26 Sep How to set up your ADT Pulse Cameras to record on motion
Once you have purchased an ADT Pulse Camera and have installed it successfully, you’ll be able to view the camera live. But your ADT Pulse Cameras won’t record anything if you don’t set them up to do so.
There are three ways you can set up the cameras to record. They are the tabs across the top of your ADT Pulse Portal: Alerts, Automations, or Schedules.
Alerts
If you want to get an email notification with a video clip or a picture, this is the setting you would want to use. Click on Add Alert. Then choose one of the three options: when something happens, when something doesn’t happen, or when a system event happens. You can then choose a trigger, which can be the camera itself or another device on the system. Then choose if the event is motion or no motion. The next choice is always or on a schedule. Lastly, you will choose if you want a photo or video attached to the email. 
Automations
This is where you will want to go if you want to set up the camera to record if there’s motion, especially if you don’t want to get an alert each time there’s a new 30 second clip. This is what I recommend to everyone when they get their ADT Pulse Cameras installed. Right now, you can have unlimited 30 second clips that stay online for 30 days. You will set this up almost the same way. Click Add Automation, select a trigger (probably the camera), select an event (probably motion), and then you can leave it to always do it. The last part is if you wanted an automation (like if there was motion turn a light on). But you don’t need that if you just want video recording all the time. 
Schedules
Schedules only has an option to take a picture and not one to record a video. So it’s limited in that regard. But if you wanted to get a random photo every day between certain hours, this is the option for you. Click Add Schedule, put in a name for it, choose the time and days you want it to run, and then choose the action. This can also be used to automate lights turning on and off during a time frame. 
Those are the 3 ways you can make sure you are getting images or video recorded from your ADT Pulse Cameras to your pulse portal. That way, if something happens at your home or business and you want to go back and see the footage, you can.
By Jacob Menke
Warren
Posted at 11:53h, 17 JanuaryMy Pulse system doesn’t show a camera as a possible trigger. (I have 2 cams). It only lists the motion detectors and door sensors.
admin
Posted at 16:43h, 28 AprilDo you have the RC8021 Camera that is white or one of the other 3 cameras available?
Dawn
Posted at 09:29h, 21 JuneI have the white cameras that record motion but I don’t have this option either.
admin
Posted at 17:06h, 22 JulyYes the white RC8021 cameras are the first and most basic ADT Pulse Camera. After that one ADT replaced it with the 8025 which can record on motion.
Joe
Posted at 22:16h, 02 MayWhat is the reset time after recording a 30 sec clip? I.e. My wife came home from work tonight. It took her more than 30 seconds to get in the door. If she is still out there making motion should it automatically snag an additional 30 second clip?
admin
Posted at 18:17h, 17 JuneIt means there is a message recorded. Sometimes people record the message on accident. IF you push Function (#) and then Record (1) you will record a message. IF you push function delete you will delete the message. You can play it by pushing function play. Sometimes you need to play the message before you can delete it.
jen
Posted at 21:44h, 20 JulyThe reset (interval) time between clips is 5 minutes.
admin
Posted at 17:03h, 22 JulyThank you Jennifer!
Richard
Posted at 09:59h, 13 Julyi have the NV412A with a analog camera can this camera be used as a trigger?
admin
Posted at 17:04h, 22 JulyTo my knowledge it cannot be used as a trigger. You must use other inputs as triggers. It is recommended to have a DVR to record the analog cameras since a DVR can record on motion.
Penny
Posted at 15:42h, 31 DecemberWe had a power outage a few days ago and my camera has not recorded a video or image (motion) since then. I am able to manually take a picture but not video. Can someone help me with this!?! All my settings seem to be correct.
Zions Security Alarms
Posted at 10:36h, 17 AprilIf you have the automation set up properly you could try powering down the camera and powering it back up and see if that solves it. If not call ADT And have them look from their end and maybe they can see something you are missing.
Tony Likar
Posted at 09:58h, 01 JanuaryI want to extend my video clip time of 30 seconds to a longer time. How do I go about doing this?
Zions Security Alarms
Posted at 10:31h, 17 AprilI would recommend a wired IP Camera system if you want longer clips.
mike reeves
Posted at 07:50h, 20 FebruaryI have three adt pulse dome cameras and just got two adt 8021 indoor cameras . One won’t install just has a flashing power light network is solid and there idea pushable button above the lenses that is solid green as well. The one installed and has great video but will not record. I’m now re installing the ” usable ” camera to see if I can get it to trigger off my other cameras and record . Any advice on this issue besides throw them away
Zions Security Alarms
Posted at 10:17h, 17 AprilYou could try doing a factory reset on the camera that is giving you trouble. Factory reseting and trying again and again is the best solution. Hope that helps
Natalie
Posted at 15:37h, 04 AprilI have an alert and automation set up for my camera but when I get one and I go to either the Pulse app or the portal from my laptop/desktop there are no videos or clips available. Any idea on how to fix this?
Zions Security Alarms
Posted at 10:08h, 17 AprilMake sure there is an automation set to record if there is motion. It usually can record one clip every 5 minutes
Darlene
Posted at 07:07h, 17 AprilI have a camera that is set up to capture clips with motion. It was working fine until about two weeks ago. It stopped recording video clips. I checked the settings and they have not changed. I am able to see live footage. How do I get the camera to record video clips?
Zions Security Alarms
Posted at 10:08h, 17 AprilIs it an ADT Pulse Camera? I would call ADT and have them look at it if so.
Dan Mitchell Sr
Posted at 19:56h, 26 AprilHello, Is it possible to limit where in the camera’s view that will trigger the recording of video clips, like a grid system? Also, is the system recording at all times or only when triggered? I can see the series of 30 second clips. I get a great number of nuisance clips from cars at a nearby intersection.
Zions Security Alarms
Posted at 11:14h, 24 MayGreat question, right now there is no way to mask areas to ignore or to trigger motion. So the cameras might record lots of 30 second clips when you do not want them to. If you remove notifications it wont be as annoying since you will not get an email or text notification every time. There are more expensive camera systems that we can help you with that have this feature, but the ADT Pulse Cameras do not have it and I do not think they will anytime soon.
Shane p
Posted at 09:16h, 29 MayHow do I delete previous 30 seconds clips
admin2
Posted at 09:17h, 26 OctoberYou can delete clips by logging into the ADT Pulse Portal and looking at your clips, but they will automatically delete after 30 days. Also, deleting them does not mean you will be able to hold more clips or have longer recording times. The ADT Pulse Cameras can only record one 30 second clip every 5 minutes.
C.b
Posted at 18:38h, 04 AugustWhat is the distance the outdoor camera can record with motion detection
Zions Security Alarms
Posted at 15:10h, 07 SeptemberAround 50ft
Meredith
Posted at 19:28h, 27 NovemberCan you record longer then 30 seconds?
admin2
Posted at 16:35h, 29 NovemberNo, currently only 30 second clips about once every 5 minutes are what the ADT Pulse Cameras can do. If you needed something with longer recording clips and higher resolution we can talk to you about our IP Camera System option https://zionssecurity.com/product-category/security-cameras/ip-cameras/
A Williams
Posted at 06:01h, 06 JanuaryMy camera is not capturing when a car comes in the driveway or someone is walking up the walkway. The camera captures these two places live but not on motion clips. What can be the cause of this?
admin2
Posted at 16:25h, 08 JanuaryCan you go to the contact us part of our website and send me the type of ADT Pulse Camera you have and I can help you with this
Becky wanick
Posted at 11:32h, 11 MaySo if I pull in the driveway and it takes me more than 30 seconds to get out of the car… and then I am robbed.at gun point….. the clip will show the car coming into the driveway… but the system will be “re-setting” during the robbery? Is that correct?
admin2
Posted at 10:01h, 13 MayThat would be correct if you have ADT Pulse Cameras. The new ADT Command and Control is an improvement as it only have a 30 second downtime between clips. IP cameras and an NVR are the best solution for this.
DOLLIE MARCUM
Posted at 09:55h, 18 AugustHow can I recover clips that I won’t to keep that went off after 30 days I need that clips for court reasons thy delete them self after 30day how can I recover them I need them
admin2
Posted at 10:39h, 12 SeptemberYou can ask ADT, but I do not think there is a way. You could set up your cameras to email all clips to a new email account and they can store there forever.
Tawnee McAleese
Posted at 19:04h, 23 SeptemberI can see live feed I can not see any recordings. I have no idea what’s up. Just installed today
admin2
Posted at 15:37h, 27 SeptemberMake sure you set up a rule to record when there is motion, then you can test it very easily by walking in front of the camera
Jason
Posted at 02:50h, 06 AugustI have 3 oc835 outdoor cams. If 1 detects motion and records it’s 30 second clips and notifies me with a text and is now on its 5 minutes down time will my other 2 cameras still respond to motion and record their 30 second clips durning camera 1’s down time?
Kelsey McCallister
Posted at 14:41h, 17 AugustAll the cameras work independently of the others. If they’re all in different locations and catch different moments of motions, then their clips and downtime will start when they are triggered. However, if you have them all in one place and they all catch the same moment of motion then you’ll have 3 clips of the same moment in time with the same downtime following.