Fine-Tuning Your Reolink Motion Detection
Reolink cameras offer powerful and customisable motion detection features. However, without proper configuration, you might experience either a flood of false alarms or, worse, missed events. This guide will help you understand the different types of detection Reolink uses and how to optimise the settings for accurate and reliable alerts.
### Understanding Reolink's Detection Methods: PIR vs. Pixel
Reolink employs two primary motion detection technologies. It's crucial to know which one your camera uses.
- Passive Infrared (PIR) Detection: Used mainly in battery-powered cameras (like the Argus series). PIR sensors detect the body heat of people and animals. They are very power-efficient and excellent at avoiding false alarms from things like shadows or blowing leaves. Their main weakness is that they are less effective at detecting motion moving directly towards the sensor.
- Pixel-Based Detection: Used in most powered cameras (PoE and Wi-Fi models). This method constantly analyses the video feed and triggers an alert when it detects significant changes in the pixels from one frame to the next. It is more versatile but can be prone to false alarms from non-human movement if not configured correctly.
Some advanced models incorporate both, along with smart AI detection (Person/Vehicle/Pet).
Solutions for Common Motion Detection Problems
Let's tackle the most frequent issues and how to solve them.
### Problem 1: Too Many False Alarms (Insects, Rain, Shadows)
This is the most common issue with pixel-based detection.
- Solution 1: Adjust Sensitivity:
- Open the Reolink App, go to Device Settings > Detection Alarm > Sensitivity.
- This setting controls how much change is needed to trigger an alert. The default is often too high.
- Our Recommendation: Lower the sensitivity setting significantly. Test the results. It's a process of trial and error to find the sweet spot for your specific scene.
- Solution 2: Create a Motion Zone:
- In the Detection Alarm settings, find Motion Zone.
- This allows you to paint over areas on the screen that you want the camera to ignore.
- For example, you can exclude bushes that sway in the wind, a public road, or a neighbour's property. This is an extremely effective way to cut down on unwanted alerts.
### Problem 2: Camera Not Detecting People (Especially Battery Cameras)
This is a common issue with PIR-based cameras.
- Solution 1: Check Camera Placement and Angle:
- PIR sensors work best when movement happens across their field of view, not directly towards them.
- The ideal mounting position is 2-3 metres high, angled slightly downwards.
- Ensure your walkway or desired detection area cuts across the camera's view.
- Solution 2: Adjust PIR Sensitivity:
- In the device settings, find the PIR Settings or Sensitivity menu.
- Unlike pixel sensitivity, this adjusts the PIR sensor's detection range and responsiveness to heat signatures.
- If you are missing detections, set the sensitivity to "High" and test it.
### Problem 3: Not Receiving Push Notifications on Your Phone
If the camera is recording events but you're not being alerted, the issue lies in the notification settings.
- Check Reolink App Settings: Go to Device Settings > Push Notifications. Ensure the "Enable Push" toggle is ON.
- Check Scheduling: Within the Push Notification settings, there is a "Schedule". Make sure you haven't accidentally disabled notifications for certain times of the day. The schedule grid should be blue for the times you want to receive alerts.
- Check Phone Settings: Go into your smartphone's main settings, find the Reolink app, and ensure that it has permission to send you notifications.
### Step 4: Utilise Smart Detection (Person/Vehicle)
If your Reolink camera supports it, enabling smart detection is the ultimate solution for alert accuracy.
- How it Works: The camera's AI analyses the motion and only triggers an alert if it identifies the specific object type you've selected.
- Configuration: In Detection Alarm settings, you will see options for Person, Vehicle, and sometimes Pet detection. You can set different sensitivity levels and recording rules for each. For example, you can choose to only receive push notifications when a person is detected, but still record video for any type of motion. This provides maximum security with minimum interruption.