topic Re: 4k Vs HD streaming in Arlo Secure

4k Vs HD streaming

Edinburgh_lad1 — Sun, 28 Dec 2025 22:09:46 GMT

I was wondering if you @JamesC would please clarify something for me: I recently came across this information (see screenshot below) while browsing through Arlo's new cameras on Amazon UK and wondered which cameras stream in HD as opposed to 4k when no subscription is active. (This info, by the way, was posted for a camera that doesn't stream in 4k at all, unless it does in HD in general and is sold as an HD camera, but thanks to subscription, it upscales the footage to 4k.)

The reason I'm asking is because when I bought my Ultra, the packaging that I still have doesn't mention that I need to have a subscription to stream 4k.

Can you also confirm that even though I have no subscription, my Ultras still stream in 4k, rather than the label just showing as 4k?

Re: 4k Vs HD streaming

JamesC — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 19:19:08 GMT

You can find the 4K live streaming requirements here: https://kb.arlo.com/000062127/How-do-I-stream-in-4K-with-my-Arlo-Ultra-series-camera

If you see the 4K badge when live streaming, that means your stream is local and in 4K. This doesn't require a subscription.

JamesC

Re: 4k Vs HD streaming

StephenB — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:23:05 GMT

@JamesC wrote:

If you see the 4K badge when live streaming, that means your stream is local and in 4K. This doesn't require a subscription.

The problem @Edinburgh_lad1 is raising is that his screenshot says it DOES require a subscription.

Re: 4k Vs HD streaming

Edinburgh_lad1 — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 10:06:45 GMT

@JamesC thank you, but in light with what @StephenB said: does it or does it not?

Here's the link to where I found it (penultimate screen):

(NB: the link will take you to Amazon UK, so if you're opening this link on your phone and using the Amazon app, probably a good idea to right click and open it in a new tab in Firefox or Chrome or something. Otherwise your Amazon app will default to UK and British pound.)

Deal: Arlo Essential 3 HD 360º Pan-Tilt-Zoom Video Security Camera Outdoor, Wired Home Camera With Colour Night Vision, Spotlight, Siren, 2 Way Audio, Arlo Secure Trial Included, 2 Cameras, White https://amzn.eu/d/3fG7zkP

Obviously the graphic was done by Arlo and not Amazon, so either it's a mistake (if so, a very strange and suspicious one) or there is a plan to introduce a subscription to stream in 4k but it's not been announced yet.

Or that in the UK, these cameras are sold/marketed as HD, but effectively they're 2k like in the US, which is what the subscription enables, and so, it should say 2k in the graphic. In other words, without a subscription, they're a 'crippled' version of the 2k camera, which is one way of looking at things.

I can't think of anything else and the above is speculation, so best if we hear it from the horse's mouth. Would you, @JamesC , therefore please elaborate/clarify? Thank you