Zosi Security: How to Fix Too Many Alert Messages
A Zosi security system can provide great peace of mind, but not when your phone is buzzing every few minutes with a new notification. This constant stream of alerts, often triggered by insignificant events, can cause you to tune out your security system altogether, potentially leading you to miss an important event when it finally happens.
This guide will show you how to properly configure your Zosi DVR or NVR to drastically reduce the number of unwanted alerts, ensuring that the notifications you do receive are meaningful.
The Source of the Problem: Your Zosi DVR/NVR Settings
Most of the key adjustments are not in the Zosi Smart app on your phone, but in the main interface of your Zosi Digital Video Recorder (DVR) or Network Video Recorder (NVR). You will need to access this using a connected monitor and mouse.
The primary causes of excessive alerts are:
- High Motion Sensitivity: The default settings are often too sensitive for real-world environments.
- No Motion Masking: The system is detecting motion across the entire camera view, including public areas or places with constant natural movement.
- 24/7 Alert Schedule: You are receiving alerts all day, even when you're home and don't need them.
- Environmental Triggers: The system is reacting to rain, wind, shadows, and insects.
Step-by-Step Guide to Reducing Zosi Alerts
Follow these steps on your Zosi DVR/NVR's main interface.
1. Adjust Motion Detection Sensitivity
This is the most impactful change you can make. You need to do this for each camera channel individually.
- Log In and Go to Settings: Right-click on the main screen and log in. Navigate to Setup or Main Menu.
- Find Alarm/Motion Settings: Look for a menu called Alarm, Detect, or Event.
- Select a Camera Channel: There will be a dropdown or list to select the camera (Channel 1, Channel 2, etc.) you want to adjust.
- Lower the Sensitivity: Find the "Sensitivity" setting. It might be a slider, a number (e.g., 1-8), or words (Low, Medium, High). The default is often the highest setting. Lower the sensitivity significantly. For example, if it's at 8, try setting it to 4 or 5.
- Save and Repeat: Click Apply or Save. Then, repeat this process for every camera channel that is sending too many alerts.
2. Create a Motion Mask (Detection Area)
This is the best way to stop alerts from specific areas in the camera's view. A motion mask tells the system which parts of the image to ignore.
- Find the Area Setting: In the same Motion/Alarm menu, look for a button that says Area, Region, or Setting.
- 'Paint' the Ignore Zones: This will bring up the camera's view with a grid. You can typically click and drag to "paint" the areas you want the system to ignore.
- Be Strategic: Mask out any busy roads, public footpaths, swaying trees, or neighbours' properties. The clear, unmasked area is the only place where motion will be detected. For a front door camera, you might only leave the path leading to your door unmasked.
- Save Your Mask: Once you're done, save the settings for that channel. Repeat for other channels as needed.
3. Set an Alert Schedule
Stop notifications when you don't need them, like when you're home during the day.
- Find the Schedule Menu: Within the Alarm/Motion settings, there is usually a Schedule or Arming Time option.
- Configure the Grid: You'll see a grid representing the hours of the day and days of the week. You can select the specific blocks of time when you want motion detection to be active.
- Example: You might set the schedule to only be active from 10 PM to 7 AM on weekdays, and 24 hours on weekends when you might be away. This stops all work-from-home and daytime alerts.
4. Check App Notification Settings
Finally, ensure the Zosi Smart app on your phone is set up correctly. Under the push notification settings in the app, you can sometimes choose between all motion events or "human" detection if your system supports it. Opting for human detection can further filter out alerts from animals and vehicles.
By combining these three configuration steps on your Zosi DVR/NVR, you will gain precise control over your security alerts, transforming your system from a noisy nuisance into a smart, effective security tool.