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Onvif actions

Go to Viewpoint

Move a PTZ camera to a saved preset position in response to an event, operator command, or automation rule. Optionally return to another preset or action after a configurable delay — ideal for event close-up and patrol sequences.

Recall a saved camera position on demand

Go to Viewpoint sends a PTZ move-to-preset command to an ONVIF camera. Presets are saved camera positions — pan, tilt, and zoom values stored on the device. When this action is triggered, the camera moves to the configured preset and can optionally return to another preset or execute another action after a delay.

Use it to direct camera attention to a specific area — a gate, entrance, cash desk, loading dock, machine, or outdoor zone — in response to detected motion, ONVIF events, sound events, or manual operator interaction.

Prerequisite: Create and verify presets on the camera first using the camera's web interface or a PTZ control tool. Then reference them here by Preset. The ONVIF Camera must report PTZ support.

Configure a preset action

01

Save presets on the camera

Use the camera's web interface or PTZ control UI to physically position the camera and save each view as a numbered or named preset. Test recall on the camera before referencing presets here.

02

Confirm PTZ support

The ONVIF Camera component must report PTZ capabilities. Start the camera component and verify it reaches the RUN state before creating this action.

03

Create Go to Viewpoint

Click + next to Go to Viewpoint under the Actions sub-menu. The configuration panel opens for the new action instance.

04

Select device and preset

Choose the PTZ camera from Device. The Preset drop-down is populated from the camera's stored presets. Select the target viewpoint.

05

Configure stun timeout and return

Set Stun timeout (sec) to prevent rapid repeated triggers. Enable Return enabled and configure Return delay (sec) and Return action if the camera should return to an overview position after inspection.

06

Wire to Event Manager

Add the action to Event Manager rules triggered by motion, ONVIF Events, sound, or other conditions. Test the full trigger-to-return cycle before going to production.

Configuration parameters

ParameterRequiredDescriptionDefault
Restart on failure
Yes Restart behavior after an error:
  • Stop on failure — not restarted until triggered manually.
  • Immediately — restarts right after an error.
  • 10 sec — restarts after a 10-second delay.
  • 30 sec — restarts after a 30-second delay.
  • 1 min — restarts after a 1-minute delay.
10 sec
Title
Yes Operator-facing purpose of the movement. Set a clear label such as Look at gate or Return to overview. This makes rule chains and action lists easier to understand at a glance. —
Device
Yes The PTZ-capable ONVIF camera to move. The action checks PTZ support before sending the command. Non-PTZ devices cannot execute this action. Select the target ONVIF Camera. —
Preset
Yes The stored PTZ preset to recall. Presets are loaded from the selected camera's device storage. Create and test them on the camera before referencing them here. The camera moves to the saved pan, tilt, and zoom position when this action is triggered. —
Stun timeout (sec)
Yes Re-execution cooldown in seconds. Prevents repeated triggers from sending the camera to the same preset over and over. Important when the action is triggered by motion, ONVIF events, or sound events that can fire repeatedly. The action ignores new trigger calls during this cooldown window. 10
Return enabled
Optional When enabled, the camera executes a return action after Return delay (sec). Use this when the camera should temporarily inspect a target and then return to an overview or home position. false
Return delay (sec)
Optional Seconds to wait before executing the return action. Set long enough for the camera to move, stabilize, and record useful frames before returning. Range: 3–60 seconds. 10
Return action
Optional The action to execute after the return delay. Commonly another Go to Viewpoint that moves the camera back to an overview or home preset. Can also be an action group or any other configured action in the automation chain. —

Recommended profiles

01

Event close-up then return home

Action A goes to the target preset with Stun timeout (sec) of 10–30, Return enabled set to true, Return delay (sec) of 5–20, and Return action pointing to a home or overview preset action.

02

Manual operator preset

Set a clear Title, choose the target preset, keep Return enabled disabled, and use a short or moderate Stun timeout (sec) to avoid accidental double-click repeats. Expose as a UI button for operators.

03

Motion-triggered inspection

Use a longer Stun timeout (sec) — 30–60 seconds — so continuous motion does not restart the same move. Pair with return-to-overview after the expected inspection time using Return enabled.

04

Patrol-style switching

Create multiple Go to Viewpoint actions and chain them via Return action references or scheduler rules. Keep delays long enough for camera movement and scene review at each preset.

Safety note: Avoid overlapping PTZ automations on the same camera without careful cooldown planning. Competing actions can move the camera away while recording or analytics are still expecting a specific viewpoint.

Related pages

Related components and pages