Arlo Video Doorbell should have CVR plan

[Wb_1983]

The competition offers CVR for $1 more/month than Arlo Smart. The doorbell app doesn’t notify you quickly enough, record long enough, or connect quick enough. Unless someone actually rings the bell you will often miss details of who/what is on your porch. Being able to go back and review all the video is the only way this thing is worth keeping but for the cost of the CVR plan I could pay for the more expensive competition and their subscription and still come out on top. Am I missing something?

[jguerdat]

I can't be sure but I think it's due to the limited current capability of the doorbell transformer in your house. The power supplies for the other Arlo cameras have more current capability allowing CVR.

[Wb_1983]

It’s relatively easy to upgrade doorbell power for $20-$30 and you probably have to do it just to get the bell to work at all but even if you have the power you need to pay an extra $11/month for the subscription. Google it’s $5 for everything.

[jguerdat]

Do you really think the average consumer is going to upgrade their transformer? Yes, there are minimum requirements but, based on the conversations here, it isn't an issue very often.

As for cost, every company has a business plan. How that is applied depends on a lot of things, including what each plan coverrs. There may well be a good reason for the higher cost - or not.

[Wb_1983]

All I’m saying is if they want to compete with Nest then they need to have similar features. Hello has same power requirements and does CVR for $10 less/month. You may be invested in the Arlo echo system and willing to defend at all costs. I’m new and not so loyal. If anyone is trying to decide between the two then I hope they consider this.

[StephenB]

Obviously Arlo does need to stay competitive.  Cost definitely matters (and FWIW I also think the CVR service itself needs improvement).

The transformer theory sounds pretty speculative to me, and not something we can close on here anyway.  So I think it's off the topic.  Maybe we should stop debating that, and give people a chance to add kudos to the suggestion if they wish.

[JLondon]

On the same power system I've had a Ring and a Nest Hello. Both of these had CVR. So I can't see why the Arlo doorbell couldnt.

I only moved to Arlo because you can't use a Google Suite email address with Nest devices (which is stupid). As soon as this issue is resolved I'll be moving back to Nest. The entire experience is a lot smoother. The arlo app and completeness of the system is awful. Arlo could be great if it was a bit more polished.

I had some items stolen off my door yesterday but because there is no CVR I have no video recording.

For safety reasons I don't care about the additional charge. I just want my doorbell to record and save to the cloud continuously.