PTZ cameras have an inherent limitation where they may miss important events by tunneling focus into other areas of the field of view.
Contextual triggers address this by directing the PTZ's focus based on information from a trigger camera. The trigger camera detects a person in the overlapping field of view with the PTZ camera and tells the PTZ camera to follow that person.
Contextual triggers are most effective when monitoring areas where no person should be present, such as an emergency exit or an off-limit zone.
How it works
A trigger camera detects a person within its user-defined trigger zone.
The trigger camera notifies the PTZ camera that a person has been detected.
The PTZ automatically pans, tilts, and zooms to the associated preset view and follows the detected individual for approximately 15 seconds.
The PTZ returns to its previous preset view.
Contextual triggers override an ongoing PTZ patrol.
Set up contextual triggers
In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Cameras
.Select a CP52-E PTZ to configure.
Click Sentry Mode
> Settings in the right-side menu.Click Add Trigger under Follow Triggers.
On Choose Trigger Camera, select the camera that will trigger the PTZ and click Next.
Important: The list of displayed cameras will be limited to the models supported by this feature. For more information on supported models, please refer to the "Considerations" section. Additionally, ensure the trigger camera’s field of view is within the viewing area of the PTZ camera.
On Select Trigger Region, define the trigger zone for the context camera and click Next.
Note: The PTZ will only be triggered when a person is detected within this zone.
On Point PTZ, aim the PTZ at the context camera's trigger zone and click Finish. Ensure that the PTZ's view includes the entirety of the trigger zone defined in step 6.
Note: This is the most important part of the setup, as this is where the PTZ will point each time a person enters the trigger zone.
The created trigger will now appear under Sentry Mode
> Settings and can be edited as needed. 
Considerations
Only the following camera models can be set up as context cameras for contextual triggers: CD22/CD22-E, CD32/CD32-E, CD42/CD42-E, CD52/CD52-E, CD62/CD62-E, CM22, CM42, CB52-E/CB62-E, CB52-TE/CB62-TE, CH52-E, CF81-E, and the TD52.
User permissions for contextual triggers
Users need Site Admin permissions for both the context camera site and the PTZ camera site to create, edit, and delete contextual triggers.
Role | Access | Permissions |
Site Admin | Full Access | Can add, edit, and delete contextual triggers. |
Site Viewer | Limited Access | Can view but cannot edit contextual triggers. |
Live-Only | No Access | Cannot view contextual triggers. |
Need more help? Contact Verkada Support.