subscription versus base station

freer — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 05:24:33 GMT

i have 2 essential cameras and doorbell and i am looking to add 3 more cameras

i currently have a subscription that allows me to track the cameras/doorbell on my phone app but its getting expensive with the more devices i add

is a base station cheaper to use but still allows most if not all of the functionality i currently have ?

Re: subscription versus base station

StephenB — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 13:38:52 GMT

@freer wrote:

is a base station cheaper to use but still allows most if not all of the functionality i currently have ?

You'd need a VMB4540 or VMB5000 to get direct access to local storage. List price for the (less expensive) VMB4540 in the US is $99.

Two individual camera subscriptions in the US cost about $10/month in the US, the unlimited camera subscription is $13/month. The delta is a bit less if you pay annually. So the payback period on switching to a smarthub is about 3 years (longer if annual payments). IMO not the best choice, as the experience isn't very good.

Limitations include

recordings only available from the app (not the browser)
recordings only available to the primary account (not friend accounts)
no ability to make manual recordings or take snapshots
no thumbnails, everything needs to be downloaded to the phone to view
remote access requires router setting changes that some find difficult (and which won't work with some internet service providers)

Plus you lose activity zones and smart notifications.

topic subscription versus base station in Arlo Essential Wire-Free Cameras

subscription versus base station

Re: subscription versus base station