Arlo Essential use on boat.

[TheHammer]

Hi all,

I'm thinking on installing a camera (Essential) on my boat for 2 reasons. First to see if anyone is taking my stuff, the second is to monitor the back deck while in operation.

I have a 4g wifi router onboard, so for the first item I will be able to get video, notifications etc. How is the average data usage for this camera? Will the arlo Go use less?

For the second point, will all the video have to go via the internet and back? Or can the video go directly to my mobile device while connected to the same wifi?

I hope to save both data usage and video lag.

I have Pro3 at my house and they have a minimum 5 second lag, which is a bit to much for live viewing.

Thanks for the assistance,

[jguerdat]

1) The Go may use less since it's lower resolutionn but you can set the Essential to match. I'd then expect the usage to be virtually the same.

2) Recordings are all cloud-based so, yes, use of the Internet in both directions. Not sure if live view can be local-only - some can, some can't.

[TheHammer]

Thanks for the reply.

1) I agree and I think we can close this.

2) Agree on recordings, and have no issues with that part. As you say, some can't, some can: how can I find out if local live view is via internet for this cam?

Thanks again,

[jguerdat]

It's my understanding that use of 2k or 4k live view is available on the local network. I don't think 1080p or lower allows this. @JamesC  can you verify?

[JamesC]

An internet connection is required to initiate a live stream regardless of resolution.

JamesC

[TheHammer]

Hi JamesC,

I will have an 4g wifi router on at all times, so both the camera and smart device will be connected to internet.

Will I then be able to do a local play back? Any settings or just automatic?

I'm trying to avoid a base station since that needs continus power. I Only have 12v battery system onboard.

Thanks for the answers so far.

[jguerdat]

Since the router also requires power, aren't you worried about the same power draw? Yes, it's another source of battery drain so upgrading the battery (or adding additional ones) may be needed.

[StephenB · Accepted solution]

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@TheHammer wrote:

Will I then be able to do a local play back? Any settings or just automatic?

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There are no settings.  Play back of recordings would always be from the cloud (since they are stored there when you don't have a base) - so that is never local. 

With a Smarthub base, you could configure direct access to local storage, which would allow you to access recordings locally while on the boat.  I haven't measured power cost recently, but I think it is about 7 watts (which is typical for a router/access point kind of product).

Not sure about live streaming - my understanding is that the app will try to do that locally if it can, and via the cloud if it can't.  But that could be wrong.  And either way, the app itself needs a cloud connection to function - the only question here is how much media flows over that connection.

How much live streaming are you thinking of doing when you are actually on the boat?

[TheHammer]

Thanks for the comments. The issue is more on 12 volt vs any other volt required by the base station. The current draw can be calculated and added in the maintenance plan. I have 500ah with batteries.

The router is a 12v marine low power version so that is easier.

[TheHammer]

Sorry, I used the word play back incorrectly. I ment live viewing.

I dont know the amount of time this will be used, but it was also to avoid the lag.

I think I will conclude my question with: I will try, and if the lag, data usage or power draw is not accaptable I will add it to my home cameras.

Thanks for the assistance.

[StephenB]

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@TheHammer wrote:
Thanks for the comments. The issue is more on 12 volt vs any other volt required by the base station. The current draw can be calculated and added in the maintenance plan. I have 500ah with batteries.

The router is a 12v marine low power version so that is easier.

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I am still wondering how much local vs internet livestreaming matters.  You can only use local when you are actually on the boat and connected to your router wifi, otherwise the livestreaming is over the internet  It seems unlikely that you'd actually need to do a lot of livestreaming while on board.

[TheHammer]

The live streaming is for observing the back deck from helm position. Cant see backdeck from the helm seat.

To see where people are moving, seeing the dock etc.

So if this solution have to much lag I have to invest in a Garmin camera (1000usd inc install).

I need a arlo type cam anyway for security at night (its intended use).

Thanks again,

[StephenB]

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@TheHammer wrote:
The live streaming is for observing the back deck from helm position. Cant see backdeck from the helm seat.

To see where people are moving, seeing the dock etc.

So if this solution have too much lag

Lag is in seconds - not milliseconds - and it varies.  So does time to start the live stream. 

I wouldn't recommend using Arlo cameras for anything where you need consistent and low latency.