Dahua NVR: Motion-Triggered Recording Setup

Motion-triggered recording captures footage only when movement is detected in a camera's field of view, reducing HDD consumption compared to continuous recording. The installer configures motion detection sensitivity per channel, sets an arm/disarm schedule, and links those events to the recording schedule.

Prerequisites

• NVR connected to the network with firmware up to date
• IP cameras added and showing live view
• HDD installed and formatted

Step 1 — Enable motion detection on each channel

Via the NVR local interface

1. From Main Menu, select Event.
2. Choose Motion Detect.
3. Select the target channel and tick Enable.
4. Click Region to define the detection area. By default the full frame is active. Each zone can have its own sensitivity — adjust as needed for the site.
5. Click Period > Setup to set the arm/disarm schedule: choose the time window and days motion should be active, then click Save > OK.
6. Tick Record Channel and select which cameras should record when motion is detected on this channel.
7. Click Apply, then Save.

Via the web interface

1. Navigate to Setup > Event > Video Detect.
2. Tick Enable and select the target channel.
3. Set the detection Period (days and times motion is armed).
4. Under the event actions, tick Record Channel and select which streams record.
5. Optionally enable Snapshot or Tour for additional alarm responses.
6. Click OK to save. Use Copy to replicate settings to other channels.

Step 2 — Add motion to the recording schedule

Motion detect events only record if the schedule also permits MD recording for that time slot.

Via the NVR local interface

1. Navigate to Settings > Storage > Schedule.
2. Click the gear icon for the target channel.
3. Tick MD (Motion Detection).
4. Set the time periods and days — by default 00:00–24:00 covers the full day.
5. Click All to copy to all channels, then Save.
6. Click Apply > OK.

Via the web interface

1. Navigate to Setup > Storage > Schedule.
2. Select the channel, click Setup.
3. Tick MD and confirm the period covers the required hours.
4. Click Save, then Copy to other channels as required.

SmartPSS 2.0

1. Open Device CFG and select the target device.
2. Under Event > Video Detect, select the channel, enable motion, set the arm period, and link the record channel.
3. Under Storage > Schedule, select the channel and enable MD recording for the required days.
4. Click Apply and Save.

Site commissioning notes

• Verify motion detection is triggering before handover by walking through the camera's field of view and checking that an event appears in the event log.
• Yellow bars in the recording schedule grid indicate motion-only periods.
• Sensitivity too high in busy areas (car parks, roads) will generate excessive events — tune the detection region or sensitivity to exclude background traffic.

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