How to Set Up the Deterrent Feature on Your Recorder

Tags: deterrent feature setup, spotlight activation, floodlight settings, siren configuration, enforcer lights setup, automatic deterrents, swannforce configuration, recorder deterrent features, enable red blue lights, camera alarm setup, deterrent activation guide, customize deterrent features, motion-triggered deterrents, security light setup, sound alarm activation, deterrent feature troubleshooting, camera deterrent customization, automatic light activation, configure warning lights, motion-based deterrents

Deterrent features like floodlights or spotlights, siren, and SwannForce™ or Enforcer lights can take your security system to the next level by actively discouraging unwanted activity.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of how to activate these features automatically, ensuring you have all the tools and knowledge you need to make the most of your security recorder's capabilities.

NOTE: If you want to know how to activate them manually, check out this article instead: How to Manually Activate the Deterrent Feature

Things To Prepare

1. A camera with a built-in deterrent feature - If the camera does not have a deterrent feature, the deterrent option will be greyed out in the main menu.
2. A TV or monitor connected to the recorder - To see the recorder's Menu. See What kind of TV or monitor is compatible with my DVR / NVR?
3. A USB mouse - To navigate through the Menu.

DID YOU KNOW? The Swann Security app allows access to certain recorder settings on compatible models like the MaxRanger4K™. For example, options such as Light on Motion and Siren on Motion can be toggled on or off directly from the app to control deterrent features.
However, advanced settings like the Deterrent Schedule (more on this below) are not yet available through the app. If the schedule disables deterrent features during specific hours, the lights or siren won’t activate, even if toggled on. To adjust these settings, you'll need to connect a display and mouse directly to the recorder.

How to Automatically Activate Lights, Siren, or SwannForce™ or Enforcer

START

Set a Schedule

Access the Menu then go to Alarm > Deterrent. Click the "gear" icon under Schedule.

View larger

By default, the spotlight and siren (if enabled) will not trigger between 06:30 a.m. and 04:30 p.m. however, you can change this according to your needs. Each square represents 30 minutes. Using the mouse, click on a particular square to change or click and drag the mouse over the squares corresponding to your desired period.

Click Save to save changes made. Right-click the mouse to exit.

View larger

NEXT

Enable Deterrent

With your schedule set, the next step is to enable the specific deterrent features you want to activate automatically when the camera is triggered.

Return to the Deterrent tab and check the boxes for the deterrent features you’d like to enable. For example, in this case, channels 1 to 3 have both the "Light" and "SwannForce" enabled. This means that if these cameras are triggered during a time when the deterrent is active on the schedule, the light and SwannForce™ will automatically activate.

You’ll also notice a "Duration" column, which lets you customize how long each deterrent feature will stay active once triggered. This ensures your system responds effectively while fitting your specific needs.

View larger

Checkboxes will be grayed out if the camera doesn't have the deterrent feature available. For example, if you have an NHD-1200D, only the checkbox under "Light" is available as this camera doesn't have Siren or SwannForce™.

PREV NEXT

Detection Area and Sensitivity

If the deterrent features are activating too frequently, you can adjust the detection area and sensitivity settings for greater control. By default, the "detection area" covers the entire camera view, shown as a red box.

View larger

To modify the detection area, click the "gear" icon under Setup for the specific channel. This will display the detection area and sensitivity settings. To adjust, click and drag to add or remove red boxes from the detection area.

For "sensitivity", keep in mind that higher numbers make the camera more sensitive to motion. Adjust this as needed to balance responsiveness. Once done, right-click on the mouse to save and exit. Finally, click Apply to confirm all changes.

NOTE: Detection area and sensitivity settings are applied per channel. If you want to adjust additional channels, repeat these steps for each one.

PREV

How to Deactivate or Turn Off the Deterrent Features

In the system's Menu, go to Alarm > Deterrent, you can uncheck the checkbox of the Deterrent that you want to disable (e.g. "Light") to stop it from turning on when it gets triggered.

View larger

On some recorders, you can also do this via the Swann Security app. Go to Devices / Device Settings (bottom-right) then choose your recorder. Go to Channel Settings then select a channel and disable "Light on Motion" or "Siren on Motion" - it is similar to unchecking the checkbox via recorder's Menu.

View larger

Conclusion

By enabling the deterrent features on your recorder, you’re adding a proactive layer of security to your system. Once these features are activated and set up to work automatically, you can trust your system to work harder for you around the clock.