Forwarding of video clips to mobile device without subscription possilbe?

[Ingo_DK]

Dear community,

I have an Arlo Ultra 2 pack with one base station (VMB5000r6) and four Ultra 2 cameras (of which I currently use 3). I set up the system around Ocotober and there was a three months trial included.

So far, the system functioned perfectly fine, whenever one of the cameras noticed something I got a notification and shortly afterwards (couple of seconds later) I could access a video on my mobile and see the 10 seconds video clip. Now the trial has expired for the two cameras I set up first. As a result, I now longer get a video forwarded. I merely receive a message that the camera has registered some "Motion".

I purposefully purchased the system with the base station to record the videos locally and not needing the cloud-based subscription, running on the assumption that base station can be configured in a way that it pushes out the video clips to my mobile.

Thus, my first question is:

Can the base station be configured in a way that it pushes the video clips on to my mobile without having to sign up to for a subscription?

Likewise, in the app there seems to be a possibility to allow for "direct storage access" ... which seems to be no problem while being in the same WIFI network ... but to allow it when the base station and my mobile are in differnet networks, I need to change something .. It states in the app

"To securely access your recordings from outside the home network, configure the VPN on your router and mobile device or modify the router's port forwarding setting"

Thus, my second question is:

Is there some sort of manual that translate this into some understandable actions?

Thanks and best

[StephenB]

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@Ingo_DK wrote:

Thus, my first question is:

Can the base station be configured in a way that it pushes the video clips on to my mobile without having to sign up to for a subscription?

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There is no automatic push of the video to the phone.  You need to download the video using the app before viewing. 

I think you can trigger this directly from the notification (you should see a download icon in the notification).  I have a subscription, so I can't confirm this part.

As far as the "motion" notification comment,  smart notifications and activity zones also require the subscription.

@Ingo_DK wrote:

Thus, my second question is:

Is there some sort of manual that translate this into some understandable actions?

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The methods for setting up port forwarding (or an inbound VPN if your router has that feature) are specific to your router.  So Arlo can't provide a step-by-step for either.  If you can provide the manufacturer and model of your router, we might be able to point you in the right direction.

Also, some internet service providers don't support inbound connections to your home network.  This includes T-Mobile broadband (and several other mobile broadband providers).  There are also some landline providers who use a service called "Carrier Grade NAT" (CGNAT).  They can't support these connections either (but I think some can turn off CGNAT for your account if you ask them).  If you use one of those providers, then you simply won't be able to access the local recordings when you are remote.

[Ingo_DK]

Thank you, StephenB for your swift reply.

Unfortunately, I do not see a "download button" in the notification. It simply tells me that it there was some "Motion". What the app does provide me is a "photo" under "Devices" but there is no possibility of downloading a video - at least I have not found a possibility so far.

Regarding the "port forwarding". Thanks for that hint. I will check at home and then see if I find some guide online :-).

I understand that Arlo wants to earn money through their subscription service ...but they could be more transparent what is possible without the subscription and what is not. I was aware that "smart notifications" are only possible with the subscription -- but nowhere did I read that push videos are not possible without subscription ...

[StephenB]

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@Ingo_DK wrote:

Unfortunately, I do not see a "download button" in the notification. It simply tells me that it there was some "Motion". What the app does provide me is a "photo" under "Devices" but there is no possibility of downloading a video - at least I have not found a possibility so far.

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It sounds like you see "Feed" and "Dashboard" in your app. If so, press the smarthub, and then storage settings.  Recordings should be in there.

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@Ingo_DK wrote:

I understand that Arlo wants to earn money through their subscription service ...but they could be more transparent what is possible without the subscription and what is not. I was aware that "smart notifications" are only possible with the subscription -- but nowhere did I read that push videos are not possible without subscription ...

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Arlo does provide this:

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

"Push videos" is your phrase - technically videos are never pushed to the phone.  So that might be part of the confusion.

That said, I think direct access to local storage provides a poor user experience - and that given the cost of the cameras, Arlo should have offered something better.   At least

• Using the cloud to make the connection instead of requiring port forwarding or a VPN
• Showing local recordings in "Feed" for unsubscribed cameras. 
• Allowing access via my.arlo.com and friend accounts.

[arlo_shmarlo]

I went through a lot of frustration trying to figure this VPN thing out, so here's what I found.

1) Get your router connected to the internet and your Arlo Hub connected to the router via ethernet.

2) Open a browser on a PC connected to the router (ethernet or WiFi), usually go entering 192.168.0.1 into the web address bar.

3) Log in to the router (see router manual for password).

4) Go to VPN Server or similar. If you have VPN Client and VPN Server, you want the server. 

5) Set up an OpenVPN or similar and turn it on. It should generate a configuration file. 

6) Download that configuration file to your smartphone or whatever device you will be using to view the recordings remotely. 

7) Download OpenVPN (or similar, if you are using a different VPN) app to your phone. Import that configuration file to create a VPN profile. 

😎 Open the OpenVPN app while away from home and turn on this VPN connection. 

9) Open the Arlo app, go to recordings, and turn it to Hub. You should see recordings here. Note, it will probably be VERY VERY SLOW compared to when you are on your home network. It may be so slow that the app gives up on loading the recordings. 

About port forwarding - it is less secure than VPN. Theoretically if someone guesses the right IP address of your home network, they could connect to your Arlo hub. I'd recommend only using port forwarding from time to time if going on vacation or such, and not as a continuous indefinite method. 

About the motion notifications and pushing the clips to your mobile - not possible. Arlo wants you to buy the subscription for this. Also why they don't provide any documentation for how to do the VPN method... they want your $$$... I imagine it could be possible to use something like IFTTT to check the arlo app for new recordings and initiate the download, but I haven't looked into it. My cameras detect WAY too much motion for me to tolerate notifications.