How Can I Optimize Motion Detection for My Arlo Cameras?

[elvera33ford]

I’ve set up my Arlo cameras around my property, but I’m struggling to get consistent and accurate motion alerts. Sometimes it doesn’t record when someone walks by, and other times I get alerts for things like leaves moving. I’ve tweaked sensitivity settings, but I’m not sure what the ideal configuration is—especially for outdoor vs. indoor placement.
What strategies or tips have worked for you? Should I adjust the angle or change camera placement entirely? Any advice would be appreciated!

[jguerdat]

What cameras do you have? Some screenshots of the cameras' views may be useful to help diagnose the issues. The motion sensitivity setting is a trial and error, slowly backing it down until you find a compromise between detection and false triggers. Also note that the cameras use PIR (passive IR) detectors that only work to distances of 25 feet, maybe less.

Here's a couple of FAQs that may be useful:

https://kb.arlo.com/1015583/How-do-I-optimize-motion-detection-for-my-Arlo-camera

https://kb.arlo.com/37/Arlo-Camera-Placement-Tips

[StephenB]

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@elvera33ford wrote:

I’ve tweaked sensitivity settings, but I’m not sure what the ideal configuration is—especially for outdoor vs. indoor placement.

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First review the motion detection ranges here:

• https://kb.arlo.com/000062617/How-far-away-can-Arlo-Cameras-and-Arlo-Video-Doorbells-detect-motion

These are somewhat nominal - my own cameras will often trigger on objects that are further away, but not reliably.

The PIR sensors in the outdoor cameras are positioned to be more sensitive at the bottom of the field of view, and are more sensitive to side-to-side motion than motion directly towards the camera.

The IR that the PIR sensors are using won't go through most window glass.  So aiming an outdoor camera through a window generally won't work.

Indoor camera models use pixel detection, so they can detect motion through windows - and don't have the distance limitations that the outdoor cameras have.  Note indoor models are not included in the above link.