Motion sensitivity?

[Hafcanadian]

In a previous post, now admin. turned off, I complained about the Motion feature of our Nest doorbell/camera.  Here’s my last post from there:

“Even though I have the Motion feature turned off for the front porch camera, and I don't get emails about each Motion event, they still register in the video histories, which means scrolling past them all looking for actual "Person seen" or similar events.  So each time a car drives by at night (headlights) or a moth or bug goes in front of the camera, it registers on the event history.”

I was advised (by Brad) to adjust the sensitivity of it, but I couldn’t find how that is done, and gave up in frustration.  Are we sure there’s no way to keep the bugs, passing clouds, and car headlights from being tallied in the events history?  My settings function only turns things on or off, and “Off” doesn’t stop the history entries.  Plus, there’s no adjustability feature I can find.

[Brad]

Hi there, 

I apologize for my late response and thank you for all of your patience while waiting for a reply. I definitely understand how frustrating your situation must be, and I wanted to make sure that your concern was acknowledged. Do you still need help with this issue? I know that there's been a delay in response since you posted.

Best Regards, 

Brad.

[Hafcanadian]

Yes, even daily sky lighting changes, sunup and sundown, passing cloud cover, passing car headlights at night, and bugs and leaves going by result in recorded “Motions” on the list;  so dozens of them where only people around the porch should be recorded.  I have “Motion” set to Off, but it’s still happening.  Per your prior comments, I looked but found no “adjustability” to it… only On or Off.  

Does the feature need to be switched off on all devices with the Nest app, or does the server switch it off for all if it’s done on only one device?  That said, I think it shows as “Off” on all our iPads and phones anyway.

[Deriter]

I have the same problem. Wish someone would come up with a solution. I'd like to get realistic notifications about events at night, but not every time a bug flies past the camera.

[Brad]

Hey folks.

It's either on or off for this issue. You can try setting up an Activity Zone and increase or decrease the sensitivity on those zones, but that would be about all I can think of at this time.

Best regards,

Brad. 

[Hafcanadian]

You've said that before,  but I could find no adjustment feature for sensitivity.   I'll look a third time I guess.  I can minimize the zone more, but that won't stop lighting changes or passing bugs from setting it off.

[Hafcanadian]

I still think that if it's simply an On or Off feature, then having Motion turned Off altogether should literally stop the issue.  My point here is that it's not shutting off.

[Deriter]

My experience is the same. Regardless of zones and settings in zones, the video history records everything it senses. There is no "sensitivity" setting for the camera. That, as I understand it from Nest documentation, is controlled by Nest algorithms. You can turn off notifications for the events the camera senses, but they are still recorded in video history and you have to scroll through all of them to see what really happened.

[Hafcanadian]

Brad, if you’re a Community Specialist and can’t supply a resolution, then Deriter, I, and others with doubtless the same issue would appreciate the complaint being passed on to Nest engineers.  Thanks.

[Brad]

Hey folks.

I fully understand that all y'all are frustrated with this issue, but I am afraid I cannot forward this thread to an engineer. That is not how this Community works. If you have an issue that you want to direct at a Nest/Google engineer, you will need to contact Support to do so. 

These Nest Community Forums are not the place to go for full customer support. This is a place for fellow nest/google users in the community, to get help from one another. Community Specialists like myself and others, are here to lend an article here and there and direct all other issues to Support. I apologize for the inconvenience this may cause. 

Best regards,

Brad. 

[Brad]

Hi there,

Just checking in to see if you still need assistance with this issue. Please let me know if you need further assistance. 

Best Regards,

Brad.

[Hafcanadian]

After a significant time on the phone with them, with Nest screenshots emailed to them, Support turned it over to their engineers who replied wanting me to create activity zones, and then turn on any sensors I wish except “Motion”, and they’d check it again.  Not only is it reporting Motion in the events history, but also “Sound”, even though both are switched off.  I advised them that I already had an Activity Zone set, since I got the doorbell.  They’ve yet to respond to that.  They are aware also that I’m not the only owner having this issue.

Joel

[Brad]

Hey there,

I just wanted to jump in real fast and thank you for your feedback. Please feel free to submit your feedback to us. I've put instructions for feedback below.

• Open the Google Home app

• At the top right, tap your account.
• Tap Feedback 

• tap the type of device you'd like to submit feedback for.
• To display available emails, in the "From:" section, tap the arrow on the right. Select your email address.
• In the feedback summary, write a brief description of your issue.
• Be sure to check the box for Screenshot and System logs.
• To submit feedback, at the top right corner, tap Send 

If you need anything else, please let me know.

Best regards,

Brad.

[Hafcanadian]

Well, I tried.  The Feedback was deeper into the Menu than you describe.  Didn't see any option there to choose a device.  In this case I was using my Android phone, although most of the time I'm reviewing the doorbell app on one of our 3 iPads.  Then I had to figure out how to take a Screenshot with the phone, but checking the box on the Feedback page brought up an image of my account site, not the screenshots I finally had saved.  So I gave up.    I'd already sunk an hour into trying to give feedback.  

I saw no option for "System Logs".  At least Nest engineers got the screenshots I mailed them, and the Support Agent keeps me advised with daily emails;  no breakthrough yet however.  I guess there may be a way to provide the logs or copies of videos, as the agent briefly alluded to that while we were on the phone, so their techs may request more input.  I'm no electronics/internet whizz, so they'll have to walk me through it;  too many differently-sourced devices that function in varied ways gets too confusing, and I get aggravated with time lost trying to figure them out.

[Brad]

@Halfcanadian

I am happy to hear that you are doing your do diligence to get to the bottom of this issue! I hope to have a solution soon, but I am afraid that at this time, I do not have an update to provide you with. But thank you for providing feedback on the issue!

Best regards,

Brad. 

[Brad]

Hey Folks.

At this time, I'll go ahead and lock this thread. If you're still experiencing problems, feel free to start a new thread and we'll be happy to help.

Best Regards,

Brad.