topic Re: Essential Wireless Doorbell and 2nd Gen Camera not recording in Arlo Essential Outdoor 2nd Gen

Essential Wireless Doorbell and 2nd Gen Camera not recording

ptannie — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 00:53:30 GMT

I've had 3 Pro 2 cameras since 2018 and have been happy with only 7 days of recordings, no service plan. I just added an Essential 2nd Gen camera and doorbell camera. There was a trial plan to capture 30 days of recordings. Since the trial lapsed, I am only getting the 7 days recordings on my 3 old cameras and none on the new Essential camera or doorbell. They do notify me of motion, but no recordings. Is this "normal" behavior? Was the trial period so I wouldn't catch on that these new cameras don't include the basic functionality of the old cameras or am I missing some setting?

Re: Essential Wireless Doorbell and 2nd Gen Camera not recording

StephenB — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 11:16:36 GMT

@ptannie wrote:

Since the trial lapsed, I am only getting the 7 days recordings on my 3 old cameras and none on the new Essential camera or doorbell. They do notify me of motion, but no recordings. Is this "normal" behavior?

Yes. Arlo stopped offering free 7-day cloud recording on new camera models back in 2018, and all currently sold cameras require a subscription to get any cloud recording.

@ptannie wrote:

Was the trial period so I wouldn't catch on that these new cameras don't include the basic functionality of the old cameras?

Well, there is text on the packaging, on Arlo's store site, and most other on-line stores that talks about the need for a subscription. It's not always as prominent as I would like, but it is there.

Some more details are here:

https://kb.arlo.com/000062312/What-options-will-I-have-when-the-Arlo-trial-ends

Though one thing missing from the article above - access to Arlo support also requires a subscription (or cameras under warranty).

Re: Essential Wireless Doorbell and 2nd Gen Camera not recording

ptannie — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 16:02:11 GMT

Thank you for your reply - had I asked earlier I'd have saved hours of searching and tinkering.

This is very disappointing. I had recommended Arlo to others, but can do that no longer.