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How to control the privacy shutter on the ADC-V530

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The ADC-V530 features an integrated privacy shutter that physically blocks the lens so that no video is being recorded. You can use the physical button on the camera for quick, convenient access to control the privacy shutter, or remotely control the privacy shutter using the Alarm.com app and Alarm.com customer website.

Important: To use the privacy shutter button, the ADC-V530 needs to be on firmware version 0.0.1.053+.

Understanding the multi-purpose button

The V530 camera has a single button that serves two different purposes depending on how long it is pressed and held. It is critical to understand the difference to avoid accidentally resetting your camera to its factory default settings.

  • Short Press (Tap): A quick press and release (less than 2 seconds). This action toggles the privacy shutter between its open and closed positions.
  • Long Press (Hold): Pressing and holding the button for 10 or more seconds will initiate a factory reset of your camera, erasing all your settings and Wi-Fi configurations.
Important considerations
  • Offline functionality: The button will still control the privacy shutter even if the camera is not connected to the internet, as long as it is plugged into a power source.
  • Power loss: If the camera loses power, the shutter will remain in its last position (either open or closed) when power is restored.

How does closing the privacy shutter affect Local Recording rules?

Closing the privacy shutter does not automatically pause Local Recording rules (i.e., Onboard Recording with SD card and SVR Recording) that have been created for the device. Since video and audio are both disabled when the privacy shutter is closed, any recordings will simply display a static frame with the message The privacy shutter is closed.

Shutter Closed settings page.svg

Open or close the privacy shutter

The ADC-V530's privacy shutter can be opened or closed using the physical button, during a live viewing session using the Alarm.com app and Alarm.com customer website, or through the V530's device settings page using the Alarm.com app or Alarm.com customer website.

Physical button

Follow these steps to open or close the privacy shutter using the physical button.

  1. Locate the Reset button on the back of the ADC-V530 camera body.
  2. Firmly press and immediately release the button.
     
    Important: Only use a short press to control the shutter. Holding the button down for too long will factory reset the device, and it will need to be deleted and re-installed on the customer account.
     
  3. Confirm the shutter's position while at the camera using visual and/or audible cues.
    • Visually: Look at the front of the camera. The white privacy shutter slide will be physically covering the lens if it is closed, or the lens will be uncovered if it is open.
    • Audibly: There is a faint, mechanical clicking sound when the shutter is either opened or closed.
Live view

Users can open or close the privacy shutter during live viewing sessions using the Alarm.com app and Alarm.com customer website. Select the live viewing method below to see those steps.

Alarm.com app steps
  1. Log in to the Alarm.com app.
  2. Tap Video .
  3. Tap the feed for the ADC-V530 to begin live viewing.
  4. Tap Privacy shutter open to close the privacy shutter.
    • Once complete, the video feed is replaced with a static page stating The privacy shutter is closed.
  5. To re-open the privacy shutter, tap Open Privacy Shutter.
Alarm.com customer website steps
  1. Log in to the Alarm.com customer website.
  2. Click Video.
  3. Mouse over the ADC-V530's live feed, then click Privacy shutter open.
    • Once complete, the video feed is replaced with a static page stating The privacy shutter is closed.
  4. To re-open the privacy shutter, click Open Privacy Shutter.
ADC-V530 device settings page

Users can open or close the privacy shutter through the V530's device settings page using the Alarm.com app and Alarm.com customer website. It is also possible to disable or enable the manual shutter button on this page. Select the method below to see those steps.

Alarm.com app steps
  1. Log in to the Alarm.com app.
  2. Tap Video .
  3. Tap Configure.
  4. Select the desired ADC-V530.
  5. Tap Privacy Shutter.
  6. In Privacy Mode, use the dropdown menu to select Close Shutter.
    • Once complete, the video feed is replaced with a static page stating The privacy shutter is closed.
  7. To re-open the privacy shutter, use the dropdown menu to select Open Shutter.
Alarm.com customer website steps
  1. Log in to the Alarm.com customer website.
  2. Click Video.
  3. Click Settings.
  4. Select the desired ADC-V530.
  5. Click Privacy Shutter.
  6. In Privacy Mode, use the dropdown menu to select Close Shutter.
    • Once complete, the video feed is replaced with a static page stating The privacy shutter is closed.
  7. To re-open the privacy shutter, use the dropdown menu to select Open Shutter.

Disable or enable manual privacy shutter control

The ability to control the privacy shutter using the manual privacy shutter (i.e., the physical multi-purpose button) is enabled by default. Users can determine whether or not the physical button on the ADC-V530 has the ability to control the camera's privacy shutter. This setting can be configured using the Alarm.com app or Alarm.com customer website.

Alarm.com app steps
  1. Log in to the Alarm.com app.
  2. Tap Video .
  3. Tap Configure.
  4. Select the desired ADC-V530.
  5. Tap Privacy Shutter.
  6. In Manual Shutter Control, use the Camera Shutter Button toggle switch to disable or enable the manual privacy shutter control as desired.
Alarm.com customer website steps
  1. Log in to the Alarm.com customer website.
  2. Click Video.
  3. Click Settings.
  4. Select the desired ADC-V530.
  5. Click Privacy Shutter.
  6. In Manual Shutter Control, use the Camera Shutter Button toggle switch to disable or enable the manual privacy shutter control as desired.

Automation rules and settings for the privacy shutter

The Shutter Automation feature allows the V530 to automatically open or close its privacy shutter based on the current status of the security system, eliminating the need to manually toggle privacy mode every time you leave or enter your home.

Default settings

Note: These automation rules are automatically created when the camera is installed.

By default, the camera is configured with the following settings to balance privacy and security:

Panel arming status Privacy shutter position
Disarmed Shutter Closed
Armed Stay Shutter Closed
Armed Away Shutter Open
Alarm Mode Shutter Open
Panel integration

The privacy shutter is integrated with your panel to ensure it is in the desired position based on the security system's current arming status.

Automatic opening Privacy shutters automatically open by default when the panel triggers an alarm.*
Duration The shutter remains open during the entire alarm sequence, until the panel is disarmed.
Delays

Entry/Exit delays and Dialer delays are respected, and the shutter opens only after all delays expire.

*Note: This default behavior is configurable on the V530's Privacy Shutter settings page.

Remote Video Monitoring (RVM) Console support

For accounts with RVM integration, the following rules apply to ensure operators have access during emergencies while respecting privacy:

Arming restrictions There are no arming restrictions when the privacy shutter is closed. The camera can be placed in the desired "Armed" status even if the privacy shutter is closed.*
Priority RVM commands take priority over customer automation and manual controls.
Manual override Manual on-demand shutter controls remain available for the operator if they are needed.

*Note: Arming the camera for RVM will un-pause the recording rule, but it will not open the privacy shutter if it is closed. Clips will not be triggered from a camera with a closed shutter. For more information about arming/disarming cameras for RVM, see Camera Arming Status for Remote Video Monitoring (RVM).

Customer control regarding RVM support
  • Customers can enable or disable automatic shutter opening during alarms on the V530's Privacy Shutter settings page.
    • Monitoring station operators will be able to manually override shutter controls when the system is in Alarm Mode.
  • Customers can exclude ADC-V530 cameras from RVM support using the Monitoring Station settings page.
To configure privacy shutter automation

Privacy shutter automation settings can be configured at any time on the V530's Privacy Shutter page using the Alarm.com app or Alarm.com customer website.

Alarm.com app steps
  1. Log in to the Alarm.com app.
  2. Tap Video .
  3. Tap Configure.
  4. Select the desired ADC-V530.
  5. Ta Privacy Shutter.
  6. In Shutter Automation, use the Disarmed, Armed Stay, Armed Away, and Alarm Mode dropdown menus to select a shutter position for each arming state:
    • Use the Disarmed dropdown menu to select a shutter position when the security system is not armed.
    • Use the Armed Stay dropdown menu to select a shutter position when the security system is armed only at the perimeter (e.g., when someone is sleeping or home alone).
    • Use the Armed Away dropdown menu to select a shutter position when the security system is fully armed (e.g., when the property is empty).
    • Use the Alarm Mode dropdown menu to select a shutter position when the alarm has been triggered.
  7. Tap Save to apply changes.
Alarm.com customer website steps
  1. Log in to the Alarm.com customer website.
  2. Click Video.
  3. Click Settings.
  4. Select the desired ADC-V530.
  5. Click on Privacy Shutter.
  6. In Shutter Automation, use the Disarmed, Armed Stay, Armed Away, and Alarm Mode dropdown menus to select a shutter position for each arming state:
    • Use the Disarmed dropdown menu to select a shutter position when the security system is not armed.
    • Use the Armed Stay dropdown menu to select a shutter position when the security system is armed only at the perimeter (e.g., when someone is sleeping or home alone).
    • Use the Armed Away dropdown menu to select a shutter position when the security system is fully armed (e.g., when the property is empty).
    • Use the Alarm Mode dropdown menu to select a shutter position when the alarm has been triggered.
  7. Click Save to apply changes.

Troubleshooting

The physical privacy button has been pressed, but the privacy shutter does not move
  • Check power: Ensure the V530 is plugged in and receiving power. The status LED should be visible and showing a correct color and pattern. For more information, see What do the LEDs on the ADC-V530 mean?.
  • Button pressed correctly: Make sure you are performing a quick, firm press and release. If you press too lightly or for too long, the command may not register correctly.
The physical privacy button has been pressed, and now the camera is offline or the LED is alternating red and green