topic Re: technical question before buying in Arlo Pro 5S 2K

technical question before buying

Just-someone — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:06:01 GMT

Hello everyone

i have many question for the arlo pro 5s camera

1) how many mega pixel the camera has
2) how much lumen does the led of the camera has?
3) can i connect the camera with power source (not solar panel) would that make difference to the lumen of the led
4) can i make the led turn only when it detect motion
5)how long battery last for full single charge (i know that also depend on how many motion detection fire event to and make record ) ? if there some estimation like if camera record 1 hour per day it will make battery live for 2 days that would be helpfull

6) do i get notification when the battery about to be dead (dead mean need to charge or/and need to be replaced )
7) let say i buy certain model for how long i will still get support (firmware update) and be able to get replacement if i needed to (battery for example) if it depend on series then is there some link that has those info
8 ) does the camera has built in storage or not and if yes how much does it have
9) does it support memory card and which type and how much storage
10) is there any tech detail page for Arlo Pro Smart Hub like does it has some kind of storage and which type and amount it can hold

11) does the camera need to connect to the hub directly or it can connect to my wifi which also hub connected to it too
12) could someone provide me with an image from the camera for it's night view and how it compared to
13) how many user can view the same camera simultaneous
14) what the meaning of Single Motion Detector and double motion detector
15) does the motion detection detect animal movement so it can ignore them and not record that even without subscription
16) do i get notification on my phone app when motion detection detect something without subscription
17) does all the connection end to end encrypted (camera to wifi / wifi to hub / mobile app to camera and so on)

what is the difference between pro 5s and Wireless Floodlight

any tips for position a solar panel would be great

sorry for long post and thanks for your time and have a nice day 🙂

Re: technical question before buying

StephenB — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 20:09:47 GMT

@Just-someone wrote:

what is the difference between pro 5s and Wireless Floodlight

They are completely different, as you can see by just looking at them. The camera itself is similar, the big difference is that the Pro 5s has no floodlight. The floodlight can deliver 3000 lumens when AC powered, and 2000 lumens on battery power. Much more light than the integrated spotlight in the Pro 5s.

@Just-someone wrote:
1) how many mega pixel the camera has

2K (2560 x 1440) So about 3.7 megapixels.

@Just-someone wrote:

2) how much lumen does the led of the camera has?

Arlo doesn't spec the lumens of the integrated spotlight. I've seen one review ("Tom's Guide") that says it is 100 lumens, but I have no idea where they got that information.

@Just-someone wrote:

3) can i connect the camera with power source (not solar panel) would that make difference to the lumen of the led

Arlo sells an outdoor charger that you can use. That does not change the spotlight brightness. It does enable the "foresight" (pre-roll) feature.

https://kb.arlo.com/000062053/How-does-the-Foresight-feature-work-on-my-Arlo-camera

@Just-someone wrote:

4) can i make the led turn only when it detect motion

That is the default. You cannot set the camera to leave the light on all the time. You can turn off the spotlight, and instead use infrared (nightvision) when it is dark. This turns on different Infrared Leds when motion is detected.

@Just-someone wrote:

8 ) does the camera has built in storage or not and if yes how much does it have
9) does it support memory card and which type and how much storage

No storage, and no memory card in the camera.

@Just-someone wrote:

10) is there any tech detail page for Arlo Pro Smart Hub like does it has some kind of storage and which type and amount it can hold

11) does the camera need to connect to the hub directly or it can connect to my wifi which also hub connected to it too

No tech details.

The VMB4540 is 2.4 ghz wifi, and supports USB storage (best to use a thumb drive). Capacity is between 16 gb and 2 TB - I normally suggest something in the 128-512 GB range. Even 128 GB can hold a lot of recordings.

The VMB5000 is dual band wifi - it has no USB connections, but instead has a microSD slot on the bottom. Capacity is the same, though several folks have had problems using 1 TB and bigger microSD cards. (A lot of cards in that size range are scams, which might account for it).

Either way, the smarthub is connected to your home network using ethernet. Range is similar to a standalone router. Multiple smarthub do not form a mesh network; instead cameras are connected to a specific hub when you install them. The smarthub wifi is closed - only the cameras can connect to it.

While the Pro 5s cameras can be connected directly to your home network, the smarthub is only used for cameras that are connected to it's closed wifi.

While you can access local recordings from the app, there are a lot of limitations. The subscription offers a much better user experience. Personally I do have a subscription, but also have local storage set up as a backup. Follow up on this if you are planning to use local storage instead of a subscription.

@Just-someone wrote:

13) how many user can view the same camera simultaneous

Only one livestream from the camera at a time.

@Just-someone wrote:

14) what the meaning of Single Motion Detector and double motion detector

Motion detection is done with a passive infrared (PIR) detector, not from the camera video.

https://learn.adafruit.com/pir-passive-infrared-proximity-motion-sensor/how-pirs-work

Most Arlo cameras have one PIR sensor on the camera face. The Ultra has two - likely because it has a wider field of view than the other Arlo cameras. FWIW, I haven't noticed better motion detection performance from the Ultra than my other Arlo cameras.

Some info on range is here:

https://kb.arlo.com/000062617/How-far-away-can-Arlo-Cameras-and-Arlo-Video-Doorbells-detect-motion

FWIW, my cameras will sometimes detect objects further away (particularly emergency vehicles). And the motion detection isn't perfect - you will find it sometimes misses things.

@Just-someone wrote:

15) does the motion detection detect animal movement so it can ignore them and not record that even without subscription
16) do i get notification on my phone app when motion detection detect something without subscription

Motion notifications do not require a subscription.

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

Object classification is done in the cloud, not the camera - and does require a subscription. There are three tiers

Filtered Detection
Object Detection (generic)
Recognition (recognizing a specific person or vehicle) and custom detection (training your own AI detection)

Person Recognition isn't available everywhere (in some places it is illegal).

@Just-someone wrote:

17) does all the connection end to end encrypted (camera to wifi / wifi to hub / mobile app to camera and so on)

Arlo doesn't give a lot of specific details on encryption, and honestly I wish they'd say a bit more. They do say that cloud recordings are encrypted ("at rest"), and that connections are encrypted with 256 bit AES.

https://kb.arlo.com/3003/How-does-Arlo-keep-my-videos-private-and-secure-in-the-cloud

However, it is not end-to-end encrypted. By definition, end-to-end encryption means that that Arlo's cloud (and personnel) cannot decrypt the video. Arlo's cloud decrypts the video in order to process activity zones and the AI features. Also, Arlo will turn over your recordings to law enforcement (with a warrant), so they clearly can decrypt the recordings also.

@Just-someone wrote:

any tips for position a solar panel would be great

My main advice on camera positioning is to put the cameras where you can reach them. While this does increase the possibility of theft, it also is a lot safer (particularly in the winter!). Also, motion detection range is fairly short, and if you put the cameras too high you will end up with using up a lot of that range just to reach the ground.

Obviously you want the panel to get as much direct sun as possible. I have one camera (an Ultra) connected to a panel. I still do need to sometimes charge that camera, as there are times of the year when it is shaded, and the camera won't charge when it is below freezing. I got the XL upgrade for that camera, and that does a big difference in how often I need to charge it.

Re: technical question before buying

Just-someone — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 22:23:58 GMT

thanks a lot @StephenB

Arlo doesn't spec the lumens of the integrated spotlight. I've seen one review ("Tom's Guide") that says it is 100 lumens, but I have no idea where they got that information.

that will give small range for true colored image

While the Pro 5s cameras can be connected directly to your home network, the smarthub is only used for cameras that are connected to it's closed wifi.

just to make sure i got it that to be able to do local record i need the camera to connect directly to the smarthub ?am i right?
if yes that mean i will need hub for each camera or at most per 2 camera cause i do not think that hub internal wifi antena could cover the building with that thick wall

Only one livestream from the camera at a time.

what about have the app installed on 2 phone would both of them get notification or only one also and can more than one see the record (not live view) or also single user

FWIW, my cameras will sometimes detect objects further away (particularly emergency vehicles). And the motion detection isn't perfect - you will find it sometimes misses things.

does wired camera even not arlo provide more range for motion detection as i will need to do some work to pick the write place based on motion detection range and also for camera safety and wifi range

thanks again for your help and have a nice day 🙂

Re: technical question before buying

StephenB — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 01:25:29 GMT

@Just-someone wrote:

so this one mean that i could use external storage like ssd storage right?

You could, but I recommend using a USB thumb drive.

@Just-someone wrote:

just to make sure i got it that to be able to do local record i need the camera to connect directly to the smarthub ?am i right?

if yes that mean i will need hub for each camera or at most per 2 camera cause i do not think that hub internal wifi antena could cover the building with that thick wall

Yes, the cameras need to be connected directly to the smarthubs.

Hard to say how smarthubs you need. I need two myself. Do you have a mesh system now? Or do you have an traditional router?

@Just-someone wrote:

what about have the app installed on 2 phone would both of them get notification or only one also and can more than one see the record (not live view) or also single user

Both phones get notifications and both can access the recordings.

For local storage, both can access the recordings if you use the same account credentials on both phones.

@Just-someone wrote:

does wired camera even not arlo provide more range for motion detection as i will need to do some work to pick the write place based on motion detection range and also for camera safety and wifi range

The indoor cameras use pixel detection, so they have a longer motion detection range (Arlo says 50 feet).. But aiming them through a window does have drawbacks.

The wired floodlight has a somewhat longer range (Arlo says 30 feet). You need to connect it to a circular outlet box (4" diameter), which might require hiring an electrician. That was just released, and Arlo hasn't rolled out smarthub support for it yet. So you'd need a subscription until they add that feature. That could take a year or maybe even longer.

Re: technical question before buying

alex_loo — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 05:22:56 GMT

@StephenB wrote:
@Just-someone wrote:

10) is there any tech detail page for Arlo Pro Smart Hub like does it has some kind of storage and which type and amount it can hold
11) does the camera need to connect to the hub directly or it can connect to my wifi which also hub connected to it too
The VMB5000 is dual band wifi - it has no USB connections, but instead has a microSD slot on the bottom. Capacity is the same, though several folks have had problems using 1 TB and bigger microSD cards. (A lot of cards in that size range are scams, which might account for it).

Either way, the smarthub is connected to your home network using ethernet. Range is similar to a standalone router. Multiple smarthub do not form a mesh network; instead cameras are connected to a specific hub when you install them. The smarthub wifi is closed - only the cameras can connect to it.

While the Pro 5s cameras can be connected directly to your home network, the smarthub is only used for cameras that are connected to it's closed wifi.

Question from an ultra2-only user (ie with smart hub VMB5000) without subscription:

Given pro 5s "can be connected directly to home network", can it also be connected to a smart hub?
1 day if I am buying a pro 5s camera ....
- will it connect to my smart hub, or my home WIFI?
- under the context of no subscription, is local storage still feasible? How?

Thanks.

Alex

Re: technical question before buying

StephenB — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 12:19:32 GMT

@alex_loo wrote:
Given pro 5s "can be connected directly to home network", can it also be connected to a smart hub?

Yes, it can be connected to a smarthub instead of your home wifi. So you can use local storage w/o a subscription.

Re: technical question before buying

jguerdat — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 14:54:38 GMT

FYI, the specs section of the Pro5s 2k can be found here near the bottom of the page:

https://www.arlo.com/en-us/cameras/pro/arlo-pro-5.html

The spotlight output is listed as:

Floodlight/Spotlight

Spotlight, 6200K 25Lux@1M

Re: technical question before buying

StephenB — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 15:41:38 GMT

@jguerdat wrote:

Floodlight/Spotlight

Spotlight, 6200K 25Lux@1M

Good catch. Interesting that the Gen 2 2K is 42Lux.

This one is also interesting, I don't recall seeing it in previous specs:

Motion Detection

Single motion detector, 130° horizontal

The Ultra says 150°, other specs don't include the degrees that that sensor covers.

@JamesC - is there a reason why these aren't on the datasheet?

https://downloads.arlo.com/en-us/support/docs/arlopro5/Arlo_Pro5S_DS_TM_191022.pdf

FWIW, I'd like to see more consistency in what is included in these specs.

Re: technical question before buying

Just-someone — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 18:41:25 GMT

thanks again @StephenB

You could, but I recommend using a USB thumb drive.

could i get wider reason for why is there some issue/restriction if i used external storage hdd/ssd

Do you have a mesh system now? Or do you have an traditional router?
i did not built the network yet so all option is available ofcourse i can get mesh system if that would help
do you mean that i can connect hub to mesh or do you mean something else
fell free to give any idea or thought

just for the record i am also consider to use wired system but it will be different brand
here is the story
one of my relative in egypt need camera for his house so i am trying to give him 2 option
1) wired solution but from brand that sell in egypt cause of electricty requirement and the infrastructure required
2) wireless it does not make differeance as i see many support 110/240 v
3) i still need to build the wifi system to cover the house
4) still need to make sure the wifi signal is over 70 % on where the camera will be

extra question

do i need static real ip (in egypt isp give dynamic ip) so each time router restarted i get new one

thanks @jguerdat

Floodlight/Spotlight

Spotlight, 6200K 25Lux@1M

i have no idea what 6200k mean but for 25lux@1m if i understand it correctly and based on that site
https://www.rapidtables.com/calc/light/lux-to-lumen-calculator.html

25 lux for 1 meter give 314 lumen am i correct

thanks again both of you and have a nice day everyone 🙂

Re: technical question before buying

StephenB — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 19:45:08 GMT

@Just-someone wrote:

You could, but I recommend using a USB thumb drive.

could i get wider reason for why is there some issue/restriction if i used external storage hdd/ssd

The USB port only delivers USB-2 power (5 volts @ 500ma, or 2.5 watts). So most external hdd/ssd would need to be separately powered. Drives can easily be accidentally disconnected (either power or the USB connection), and if that happens the drive often has to be moved to a PC and be "repaired" before it is writable again.

USB thumb drives have more than enough storage, and IMO are more practical.

@Just-someone wrote:

i did not built the network yet so all option is available ofcourse i can get mesh system if that would help
do you mean that i can connect hub to mesh or do you mean something else

I was thinking that if there were a traditional router in place now, you could measure the wifi speed at the camera locations and get a better idea on how many base stations you need.

If you do need multiple bases, then you will have to get ethernet to each. A mesh with ethernet ports on each mesh element would make that quite easy. You could connect a base to any of those mesh elements.

@Just-someone wrote:

do i need static real ip (in egypt isp give dynamic ip) so each time router restarted i get new one

a dynamic IP is fine.

If the ISP uses CGNAT (carrier grade NAT), then remote access to local recordings could be a problem. Sometimes ISPs who deploy CGNAT can turn it off if you ask.

@Just-someone wrote:

i have no idea what 6200k mean

It's the color temperature of the spotlight. 6200K is a blue-white color.

@Just-someone wrote:

if i understand it correctly and based on that site
https://www.rapidtables.com/calc/light/lux-to-lumen-calculator.html

25 lux for 1 meter give 314 lumen am i correct

That is what the calculator shows, but I don't know if the LED's dispersion is the same in all directions.

If it's not enough light, you could add additional lighting to the area it is covering. This could be visible light, or an IR light (setting the camera up to use IR recording after dark).

@Just-someone wrote:

one of my relative in egypt need camera for his house so i am trying to give him 2 option
1) wired solution but from brand that sell in egypt cause of electricty requirement and the infrastructure required
2) wireless it does not make differeance as i see many support 110/240 v
3) i still need to build the wifi system to cover the house
4) still need to make sure the wifi signal is over 70 % on where the camera will be

Good to have the context. Arlo does not offer subscriptions in Egypt. You probably should find out if there are any legal restrictions on video recording and AI subscription features in Egypt before you go with Arlo. You can work around the subscription issue by creating the account in the US, and using a US payment method. The equipment could be installed to that account either in the US or later on in Egypt.

If you get Arlo's wired floodlight (just released), then you would need to get the 240 volt version. The US 110v version won't work on 240v.

The wireless cameras and smarthubs are all 110/240 volt, though you would want Europlugs for Egypt.

As far as wifi goes, the cameras need a solid connection with a 2 mbps upload speed. (3 mbps for the Ultra models).

@Just-someone wrote:

just for the record i am also consider to use wired system but it will be different brand

Arlo only sells wifi-connected cameras.

PoE cameras are (as you likely know) more expensive to install. One benefit of PoE cameras is that they can't be jammed with a wifi jammer. They often will capture video at higher bitrates than a WiFi camera, so the video would be higher quality. PoE and an NVR can also record continuously, and aren't dependent on internet service.

On the other hand, wifi cameras are easier to install, tend to be less expensive, and also can be moved around if needed.

Re: technical question before buying

Just-someone — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 20:23:02 GMT

thanks a lot @StephenB and sorry for long and multiquestion and have a nice day 🙂

Re: technical question before buying

alex_loo — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 23:51:27 GMT

@StephenB wrote:
@alex_loo wrote:
Given pro 5s "can be connected directly to home network", can it also be connected to a smart hub?

Yes, it can be connected to a smarthub instead of your home wifi. So you can use local storage w/o a subscription.

great thanks my dear expert @StephenB

Alex