IR LEDs flash on camera when the iOS app is started.

[AncientGeek]

This is something rather benign compared to our other issues, but I just noticed this and I don’t know for certain if this happened prior to 2.6.x or not.  

I happen to have a LogiCircle camera on the desk in my office and I have an Arlo Pro 2 (or possibly just a Pro) on the adjacent section of the L shaped desk.  Both are active cameras for monitoring and testing. 

I have recently noticed that my Arlo camera turns on the IR LEDs whenever I log into the Arlo app (2.6.1 currently) on my 2017 10.5” iPad Pro running iOS 12.0.1.  It flashes briefly and then turns off.  The LogiCircle sees the flash and records a motion video alerting me to this unexpected activity.

I wonder if this is normal for all cameras as part of the “Getting Camera Status” activity when the app is started up.  It seems like a waste of battery power to flash the IR LEDs every time I open the app.  Why do this?

[ShayneS]

AncientGeek,

Have you tried to reboot the base station and test again? What time of day is this when the IR LEDs come on? Are you logging in to the app or accessing the camera through the devices tab?

[AncientGeek]

The camera is in an interior office that has no direct windows, but has glass facing a hall with windows.  It is generally dim in there all day unless there is low sun outside or the lights are on.  So I’d say this was at night or during dim daylight.

i tried rebooting the base and so far I have only seen the LEDs flash once.  I think rebooting may have solved the problem.  I’ll watch it for a day or two.

Thank you.  Seems like Windows.  Misbehaving?  Try rebooting!

[AncientGeek]

I have tested a few more times and found it still flashes the LEDs when I login to the Arlo app.

I force the Arlo app to close.  Then I start the Arlo app.  It appears to flash the LEDs when the app is displaying “getting status”.

[AncientGeek]

I have a screen recording of the event, but it may be too large to upload here.  16Mb

[ShayneS]

AncientGeek,

Have you tested this with all the lights on making it as bright as possible? 

[AncientGeek]

No.  I seriously doubt my LogiCircle camera would detect the IR LED flash when night conditions do not exist.  The subtle red glow would seem unlikely to be recognized as a motion event.

I think it is likely that either the LED flash is necessary during the interrogation of camera status or it is not.  If the latter, fixing it will likely fix it for night and day (if the flash occurs during the day)