Features available without subscription

[RayZeitler]

Hello, I'm sorry if this has been asked before but my internet kung-fu has not brought up the answers I'm looking for.  I am searching for a camera system for a church.  

For using the Arlo camera systems, with a base station, AND without a subscription.  What features are available?

Specifically I'm looking for:

Ability to save recordings locally.

Ability to view live streams of the video cameras on an app, and on a computer.  

Is the zoom function available during live streams?  or just viewing a recording?

Ability to set up parts of camera view for alarm notification.  

Thank you so much for your help!   

[StephenB · Accepted solution]

See https://kb.arlo.com/000062312/What-options-will-I-have-when-the-Arlo-trial-ends

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@RayZeitler wrote:

For using the Arlo camera systems, with a base station, AND without a subscription.  What features are available?

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Starting here, if you want to access local recordings you need either a VMB4540 or a VMB5000 smarthub.  NOT the VMB3xxx, VMB4000, or VMB4500.

@RayZeitler wrote:

Ability to save recordings locally.

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No subscription required for saving motion-triggered or audio-triggered recordings on the USB stick (or microSD card) connected to the hub.  Note this also applies to the VMB4000 and VMB4500 models.

Making manual recordings or snapshots while livestreaming the camera does require a subscription.

Viewing the recordings requires a VMB4540 or VMB5000 smarthub, and has some limitations:

• Recordings can only be viewed in the app (not my.arlo.com in a browser).
• Recordings can only be viewed from the primary account (not shared "Friend" accounts).
• There are no thumbnails, so recordings need to be downloaded to your phone before you can see anything.
• Remote access requires router setting changes that many find difficult (and which do not work with some internet service providers)

If you are using the VMB4000 or VMB4500 hubs, the only way to see the recordings is to eject the storage using the app, and then connecting the storage to a PC.

@RayZeitler wrote:

Ability to view live streams of the video cameras on an app, and on a computer.  

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No subscription is required for this.

@RayZeitler wrote:

Is the zoom function available during live streams? 

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Yes

@RayZeitler wrote:

Ability to set up parts of camera view for alarm notification.  

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Arlo calls these "activity zones".  In most cases this requires a subscription.

But some cameras do support this feature without a subscription when they are connected to AC power.  So not running on batteries, and not connected to a solar panel.  Those models are listed here:  

• https://kb.arlo.com/000062938

The currently sold cameras on that list are the Arlo Pro 5s, the wireless Floodlight camera, and the Essential Indoor camera.