Calibrate a device for Video Analytics
Users can calibrate certain video devices for Video Analytics using the Alarm.com app or Alarm.com customer website. The calibration process involves taking five still images of a person in different locations visible to the camera.
Important: The video device should be recalibrated whenever it is moved to another location.
The following video devices require calibration before a user can create a Video Analytics recording rule. For more information about creating a Video Analytics rule, see Configure a Video Analytics rule.
Video devices that use calibration include:
- 180º HD Camera (ADC-V622)
- 1080p Indoor Wi-Fi Camera (ADC-V523/523X)
- 1080p Outdoor Wi-Fi Camera (ADC-V723/723X)
- 1080p Outdoor Wi-Fi Camera with Two-Way Audio (ADC-V724/724X)
- Pro Series 1080p Mini-Bullet Camera (ADC-VC727P)
- Pro Series 1080p Dome PoE Camera (ADC-VC827P)
- Pro Series 1080p Dome PoE Camera with Varifocal Lens (ADC-VC847PF)
- Pro Series 4MP Bullet PoE Camera with Varifocal Lens (ADC-VC728PF)
- Pro Series 4MP Varifocal Turret Camera (ADC-VC838PF)
- 4MP Outdoor Floodlight Camera (ADC-V729/V729AC/VC729P)
Camera calibration overview
Improved accuracy
Calibration combined with Video Analytics best practices provides cameras with an accurate view of each unique location where they are installed. For more information about the best practices for setting up Video Analytics, see Video Analytics best practices.
Tailored experience
The calibration process itself is used to more thoroughly customize the Video Analytics performance by giving the camera context into where a subject could enter, exit, or move around within the field of view.
Calibration best practices
Verify that the person's entire body is in the field of view for each photo.
After taking each photo, take a few steps backward relative to the field of view instead of side to side.
Use a mobile device instead of the Alarm.com customer website to make it easier to move around and take photos.
To calibrate a camera during Video Analytics setup
Users can calibrate a camera using the Alarm.com app or the Alarm.com customer website at the beginning of the Video Analytics setup process. If using a mobile device, the calibration can be completed by one person.
To calibrate a camera during Video Analytics setup using the Alarm.com app:
- Log in to the Alarm.com app.
- Tap
. - Tap
. - Tap Recording rules.
- Tap Add.
- Tap Video Analytics.
- Tap to select the video device to be calibrated.
Note: The camera's existing Video Motion Detection (VMD) rules will be removed, but they can be added back later. Tap Ok to delete the VMD rules and continue with calibration. - After the camera completes Video Analytics setup, tap Close.
- Tap to select the video device to be calibrated.
- Tap Continue.
- Verify the person is in the camera's field of view, then tap Take Photo.
- Tap Next.
- Repeat the previous two steps for each photo having the person move a few steps further from the camera each time.
- After five photos are captured, tap Submit.
- Once the calibration is complete, tap Done. The camera is now ready for a Video Analytics rule. For more information about how to create a Video Analytics rule, see Configure a Video Analytics rule.
To calibrate a camera during Video Analytics setup using the Alarm.com customer website:
- Log in to the Alarm.com customer website.
- Click Video.
- Click Recording rules.
- Click + Add New Rule.
- Click Video Analytics.
- Click to select the video device to be calibrated.
Note: The camera's existing Video Motion Detection (VMD) rules will be removed, but they can be added back later. Click Ok to delete the VMD rules and continue with calibration. - After the camera completes Video Analytics setup, click Close.
- Click to select the video device to be calibrated.
- Click Continue.
- Verify the person is in the camera's field of view, then click Take Photo.
- Click Next.
- Repeat the previous two steps for each photo having the person move a few steps further from the camera each time.
- After five photos are captured, click Submit.
- Once the calibration is complete, click Done. The camera is now ready for a Video Analytics rule. For more information about how to create a Video Analytics rule, see Configure a Video Analytics rule.
To calibrate a camera
Users can calibrate a camera using the Alarm.com app or the Alarm.com customer website. If using a mobile device, the calibration can be completed by one person.
To calibrate a camera using the Alarm.com app:
- Log in to the Alarm.com app.
- Tap .
- Tap .
- Tap to select the video device to be calibrated.
- Tap Video.
- Tap Calibrate Video Device.
- Tap Continue.
- Verify the person is in the camera's field of view, then tap Take Photo.
- Tap Next.
- Repeat the previous two steps for each photo having the person move a few steps further from the camera each time.
- After five photos are captured, tap Submit.
- Once the calibration is complete, tap Done. The camera is now ready for a Video Analytics rule. For more information about how to create a Video Analytics rule, see Configure a Video Analytics rule.
To calibrate a camera using the Alarm.com customer website:
- Log in to the Alarm.com customer website.
- Click Video.
- Click Settings.
- Select the video device to calibrate.
- Click Video.
- In Recorded Video Settings, click Calibrate Video Device.
- Click Continue.
- Verify the person is in the camera's field of view, then click Take Photo.
- Click Next.
- Repeat the previous two steps for each photo having the person move a few steps further from the camera each time.
- After five photos are captured, click Submit.
- Once the calibration is complete, click Done. The camera is now ready for a Video Analytics rule. For more information about how to create a Video Analytics rule, see Configure a Video Analytics rule.