How To Create and Edit Recording Rules in Alarm.com

How To
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Video recording rules determine when a camera records a clip. Most recording rules can only be created and edited using the Alarm.com Website. The only exception is Video Analytics rules which can be created and edited using either the Website or app.

Recording rules can be viewed, paused, and resumed using the Website or app.

Note : For users with a security panel, an Alarm recording rule is created for each camera by default to record during alarms.

Recording rule types

The type of recording rules you can create depends on the video camera model and what other devices are associated with the system.

You can create camera-triggered or system-triggered recording rules.

Alarm.com Doorbell Cameras can have recording rules based on doorbell button presses and doorbell motion detection. Those recording rules cannot be customized to time-of-day or panel arming state.

Clip type Clip length Clip trigger
Camera-triggered 10-60* seconds depending on the video device and options selected. A recording is triggered by the camera or a device wired directly to the camera.
Event-triggered 50-60* or 20-30* seconds depending on the video device. A recording is triggered by a device enrolled on the same account but not directly wired to the camera.
*Note : These estimates include pre-trigger recording footage. Video Analytics always includes pre-trigger recording footage. Other recording rules may include pre-trigger recording footage based on video device settings.

Camera triggered clips

Camera triggered clips originate from the camera or a device wired directly to the camera. The recorded clip length is an approximate range that is affected by the size of the clip, individual video device configuration, and recording rule type. Clips may be shortened if multiple back-to-back clips are triggered.

  • Video Motion Detection (VMD) and Wired Input/Output clips can be 10-60 seconds long depending on the Camera-triggered clip length setting.

  • Video Analytics clips are approximately 30 seconds long. The clip length is not affected by the Camera-triggered clip length setting.

Note : The Alarm.com Wi-Fi Doorbell Camera, '25 series, '26 series, and '36 series video devices have a fixed video clip length that cannot be adjusted.

Types of camera triggered clips

  • Video Motion Detection (VMD)
  • Wired Input/Output
  • Video Analytics

System triggered clips

Event triggered clips are triggered by system event rules like alarm or sensor activity. For system triggered clips, the recorded clip length is fixed at either 50-60 or 20-30 seconds depending on the video device. This is fixed to ensure that the captured clip always contains video during the time of the triggering event.

During an alarm, video devices can be configured to upload clips back-to-back for up to 15 minutes.

Types of system triggered clips

Note : Some of the following clip types require additional hardware before appearing as an option.

  • Alarm — a recording rule for this clip type is created for each camera by default for accounts with a security panel
  • Sensor opened/closed
  • System armed/disarmed
  • Entry delay
  • Lock activity
  • Record Now button
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To create a recording rule using the Alarm.com Website:

  1. Log into the Website
  2. Click Video.
  3. Click Recording Rules.
  4. Click + Add New Rule.
  5. Click to select the type of rule to create. The rule types made available are based on what is enrolled in your system (e.g., Alarm, Video Motion Detection (VMD), Sensor Opened or Closed , etc.).
  6. Enter a name for the recording rule.
  7. Configure the rule settings as desired. Rule settings depend on which rule is being created.
  8. In Video Clip Recipients , click + Add Recipient in order to receive notifications.
    a. Click to select the entries in the Address book to be notified, or click + New to add a new Address Book entry.
    b. Click Close.
    c. Using the recipient’s dropdown menu, select one of the following:
    • To receive a notification containing only text, click Text Only.
    • To receive the captured video clip attached in the notification, click Attach a Video Clip.

Note : The ability to receive video clips in an SMS text or email notification depends if the service provider allows video emails. The data charges by the cellular service providers can be significant for using video features on cell phones.

To receive a thumbnail image of the captured video clip attached in the notification, click Attach a Thumbnail .

  1. Verify the recording rule is configured with the desired settings.
  2. Click Save Rule .
At home settings

Recording_rule_at_home_settings

The at-home settings are designed to stop camera-triggered recording rules temporarily while the user is on the premises. You can choose to disable the recording rule while the system is disarmed or armed stay, or when the user’s Geo-Device is in a specific location.

Note : If the location has a security system with multiple partitions, the at-home settings only apply to the first/main partition.

View, edit, or delete existing recording rules

To view existing recording rules using the Alarm.com Website:
  1. Log into the Alarm.com website.
  2. Click Video.
  3. Click Recording Rules.
  4. Click Pencil to edit the rule or Trashcan to delete the rule.
To view existing recording rules using the Mobile app:
  1. Log into the mobile app.
  2. Tap Menu.
  3. Tap Video.
  4. Tap Settings Gear.
  5. Tap Recording Rules.
  6. Tap Pencil to edit the rule or Trashcan to delete the rule.

Note : The only rule that can be deleted or edited using the mobile app is a Video Analytics rule.