Are Essential Outdoor 2nd Gen compatible with SmartHub VMB4000?

[abcdefghij]

I am looking at adding Arlo Essential Outdoor 2nd Gen cameras to an existing system which has a SmartHub VMB4000.  Are these compatible?

My first internet search brought me here:

https://www.arlo.com/en_be/support/faq/000062420/Can-I-connect-my-Arlo-Essential-wire-free-camera-to...

Which states:

"Yes. You can connect your Arlo Essential wire-free camera to a VMB5000, VMB4540, VMB4500, or VMB4000 SmartHub or base station."

However this KB article says no:

https://kb.arlo.com/000062284/What-is-the-difference-between-each-Arlo-SmartHub-and-base-station

"The following devices are unable to pair directly with Arlo SmartHubs or Arlo Base Stations:

...

• Arlo Essential Outdoor Camera HD (2nd Generation)
• Arlo Essential Outdoor Camera 2K (2nd Generation)"

Does anyone know what the correct answer is?

Thanks,

Aaron

[JamesC]

The first knowledge base article you've linked is referring to 1st generation Essential devices. 2nd generation devices are not yet compatible with base stations/SmartHubs. This compatibility will be coming in a future firmware release.

JamesC

[abcdefghij]

@JamesC Thanks for clearing that up.  It would be nice if those articles included model numbers so we knew exactly what they are referring to.

[Nathanlp0]

Is there an announced ETA on this update? I’m seeing forums that go back several months discussing this but can’t find an ETA. I bought Arlo specifically for HomeKit integration, and if it’s not possible I will likely return.

[DPit]

Hi, I fell into the same trap by the misguiding article. Happy not to return the cameras if the firmware update is released soon. Do you have an ETA of the release? Otherwise how do you get a refund for the cameras because they become useless? Disappointing Arlo tries to milk existing loyal customers for subscription fees. If they don’t connect to a base station they should not be sold. Thanks 

[JamesC]

While I do not have an exact release date at this time or Base Station/SmartHub and HomeKit compatibility, we do plan to make an announcement about these integrations later this year. Once we have more information available, we will provide an update here on the community and on arlo.com about these features.

JamesC

[DKS1020]

Arlo,

YOU MUST provide a date as to when your Essential Outdoor Cam 2nd Gen will be able to connect and record locally to base station or smart hub!

This is 2024! Why didn’t you make this a part of the hardware configuration to begin with?

WE EXPECT ANSWERS NOW!

[ferdzilao]

Can we just return this ARLO Essential crap? They won’t connect to my base station either

[DavidVisalia]

Essentials should have never been sold.  The ridiculously small solar

 panel plus inability to connect to  a base station is totally frustrating.  Animal traffic drains the battery overnight.  This will be my last Arlo purchase if not fixed soon.  
I thought I was upgrading.  Totally frustrated and disappointed.

[DavidVisalia]

Can’t happen soon enough.  Essentials are garbage.  My high speed internet is being adversely affected plus  need to be careful where to place them

[Mthompson]

Why would you sell these without a warning on compatibility issues. I just purchased the 3 camera solar kit and was setting this up when I came across this.  If you can’t provide a date on this update I will be returning this kit for a refund. I am very disappointed with Arlo. 

[JamesC · Accepted solution]

Base Station/SmartHub compatibility is now available for Arlo 2nd generation devices. For those that already have your Arlo 2nd generation device onboarded, you will need to remove the device from your Arlo account and re-onboard to see the option to sync with your Base Station/SmartHub. The following firmware or newer is required for this integration.

Compatibility list:
Arlo Essential 2nd Generation Outdoor - VMC2050, VMC2052 – Firmware: 1.5.0_1048_85f53f3 
Arlo Essential 2nd Generation Outdoor 2K - VMC3050, VMC3052– Firmware: 1.5.0_1048_85f53f3
Arlo Essential 2nd Generation Indoor - VMC2060 – Firmware: 1.5.0_1048_0e78ae4
Arlo Essential 2nd Generation Indoor 2K - VMC3060 – Firmware: 1.5.0_1048_0e78ae4
Arlo Video Doorbell 2nd Generation - AVD3001 / AVD4001 – Firmware: 1.5.0_1059_eb10395

Compatible Base Station/SmartHub:
Base Station VMB4000 – Firmware: 1.25.0.1_4591_0201bb2
Base Station VMB4500 – Firmware: 1.25.0.1_4541_0201bb2
SmartHub VMB4540 – Firmware: 1.25.0.1_1680_0201bb2
SmartHub VMB5000 – Firmware:  1.25.0.1_1762_0201bb2

[RudyTo]

Does this update apply to all of your current cameras or just the Essential series?

[StephenB]

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@RudyTo wrote:

Does this update apply to all of your current cameras or just the Essential series?

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Are you asking what cameras don't support a base?

Or are you asking whether the base station firmware will be rolled out to everyone???

[RudyTo]

I am assuming that it is rolled out to everybody and that there are instructions somewhere as to how to update my VMB4000.  A link would be nice to have.

I am in the market to upgrade my cameras and would like to know if I am limited to the Essential series or will the Pro and Ultra cameras also work if I do this update.

[StephenB]

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@RudyTo wrote:

I am in the market to upgrade my cameras and would like to know if I am limited to the Essential series or will the Pro and Ultra cameras also work if I do this update.

---

Pro and Ultra cameras can already be added to your base station, and the firmware update doesn't change that.

Also, firmware updates are not optional.  Arlo updates firmware for you, whether you use the "Firmware update" control in the app or not.  So there is no way to prevent your base from getting the update.

[RudyTo]

thank you

[Aurorus2014]

Ok, thats good to know. Will try it now