Activity Zones Are Not Working

[XJW]

@JamesC 

The app is now warning me that I must setup Activity Zones.  Is this a Smart/Subscription Feature ?  I don't have a Subscription.  Should it be asking me to setup Activity Zones ?

I tried setting up activity Zones and a couple of the cameras struggled.  The app locked up.  

[XJW]

My Cameras are on Battery Power not external power.  External power is required for Activity zones - yes ? Why is it warning me with the little yellow triangle that I must setup Activity Zones ? 

Also - Where in the app does it tell us to swipe left to delete a zone and tap the image to refresh the activity zone snapshot.  These actions should be described in the app and not hidden away on a community forum.

@JamesC 

[mcn29]

I am running into the same thing. Have you noticed if your motion detection is still working? Once my app upgraded today and the little triangles came on my cameras cannot recognize motion. Even though the motion sensor utility works and the live look-ins work.

[jguerdat]

The triangle just lets you know you can also use Arlo Smart with battery cameras for zones. With AC power, zones do not require Smart.

[XJW]

Then a warning symbol is not the best choice.

It shouts urgent problem when infact it is just advertising for additional services/revenue.

[Paul_FCCL]

I was surprised to see that as well, have been reminded to setup activity zones on all my Pro cams. Since I’m not a smart plan subscriber, how is that possible?

My understanding was that you have to subscribe to Arlo Smart in order to be able to use activity zones. So I gave it a try.......and what a surprise, activity zones can be set up but they DON’T work (without smart subscription).

Arlo just having fun with its users???

Could someone explain what’s going on?

[marathon]

Found this thread from a related one that I created that Activity Zones aren't working.

The whole point of Activity Zones, it seems, is to reduce false positives by focusing on a particular area. Why would it only work with AC power, where I am far less likely to care about false positives?

Also, if it's a business decision (i.e. I can't use Activity Zones without paying more) I would suggest that they have it backwards, because they're getting a lot of extra content on their server (false positives for motion detection) that have no value to them, or to me, but chew up resources. Why would they charge extra for this optimization? Makes no sense.

[SunDog]

If there's one thing I've learned about Arlo is that they care very little about retaining existing customers or encouraging us to spend (waste, really) any more money on them that we already have.

No way I'm paying for an option that doesn't even work. And there's definitely no way I will be buying any other Arlo product nor will I recommend them. Costco has must better valued security camera systems.

[Jeff3113]

The Activity Zone is simply NOT FUNCTIONAL.   Having spent some time reviewing posts here it has become clear.

This is just another item in a line of ARLO disappointments after purchase.

(At least the battery drainage issue was resolved after 9 months)

ARLO SUPPORT:   Please explain why the Activity Zones do not work.   OR, under what conditions they WILL work.

Feel free to add a link in your answer.

RSVP

[RaccoonCam]

I can't say I've ever got them to work, and I'm allegedly have a Premier subscription. The app lets me create zones agsinst an image from the camera but doesn't seem to let me indicate if they should be  "detect" or "ignore" zones (the latter would be really useful, I don't need to be told I'm on my porch). I'm running ios 10.3.3 with no plans to upgrade ( my favorite apps would stop working).  It sure would be nice to have some proper instructions...

[atripl]

Hello, 

I have an Arlo Baby and there is no way for me to create an activity zone on the mobile (android) or the web site.  I've tried everything and crawled the forums and simply do not see any menu items anywhere to allow me to create one.