Cloud Sub ran out -> Inserted SD Card into Base Station -> Can't set Activity Zones without Smart?

[philip_rhoades]

People,

Is setting the Activity Zones dependent on having a Cloud Account?  If so, why?

Thanks,

Phil.

[StephenB]

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@philip_rhoades wrote:

Is setting the Activity Zones dependent on having a Cloud Account?  If so, why?

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If the camera is running on battery, then Activity Zones do require a subscription.  

As far as why:  This is about power use.  It takes quite of bit of power to run the algorithm in the camera.  So when running on battery, the activity zones are implemented in the Arlo cloud.  All motion is streamed to the cloud, and the cloud supresses video that is outside the zone.

Some of the cameras can process the activity zones in the camera (with no subscription) when AC powered, bur not all.

[philip_rhoades]

Hmm . . 

I am more inclined to believe it is a deliberate crippling of the SD Card option to encourage people to go the paid-for cloud route . .

[StephenB]

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@philip_rhoades wrote:

I am more inclined to believe it is a deliberate crippling of the SD Card option to encourage people to go the paid-for cloud route . .

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I think if that were the case, they would have disabled the local activity zones when AC powered as well.  

Though of course they do want people to get paid subscriptions.  So believe what you will.