topic Re: Skipping subscription in Arlo Pro 2

Skipping subscription

Retired_Member — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 16:06:32 GMT

Someone stated adding a SD card to the base station. This is not possible as there is not a port in this device.

Is there a way to bypass paying for a subscription when service sucks and so does support?

Re: Skipping subscription

StephenB — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 17:26:17 GMT

@Retired_Member wrote:

Someone stated adding a SD card to the base station.

What base station do you have? (look for a VMBxxxx label on the base).

Re: Skipping subscription

Retired_Member — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 21:39:59 GMT

Pro Base Station Single-LED VMB4500

Re: Skipping subscription

StephenB — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 11:09:03 GMT

@Retired_Member wrote:

Pro Base Station Single-LED VMB4500

The VMB5000 is the only base/smarthub with an SD slot. The VMB4xxx models support USB storage instead.

But the only models that offer direct access to local storage are the VMB4540 and VMB5000 smarthubs. The VMB4000 and VMB4500 require you to eject the USB storage and connect it to a PC for viewing.

If you are thinking you want to upgrade the base, there are several limitations in the direct access to local storage feature:

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

You'd also lose other subscription features (such as activity zones and smart notifications).