ARLO smarthub VMB5000 not connecting to Arlo video doorbell

[ErnieVJR]

Just wanted to to give an update to my last post.  After contacting ARLO support again, now they tell me that video doorbell model AVD3001 is not compatible with the ARLO SmartHub model VMB5000.  They tell me that I need to video doorbell model AVD4001.  I ordered the new model and wait for it to get here so I can try again and hopefully this time it will connect with my SmartHub. I will give you an update for what I hope will be a positive response. 

[ErnieVJR]

My smarthub won't record the video from my ARLO Video doorbell camera 2nd Generation.  So far support has not been much help.  The smarthub is powered up and shows online.  I installed a new sd card and reformatted it.  I have gone through the usual troubleshooting steps but nothing seems to help.  When I go to the app and check local recordings all it says no recordings for this day.  That has happened repeatedly for several days.  I know there should have been some video recordings  because I myself went to my front porch and stood in front of doorbell and walked back and forth. But no recordings are made.  And suggestions or recommendations to fix this issue are greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

[ErnieVJR]

Thank you for your response.

The doorbell is connected to my WIFI.  How do I verify whether or not it's connected to the hub?

[ErnieVJR]

OK, I'll try doing that and see what kind of results I get.  

Thanks again.

[ErnieVJR]

Thank you for your response.  I need more help.  I went ahead and deleted the doorbell.  I went through the process of adding it to App.  Again, it wants me to add it to the WIFI. nowhere that I can find does it give me the option to connect it to the smarthub.  Obviously, I am doing something wrong, can you please give me more suggestions/guidance.  Thank you.

[ErnieVJR]

I am using Spectrum Internet.  Maybe you misunderstood my response.  I did what you suggested.  I uninstalled the doorbell and tried to reinstall it, the initial process of the installation is to connect the doorbell to the WIFI.  No where do I see an option to connect or to pair the doorbell to the hub.  Maybe if you could give me a step by step suggestion on how to reinstall the doorbell and then either connect it or pair with hub.  I would appreciate it very much.  I need to know soon before my window for returning the hub closes.  Thank you.

[ErnieVJR]

Thank you for your response.  I tried that installation but it did not work.  Is there a simple way to connect or pair the video doorbell with the smart hub?  Somebody suggest that the doorbell should not be connected to the wifi but connected to the hub.  If you don't connect the doorbell to your wifi then it's not functional.  I don't why ARLO makes things so complicated.  I still have not found a way to connect/pair the doorbell and the hub.  I think I am ready to throw in the towel and just return the hub and not worry about recording the doorbell camera videos.

[ErnieVJR]

Reaching out one more time before I return this worthless device.  I tried what you suggested and that did not work.  I still cannot get the video doorbell and the smarthub to connect to each other.  Please give me a step by step instructions starting with removing both devices from the App and starting from scratch. I am sure the suggestions you gave me are good, but they are very hard to follow.  You go to the first link and that refers you to another link and that link refers you to another link.  After so many referrals you don't where you are and things get very confusing and your devices are still not linked.  Maybe it's just me.  Any other clear instructions you can recommend are welcome.  Thank you.

[ErnieVJR]

Just wanted to give an update to my last post.  I contacted ARLO support again and this time they tell my ARLO video doorbell model AVD3001 is not compatible with my ARLO SmartHub model VMB5000 and that I need ARLO video doorbell model AVD4001.  I have ordered the new model and hopefully that will resolved my issue.  I am not holding my breath.  As soon as I get and try out to see if connects with my hub I'll give another update.

[jguerdat]

According to the following, either 2nd gen model doorbell is compatible with your hub:

https://kb.arlo.com/000062284/Arlo-SmartHub-and-Base-Station-Compatibility

I doubt there's any difference between the 2k and HD models other than sensor and associated electronics.

[ErnieVJR]

So what are you trying to tell me, that ARLO support misguided me into believing that the model 4001 would work with the smarthub as opposed to the 3001 model.  Maybe they did this because they can't solve the problem and wanted me to be distracted.  I am beginning to believe ARLO is not a very good Tech company.  Before I throw them under the bus, I am going to wait until I get the new doorbell and try it out with the hope that this time they it got it right. It doesn't hurt to be optimistic.

[ErnieVJR]

The last contact with arlo support was thru the arlo app.  No I am not trying to connect another video doorbell.  I am trying to get the smarthub to record my doorbell videos to the SD card in the hub.  That is the issue I am having.  Nobody so far has been able to give me clear step by step instructions on how to do this.  If you have any suggestions/recommendations I would welcome that.  When I open the arlo app and select my doorbell and go to local recordings it continuously shows no recordings for this day. I don't know if the video doorbell is not recording or the hub not recieving the recordings.  I appreciate your assistance.  Thank you.

[ErnieVJR]

This instruction articles really don't help because they are so hard to follow.  For example, in the first article you refer me to in 2nd paragraph it states:  "Note: The VMB5000 SmartHub does not have a USB port, but instead has a microSD card slot." I have a VMB5000 hub.  In the following set of instructions it says:  

"To set up local backup storage on an Arlo SmartHub or Base Station:             1.  Plug the USB device into one of the USB ports on the back of the Arlo SmartHub or Base Station."   Right away the article created a contradiction. In the first part it's telling you hub does not have a USB port.  In the second part it's telling you to plug the USB device.  How can anyone follow instructions like and expect to get good results.  I think I am ready to give up on ARLO products. At least until the useability improves considerably.

[StephenB]

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@ErnieVJR wrote:

This instruction articles really don't help because they are so hard to follow.  For example, in the first article you refer me to in 2nd paragraph it states:  "Note: The VMB5000 SmartHub does not have a USB port, but instead has a microSD card slot." I have a VMB5000 hub.  

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The idea is that you insert a microSD card into the VMB5000 hub (the slot is underneath) instead of connecting USB storage - but follow the rest of the instructions.  I suggest a 128 MB card that is speed class 10, UHS-1, V10 minimum (supports up to UHS-3, V90).  That bit is a bit confusing - if you post a link to the card you are considering, we can help you figure out if the card meets the spec or not.

I guess they could have written two KB articles (one for each hub).  But they didn't.

[ErnieVJR]

This is my last message to the Arlo ICommunity.  First of all, I want to thank all of you who offered suggestions and recommendations I appreciate your efforts to help resolve an issue.  An issue that was never resolved not even from Arlo support.  I am done with Arlo products maybe they are good products but not for me.  The Arlo Video doorbell and smarthub I had I have already returned them. I had an extra video doorbell that had bought at an earlier time which I am trying to sell on EBay right now.  I thought Arlo was going to be a better product then Ring but I was wrong.  I need to reinstall my ring doorbell.  Thanks everyone.  Goodluck to ARLO.

arrivederci