and accurate motion detection.