Starting off basic

[calyquip19]

Im looking to just keep an eye on our place of business. I bought 3 cameras and charger for batteries. Is this all i need to get started? We do want to be able to save the recorded footage for at least a few days. Do i need anything else, like the hub or anything, to be able to save the footage?

[jguerdat]

The new cameras require a subscription for cloud recordings. You get a trial sub for all when first installing them but will need a paid sub when that expires (wait until the trial is ending, likely in 30 days - use Settings, Home, Plans to check). 

If you also want local recordings or don't want to pay for the required sub for cloud recordings, you can use a hub and connect all cameras to that. You would then go to the hub's settings and then into Storage Settings to enable the recordings. You will be able to use the app to directly view the recordings but the experience will not be the same as with cloud recordings so if you decide to go that way be sure to test things out before the trial expired. ALso, to view the recordings remotely, you'll need to set up your router's VPN capability (if it has one) or use port forwarding. Neither is hard but adds a bit more complexity that cloud recordings simply does away with. You can still use the hub for backup purposes since the recordings never get deleted, unlike the 30 day subscription plans.

[calyquip19]

What do you mean "the experience will not be the same as with cloud recordings" ?

I'm sure you like funnel customers to subscriptions and i understand why, but is it doable without one in your opinion, just to keep an eye out for people stealing etc? We're not necessarily trying to set up Ft Knox here so you see why it would really be good for me if i can go subscription less. 

If we end up going subscription, what is the most affordable plan

[StephenB]

---

@calyquip19 wrote:

I'm sure you like funnel customers to subscriptions 

---

No.  This is a user-to-user forum, and neither @jguerdat nor I work for Arlo (or represent them in any way).  It doesn't matter to us whether you subscribe or not.

---

@calyquip19 wrote:

What do you mean "the experience will not be the same as with cloud recordings" ?

---

Access to local storage is intentionally limited by Arlo:

• recordings are only available in the app (not my.arlo.com)
• recordings are only available using the primary account (not "friend" accounts)
• there are no thumbnails, so recordings need to be downloaded to your phone before you see anything
• there is no ability to make manual recordings or snapshots
• there is no ability to filter the feed
• there is no ability to delete recordings from the app.
• remote access requires router setting changes that many find difficult (and which won't work with some internet service providers).

Cloud storage is not the only subscription feature.  You also lose

• activity zones when on battery power (and with some cameras you lose them even if the camera is powered).
• the new privacy zone feature
• objection detection
• access to Arlo support.

While many do choose to use local storage instead of paying for a subscription, it is certainly true that the experience is not the same.