A system and method for monitoring moving objects in a video system. The system includes at least one video camera; and at least one motion detector. The motion detector may include a lens having a field of view fixedly directed to an area of interest, and an imager for receiving an image through the lens and converting the image to video data. The motion detector may be configured to monitor the video data for movement of an object in the field of view and provide a detector output in response to the movement of the object. The detector output may be configured to cause adjustment of at least one operating characteristic of the video camera to target the camera on the object. A motion detector and methods of monitoring a multiplicity of moving objects are also provided.