Last updated: January 2026

Scenario: 
 This scenario explains how to configure video motion detection (VMD) in Milestone XProtect. 

   1. Camera Settings
   2. Alarm setup in XProtect Management Client
     2.1. Configure Events
     2.2. Configure Rules
     2.3. Configure Alarms
   3. Confirmation on the XProtect Smart Client
 

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1. Camera Settings

This section explains the procedure for configuring VMD on the camera.

1. Open the camera settings screen and go to [Alarm] > [VMD area].
Select [All areas] or specify particular areas.
Click [Set].

 

2. Alarm setup in XProtect Management Client

Configure events, rules, and alarms in the Management Client to receive alarms.

 

2. Go to the [Events] tab and click the [Add] button to open the [Select Driver Event] window.
Select [Motion Started (HW)] and click [OK] to add the content to the right-hand pane.

 

3. You can configure up to 4 motion windows (areas).
To register multiple windows, repeat the same procedure for each window.
After adding the events, click [Save] at the top left of the screen.

 

2.2. Configure Rules

By configuring rules, you can execute specific actions when an event occurs.

1. In the [Site Navigation] area, click [Rules and Events] > [Rules].
Then right-click [Rules] in the [Rules] area and select [Add Rule...].

 

2. The [Manage Rule] screen appears. 
Enter [Name] and select [Perform an action on <event>] in [Select the rule type you want to create].
Click [event] in the [Edit the rule description] section.

 

3. The [Select an Event] screen appears. 
Select [Devices] > [Configurable Events] > [Motion Started (HW)], then click [OK].

 

5. Click [Next].

 

6. Click [Next].

 

7. From [Select actions to perform], choose [Make new <log entry>].
Then click [log entry] in the [Edit the rule description] section.

 

8. The [Select a Log Entry] screen will appear. Select [Rule name] and click [OK].

 

9. Click [Next].

 

10. Click [Finish].

 

2.3. Configure Alarms

By configuring alarms, you can display messages in the Alarm Manager of the Smart Client when VMD alarms are received.

1. In the [Site Navigation] area, click [Alarms] > [Alarm Definitions].
Then, right-click [Alarm Definitions] in the [Alarm Definitions] pane and select [Add New ...].

 

2. After configuring the settings, click [Save] at the top left of the screen.

• Enable: Check the checkbox
• Name: Enter the user-defined name
• Triggering event (The first drop-down): [Device Events]
• Triggering event (The second drop-down): [Motion Started Driver]
   *This setting appears in the [Message] column of the [Alarm Manager] screen in the [XProtect Smart Client].
• Sources: [All Cameras] or [Select target camera]

 

3. Confirmation on the XProtect Smart Client

1. Begin by restarting the Smart Client.
Click the [Alarm Manager] tab to display the alarm history.
The motion detection area number appears in the [Object] column.
The trigger event name appears in the [Message] column.

 

Milestone XProtect Management Client 2025 R3 /DP 13.9