Video Monitoring: What’s the Difference Between Video Verification and Video Analytics?
Video monitoring has come a long way, offering businesses and homeowners smarter ways to protect their property. Two common terms you’ll hear are Video Verification and Video Analytics, but they serve different purposes. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you understand how they work—and when to use them.
Video Verification
Video Verification (VV) refers to using video clips or live footage to confirm if an alarm event is real. When a burglar alarm, motion detector, or other system triggers, the monitoring center or property owner can review a short video clip of what caused the alert. This helps reduce false alarms and gives emergency responders critical information—like whether someone is actually on the property or if it was just a cat triggering a sensor.
- How it works: An alarm is triggered ➡️ video is recorded and sent to the monitoring center ➡️ an operator (or app user) reviews it ➡️ they confirm whether it’s a real threat.
- Common use: Burglar alarm systems with integrated cameras, often in business or residential security systems.
- Example: Qolsys system with Alarm.com video that send clips when an intrusion alarm activates.
Video Analytics
Video Analytics (VA) takes things a step further by using artificial intelligence (AI) to proactively analyze live video streams. These systems can recognize patterns, detect specific types of movement (people vs. animals), or monitor restricted zones in real-time. Unlike simple motion detection, analytics can filter out irrelevant motion and notify you only when something important happens.
- How it works: Cameras constantly analyze video ➡️ AI identifies objects or actions (like loitering or line crossing) ➡️ it sends an alert if a predefined rule is broken.
- Common use: Remote video guarding, perimeter protection, people counting, or loitering detection.
- Example: Alarm.com’s remote video monitoring with analytics can alert a virtual guard to investigate live, speak through two-way audio, or escalate to police if needed.
Key Differences
| Feature | Video Verification | Video Analytics |
|---|---|---|
| Trigger | Follows an alarm event | Continuous video analysis |
| Response | Review video to verify an alarm | Proactive alerts based on AI rules |
| Goal | Reduce false alarms and verify incidents | Detect and prevent suspicious activity in real time |
| Human Involvement | Monitoring center or user confirms | AI filters events; optional human response |
Why It Matters
Both technologies enhance security but in different ways. Video Verification is great for confirming alarms, speeding up emergency responses, and cutting down on false dispatches. Video Analytics helps prevent crime by spotting issues before an alarm is triggered.
For businesses or homeowners wanting proactive security, combining both systems creates a powerful layered defense.