# How should I configure Video Motion Detection (VMD) settings for a video device?

**GoSafer Security Knowledge Base**

*This operational reference is organized for GoSafer Security customers and staff. Alarm.com product names are retained where required for technical accuracy.*

## Overview

Video Motion Detection (VMD) works by looking for motion in specific areas (i.e., windows) of the camera's view. You can customize the size, location, sensitivity, and target size of the VMD windows to reduce false positive or missed motion. For more information about adjusting Video Motion Detection settings, see Change a camera's Video Motion Detection settings.

<table id="bkmrk-platformgeneral-%2F-de"><tbody><tr><th>Platform</th><td>General / Device</td></tr><tr><th>Content type</th><td>How-to / Configuration</td></tr><tr><th>Source last updated</th><td>2025-05-07</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Procedure

**Step-by-step guide:** Screenshots and videos are placed with the instruction they illustrate.

**Notice**: New accounts created after February 2023 will no longer have the option to create Video Motion Detection (VMD) recording rules. This change comes as we confidently move forward with Video Analytics as our premier motion recording solution.

This change will not affect any customer accounts created before February 2023. On older accounts, Alarm.com camera models that support VMD recording will continue to be able to use VMD recording rules. For assistance with the implementation and troubleshooting of the VMD solution on older accounts, contact your service provider.

Video Motion Detection (VMD) works by looking for motion in specific areas (i.e., windows) of the camera's view. You can customize the size, location, sensitivity, and target size of the VMD windows to reduce false positive or missed motion.

For more information about adjusting Video Motion Detection settings, see <u>[Change a camera's Video Motion Detection settings](https://answers.alarm.com/Customer/Website_and_App/Video/Video_Settings/Change_a_camera's_Video_Motion_Detection_settings)</u>.

### Video Motion Detection tutorial video

<div class="gosafer-inline-media gosafer-table-preserved" id="bkmrk-"><div><div class="gosafer-step-video" style="width: 100%; max-width: 760px; margin: 1em 0 1.25em; background: #111;"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" height="428" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/278176263" style="display: block; width: 100%; height: 428px; max-height: 56.25vw; border: 0; background: #111;" title="How should I configure Video Motion Detection (VMD) settings for a video device?" width="760"></iframe>

</div></div></div>If this video is blocked by the publisher's privacy settings, [open it on the original Alarm.com article](https://answers.alarm.com/Customer/Website_and_App/Video/Video_Settings/How_should_I_configure_Video_Motion_Detection_(VMD)_settings_for_a_video_device).

### **Window locations and sizes** 

A video device's VMD windows work best if you think of them like tripwires. Create longer and narrower boxes in areas that must be passed through to reach the area of interest. Keep in mind that it is recommended to avoid placing VMD windows in highly dynamic areas (e.g., large reflective surfaces, large areas where shadows come and go, or trees and bushes that move due to wind).

### **VMD best practices for indoor cameras**

<div class="gosafer-inline-media gosafer-table-preserved" id="bkmrk-incorrectly-configur"><div><div><table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: auto; margin: 1em 0 1.5em;"><thead><tr><th scope="col" style="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.85em 1em; border: 1px solid #d9e0e5; background: #e5e5e5; font-weight: bold;">****Incorrectly configured****</th><th scope="col" style="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.85em 1em; border: 1px solid #d9e0e5; background: #e5e5e5; font-weight: bold;">****Best practice****</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td style="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.85em 1em; border: 1px solid #d9e0e5;"><figure class="gosafer-step-image" style="margin: 1em 0 1.25em; padding: 0.75em; text-align: center; background: #fafafa; border: 1px solid #d9e0e5; border-radius: 6px;">![indoorIncorrect](https://answers.alarm.com/@api/deki/files/6172/indoorIncorrect.PNG?revision=1)<figcaption style="margin-top: 0.55em; color: #555; font-size: 0.92em;">indoorIncorrect</figcaption></figure></td><td style="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.85em 1em; border: 1px solid #d9e0e5;"><figure class="gosafer-step-image" style="margin: 1em 0 1.25em; padding: 0.75em; text-align: center; background: #fafafa; border: 1px solid #d9e0e5; border-radius: 6px;">![indoor](https://answers.alarm.com/@api/deki/files/4658/indoor.PNG?revision=1&size=bestfit&width=469&height=298)<figcaption style="margin-top: 0.55em; color: #555; font-size: 0.92em;">indoor</figcaption></figure></td></tr></tbody></table>

</div><div>  
</div></div></div>### **VMD best practices for outdoor cameras**

<div class="gosafer-inline-media gosafer-table-preserved" id="bkmrk-incorrectly-configur-1"><div><div><table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: auto; margin: 1em 0 1.5em;"><thead><tr><th scope="col" style="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.85em 1em; border: 1px solid #d9e0e5; background: #e5e5e5; font-weight: bold;">****Incorrectly configured****</th><th scope="col" style="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.85em 1em; border: 1px solid #d9e0e5; background: #e5e5e5; font-weight: bold;">****Best practice****</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td style="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.85em 1em; border: 1px solid #d9e0e5;"><figure class="gosafer-step-image" style="margin: 1em 0 1.25em; padding: 0.75em; text-align: center; background: #fafafa; border: 1px solid #d9e0e5; border-radius: 6px;">![outdoor](https://answers.alarm.com/@api/deki/files/4657/outdoor.PNG?revision=1&size=bestfit&width=466&height=265)<figcaption style="margin-top: 0.55em; color: #555; font-size: 0.92em;">outdoor</figcaption></figure></td><td style="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.85em 1em; border: 1px solid #d9e0e5;"><figure class="gosafer-step-image" style="margin: 1em 0 1.25em; padding: 0.75em; text-align: center; background: #fafafa; border: 1px solid #d9e0e5; border-radius: 6px;">![Pasted image at 2017 10 31 04 51 PM](https://answers.alarm.com/@api/deki/files/4656/Pasted_image_at_2017_10_31_04_51_PM.png?revision=1&size=bestfit&width=470&height=278)<figcaption style="margin-top: 0.55em; color: #555; font-size: 0.92em;">Pasted image at 2017 10 31 04 51 PM</figcaption></figure></td></tr></tbody></table>

</div></div><div>  
</div></div>### **Target size** 

Target size is the percentage of the window that includes movement to trigger a clip recording. If the target size is too large, the camera may not trigger for anything less than an object the size of a car. If the target size is too small, leaves blowing in the wind may trigger recordings. It is recommended to estimate the percentage of a window that a person, or whatever you want to record, would fill and then select one size larger.

### **Sensitivity** 

Sensitivity is a measure of how drastic a change is needed to trigger a clip. Higher sensitivity means a smaller change in the video is needed to trigger a clip, but if the sensitivity is too high, the camera may trigger constantly.

**Note**: For camera models ADC-V521IR, ADC-V522IR, and ADC-V722W, the sensitivity setting affects all Video Motion Detection (VMD) windows for the specific device.

### **At-Home Settings** 

The At-Home Setting, when enabled, pauses recording rules when the system is disarmed or a Geo-Device is inside of the Home Geo-Fence. This can help prevent unwanted or unnecessary recording.

## Source and support

For GoSafer Security assistance, visit [gosafersecurity.com](https://gosafersecurity.com/).

Original Alarm.com reference: [https://answers.alarm.com/Customer/Website\_and\_App/Video/Video\_Settings/How\_should\_I\_configure\_Video\_Motion\_Detection\_(VMD)\_settings\_for\_a\_video\_device](https://answers.alarm.com/Customer/Website_and_App/Video/Video_Settings/How_should_I_configure_Video_Motion_Detection_(VMD)_settings_for_a_video_device)

<small>Always verify safety, installation, compatibility, and current UI details against the original manufacturer documentation before operational use.</small>