Added Essential camera’s stopped recording, subscription needed even with local storage?

[ButcherJF]

I recently added 2 Essential camera’s to my Arlo Pro 2 set, everything worked fine for 3 months. Then the Essentials stopped recording, despite the fact that I added a 32GB USB stick as local storage. Both Pro 2 camera’s still work fine.

I thought that, adding local storage, I wouldn’t need a Arlo subscription. Am I right?
If not, what happens if I buy an extra pair of Arlo Pro 2 camera’s?

[StephenB]

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@ButcherJF wrote:

I thought that, adding local storage, I wouldn’t need a Arlo subscription. Am I right?

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With a VMB4000 base, you need to eject the USB drive and then connect it to a PC to see the local recordings.  Have you tried that?

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@ButcherJF wrote:

If not, what happens if I buy an extra pair of Arlo Pro 2 camera’s?

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They still have the free 7-day storage (for up to 5 cameras in the account).

[ButcherJF]

Thank you StephenB.

I haven’t tried connecting the USB drive to a PC yet, will try that tomorrow. I’ll keep you posted.
I thought the recordings of the Pro 2 I still see in the app were stored local, but apparently they’re in te cloud? 

[StephenB]

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@ButcherJF wrote:

I thought the recordings of the Pro 2 I still see in the app were stored local, but apparently they’re in te cloud? 

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Yes, they are in the cloud.

[ButcherJF]

I connected the USB drive to my computer today end yes, the recordings are stored on the drive. All of them, including those of the Pro 2. They seem to be stored on the drive and in the cloud.

I don’t want a(nother) payed subscription and I want the ability to check my camera recordings in an app. That said, I’m thinking about selling my Arlo system and change to another brand. Not sure what to do yet. 

[StephenB]

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@ButcherJF wrote:

I want the ability to check my camera recordings in an app. 

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Purchasing a smarthub (VMB4540 or VMB5000) would let you directly check the recordings in the app (but not the web browser).  There are several limitations, so either search the forum or post back if you want more details.

[ButcherJF]

Thanks again @StephenB!

I ordered a VMB4550 yesterday, hope my ‘problems’ are solved then.

[StephenB]

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@ButcherJF wrote:

Thanks again @StephenB!

I ordered a VMB4550 yesterday, hope my ‘problems’ are solved then.

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VMB4540?

Anyway, the limitations of direct access to local storage are:

• Recordings can only be seen in the app (not the web browser)
• Recordings can only be accessed from the primary account (not friend accounts)
• You can not make manual recordings or snapshots
• There are no preview thumbnails
• Remote access requires either setting up port forwarding or a VPN on your router, which some find difficult.

[ButcherJF]

I received the VMB4550 and read the manual before installing. Found out it does the same as the other one: I have to connect the USB-drive to a pc to see the recordings of the Essentials. 
Should have read the manual online before purchase😫

Lesson learned, I’ll send it back.

Not sure what to do now, try to buy some Pro 2 or switching to another brand.

Have to find out if the Pro 2 can be charged with the solar panel used to charge the Essentials. 

Keep you posted again…

[StephenB]

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@ButcherJF wrote:

I received the VMB4550

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The two smarthubs are the VMB4540 and the VMB5000.

I've never seen a VMB4550, and it is not listed here: https://www.arlo.com/en_fi/support/faq/000062284/What-is-the-difference-between-each-Arlo-SmartHub-a... 

[ButcherJF]

Sorry, typo. VMB4540 it is.

Already found out the solar panels I have won’t work with Arlo Pro 2.

[StephenB]

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@ButcherJF wrote:

Sorry, typo. VMB4540 it is.

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Than you can deploy direct access to local storage.

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@ButcherJF wrote:

Already found out the solar panels I have won’t work with Arlo Pro 2.

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The VMA5600 works with Pro 3 / Pro 4 / Ultra / Go 2

The VMA3600 works with Essential

The VMA4600 works with Pro, Pro 2, and Go

[ButcherJF]

I’m confused now!
According to the manual of the VMB4540 I have to use a computer to see the recordings of the Essentials, just like the VMB4000?!? 
Anyway, I already sent back the VMB4540.

[dcfox1]

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@ButcherJF wrote:

I’m confused now!
According to the manual of the VMB4540 I have to use a computer to see the recordings of the Essentials, just like the VMB4000?!? 
Anyway, I already sent back the VMB4540.

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Not sure where you saw that but on the VMB4540 you can use the App to view recordings but with some limitations. I have the 4540 and works fine in the app. On the VMB 4000 you can't use the app to view if that is what confused you as it is an older base and not a Smart Hub. 

What is Direct Storage Access and how do I use it? (arlo.com)

[ButcherJF]

I read it in the manual on the Arlo site: https://www.arlo.com/en-us/images/documents/arlopro3/Arlo_Pro3_UM.pdf page 63 ‘View videos on a USB device’.

[dcfox1]

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@ButcherJF wrote:

I read it in the manual on the Arlo site: https://www.arlo.com/en-us/images/documents/arlopro3/Arlo_Pro3_UM.pdf page 63 ‘View videos on a USB device’.

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Yes but it doesn't say you need to pull the USB and insert it in a computer as the VMB4000 to view the local USB recordings. Again, you can access them in the App. It says you can view either way, App or ejecting it and inserting in a computer on page 63.

[ButcherJF]

Hmm, English is not my native language -as you may have noticed. 

When I read ‘Video clips on USB storage devices don’t display in the Arlo app, but you can use a Windows-based or Mac computer to view the clips’ I thought it meant that I need a computer to see the recordings. 

[StephenB]

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@ButcherJF wrote:

I read it in the manual on the Arlo site: https://www.arlo.com/en-us/images/documents/arlopro3/Arlo_Pro3_UM.pdf page 63 ‘View videos on a USB device’.

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They rolled out the feature around the time the manual was published - it looks like they never went back and updated the manual. 

[ButcherJF]

Looks like I have to rebuy the VMB4540…🤪

[ButcherJF]

Well, I think it works now.

I purchased a VMB5000 smarthub and connected my 4 camera’s to it.

This morning though, I could not see the recorded video’s anymore?!? The app gave an error, something like ‘Recorded video’s aren’t available, check your network connection’.

After searching this forum I found out I had to reinstall the Arlo-app and during install had to let the app search my network. For now, it looks like the problem is solved…

[ButcherJF · Accepted solution]

The VMB5000 is the solution. Everything works fine since my post nearly two months ago.

Thank you all for helping me out!