Hello. I recently purchased a G4 doorbell camera and set it up with Alexa. I noticed the motion sensor triggers only when someone is 5 feet in front of the camera. Is this normal? The sensitivity has since been set to “High”, but it hasn’t made a difference.
Also, can I create any actions based on a motion detected trigger? I am using Alexa, and the only trigger that it has is if the doorbell is rung. Will SmartThings or HomeKit give me more options?
@sclfrontdoor Hi there! Congratulations on your new G4 doorbell camera! Let’s address your queries.
Motion Detection Range: The motion detection range you’ve noticed is aligned with the expected performance. The Smart Video Doorbell G4’s PIR sensor can detect motion up to about 4 meters (approximately 13 feet) in high sensitivity mode when moving horizontally. The 5 feet detection you’ve experienced may be due to the orientation or obstacles affecting the range. Make sure there are no obstructions and that the camera’s field of view is optimally set for your desired coverage.
Integration with Alexa, SmartThings, and HomeKit: Currently, with Alexa, the primary trigger is indeed when the doorbell is rung. However, using SmartThings or Apple HomeKit might offer additional automation options. For example, HomeKit allows you to set up automation based on motion detection, which can trigger other smart home actions. Make sure your devices are updated to the latest firmware for the best compatibility and feature set.
Feel free to explore these platforms to find the best fit for your home automation needs, and don’t hesitate to share further experiences or questions with the community!
Thanks for the information on integration with SmartThings and HomeKit.
As for the Motion Detection Range, again, as said, sensitivity mode has already been set to “high”, and that made no difference. There are no obstacles between the camera and myself. I take a step forward and wave my arms around and wait. Then, I take another step and repeat the hand waving and wait again. I continue this until I get an alert that motion has been detected. I then verify on the phone with the video recording as to how far I am. I also take a step back and repeat the hand waving to verify that no motion detection occurs to confirm that it is 4-5 feet away. The plugged in module has also been rebooted just to see if that works. But so far, the 4-5 feet motion detection range is all I’m getting.
@sclfrontdoor Thank you for sharing your detailed experience regarding the motion detection range of your G4 doorbell camera. It seems like you’ve taken thorough steps to test the device’s functionality, and I can understand your concern.
From the reference information available, the Smart Video Doorbell G4’s PIR sensor is designed to detect motion up to around 4 meters (approximately 13 feet) in high sensitivity mode. Given your report of a 4-5 feet detection range, it’s possible that certain environmental factors or the specific positioning of the camera might be influencing the range.
Since you’ve confirmed there are no obstacles and have already set the sensitivity to high, I recommend checking for any potential environmental factors that might be affecting performance, such as thermal disturbances or Wi-Fi interference. Also, ensure your firmware is up to date, as updates can sometimes improve the device’s performance.
If these suggestions don’t resolve the issue, it might be useful to explore further troubleshooting steps or consider reaching out to Customer Service for more tailored assistance. Your detailed observations are a valuable contribution to the community, and hopefully, with collective insights, we can enhance the experience for everyone using the G4 doorbell camera.
firmware is the latest.
as or wifi, how would that affect the motion sensor? I am assuming that the motion sensor function is in the door bell button module at the front entrance, and not the door bell alarm and storage module. Is this a correct assumption on my part?
Thermal disturbances. The doorbell is located in an open, sheltered corridor. So it’s not exposed to sun or rain.
I could remove the batteries on the doorbell button module, in essence, rebooting that module.
@sclfrontdoor Your understanding is mostly correct. The motion sensor function is indeed part of the doorbell button module, located at your entrance. This module houses the PIR sensor responsible for detecting motion.
Regarding your question about Wi-Fi, it primarily affects the transmission and communication aspects of the doorbell, such as video streaming and notifications, rather than the motion sensor’s ability to detect movement. However, a poor Wi-Fi connection can sometimes affect the overall performance of the device, including delays in receiving alerts.
As for thermal disturbances, since your doorbell is situated in a sheltered corridor, it should minimize the effects of direct sunlight or rain, which is beneficial for consistent performance.
Resetting the doorbell button module by removing and reinserting the batteries can help refresh the system and potentially resolve any temporary glitches. It’s a good step to try if you haven’t done so already.
If the issue persists, and considering you’ve ensured the latest firmware is installed, it might be worthwhile to reach out to Customer Service for further assistance. They can provide targeted support and potentially identify any underlying issues specific to your setup. Your proactive approach to troubleshooting is commendable, and I hope you find a resolution soon!