Arlo Pro VMB4540 smart hub cannot recognise 1TB USB

[Mike_Green]

Arlo Pro VMB4540 smart hub cannot recognise my newly bought 1TB USB.

How can the 1TB USB can be formatted into FAT32?

Can VMB4540 smart hub use the USB in other formats, like exFAT and NTFS, which is more common today.

Please advise how local storage works.

[StephenB]

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@Mike_Green wrote:

Can VMB4540 smart hub use the USB in other formats, like exFAT and NTFS, which is more common today.

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No, it only supports FAT32.  It would be great if exFAT were supported.

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@Mike_Green wrote:

How can the 1TB USB can be formatted into FAT32?

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Usually the base will recognize the disk, and allow you to format it in the app.

One possibility is that the base isn't providing enough power.  It uses USB 2 hardware, and only provides 500 mA.  If the disk came with a separate power adapter, then try using that.  Though in my opinion a better option is to use a USB flash drive in the 128-512 GB size range.  I find 128 GB gives me several months of storage.

There are several freeware tools that will let you format drives as FAT32 on a Windows PC.  EaseUS Partition Master (free addition) is one of several.  Rufus is another.

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@Mike_Green wrote:

Please advise how local storage works.

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If you see "Feed" and "Dashboard" in the app, the details are explained here:

• https://kb.arlo.com/000062997

If instead you see "Library", then read this:

• https://kb.arlo.com/000062337

There are several limitations

• 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 take snapshots.
• No thumbnails - videos need to be downloaded to the phone to view.
• Remote access requires router setting changes that some find difficult (and which don't work with some internet service providers)

Access to the recordings requires a few more steps if you have the "Feed" interface.

So while local storage is useful for backup, IMO it doesn't provide a very good user experience when you are using it instead of a subscription.  Of course there are other subscription features (activity zones on battery/solar power, smart notifications, etc).

[Mike_Green]

I have successfully format the USB to FAT32 format. In the “storage setting” in Arlo App, the USB can be detected and “record locally” is switched on, However, the “available storage” used is still 0kb in these couple days. It seems that the footage recorded are still saved in 3-month trial cloud service, but not my local USB inserted in VMB4540.

[StephenB]

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@Mike_Green wrote:

I have successfully format the USB to FAT32 format. In the “storage setting” in Arlo App, the USB can be detected and “record locally” is switched on, However, the “available storage” used is still 0kb in these couple days. It seems that the footage recorded are still saved in 3-month trial cloud service, but not my local USB inserted in VMB4540.

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Maybe try ejecting the disk, and then look at it on a PC?