Sample Motion Triggered Camera Recording

Questions

How can I have motion trigger a camera event?

Answer

You can use this example to create a motion sensor-triggered camera macro. If you want to follow along, open the file called Video Samples in ActiveHome Pro. This file was installed as part of iWitness.

This macro is designed to monitor the front door. When triggered by the associated motion sensor, it will switch to the front door camera and start recording video. After motion ceases and the motion sensor sends an OFF command, recording will stop. This will take about 75 seconds after motion ceases if your motion sensor is set to the default delay settings.

Step 1: Create the Start Recording Macro

If you have never made a macro before, please read Creating A Macro first.

Create a new macro in the room named Front Yard. Change the name of the macro to Start Recording, and change the trigger address to M3 On -- the address of the motion sensor we have set up in the Front Yard.

Step 2: Select the Camera

Select "Video Functions" from the room list on the right side of Macro Designer, and then drag the "Select Camera" command into your macro. The camera named "Front Cam" should be selected by default, but you can select any camera using the drop-down menu. If using a Ninja Base or professional camera, you could use the "Goto Camera Preset" step instead of "Select Camera" to ensure the camera points where the motion sensor is looking. If you are using a FloodCam, skip this step. The FloodCam will have already selected itself; sending another ON command will leave it turned on until it hears an OFF command.

Step 3: Record Video

Go back to the "Video Functions" selection in the room list and put the "Video Recording" command in the macro. It will automatically set itself to the "Start" function. This command will tell iWitness to record the incoming video to a file on your computer.

Step 4: Create the Stop Recording Macro

Create a new macro in the room named Front Yard. Change the name of the macro to Stop Recording and change the trigger address to M3 Off.

Step 5: Stop Recording Video

Go back to the "Video Functions" selection in the room list and put the "Video Recording" command in the macro. It will automatically set itself to the "Start" function, so select "Stop."

Conclusion

The macro is now finished. If you are using the Video Samples file, you could have the chime sound or turn on a light when the Start Recording macro runs. Just open the macro in the Macro Designer, select the room you want to add modules from, and drag them into the macro. If you have lights come on in the Start Recording macro, you will probably want to turn them off in the Stop Recording macro.

Installing iWitness adds many new options to your ActiveHome Pro Preferences. Use these options to adjust how your ActiveHome Pro stores pictures and video, and how it works with your cameras. To open the video options, select Preferences from the Tools menu. Use the arrows at the top of the window to scroll through the Options tabs and click on the one you want to change.