topic Different Schedules on Different Cameras? in Features

Different Schedules on Different Cameras?

R_Lowe — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 22:48:37 GMT

I just installed my second (of four) cameras. I want the 2nd camera to detect motion on a different schedule than the first. Is there some quick and easy way I can set this up on my PC? I can't find what I click on to tell each camera independently to detect motion or not and think both are set more or less on Arlo's boilerplate schedule (although I modified it slightly).

Thanks.

Re: Different Schedules on Different Cameras?

Schorschi — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 06:21:21 GMT

It seems you haven't grasped the concept of modes, rules and schedules yet.

Basically what you need to do is create rules for your cameras and define modes during which only a certain set of rules apply. Scheduling those modes is the final step.

Let's say you want to have camera A run (i.e. detect motion and record) during the hours of 8 to 10 and camera B from 9 to 11. You have three different combinations of concurrent camera activation, namely A, A and B, and B. So, you need to create three different modes, one for the hour of 8 to 9, one for the hour from 9 to 10 and one for the hour from 10 to 11. Let's call these modes by what cameras are active during each mode, namely and respectively "Camera A only", "Camera A and B" and "Camera B only".

You create two rules, each of which simply detects motion at a given sensitivity percentage and records on that same camera for your predetermined number of seconds, for instance, "If motion detected on camera A at 80% sensitivity, then record video on camera A for 20 seconds and send an alert". You define an analogous rule for camera B.

Now you create your three modes as named above. For mode "Camera A only" you check off the rule that activates motion detection and recording for camera A only. Here, checking off means, the color of the applicable rule's checkmark has to appear in green, all other inactive rules' checkmarks for that mode must be in black. For mode "Camera A and B" you check off both rules and lastly, for mode "Camera B only" you check off only the rule that detects motion and records on camera B.

Finally, you go to the Mode page and activate the schedule. You arrange your modes (by using drag and drop) such that mode "Camera A only" is active from 8 to 9 (on your desired day(s)), then schedule mode "Camera A and B" to be active between 9 and 10 and finally, schedule mode "Camera C" such that it is active from the hours of 10 to 11.

Voila.

You are not limited to creating just one rule for each camera (however, at most only one rule for the same camera can be activated in any given mode at a time; if in a mode you attempt to activate a rule that detects motion on a camera for which another rule is already detecting motion and is active, this previously activated rule is automatically unchecked/deactivated).

To give an example of a use case where multiple rules for the same camera are useful, I found out that I needed to dial down the motion sensitity somewhat on some of my cameras during the day as opposed to night, simply because a motion event is detected too often during the day if I leave it at night's sensitivity.

So for these cameras I created one rule each with 95% motion sensitivity (for nights) and another with 80% sensitivity (for days).

I created a mode called "Day: arm all" and a mode "Night: arm all" and scheduled the day mode to be active starting at 7.30 a.m. and the night mode to begin at 9 p.m. (I have other modes that disable certain cameras entirely during the day and phases where I have no active rules during the day at all.) In the "Day: arm all" mode I checked off the rule that records for those cameras I mentioned at 80% sensitivity and in the "Night: arm all" mode I checked off the rule for the 95% sensitivity on those same cameras - besides checking off additional rules for the other cameras, of course.

So, I hope you understand now how scheduling, modes and rules work.

Re: Different Schedules on Different Cameras?

Schorschi — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 07:21:00 GMT

There is a typo in my previous post. It should read:

"...schedule mode "Camera B only" such that it is active from the hours of 10 to 11."

instead of

"...schedule mode "Camera C" such that it is active from the hours of 10 to 11."

Re: Different Schedules on Different Cameras?

TomMac — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 13:25:47 GMT

very good explaination..

One thing to also remember is that any camera NOT in the mode is turned off

So if you start a mode for camera A and B ONLY then even if C was on, C will be turned off

Re: Different Schedules on Different Cameras?

R_Lowe — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 23:04:23 GMT

Schorschi wrote:
It seems you haven't grasped the concept of modes, rules and schedules yet.

You were entirely right. However, after reading your well-written post several times and giving myself an hour's worth of hands-on experimentation (half of that was realizing the black checkmarks meant something was OFF instead of on...DOH!), I can now say I understand it. I've now installed 3 of my 4 cams and am proficient enough in making them work the way, and when, I want.

I WOULD however, like to see the scheduler physically expanded a bit so that I can fully read the names of the modes I insert. Additionally, it would be nice to have a feature that allows me to apply a mode to the exact same times daily, or during the work-week, etc. (e.g., the boilerplate "programs" Arlo comes packaged with).

In any event, THANK YOU for taking the time to patiently explain the rules-modes-scheduling sequence. Very very nice.

Re: Different Schedules on Different Cameras?

mileshillier — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 05:43:55 GMT

This is the same question I had. I think I understand the solution, however, If it needs a manuel to discribe a function that should be one of the main user stories, it might need to be re-worked. I would be interested in knowing what other competetors are doing in this space. I also wonder if a User Experience Designer had a go at the usability and interaction.

Between trying to figure out the interactions and constantly replacing (hard to find) batteries, I am considering going back to a wired solution that I had in my previous place.

If a few of the interactions and usability issues were fixed this would be a great product I would happily refer to others.

I am more than happy to share some of my experiences to the powers that be if wanted.

Re: Different Schedules on Different Cameras?

TazHawaii — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 16:47:04 GMT

Well now, I don't think you could have made it more difficult to use if you tried. I'm a computer programmer myself and would have made this effort more user friendly and easy to use. A simplier and more user friendly (and intuitive application) would be as follows:

I have 5 cameras - I want two of those cameras on a schedule while leaving the other three under default operation. I would clecik on Mode> Turn On Schedule and then click on an "Add" button just like under rules. This allows me to configure the schedule I need/want. Once complete, click on another botton called "Camera" to select the camera's I want to run on this schedule; and select the default Rules (or create a new rule) and click on save. This would mean the two camera's selected would run under this schedule just created using the All Modes On/All Modes Off I selected when creating the schedule, and using the default rules of 80% sensitivity with 20 second recording. Bam...done....Clean and simple.

What I have now is two camera's running on a selected schedule using the All Mode on/All Modes off and the default rules of 80% sensitivity and 20 sec recording, and it took me less than 4 minutes to apply. The best part of this is that it hasn't effected the remaining 3 camera's in any way.

Re: Different Schedules on Different Cameras?

SA3 — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 03:02:43 GMT

Re: Different Schedules on Different Cameras?

Sqiz — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 15:12:02 GMT

I want to setup two different schedules for two cameras - the web interface is so mindnumbingly confusing I'm considering asking for a refund.

Re: Different Schedules on Different Cameras?

TomMac — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 16:30:38 GMT

Sqiz wrote:
I want to setup two different schedules for two cameras - the web interface is so mindnumbingly confusing I'm considering asking for a refund.

If you want dif scheds for two cameras, you need prob to make a couple extra Modes.

Mode 1 Cam A on

Mode 2 Cam B on

Default ARMED is all on, so A & B would be on

DISARMED is all off ( but on sched, if not on then its off )

Then you have to add the modes to the schedule for start / off times as needed for the cams you want on.

With the schedule. if the scheduled time goes thru MIDNIGHT, you have to make it in two parts (first day up to midnight, next day after midnight )

Re: Different Schedules on Different Cameras?

SA3 — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 16:50:01 GMT

Is someone at netgear looking into this? Such a simple ask and so complicated solutions? I'm also considering asking for a refund if this is not fixed...

Re: Different Schedules on Different Cameras?

TomMac — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 17:10:06 GMT

It's a learning curve even for the 'old timers' here since the new software... but no overly difficult. Just take it a step at a time

Re: Different Schedules on Different Cameras?

Sqiz — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 21:31:30 GMT

Sorry but I just don't think it is possible. As far as I can telll you can only have one scheduled attached to a base station and within that you can only have one mode because mode selection works as a radio button turning the others off.

Re: Different Schedules on Different Cameras?

jguerdat — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 21:49:29 GMT

You're right but there's the possibility of nested modes that may do what you want. The nested mode uses one camera to start another camera or other operation that the Mode and rules allow. I haven't used them myself but others have. There's apparently an issue with them right now with the latest updates so it may not be an option at least for a while.

Re: Different Schedules on Different Cameras?

TomMac — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 01:34:22 GMT

Sqiz wrote:
Sorry but I just don't think it is possible. As far as I can telll you can only have one scheduled attached to a base station and within that you can only have one mode because mode selection works as a radio button turning the others off.

Maybe I misunderstood you... and exactly what yr trying to do

Correct, you can have only 1 schedule AND only 1 mode running at a time. A new mode over writes the previous

If you want to control 2 cameras at diff times you must break it down into more Modes to cover all the options needed

Re: Different Schedules on Different Cameras?

Sqiz — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 10:53:33 GMT

Okay I think I've sussed it !

Work in terms of programming the base station not the cameras.
Understand that the system needs you to do all the thinking up front (as if it was a 30 year old program).
Decide the core time periods in which all cameras can be active and schedule those as armed.
Then work outwards from those time periods adding modes with a cut down selection of active cameras.
Pray you don't need many cameras because this is going to be a swine to alter!

yay - success.

thanks for your help and perseverence 🙂

Re: Different Schedules on Different Cameras?

TomMac — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 14:51:49 GMT

Sqiz wrote:

thanks for your help and perseverence 🙂

Good to hear... You should see my schedule with 8 different modes ! 🙂

Once you get the epiphany as to how it works ,it's not hard

Re: Different Schedules on Different Cameras?

Rayosun — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 03:05:52 GMT

Sqiz wrote:
I want to setup two different schedules for two cameras - the web interface is so mindnumbingly confusing I'm considering asking for a refund.

Sqiz, You've got that right!!

Re: Different Schedules on Different Cameras?

WayneRemines — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 23:24:20 GMT

Sorry for your confusion Sqiz. I, myself, find these kind of "problems", fun. I just keep digging and experimenting.

Re: Different Schedules on Different Cameras?

TheBigGExpress — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 01:04:09 GMT

Scheduling is much more difficult than necessary.

Your users are trying to help you sell more cameras.

Please take a look at how other manufacturers are handling this.