topic Re: Does the Arlo Video Doorbell count as a camera? in Arlo Video Doorbell

Does the Arlo Video Doorbell count as a camera?

Diana6515 — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 21:46:35 GMT

I have a free subscription, but already have 5 cameras (which I understand is the max for the free service). If I got the video doorbell would that count?

Re: Does the Arlo Video Doorbell count as a camera?

JamesC — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 22:17:39 GMT

Diana6515,

The Arlo Video Doorbell comes with a 3 months free trial of Arlo Smart, which enables users to store their videos in the cloud for up to 30 days. After the included 3-month trial of Arlo Smart, users can continue storing their videos in the cloud with a paid subscription, which they can view from anywhere through the Arlo App.

JamesC

Re: Does the Arlo Video Doorbell count as a camera?

martincc — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 14:20:19 GMT

If I read his question correctly, he is asking if the Arlo Video Doorbell will count as another camera on a subscription plan?

So for example if a customer already has 20 cameras maxing out his/her plan, then adds a new Arlo Video Doorbell, will this count as another camera driving the total to 21 cameras on their subscription plan? I think he's asking for clarification from Arlo.

Re: Does the Arlo Video Doorbell count as a camera?

StephenB — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 18:08:07 GMT

@martincc wrote:

If I read his question correctly, he is asking if the Arlo Video Doorbell will count as another camera on a subscription plan?

Or maybe he is thinking that adding the doorbell will mean his existing cameras would also need a subscription (since he'd be over the limit of 5 for the free account).

If that's the issue, then there is a workaround. You can create a second account for the doorbell, and then grant access to the existing cameras so they can be viewed and controlled from the new account.

Re: Does the Arlo Video Doorbell count as a camera?

Diana6515 — Sun, 24 Nov 2019 21:12:44 GMT

I might try this. Thank you for the suggestion!

Re: Does the Arlo Video Doorbell count as a camera?

DupuisUUU — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 17:07:23 GMT

I have a free subscription, but already have 5 cameras which I understand is the max for the free service.

Re: Does the Arlo Video Doorbell count as a camera?

Kevin_In_Ky — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 17:30:00 GMT

So the Arlo video doorbell camera is useless without a paid subscription?

I wish the marketing were more clear that Arlo Smart subscription is MANDITORY for the camera to work.

Re: Does the Arlo Video Doorbell count as a camera?

brh — Sat, 30 Nov 2019 13:31:53 GMT

After the Free 3 month trial, the doorbell will require a paid subscription to store the videos in the cloud regardless of the number of cameras on the Basic Free Plan. Currently there is no Local Storage, although that might change if Arlo can pair the doorbell to a hub.

Since Arlo went public and broke away from Netgear, it appears that all new products will require paid subscriptions.

Brian

Re: Does the Arlo Video Doorbell count as a camera?

Kevin_In_Ky — Sat, 30 Nov 2019 13:53:45 GMT

Thanks for confirming. I was just saying that I think they need to make it clear that the camera is pretty much worthless without a monthly subscription.

Re: Does the Arlo Video Doorbell count as a camera?

scirdan — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 14:24:05 GMT

I have arlo pro cameras (3) and i am paying $0 for 7 days rolling storage on those, if i by the video doorbell, and i want to continue to pay $0, what does the doorbell do? Can you look at any history at all? The nest hello lets you go back 3 hours for $0 monthly fee..

Re: Does the Arlo Video Doorbell count as a camera?

JamesC — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 17:28:45 GMT

scirdan,

Without an Arlo Smart subscription, Arlo Video Doorbell recordings will not be saved to the cloud. The Arlo Video Doorbell will still call your mobile device on button presses, send push notifications on motion detection and can be live streamed without a subscription.

JamesC

Re: Does the Arlo Video Doorbell count as a camera?

jchristophj — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 23:15:27 GMT

This has already been answered but for further clarification:

the Video Doorbell would not be counted as another camera. It's a standalone device that doesn't directly integrate with your existing Arlo system. It currently will not link to your existing base station but is connected directly to you home network
After the first three months, you're required to subscribe if you want stored videos for your Video Doorbell
The Basic plan (free 7 days of cloud storage) is no longer available to new setups.

It's really too bad Arlo has done away with The Basic Plan and that you can't link the doorbell to an existing base station. If I signed up for every subscription that has been advertised to me today I'd be broke. From streaming services to meal preparation, and monthly car wash subscriptions. I'm tired of everyone trying to nickle and dime me with all the subscription based pricing models.

I ended up taking my doorbell (and an additional camera) back the store. I may come around if I'm unable to find a suitable alternative for but for now....instead of Arlo getting $350 between doorbells and cameras they will get $0 - not to mention what I would have spent for a small business that currently uses Arlo cameras.

Re: Does the Arlo Video Doorbell count as a camera?

StephenB — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 12:17:58 GMT

@jchristophj wrote:

The Basic plan (free 7 days of cloud storage) is no longer available to new setups.

Not quite true. It's not available with the Pro 3, Ultra, or Video Doorbell - but it remains available for new purchasers of the old cameras. https://kb.arlo.com/88/What-are-the-available-Arlo-subscription-plans-and-how-much-cloud-recording-is-available

@jchristophj wrote:

If I signed up for every subscription that has been advertised to me today I'd be broke.

...

I'm tired of everyone trying to nickle and dime me with all the subscription based pricing models.

I get that. The dilemma for the businesses is that if they don't charge for their services, they eventually go broke. As the installed base grows, you reach a point where new sales profits aren't enough to cover the service costs.

Arlo's solution with the Pro-3 and Ultra is to provide free access to local storage - which actually will give you more storage than 7 days. Hopefully they will find a path to do that with the video doorbell.

Re: Does the Arlo Video Doorbell count as a camera?

martincc — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 15:11:08 GMT

As much as I at times start to feel like some Bull being tormented by these monthly subscription fees for so much (software by Adobe, cameras, etc.) I think back to why I bought Arlo cameras - it was because the Izon company, whose cameras I had installed before, went belly up. Izon used to offer nice little powered compact 720 res cameras and with free monitoring and storage. But, as I understand it, Izon went out of business because the volume of new sales could not sustain their expenses; I had actually posted a detailed review of Izon cameras (Amazon?) where I mentioned my concern about how a camera company can sustain growth, R&D, etc., especially as new cameras were starting to appear (including Arlo).

After Izon closed, and with not much advance notice, my study of the 'state of the art' in easily deploy-able cameras pointed me to install the original Arlo cameras - attracted again in part by the free monitoring of so many cameras.

Since then I was generally happy with the Arlo, Arlo Pro, Arlo Q, Arlo Pro 2 cameras - but was often frustrated by their at times asinine Customer Service. For much of 2019 I became downright angered by the problems caused by Arlo Technologies, Inc. software development (and worse, management's apparent lack of giving a damn): my browser Arlo devices screen still shows orange USB Drive icons flashing on the bottom right of several cameras, there remain problems with Flash when using browsers to access Arlo cameras (some help was found on this forum posted by users, though NOT even an acknowledgment of this from Arlo), video recording clipping or freezing the video tracks at about 14 seconds. Some signs Arlo management actually is hearing some of the complaints - my Geofencing seemed to be working better over the past day or two.

Re: Does the Arlo Video Doorbell count as a camera?

vancouver — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 03:10:01 GMT

Agree, its not very clear and I’m quite surprised that this unit was not designed to connect to the Arlo Hub, given that there cameras all require the hub. The hub allows for seven days of recording free. I think they are starting to focus on making money w the subscription plans and also think they just rushed this to get out before Christmas.

The RomeoBell seems like a product that does what is required w no subscription fee.

Re: Does the Arlo Video Doorbell count as a camera?

rmeintzer — Sat, 25 Jan 2020 16:09:17 GMT

So true! I was going to jump at this as the motion detection on my Sky Bell is really funky and I love my Arlo system with hub. So disappointing....and poorly advertised and promoted.

Re: Does the Arlo Video Doorbell count as a camera?

jealousblues — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 17:51:55 GMT

I understand paying for cloud based storage (though the entire reason I chose Arlo in the first place was because they HAD the best free storage. I would no longer consider them at all now) but to not allow local storage through the hub when previous cameras had that option is lame.

I know they dont want to make people buy hubs but at least let it connect. Its pathetic that their new cameras cant do this when the old technology can.

I will be looking at other options in the future for my cameras and will not be buying their doorbell.

I can at least SOME storage with their competitors.

Re: Does the Arlo Video Doorbell count as a camera?

JamesC — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 21:33:28 GMT

jealousblues,

The Arlo Engineering team is working on implementing compatibility between the Arlo Video Doorbell and select Arlo Smart Hubs and base-stations. Stay tuned for more details as we prepare to release more details surrounding this upcoming support in the coming months.

JamesC

Re: Does the Arlo Video Doorbell count as a camera?

Zzz555arlo — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 14:42:13 GMT

Keep developing! I understand challenges of market, free plan but love products.

Re: Does the Arlo Video Doorbell count as a camera?

-A- — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 17:06:10 GMT

I totally agree, I purchased this doorbell with the understanding that I would not have to buy the subscription. I probably would not of gotten it if I had known. I got it when it was first released and everything I could find at the time said free 7 day cloud storage.