Step 1: Enable Object detection (extra charges will be applied)

Smart analytics, also referred to as Server-side analytics or Object detection, depends on how camera-side events are configured. To enable Object detection, choose a plan with "+ Analytics"; this can be either a fixed plan or a pay-as-you-go plan + Analytics. This will unlock the "Object detection Analytics slider" on the Analytics tab of the camera.

Step 2: Choose a trigger event

Any camera-side event can be used as a trigger for Smart analytics. Click the Add New Rule or Edit button (3 dots on existing Rule) to either create a new Detection Rule or edit an existing one. 

Configure Trigger determines which camera detection module activates server-side analytics. Visit How Smart Analytics Works↗️ to learn more about the logic that we use for smart analytics. 

Step 3: Choose which objects will be detected

IMPORTANT: For cameras that support Motion Detection configuration through the ONVIF protocol, only those objects that intersect the motion detection area will be reported. For all other types of events, and for cameras that do not support Motion detection configuration through ONVIF (such cameras will NOT have the Motion Detection tab), the whole frame is analyzed.

Step 4: Choose the Confidence level for alert rules

This confidence level determines the cut-off limit for the minimum certainty of Object detection required for the alert to be sent based on the rules specified under Sensor Alert settings:

The confidence will affect alerts that are sent as emails, push notifications, and webhooks. 

For more information on the difference between the Video Portal and Admin Portal Confidence Slider, please visit this page↗️

Step 5: Optimize the camera for maximum performance

Even though smart analytics can be done virtually on any quality of video stream, the reliability of detection can be greatly improved if the camera is optimized. This includes:
1. Proper placement of event detection zones/lines. To learn more, visit this page↗️.

2. Optimizing image quality. This includes using appropriate resolution, frame rate, and balancing light. To learn more about typical mistakes in camera setup and how to avoid them, please visit this page↗️.

3. Using the correct Act on triggers. Plan what the important area is and what the desired activity is that you wish to be alerted about, and configure the Detection Rules based on this. 

4. Configure Sensor Alert to receive notifications and stay alert. To learn how to set up Sensor Alerts, visit this page↗️.

Learn about common mistakes and how to avoid them. Visit this page↗️ for details.

For more information on how to optimize image parameters, please visit this article↗️.