Dahua IP Camera: IVS Tripwire and Intrusion Rules

Dahua's IVS (Intelligent Video Surveillance) engine runs on-camera and can trigger alarms the moment a rule is broken — no server processing required. This guide covers configuring the two most commonly deployed rules: Tripwire and Intrusion Detection.

What IVS Needs Before You Start

• Camera must support IVS. Check the spec sheet — look for "IVS" or "AI" in the feature list.
• IVS is configured per camera via the camera's own web interface. NVR-side AI settings are separate.
• The camera must have a scene with reasonable contrast and consistent lighting. IVS performs poorly in heavily shadowed or overexposed scenes.

Enabling IVS Analysis

1. Log in to the camera web interface and navigate to Setting > Event > IVS.
2. The IVS page shows two available rule types in the sidebar: Tripwire and Intrusion.
3. Click Add to create a new rule, then select the rule type from the dropdown.

Tripwire Setup

A tripwire fires when an object crosses a defined line in a specified direction. Useful for detecting entry or exit across a boundary — a door threshold, perimeter fence line, or car park entrance.

Steps:

1. Under IVS > Tripwire, click Add Rule.
2. Draw the tripwire line on the live view canvas by clicking two points. The line can be diagonal.
3. Set the Direction: choose A→B (one direction only), B→A, or Both.
4. Configure alarm linkages — recording, snapshot, relay output, email — under the Trigger tab.
5. Set an Active Schedule if the rule should only operate during certain hours.
6. Click Save.

Tips for reliable detection:

• Place the tripwire perpendicular to the expected direction of travel.
• Avoid placing it too close to the edge of frame where tracking is less stable.
• Set minimum and maximum object size filters if available — this reduces false triggers from birds or blowing debris.

Intrusion Detection Setup

Intrusion fires when an object enters (and optionally dwells inside) a defined polygonal zone. Better suited to area monitoring than a tripwire — for example, a restricted equipment bay or a roof space.

Steps:

1. Under IVS > Intrusion, click Add Rule.
2. Click on the live view canvas to draw a polygon zone — up to 8 points. Right-click to close the polygon.
3. Set Action: options typically include Appear (object enters zone), Cross (object enters and exits), or Inside (object remains in zone past a dwell threshold).
4. If Inside action is selected, set the Duration threshold (e.g., 5 seconds) to avoid triggering on transiting objects.
5. Configure alarm linkages — same as Tripwire.
6. Set an Active Schedule.
7. Click Save.

Testing a Rule

After saving, walk through the tripwire line or enter the intrusion zone and verify:

• The IVS overlay on the live view highlights the detected object.
• The alarm log under Event > Log records the trigger.
• Any linked recording segment starts and ends cleanly.

If no detections occur, check that the Enable checkbox for the rule is ticked. Verify the schedule is active for the current time. In poor lighting, IVS detection accuracy drops significantly — consider adding supplemental white or IR light.

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This article was adapted from dahuawiki's original guidance: "EventIVS" — https://dahuawiki.com/EventIVS Habitech-edited for UK trade installer context. Original © Dahua Technology Co., Ltd.