Arlo essential cameras

[sbierwiler]

are arlo essential free cameras able to connect to a base unit instead of using a subscription to get recordings? If yes, what base unit would i need?

[StephenB]

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@sbierwiler wrote:

are arlo essential free cameras able to connect to a base unit instead of using a subscription to get recordings? If yes, what base unit would i need?

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You can connect them to a VMB4540 or VMB5000 smarthub and add a USB stick (VMB4540) or microSD card (VMB5000).  Those are the two bases with direct access to local storage.

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

Although many here use this instead of a subscription, IMO the user experience isn't very good.  Limitations include

• recordings are only available from the app (not my.arlo.com)
• recordings are only available using the primary account (not friend accounts)
• no ability to make manual recordings or snapshots
• no thumbnails, so videos need to be downloaded to the phone to view
• remote access requires router setting changes that some find difficult (and which won't work with some internet service providers).

Of course, you lose other subscription features like activity zones and smart notifications