Ecobee – Smart Doorbell Camera (wired) Detection and Notifications

Category: Smart Doorbell Camera (wired)

Answer:

ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera (wired) uses Motion Detection, Person Detection, Package Detection, and Radar Detection to provide more reliable event detection and reduce false notifications.

How Detection Works

The Smart Doorbell Camera (wired) combines:

• Motion Detection
• Person Detection
• Package Detection*
• Radar Detection

Computer Vision identifies the shape and type of an object while Radar Detection confirms the object's distance, direction, and movement relative to the home.

All detection processing occurs on the device.

• Package Detection requires an ecobee Smart Security subscription.

Motion Detection

Motion Detection identifies movement within the camera's field of view.

Examples include:

• Vehicles
• Animals
• Moving objects
• Tree branches
• Waste bins

Good to Know

• Motion Detection is enabled by default.
• Motion Detection does not trigger notifications.
• Motion Detection events confirmed by Radar Detection are saved to History.

Person Detection

Person Detection identifies objects that resemble people.

Good to Know

• Person Detection is enabled by default.
• Large plants, shadows, and animals may occasionally be identified as people.

Package Detection

Package Detection identifies packages resting on the ground.

Good to Know

• Package Detection is designed for stationary packages.
• Packages being carried may be identified as Person Detection events.
• ecobee recommends enabling both Person Detection and Package Detection.
• Package Detection requires an ecobee Smart Security subscription.

Radar Detection

Radar Detection uses radio waves to verify detected events.

Radar Detection identifies:

• Location
• Direction
• Velocity

Radar Distance Settings

• Default distance: 4 meters (13 feet)
• Longer distance detects events farther from the camera.
• Shorter distance detects events closer to the camera.

How Events Trigger Notifications and Recordings

When Computer Vision and Radar Detection confirm an event, a Detection Event is created.

Possible Event Types

• Motion Detected
• Person Detected
• Package Detected
• Doorbell Pressed

Free Plan

• Event snapshot saved to History.
• Text notifications sent if enabled.

ecobee Smart Security Subscription

• Video recording saved to History.
• Rich notifications including snapshots sent if enabled.

Event Hierarchy

Events may be upgraded during a two-minute event window.

Example Progression

1. Motion Detected
2. Person Detected
3. Doorbell Pressed
4. Package Detected

The final event type becomes the saved event label.

Activity Zone

Activity Zones limit detection to selected areas within the camera's field of view.

To Configure an Activity Zone

1. Open Detection Settings.
2. Select Activity Zone.
3. Tap Edit.
4. Drag the control points to adjust the zone.
5. Tap Save.

Good to Know

• Events outside the Activity Zone will not be detected.

Detection Settings

Detection Settings allow you to enable or disable:

• Motion Detection
• Person Detection
• Package Detection*
• Radar Distance

To Access Detection Settings

1. Open Home Overview.
2. Select Live View.
3. Tap the Gear icon.
4. Select Settings.
5. Select Detection Settings.

Good to Know

• Disabling a detection type disables both notifications and recordings for that detection type.
• Detection settings apply to the Smart Doorbell Camera.

Notification Settings

Notification Settings allow members of the home to control:

• Person Detection notifications
• Package Detection notifications*

To Access Notification Settings

1. Open Home Overview.
2. Select the Account icon.
3. Select Notifications.

Good to Know

• Motion Detection does not generate notifications.
• Disabling notifications does not stop recordings from being saved to History.

Tips for Optimizing Detection

• If the camera faces a busy street, consider disabling Motion Detection.
• Start with the default Radar Distance setting.
• Reduce Radar Distance if too many events are detected.
• Increase Radar Distance if events are being missed.
• Narrow Activity Zones to exclude busy areas.
• Widen Activity Zones if important events are not being detected.
• Disable notifications if you want recordings saved without receiving alerts.

• Package Detection requires an ecobee Smart Security subscription.