2nd Generation Essential Camera not working on base station

[kb9hgi]

I have a 2nd Generation Essential Camera and a VMB 4000 base station. My firmware has been updated so the camera will work on my base station but guess what? It still does not work. When I go into the app and choose Hub/Base station it finds my VMB4000 but will not connect the camera. It says Camera failed to connect and it sitting right here in sync mode. Also tells me Error Code 65535. Now if I try to connect it to wifi it will find it easy and work. I want it connected to my base station!

[BrookeN]

Can I have you please do a hardware reset. Press and hold the sync button on top of the camera for about 15 seconds or until the LED flashes amber three times and then let go of the reset. Wait for about 1 minute to complete the reset. Once that is completed try onboarding the camera again. Please make sure you are picking the Essential 2nd Gen and follow the set-up flow. Also, make sure your phone is connected to the local wifi network. Make sure the VPN and LTE are turned off.  The reset being done correctly is important so please make sure to do that correctly. 

[StephenB]

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@Brewster65 wrote:

Spent about 2 hours with technical support to find out the firmware for the VMB400 smart hub is not compatible with the Essential XL Outdoor cameras, even though the Arlo website indicates they are compatible. 

Support said I would either need to buy a plan or wait for the firmware update for the cameras and smart hub.

The VMB4000 is NOT a smarthub, and you will not be able to see videos in the app if you connect the XL camera to it.  Only the VMB4540 and VMB5000 hubs have the "direct access to local storage" feature.

• https://kb.arlo.com/000062337/What-is-Direct-Storage-Access-and-how-do-I-use-it

That said, it can take a long time for the firmware to roll out to all devices.  @BrookeN , @JamesC , @ShayneS - it is possible to schedule a push of the needed firmware to OP's cameras?

[Brewster65]

thanks StevenB for the info.

Seems the only difference between the VMB4540 and VMB5000 hubs are usb vs SD card for local storage.  Any other differences that you know of?

And if I install either VMB4540 or VMB5000 hubs I can connect my pro and essential XL cameras for local storage AND view the recorded videos on my app?

[StephenB]

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@Brewster65 wrote:

Seems the only difference between the VMB4540 and VMB5000 hubs are usb vs SD card for local storage.  Any other differences that you know of?

The VMB5000 is dual band ( 2.4 ghz / 5 ghz).  The VMB4540 is 2.4 ghz only.

IMO not a very important feature, since 2.4 ghz has a longer range than 5 ghz.

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@Brewster65 wrote:

And if I install either VMB4540 or VMB5000 hubs I can connect my pro and essential XL cameras for local storage AND view the recorded videos on my app?

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Yes, with limitations:

• Recordings can only be seen in the app (not the web browser)
• Recordings can only be seen from the primary account (not "friend" accounts).
• No thumbnails - everything needs to be downloaded to your phone before you can see anything
• No ability to take snapshots or manual recordings
• remote access requires router setting changes that many find difficult (and which don't work with some internet service providers).

[TJDR]

That's a disappointing list of key functions not available. I do hope it's a case of not being available yet, versus not being available ever, as otherwise it's not making a whole lot of sense to me as to why Arlo bothered to deliver hub connectivity support in the first place.

If the real strategy here is to sell subscriptions then it all makes more sense, but with Arlo's current sub pricing models and strategies, I regret more customers will be looking elsewhere. and not for the reasons people typically think.

[StephenB]

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@TJDR wrote:

That's a disappointing list of key functions not available. I do hope it's a case of not being available yet, versus not being available ever, 

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These limitations have been in place since 2018.  Personally I think that is a mistake on their part.

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@TJDR wrote:

If the real strategy here is to sell subscriptions then it all makes more sense

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Their business strategy is certainly centered on subscriptions.  IMO the focus on the Essential line over the past couple of years is part of that strategy - offering much less expensive hardware than the Pro and Ultra cameras.

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@TJDR wrote:

it's not making a whole lot of sense to me as to why Arlo bothered to deliver hub connectivity support in the first place.

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Despite the limitations, quite a few people posting here do use local storage w/o a subscription.