Arlo pro through glass

[Reedet]

Can I install a camera on an interior window ledge facing out ...thru glass and get all the benefits...motion/visual clarity?

[TomMac]

Yes, you can view, but the Arlo and Arlo PRO DO NOT detect motion thru most glass...so functionallity is limited

Also cant use night vision IR lights as they reflect back into lens

[jasonx101]

Is it possible to have the Pro go into night vision but turn the LEDs off? So that you can use a separate IR flood light outside the window and still see in night vision?

The only other solution would be to have a new Arlo camera with a low lux detection sensor that can be used behind windows without needing IRs.

[jguerdat]

Yes. Turn Night Vision off in Settings, My Devices, your camera. That simply disables the IR illuminators. However, motion detection won't work behind glass on any of the wireless cameras. The Q camera doesn't use IR motion detection so works behind glass. I use mine that way.

[jasonx101]

That turns off the IRs but I believe it also turns off night vision recording as well. E.g. Black and white mode.

For example I also have Nite Devil cameras that have no IRs but use low light sensors and can see  even better than the Arlo cameras with Night Vision on.

Ideally what I would like is another mode where the IRs are turned off but night vision recording is still on so that it sees the outdoor IR light through the window  (which I assume will work).

[jguerdat]

While some folks have had problems with black videos at night, the switch is simply for thee IR illuminators.  If the cameras are working properly, the camera should record using the existing light with no problem.  Obviously, the amount of existing light is an issue but I've seen shots posted where a street light ~100 feet away pretty much lit up the scene.  The Pro and Q cameras are the best choices for this sort of usage.

[PaulusMelbAUS]

St mine up yesterday & it recorded 2 kids running past through single pain glass

[PaulusMelbAUS]

But did not record a car about 30 minutes ago

[jguerdat]

Not surprising. The fact that you got any recordings is perhaps more surprising but has been reported by others.  Apparently certain glass formulations work better than others for passing IR.

[jasonx101]

I wonder if double glazing vs single glazing makes a difference?

I suspect double glazing would reduce the IR signature significantly.

My window camaer is behind double glasing and a net curtain so doesn't pick up enough IR to trigger.

But I only use it for day time viewing anyway.

[jguerdat]

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jasonx101 wrote:

I wonder if double glazing vs single glazing makes a difference?

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It should, assuming the reaction to IR is similar to visible light.  IIRC, something like 96% of light passes through a glass surface (a generalization) but don't forget that a second surface is present for each pane of glass.  A second pane adds to it so it's 96% of 96% of 96% of 96%.  That gives you ~85% light transmission through two panes vs. 92% for a single pane.