Prerequisites

Obviously you need to install motion. For this article we also use rclone (to do the uploads). On Pi OS you would execute sudo apt install motion rclone and then edit the configuration (see below).

Configuring Motion

There are two files to edit. The first is /etc/motion/motion.conf.

Changes

Only changed lines in `/etc/motion/motion.conf` on Pi OS (buster-based)
# Adjust to suit your camera
width 640
height 480

# The max depends on version of Pi you have; keep it low for older
# models (is in frames per second)
framerate 30

threshold_tune on

# Dynamically mask out areas of the image during operation.
# Set to 0 if it's interfering with detecting motion you want to detect.
# Useful for eliminating repetitive motion like trees swaying in the wind.
smart_mask_speed 1

# Included so clouds passing over don't trigger motion
# Ignore sudden massive light intensity changes given as a percentage of the picture
# area that changed intensity. Valid range: 0 - 100 , default: 0 = disabled
lightswitch 75

minimum_motion_frames 1

max_movie_time 300

# Output 'normal' pictures when motion is detected (default: off)
# Valid values: on, off, first, best, center
# When set to 'first', only the first picture of an event is saved.
# Picture with most motion of an event is saved when set to 'best'.
# Picture with motion nearest center of picture is saved when set to 'center'.
# Can be used as preview shot for the corresponding movie.
output_pictures on
output_debug_pictures off

ffmpeg_output_movies on

# Enables and defines variable bitrate for the ffmpeg encoder.
# ffmpeg_bps is ignored if variable bitrate is enabled.
# Valid values: 0 (default) = fixed bitrate defined by ffmpeg_bps,
# or the range 1 - 100 where 1 means worst quality and 100 is best.
ffmpeg_variable_bitrate 75

# Container/Codec output videos
# Valid values: mpeg4, msmpeg4, swf,flv, ffv1, mov, mp4, mkv, hevc
ffmpeg_video_codec mkv

# We add the data subdir here because we don't want to copy all files from the
# motion user's home directory (/var/lib/motion), especially rclone configuration
# which includes authentication information.
target_dir /var/lib/motion/data

stream_port 0

# If stream_port is non-zero, the setting below allows access
# from another device (otherwise you can only view the video
# stream from the Pi itself).
stream_localhost off

# Disables webcontrol; it's safer that way
webcontrol_port 0

Reference

Default `/etc/motion/motion.conf` on Pi OS (buster-based)
# Rename this distribution example file to motion.conf
#
# This config file was generated by motion 4.1.1
# Documentation:  /usr/share/doc/motion/motion_guide.html

############################################################
# Daemon
############################################################

# Start in daemon (background) mode and release terminal (default: off)
daemon off

# File to store the process ID, also called pid file. (default: not defined)
process_id_file /var/run/motion/motion.pid

############################################################
# Basic Setup Mode
############################################################

# Start in Setup-Mode, daemon disabled. (default: off)
setup_mode off


# Use a file to save logs messages, if not defined stderr and syslog is used. (default: not defined)
logfile /var/log/motion/motion.log

# Level of log messages [1..9] (EMG, ALR, CRT, ERR, WRN, NTC, INF, DBG, ALL). (default: 6 / NTC)
log_level 6

# Filter to log messages by type (COR, STR, ENC, NET, DBL, EVT, TRK, VID, ALL). (default: ALL)
log_type all

###########################################################
# Capture device options
############################################################

# Videodevice to be used for capturing  (default /dev/video0)
# for FreeBSD default is /dev/bktr0
videodevice /dev/video0

# v4l2_palette allows one to choose preferable palette to be use by motion
# See motion_guide.html for the valid options and values.  (default: 17)
v4l2_palette 17

# Tuner device to be used for capturing using tuner as source (default /dev/tuner0)
# This is ONLY used for FreeBSD. Leave it commented out for Linux
; tunerdevice /dev/tuner0

# The video input to be used (default: -1)
# Should normally be set to 0 or 1 for video/TV cards, and -1 for USB cameras
# Set to 0 for uvideo(4) on OpenBSD
input -1

# The video norm to use (only for video capture and TV tuner cards)
# Values: 0 (PAL), 1 (NTSC), 2 (SECAM), 3 (PAL NC no colour). Default: 0 (PAL)
norm 0

# The frequency to set the tuner to (kHz) (only for TV tuner cards) (default: 0)
frequency 0

# Override the power line frequency for the webcam. (normally not necessary)
# Values:
# -1 : Do not modify device setting
# 0  : Power line frequency Disabled
# 1  : 50hz
# 2  : 60hz
# 3  : Auto
power_line_frequency -1

# Rotate image this number of degrees. The rotation affects all saved images as
# well as movies. Valid values: 0 (default = no rotation), 90, 180 and 270.
rotate 0

# Flip image over a given axis (vertical or horizontal), vertical means from left to right
# horizontal means top to bottom. Valid values: none, v and h.
flip_axis none

# Image width (pixels). Valid range: Camera dependent, default: 320
width 320

# Image height (pixels). Valid range: Camera dependent, default: 240
height 240

# Maximum number of frames to be captured per second.
# Valid range: 2-100. Default: 100 (almost no limit).
framerate 2

# Minimum time in seconds between capturing picture frames from the camera.
# Default: 0 = disabled - the capture rate is given by the camera framerate.
# This option is used when you want to capture images at a rate lower than 2 per second.
minimum_frame_time 0

# Full Network Camera URL.  Valid Services: http:// ftp:// mjpg:// rtsp:// mjpeg:// file:// rtmp://
; netcam_url value

# Username and password for network camera if required. Syntax is user:password
; netcam_userpass value

# The setting for keep-alive of network socket, should improve performance on compatible net cameras.
# off:   The historical implementation using HTTP/1.0, closing the socket after each http request.
# force: Use HTTP/1.0 requests with keep alive header to reuse the same connection.
# on:    Use HTTP/1.1 requests that support keep alive as default.
# Default: off
netcam_keepalive off

# URL to use for a netcam proxy server, if required, e.g. "http://myproxy".
# If a port number other than 80 is needed, use "http://myproxy:1234".
# Default: not defined
; netcam_proxy value

# Set less strict jpeg checks for network cameras with a poor/buggy firmware.
# Default: off
netcam_tolerant_check off

# RTSP connection uses TCP to communicate to the camera. Can prevent image corruption.
# Default: on
rtsp_uses_tcp on

# Name of camera to use if you are using a camera accessed through OpenMax/MMAL
# Default: Not defined
; mmalcam_name vc.ril.camera

# Camera control parameters (see raspivid/raspistill tool documentation)
# Default: Not defined
; mmalcam_control_params -hf

# Let motion regulate the brightness of a video device (default: off).
# The auto_brightness feature uses the brightness option as its target value.
# If brightness is zero auto_brightness will adjust to average brightness value 128.
# Only recommended for cameras without auto brightness
auto_brightness off

# Set the initial brightness of a video device.
# If auto_brightness is enabled, this value defines the average brightness level
# which Motion will try and adjust to.
# Valid range 0-255, default 0 = disabled
brightness 0

# Set the contrast of a video device.
# Valid range 0-255, default 0 = disabled
contrast 0

# Set the saturation of a video device.
# Valid range 0-255, default 0 = disabled
saturation 0

# Set the hue of a video device (NTSC feature).
# Valid range 0-255, default 0 = disabled
hue 0


############################################################
# Round Robin (multiple inputs on same video device name)
############################################################

# Number of frames to capture in each roundrobin step (default: 1)
roundrobin_frames 1

# Number of frames to skip before each roundrobin step (default: 1)
roundrobin_skip 1

# Try to filter out noise generated by roundrobin (default: off)
switchfilter off


############################################################
# Motion Detection Settings:
############################################################

# Threshold for number of changed pixels in an image that
# triggers motion detection (default: 1500)
threshold 1500

# Automatically tune the threshold down if possible (default: off)
threshold_tune off

# Noise threshold for the motion detection (default: 32)
noise_level 32

# Automatically tune the noise threshold (default: on)
noise_tune on

# Despeckle motion image using (e)rode or (d)ilate or (l)abel (Default: not defined)
# Recommended value is EedDl. Any combination (and number of) of E, e, d, and D is valid.
# (l)abeling must only be used once and the 'l' must be the last letter.
# Comment out to disable
despeckle_filter EedDl

# Detect motion in predefined areas (1 - 9). Areas are numbered like that:  1 2 3
# A script (on_area_detected) is started immediately when motion is         4 5 6
# detected in one of the given areas, but only once during an event.        7 8 9
# One or more areas can be specified with this option. Take care: This option
# does NOT restrict detection to these areas! (Default: not defined)
; area_detect value

# PGM file to use as a sensitivity mask.
# Full path name to. (Default: not defined)
; mask_file value

# PGM file to completely mask out a area of image.
# Full path name to. (Default: not defined)
# mask_privacy value

# Dynamically create a mask file during operation (default: 0)
# Adjust speed of mask changes from 0 (off) to 10 (fast)
smart_mask_speed 0

# Ignore sudden massive light intensity changes given as a percentage of the picture
# area that changed intensity. Valid range: 0 - 100 , default: 0 = disabled
lightswitch 0

# Picture frames must contain motion at least the specified number of frames
# in a row before they are detected as true motion. At the default of 1, all
# motion is detected. Valid range: 1 to thousands, recommended 1-5
minimum_motion_frames 1

# Specifies the number of pre-captured (buffered) pictures from before motion
# was detected that will be output at motion detection.
# Recommended range: 0 to 5 (default: 0)
# Do not use large values! Large values will cause Motion to skip video frames and
# cause unsmooth movies. To smooth movies use larger values of post_capture instead.
pre_capture 0

# Number of frames to capture after motion is no longer detected (default: 0)
post_capture 0

# Event Gap is the seconds of no motion detection that triggers the end of an event.
# An event is defined as a series of motion images taken within a short timeframe.
# Recommended value is 60 seconds (Default). The value -1 is allowed and disables
# events causing all Motion to be written to one single movie file and no pre_capture.
# If set to 0, motion is running in gapless mode. Movies don't have gaps anymore. An
# event ends right after no more motion is detected and post_capture is over.
event_gap 60

# Maximum length in seconds of a movie
# When value is exceeded a new movie file is created. (Default: 0 = infinite)
max_movie_time 0

# Always save images even if there was no motion (default: off)
emulate_motion off


############################################################
# Image File Output
############################################################

# Output 'normal' pictures when motion is detected (default: off)
# Valid values: on, off, first, best, center
# When set to 'first', only the first picture of an event is saved.
# Picture with most motion of an event is saved when set to 'best'.
# Picture with motion nearest center of picture is saved when set to 'center'.
# Can be used as preview shot for the corresponding movie.
output_pictures off

# Output pictures with only the pixels moving object (ghost images) (default: off)
output_debug_pictures off

# The quality (in percent) to be used by the jpeg and webp compression (default: 75)
quality 75

# Type of output images
# Valid values: jpeg, ppm or webp (default: jpeg)
picture_type jpeg

############################################################

# Use ffmpeg to encode videos of motion (default: off)
ffmpeg_output_movies off

# Use ffmpeg to make videos showing the moving pixels (ghost images) (default: off)
ffmpeg_output_debug_movies off

# Bitrate to be used by the ffmpeg encoder (default: 400000)
# This option is ignored if ffmpeg_variable_bitrate is not 0 (disabled)
ffmpeg_bps 400000

# Enables and defines variable bitrate for the ffmpeg encoder.
# ffmpeg_bps is ignored if variable bitrate is enabled.
# Valid values: 0 (default) = fixed bitrate defined by ffmpeg_bps,
# or the range 1 - 100 where 1 means worst quality and 100 is best.
ffmpeg_variable_bitrate 0

# Container/Codec output videos
# Valid values: mpeg4, msmpeg4, swf,flv, ffv1, mov, mp4, mkv, hevc
ffmpeg_video_codec mkv

# When creating videos, should frames be duplicated in order
# to keep up with the requested frames per second
# (default: true)
ffmpeg_duplicate_frames true

# Interval in seconds between timelapse captures.  Default: 0 = off
timelapse_interval 0

# Timelapse file rollover mode. See motion_guide.html for options and uses.
timelapse_mode daily

# Frame rate for timelapse playback
timelapse_fps 30

# Container/Codec for timelapse video. Valid values: mpg or mpeg4
timelapse_codec mpg

############################################################
# External pipe to video encoder
# Replacement for FFMPEG builtin encoder for ffmpeg_output_movies only.
# The options movie_filename and timelapse_filename are also used
# by the ffmpeg feature
#############################################################

# Bool to enable or disable extpipe (default: off)
use_extpipe off

# External program (full path and opts) to pipe raw video to
# Generally, use '-' for STDIN...
;extpipe mencoder -demuxer rawvideo -rawvideo w=%w:h=%h:i420 -ovc x264 -x264encopts bframes=4:frameref=1:subq=1:scenecut=-1:nob_adapt:threads=1:keyint=1000:8x8dct:vbv_bufsize=4000:crf=24:partitions=i8x8,i4x4:vbv_maxrate=800:no-chroma-me -vf denoise3d=16:12:48:4,pp=lb -of   avi -o %f.avi - -fps %fps
;extpipe x264 - --input-res %wx%h --fps %fps --bitrate 2000 --preset ultrafast --quiet -o %f.mp4
;extpipe mencoder -demuxer rawvideo -rawvideo w=%w:h=%h:fps=%fps -ovc x264 -x264encopts preset=ultrafast -of lavf -o %f.mp4 - -fps %fps
;extpipe ffmpeg -y -f rawvideo -pix_fmt yuv420p -video_size %wx%h -framerate %fps -i pipe:0 -vcodec libx264 -preset ultrafast -f mp4 %f.mp4


############################################################
# Snapshots (Traditional Periodic Webcam File Output)
############################################################

# Make automated snapshot every N seconds (default: 0 = disabled)
snapshot_interval 0


############################################################
# Text Display
# %Y = year, %m = month, %d = date,
# %H = hour, %M = minute, %S = second, %T = HH:MM:SS,
# %v = event, %q = frame number, %t = camera id number,
# %D = changed pixels, %N = noise level, \n = new line,
# %i and %J = width and height of motion area,
# %K and %L = X and Y coordinates of motion center
# %C = value defined by text_event - do not use with text_event!
# You can put quotation marks around the text to allow
# leading spaces
############################################################

# Locate and draw a box around the moving object.
# Valid values: on, off, preview (default: off)
# Set to 'preview' will only draw a box in preview_shot pictures.
locate_motion_mode off

# Set the look and style of the locate box if enabled.
# Valid values: box, redbox, cross, redcross (default: box)
# Set to 'box' will draw the traditional box.
# Set to 'redbox' will draw a red box.
# Set to 'cross' will draw a little cross to mark center.
# Set to 'redcross' will draw a little red cross to mark center.
locate_motion_style box

# Draws the timestamp using same options as C function strftime(3)
# Default: %Y-%m-%d\n%T = date in ISO format and time in 24 hour clock
# Text is placed in lower right corner
text_right %Y-%m-%d\n%T-%q

# Draw a user defined text on the images using same options as C function strftime(3)
# Default: Not defined = no text
# Text is placed in lower left corner
; text_left CAMERA %t

# Draw the number of changed pixels on the images (default: off)
# Will normally be set to off except when you setup and adjust the motion settings
# Text is placed in upper right corner
text_changes off

# This option defines the value of the special event conversion specifier %C
# You can use any conversion specifier in this option except %C. Date and time
# values are from the timestamp of the first image in the current event.
# Default: %Y%m%d%H%M%S
# The idea is that %C can be used filenames and text_left/right for creating
# a unique identifier for each event.
text_event %Y%m%d%H%M%S

# Draw characters at twice normal size on images. (default: off)
text_double off


# Text to include in a JPEG EXIF comment
# May be any text, including conversion specifiers.
# The EXIF timestamp is included independent of this text.
;exif_text %i%J/%K%L

############################################################
# Target Directories and filenames For Images And Films
# For the options snapshot_, picture_, movie_ and timelapse_filename
# you can use conversion specifiers
# %Y = year, %m = month, %d = date,
# %H = hour, %M = minute, %S = second,
# %v = event, %q = frame number, %t = camera id number,
# %D = changed pixels, %N = noise level,
# %i and %J = width and height of motion area,
# %K and %L = X and Y coordinates of motion center
# %C = value defined by text_event
# Quotation marks round string are allowed.
############################################################

# Target base directory for pictures and films
# Recommended to use absolute path. (Default: current working directory)
target_dir /var/lib/motion

# File path for snapshots (jpeg, ppm or webp) relative to target_dir
# Default: %v-%Y%m%d%H%M%S-snapshot
# Default value is equivalent to legacy oldlayout option
# For Motion 3.0 compatible mode choose: %Y/%m/%d/%H/%M/%S-snapshot
# File extension .jpg, .ppm or .webp is automatically added so do not include this.
# Note: A symbolic link called lastsnap.jpg created in the target_dir will always
# point to the latest snapshot, unless snapshot_filename is exactly 'lastsnap'
snapshot_filename %v-%Y%m%d%H%M%S-snapshot

# File path for motion triggered images (jpeg, ppm or .webp) relative to target_dir
# Default: %v-%Y%m%d%H%M%S-%q
# Default value is equivalent to legacy oldlayout option
# For Motion 3.0 compatible mode choose: %Y/%m/%d/%H/%M/%S-%q
# File extension .jpg, .ppm or .webp is automatically added so do not include this
# Set to 'preview' together with best-preview feature enables special naming
# convention for preview shots. See motion guide for details
picture_filename %v-%Y%m%d%H%M%S-%q

# File path for motion triggered ffmpeg films (movies) relative to target_dir
# Default: %v-%Y%m%d%H%M%S
# File extensions(.mpg .avi) are automatically added so do not include them
movie_filename %v-%Y%m%d%H%M%S

# File path for timelapse movies relative to target_dir
# Default: %Y%m%d-timelapse
# File extensions(.mpg .avi) are automatically added so do not include them
timelapse_filename %Y%m%d-timelapse

############################################################
# Global Network Options
############################################################
# Enable IPv6 (default: off)
ipv6_enabled off

############################################################
# Live Stream Server
############################################################

# The mini-http server listens to this port for requests (default: 0 = disabled)
stream_port 8081

# 50% scaled down substream (default: 0 = disabled)
# substream_port 8082

# Quality of the jpeg (in percent) images produced (default: 50)
stream_quality 50

# Output frames at 1 fps when no motion is detected and increase to the
# rate given by stream_maxrate when motion is detected (default: off)
stream_motion off

# Maximum framerate for stream streams (default: 1)
stream_maxrate 1

# Restrict stream connections to localhost only (default: on)
stream_localhost on

# Limits the number of images per connection (default: 0 = unlimited)
# Number can be defined by multiplying actual stream rate by desired number of seconds
# Actual stream rate is the smallest of the numbers framerate and stream_maxrate
stream_limit 0

# Set the authentication method (default: 0)
# 0 = disabled
# 1 = Basic authentication
# 2 = MD5 digest (the safer authentication)
stream_auth_method 0

# Authentication for the stream. Syntax username:password
# Default: not defined (Disabled)
; stream_authentication username:password

# Percentage to scale the stream image for preview
# This is scaled on the browser side, motion will keep sending full frames
# Default: 25
; stream_preview_scale 25

# Have stream preview image start on a new line
# Default: no
; stream_preview_newline no

############################################################
# HTTP Based Control
############################################################

# TCP/IP port for the http server to listen on (default: 0 = disabled)
webcontrol_port 8080

# Restrict control connections to localhost only (default: on)
webcontrol_localhost on

# Output for http server, select off to choose raw text plain (default: on)
webcontrol_html_output on

# Authentication for the http based control. Syntax username:password
# Default: not defined (Disabled)
; webcontrol_authentication username:password

# Parameters to include on webcontrol.  0=none, 1=limited, 2=advanced, 3=restricted
# Default: 0 (none)
webcontrol_parms 0


############################################################
# Tracking (Pan/Tilt)
#############################################################

# Type of tracker (0=none (default), 1=stepper, 2=iomojo, 3=pwc, 4=generic, 5=uvcvideo, 6=servo)
# The generic type enables the definition of motion center and motion size to
# be used with the conversion specifiers for options like on_motion_detected
track_type 0

# Enable auto tracking (default: off)
track_auto off

# Serial port of motor (default: none)
;track_port /dev/ttyS0

# Motor number for x-axis (default: 0)
;track_motorx 0

# Set motorx reverse (default: 0)
;track_motorx_reverse 0

# Motor number for y-axis (default: 0)
;track_motory 1

# Set motory reverse (default: 0)
;track_motory_reverse 0

# Maximum value on x-axis (default: 0)
;track_maxx 200

# Minimum value on x-axis (default: 0)
;track_minx 50

# Maximum value on y-axis (default: 0)
;track_maxy 200

# Minimum value on y-axis (default: 0)
;track_miny 50

# Center value on x-axis (default: 0)
;track_homex 128

# Center value on y-axis (default: 0)
;track_homey 128

# ID of an iomojo camera if used (default: 0)
track_iomojo_id 0

# Angle in degrees the camera moves per step on the X-axis
# with auto-track (default: 10)
# Currently only used with pwc type cameras
track_step_angle_x 10

# Angle in degrees the camera moves per step on the Y-axis
# with auto-track (default: 10)
# Currently only used with pwc type cameras
track_step_angle_y 10

# Delay to wait for after tracking movement as number
# of picture frames (default: 10)
track_move_wait 10

# Speed to set the motor to (stepper motor option) (default: 255)
track_speed 255

# Number of steps to make (stepper motor option) (default: 40)
track_stepsize 40


############################################################
# External Commands, Warnings and Logging:
# You can use conversion specifiers for the on_xxxx commands
# %Y = year, %m = month, %d = date,
# %H = hour, %M = minute, %S = second,
# %v = event, %q = frame number, %t = camera id number,
# %D = changed pixels, %N = noise level,
# %i and %J = width and height of motion area,
# %K and %L = X and Y coordinates of motion center
# %C = value defined by text_event
# %f = filename with full path
# %n = number indicating filetype
# Both %f and %n are only defined for on_picture_save,
# on_movie_start and on_movie_end
# Quotation marks round string are allowed.
############################################################

# Do not sound beeps when detecting motion (default: on)
# Note: Motion never beeps when running in daemon mode.
quiet on

# Command to be executed when an event starts. (default: none)
# An event starts at first motion detected after a period of no motion defined by event_gap
; on_event_start value

# Command to be executed when an event ends after a period of no motion
# (default: none). The period of no motion is defined by option event_gap.
; on_event_end value

# Command to be executed when a picture (.ppm|.jpg) is saved (default: none)
# To give the filename as an argument to a command append it with %f
; on_picture_save value

# Command to be executed when a motion frame is detected (default: none)
; on_motion_detected value

# Command to be executed when motion in a predefined area is detected
# Check option 'area_detect'.   (default: none)
; on_area_detected value

# Command to be executed when a movie file (.mpg|.avi) is created. (default: none)
# To give the filename as an argument to a command append it with %f
; on_movie_start value

# Command to be executed when a movie file (.mpg|.avi) is closed. (default: none)
# To give the filename as an argument to a command append it with %f
; on_movie_end value

# Command to be executed when a camera can't be opened or if it is lost
# NOTE: There is situations when motion don't detect a lost camera!
# It depends on the driver, some drivers doesn't detect a lost camera at all
# Some hangs the motion thread. Some even hangs the PC! (default: none)
; on_camera_lost value

# Command to be executed when a camera that was lost has been found (default: none)
# NOTE: If motion doesn't properly detect a lost camera, it also won't know it found one.
; on_camera_found value

#####################################################################
# Common Options for database features.
# Options require database options to be active also.
#####################################################################

# Log to the database when creating motion triggered picture file  (default: on)
; sql_log_picture on

# Log to the database when creating a snapshot image file (default: on)
; sql_log_snapshot on

# Log to the database when creating motion triggered movie file (default: off)
; sql_log_movie off

# Log to the database when creating timelapse movies file (default: off)
; sql_log_timelapse off

# SQL query string that is sent to the database
# Use same conversion specifiers has for text features
# Additional special conversion specifiers are
# %n = the number representing the file_type
# %f = filename with full path
# Default value:
# Create tables :
##
# Mysql
# CREATE TABLE security (camera int, filename char(80) not null, frame int, file_type int, time_stamp timestamp(14), event_time_stamp timestamp(14));
#
# Postgresql
# CREATE TABLE security (camera int, filename char(80) not null, frame int, file_type int, time_stamp timestamp without time zone, event_time_stamp timestamp without time zone);
#
# insert into security(camera, filename, frame, file_type, time_stamp, text_event) values('%t', '%f', '%q', '%n', '%Y-%m-%d %T', '%C')
; sql_query insert into security(camera, filename, frame, file_type, time_stamp, event_time_stamp) values('%t', '%f', '%q', '%n', '%Y-%m-%d %T', '%C')


############################################################
# Database Options
############################################################

# database type : mysql, postgresql, sqlite3 (default : not defined)
; database_type value

# database to log to (default: not defined)
# for sqlite3, the full path and name for the database.
; database_dbname value

# The host on which the database is located (default: localhost)
; database_host value

# User account name for database (default: not defined)
; database_user value

# User password for database (default: not defined)
; database_password value

# Port on which the database is located
#  mysql 3306 , postgresql 5432 (default: not defined)
; database_port value

# Database wait time in milliseconds for locked database to
# be unlocked before returning database locked error (default 0)
; database_busy_timeout 0



############################################################
# Video Loopback Device (vloopback project)
############################################################

# Output images to a video4linux loopback device
# Specify the device associated with the loopback device
# For example /dev/video1 (default: not defined)
; video_pipe value

# Output motion images to a video4linux loopback device
# Specify the device associated with the loopback device
# For example /dev/video1 (default: not defined)
; motion_video_pipe value


##############################################################
# camera config files - One for each camera.
# Except if only one camera - You only need this config file.
# If you have more than one camera you MUST define one camera
# config file for each camera in addition to this config file.
##############################################################

# Remember: If you have more than one camera you must have one
# camera file for each camera. E.g. 2 cameras requires 3 files:
# This motion.conf file AND camera1.conf and camera2.conf.
# Only put the options that are unique to each camera in the
# camera config files.
; camera /etc/motion/camera1.conf
; camera /etc/motion/camera2.conf
; camera /etc/motion/camera3.conf
; camera /etc/motion/camera4.conf


##############################################################
# Camera config directory
# Any files ending in '.conf' in this directory will be read
# as a camera config file.
##############################################################

; camera_dir /etc/motion/conf.d

Testing

While testing it can be useful to use stream_port 8081 and point your browser at http://<your-pi-address>:8081 to see what the camera sees, but leaving it enabled all the time uses CPU and RAM that could reduce the quality of images and/or videos you capture and/or cause missed frames.

Enabling Motion

The second file to edit is /etc/default/motion. Change it to:

start_motion_daemon=yes

Then execute: sudo systemctl restart motion

Automatically copy the files to server

Using tool called rclone the same method can be used for any server (including but not limited to: a local web server, a web server on a VPS, Microsoft OneDrive, or Google Drive), the only part that changes is the initial configuration for rclone to access the backend (server/service).

Using a script and Motion hook to copy files

If you copy one of the copymotion scripts in the following sections as /usr/local/bin/copymotion and add the configuration in this section to /etc/motion/motion.conf changed files will be copied to the location specified in the script when a picture is created or a movie has been written fully to disk.

Configuration additions to /etc/motion/motion.conf for autocopy

on_picture_save copymotion
on_movie_end copymotion

Configuring rclone

To configure rclone you need to create a ‘remote’ for each server to which you will be copying the files. To do that for the motion user, execute sudo -H -u motion rclone config and enter the appropriate information at the prompts.

Configuring the server and copying

Serving the files

We don’t cover that here as there are plenty of guides for each type of server above.