BT Smart Controls FAQs - Motion detection

How can I turn on or off motion detection?

In the BT Smart Controls App:

1. Log in to the BT Smart Controls App
2. Tap the Settings icon next to your camera
3. Tap Notifications
4. Detect Motion is enabled by default on the Smart Home Cam, but you can turn this off by tapping the slider

You then have some options:

• Motion Detection: This is basic motion detection, however it may trigger an event if you turn the lights on or off in a room. This setting is recommended if you have your camera pointing out of a window.
• PIR Motion Detection (only supported on the BT Smart Home Cam): This uses the motion sensor on the front of your camera and is the most accurate method of detecting human or pet movement in the home.

Whenever there's a motion, a quick snapshot is taken and saved. You can retrieve snapshots for 30 days.

How do I save motion events as videos, rather than snapshots?

This feature is only available on the BT Smart Home cameras and requires an SD card.

1. Log in to the BT Smart Controls App
2. Tap the Settings icon next to your camera
3. Tap Notifications
4. Motion Video Recording will be off by default 
5. If an SD card is inserted into the BT Smart Home Cam, select SD Card to enable the feature 

You can also set a motion detection schedule on this screen, so that you’ll only receive motion alerts at certain times of the day.

Any videos or photos saved by the Cameras can be accessed from the Events icon at the bottom of the app. If you would like to save any of these photos of videos, follow the below steps:

1. Tap on the file you want  
2. Tap the centre button at the bottom of the screen
3. This file will now appear in your app gallery, which can be accessed from the bottom of the app screen
4. From here you can save the file to your mobile device's camera roll

How do I access motion triggered events?

The app offers two ways to view any motion triggered events:

• via the event viewer located at the bottom of the app which will show you all events from ALL your devices 

• by following the below steps to only view events triggered by a certain device 

1. Log in to the BT Smart Controls App
2. Select your camera to view the live stream
3. Tap the Events icon on the bottom of the screen to access any snapshots
4. You can select the date to access historic events. Note that snapshots are only stored for 24 hours unless there is an SD card in the device

I am getting too many motion alerts. How can I change the sensitivity of the motion trigger?

Basic Motion Detection can be set to five different levels that range from Low to High. If you're getting too many false events (for example, when a light is turned on), try a lower setting.

PIR based motion detection (only supported on the BT Smart Home Cam) doesn't have a sensitivity setting and is automatically set to the most accurate level. If you're getting too many notifications, you can try setting a schedule so that events are not triggered at certain times in the day.

If you're getting too many false motion alerts, please check that your camera is set to PIR (only supported on the BT Smart Home Cam) to avoid getting false motion events.

What's a motion detection schedule?

If you're getting too many motion alerts, you can set a motion detection schedule. This means that you'll only ever receive motion alerts during the set times you've specified.

1. Log in to the BT Smart Controls app
2. Tap the Settings icon next to your camera
3. Tap Notifications
4. Select Motion Detection Scheduling
5. Tap the plus button on the top right of the screen
6. Set up, then save your preferred schedule

Can sound be detected?

Yes, you can receive a sound detection alert.  To turn this On:

1. Log in to the BT Smart Controls app
2. Tap Settings icon next to your camera
3. Tap Notifications
4. Tap Sound Detection and set to On

You can also set sensitivity on this screen. For example, high means even the slightest of sounds will be detected.

Note that no video is captured as part of this function, only a notification indicating a sound has been detected. 

Can I adjust the length of the motion sensor recording or how long an event will be recorded?

No, you can’t adjust it as it's automatic.

What’s the difference between PIR and Motion Detection?

In the motion detection settings of your camera, there are two options:

1. Motion Detection

This method compares the video stream frame by frame and will report movement if the camera identifies any form of difference. An example of a trigger would be a light being switched on. 

2. PIR Motion Detection (Smart Home Cam model only)

This uses a seperate sensor on the front of your camera to detect movement by measuring infared light. This is more accurate than using regular motion detection, but will not work if the camera is pointing out of the window.