Spotlight v4 camera - trigger on detection

Cameras
,
1

Have v4 camera with the embedded spotlight -
Wondering if there is a setting or config to - upon detection - turn on spotlight for a few seconds as a notification - you are seen - and then turn off - regardless of time of day, night or daytime

2

I would’ve suggested a Device & Service Trigger Automation, but the shortest duration I’m seeing for the “Turn on Spotlight for” Action for Cam v4 is “1 min”. That’s what you’d typically use—this type of Automation—to trigger a spotlight regardless of available ambient light, but it doesn’t meet the “few seconds” timing you’re seeking. :man_shrugging:

3

That might be ok - how do I set that up - haven’t really done anything special on the various cams I have around the house.

4
  1. On the Wyze app Home screen, tap the upper-right  ➜ Automation ➜ With a device and/or service.
  2. On the “Create Automation” screen, next to Device & Service Trigger, tap  ➜ [select your Cam v4] ➜ Detects motion. If you’re using a subscription and want the trigger to activate with a Smart Detection, then select whichever detection type applies to what you want to accomplish. Then tap Save And Continue.
  3. On the “Create Automation” screen, next to Add Action, tap  ➜ [select your Cam v4] ➜ Turn on Spotlight for, then select 1 min (the shortest duration offered). Then tap Save.
  4. Optionally set a schedule by toggling Time on. This would be for if you want your spotlight to trigger on only during certain hours or on certain days.
  5. Optionally name the Automation.
  6. On the “Create Automation” screen, tap Save.
  7. Go test.

The basic Automation should end up looking something like this:

  • IF
    • Cam v4
      • Detects motion
  • DO
    • Cam v4
      • Turn on Spotlight for 1 minutes

Some other Wyze devices, like Plugs and Bulbs, have “Has been on for” and “Has been off for” triggers that can be set for as short as 1 second, so if Wyze built a “Turn off spotlight” Action for Cam v4 and other Cams then it would be possible to use one of these other devices as a work-around and achieve your desired spotlight on duration. I’m just not seeing an apparent way to do this currently.

5

Tnx - set it up and it worked … not sure what dictates a new trigger … it worked once when I walked in front and not again after several minutes

Also - it complained that the Trigger & Action were same device.

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6

:+1:

I imagine that’s subject to the 5-minute cooldown if you’re using only generic motion detection and don’t have the Cam attached to a subscription (e.g., Cam Plus).

If you wanted the spotlight to remain on until that period has passed—like if you wanted a spotlight to provide continuous lighting as long as motion is detected by that Cam—then you could set your Action to something like “Turn on Spotlight for 6 minutes” (or whatever seems appropriate).

Yeah, that’s a standard thing when creating these. It’s a little annoying (yes, I know what I’m doing, and this is what I intend to do), but you can safely ignore the warning.

7

I can confirm that when you trigger on motion or sound, you can only have one of each every 5 minutes, so the automation will not fire more than that.