Are the SmartHubs only good for older cameras?

[the_tiki]

I have a Pro 2 camera set-up running on a SmartHub and then an additional Floodlight and Essential camera and my free subscription has run out. Can I set up another network with purchasing an additional Hub or is a paid monthly service the only way to get recordings saved from the newer cameras?

[StephenB]

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@the_tiki wrote:

I have a Pro 2 camera set-up running on a SmartHub and then an additional Floodlight and Essential camera and my free subscription has run out. Can I set up another network with purchasing an additional Hub or is a paid monthly service the only way to get recordings saved from the newer cameras?

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Getting a SmartHub (VMB4540 or VMB5000) and adding storage would let you use direct access to local storage https://kb.arlo.com/000062337/What-is-Direct-Storage-Access-and-how-do-I-use-it

It's not as easy to use as the subscription - plus you can't access the local recordings from your web browser, and they also can't be accessed via "friend" accounds.

[the_tiki]

So are you saying I can buy another smart hub, add the floodlight and essential camera, access video via phone app and just not allow other uses access to the recordings as the shortcoming?

[StephenB]

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@the_tiki wrote:

So are you saying I can buy another smart hub, add the floodlight and essential camera, access video via phone app and just not allow other uses access to the recordings as the shortcoming?

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Yes, you can do that.  You'll also lose thumbnails.  When you choose the base station, you'll need to blindly choose a video, which will then be downloaded to your phone and automatically play.

Seeing the video while off-site will require either port forwarding in your router, and using a VPN.  FWIW, there is a bug with Android - for some reason it won't find the local storage when you use a VPN.

[dcfox1]

@the_tiki   IMO the Subscription is worth it for cloud storage and other options with the limitations of local storage. But up to you. 

[Hagenes]

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