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Knowledge Base

General Video Information

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Overviews

  • AI Deterrence (AID) OverviewAI Deterrence (AID) takes security to the next level by using AI-generated deterrent responses to build a moat of protection around customer properties. Building off of Video Analytics, AID intelligently identifies and analyzes intruders and surroundings to issue adaptive verbal deterrent warnings.
  • AI Video Event Search OverviewAI Video Event Search helps you quickly locate saved video clips by describing what you're looking for—like "package delivery yesterday" or "kids with bicycles today." Search across clip thumbnails and get results in seconds.
  • Business Activity Analytics (BAA) OverviewBusiness Activity Analytics is a new way to manage for business customers to protect their properties using their business cameras. By creating and using rules around movement or group gatherings, business owners can transform the way they protect their business.
  • Commercial Video Surveillance OverviewWhether your customers need to cover a single warehouse or a national chain of storefronts, our commercial video surveillance offerings have them covered. With our intuitive app and flexible storage options, customers can access live or recorded video anywhere, anytime.
  • Pro Series Cameras OverviewAlarm.com for Business introduces our new Pro Series commercial-grade PoE cameras. With options for indoor and outdoor use and a wide range of commercial applications, the best-in-class Pro Series cameras helps your customers monitor their businesses at all times.
  • Response Modes for AI Deterrence (AID) OverviewTake AI Deterrence (AID) beyond standard crime deterrence with response modes. Video customers can customize AID rules by message type and response voice, depending on the use case, to deliver a more personalized experience. Plus, to help customers select the right option, we've added the option to test alerts on camera without impacting monthly event quota.
  • Video Analytics OverviewVideo Analytics enable your customers to get smarter video alerts on what matters most to them. It actively detects and distinguishes between people, animals and vehicles to reduce nuisance alerts and boost customer engagement.
  • Video Settings for Web and Mobile OverviewSee all cameras at a glance, check status in seconds, and update settings without digging through menus. From your phone or laptop, everything you need is right where you expect it.
  • Video Solutions OverviewEmpower customers to see what’s happening anywhere, anytime with video monitoring solutions by Alarm.com. Our video technology gives customers smarter, more useful alerts and a whole-home view of important activity.

Data sheets

Installation guides 

User guides

  • Adjust how long to request clip uploads during an alarmVideo devices can be configured to upload back-to-back clips during an alarm for 1 to 15 minutes using the website.
  • Adjust saved video resolution, image quality, or frame rateVideo settings can be customized for each camera and video device.
  • Adjust the camera-triggered clip length settingThe length of video clips can be changed remotely at any time using the Customer app or Customer website.
  • Adjust the field of view of doorbell cameras
  • Adjust the live image quality of a cameraLive video image quality can be changed to improve either motion clarity. Increasing the video image quality improves the fine details in the picture — decreasing the video image quality reduces the amount of bandwidth the video device needs.
  • Adjust the Motion Sensitivity on a battery-powered cameraThe Motion Sensitivity setting for Alarm.com battery-powered cameras controls the sensitivity of the passive infrared (PIR) sensors that are responsible for motion detection. Smaller values correspond to a smaller detection radius, while larger values correspond to a larger detection radius. This setting helps determine how likely the device is to wake up when it detects motion.
  • Advanced Video SearchAdvanced Video Search allows customers to quickly find specific recorded video on a Pro Series CSVR by searching for motion in a defined area or for footage linked to events such as badge scans or door openings.
  • AI Deterrence (AID) Autonomous Audio Response Service
  • AI Video Event SearchAlarm.com accounts with supported video service packages can now use natural language queries to search their saved video clip thumbnails for virtually anything. Simply type a search term into the AI search bar, or tap the microphone icon and use voice-to-text for searches on the Customer app, to zero in on the most relevant clips (e.g., "Food deliveries from last week").
  • Associate a security device to a continuously recording cameraAssociate a supported security device to a continuously recording video camera to find relevant recordings quickly.
  • Battery charge levels for shipped Alarm.com battery-powered video devicesDevices ship at >50% charge from the factory ♦ Actual received charge may be lower due to normal lithium-ion self-discharge ♦ Installation can typically proceed without pre-charging ♦ If the battery is below 20%, charge the device before installing
  • Calibrate a device for Video AnalyticsCalibration for supported video devices helps Video Analytics measure movement accurately by having a user take five photos of a person at different distances in the camera’s view. Cameras should be recalibrated whenever they are moved. Calibration can be completed during Video Analytics setup or later using the Customer app, Customer website, or MobileTech app, and a camera must be calibrated before a Video Analytics recording rule can be created.
  • Change the video alert format
  • Change the Wi-Fi network settings of a video deviceYou can change a video device's network information manually using the Customer website as long as the device has power and is still connected to an active network.
  • Commercial video internet bandwidth guidelines
  • Configure a Video Analytics ruleAlarm.com Video Analytics continuously scans a property and sends a notification when a person, vehicle, or animal is identified. Advanced detection rules enhance perimeter security by sending alerts when someone is coming or going, or even loiterin
  • Configure Privacy Zones for video devicesDraw Privacy Zones to obscure parts of a video device's view (i.e., public sidewalks or a driveway) from all future live and recorded footage. Up to three Privacy zones per camera can be configured using the Customer website.
  • Configure Video Motion Detection (VMD) settings for a video deviceVideo Motion Detection (VMD) is a method of identifying motion without the use of a motion detector. Learn about how to configure the rule and best practices for the best results.
  • Create a video upload limit notification
  • Create/edit a camera group
  • Create/edit a video recording ruleVideo recording rules control when a camera records clips and how users receive notifications. Users can create most recording rules on the Customer website, while Video Analytics rules can be created in either the Customer website or Customer app. The article explains available rule types, how to create a rule, choose video clip recipients, and use at-home settings to temporarily disable camera-triggered recording.
  • Delete a video device from a customer accountDelete an Alarm.com video device from a customer account before installing it on a new account, since a configured video device can only be enrolled after it is removed from the old account. Most cameras, Video Servers, and SVRs can be deleted using the Customer app, Customer website, Partner Portal, or MobileTech app, depending on account permissions.
  • Delete saved video clips
  • Download a video clipSaved video clips can be downloaded in multiple formats, using the Customer app or Customer website. This article links to another that details those formats, while also providing guidance for downloading video clips via the Customer website and Customer App.
  • Enable pre-trigger recordings for a video devicePre-trigger recordings can help provide context for saved video clips by saving a few seconds of footage preceding the trigger event. This article describes the pre-trigger, how it can be overridden and how to configure it if necessary.
  • Enroll a camera or video device to a customer accountConnect and enroll a camera by first joining it to the customer’s network using Ethernet, WPS mode, or AP mode, then adding it to the customer account through the Customer app, Customer website, or MobileTech app. The instructions include a pre-enrollment checklist, steps for each network connection method, LED status confirmation, troubleshooting if the camera does not connect, and final enrollment steps.
  • Familiar Vehicle Notifications for Video AnalyticsWith Familiar Vehicle Notifications for Video Analytics, Video customers can know exactly whose cars are coming and going. Familiar Vehicle Notifications for Video Analytics lets customers identify familiar vehicles and receive customized alerts when either known or unknown cars are detected.
  • High Dynamic Range (HDR) for video devices
  • Keyboard shortcuts for the video playerThe Live Video, Onboard 24/7 Timeline, and SVR Timeline pages have keyboard shortcuts for quick navigation and adjustments to the video playback. This article describes these shortcuts as well as how to access them.
  • Leave feedback on saved video clipsWith Video Feedback, customers using Video Analytics can let Alarm.com know whether the content captured in specific saved clips was useful or not. Sharing clips and feedback helps fine-tune Alarm.com's technology to benefit all Video Analytics customers by providing even more accurate and meaningful alerts. This article describes how to donate clips and leave feedback.
  • Live video streamingLive video lets customers stream camera feeds from the Customer website or Customer app while recordings continue independently in the background. The guide explains device and browser compatibility, WebRTC streaming methods, connection timeouts, and how to improve continuous streaming with settings such as Speed Up Remote Connection Initiation.
  • Manually record video clips
  • Manually Triggered Warning Sounds for proactive video deterrence
  • Multi-Camera SD Video Playback and Recording
  • Onboard Recording (SD card) with Smart View for video devices
  • Pause or resume a video recording ruleRecording rules can be paused to stop recording clips, and resumed to begin recording clips again following the rule. Recording rules can be paused or resumed using the Customer app or Customer website.
  • Perform an Internet speed testAn Internet speed test can help determine if a network has the bandwidth required to support Alarm.com video devices.
  • Perimeter Guard™ for video devicesStop intruders in their tracks with Perimeter Guard™ proactive defense. Perimeter Guard™ uses Alarm.com's advanced Video Analytics to sound an alert and flash the camera's status LED when unwanted visitors are detected.
  • Reconnect a camera to a wireless network if the router, equipment, or Wi-Fi settings change
  • Reformat an SD card installed in a video deviceReformat an Onboard Recording SD card using the Customer website. The SD card must be inserted into an active camera on the account for the reformatting option to be available.
  • Remote streaming methods for Alarm.com video devicesRemote streaming defines how live video from an Alarm.com camera is delivered to the customer when viewing footage.
  • Reorganize video device order on the Customer WebsiteVideo devices are listed alphabetically by default. The order can be changed by renaming the cameras or by creating a camera group to customize their display order without changing individual device names.
  • Share a saved video clipUsers can share video clips with others. There are two ways to share a video clip: send the file or send a video clip link.
  • Thumbnail Search for SVR and Onboard TimelineThumbnail Search allows customers to locate key moments in video footage. Review up to 16 days of footage in just 10 seconds, narrowing the search to find the exact footage needed. This feature streamlines the video review process, enabling customers to efficiently identify important events and pinpoint the timing of incidents such as vandalism or inventory loss.
  • Two-Way Audio Installation and User GuideTwo-Way Audio lets users talk and listen remotely through compatible video devices and hear recorded audio in saved clips. It works in the Customer app, Customer website, and on some supported panels when live video streaming is enabled. Supported cameras use either Half-Duplex audio, which requires pressing and holding to talk, or Full-Duplex audio, which allows simultaneous speaking and listening.
  • Vacation Watch for Video Analytics
  • Video Device Recovery with Bluetooth (BLE) Mode
  • Video Troubleshooting WizardThe Video Troubleshooting Wizard helps bring an offline Alarm.com video device back online by guiding users through steps such as power-cycling the device, power-cycling the router, and re-entering wireless settings. It is available for all Alarm.com video devices after the device has been offline for at least 5 minutes. Customers can access it from the Customer app or Customer website, and partners can access it from the Partner Portal.
  • View continuously recorded video using Smart ViewStream footage is recorded using a Stream Video Recorder (SVR) or an Onboard Recording rule at any time using Smart View. Playback of continuously recorded video is available using the Customer website or Customer app. This article details how to view, navigate and download clips from the Smart View timeline.
  • View saved video clipsSaved video from cameras and video devices can be viewed from the website and the app.
  • View specific video devices or camera groupsUsers can select which video devices or camera groups they want to see on the Live Video, Onboard 24/7 Timeline, and SVR Timeline pages using the Customer website.
  • View the battery status of a video device

How-to troubleshooting guides 

Frequently asked questions