Pre-purchase help Ultra 2 VMS5240

[Bob-the-techie]

It seems like there is no way to ask questions in the pre-sales environment except through the Community. 

I'm trying to understand how the system works and have a series of questions.

1.  SmartHub connects via Ethernet to the router.  However, specs say that it has WiFi 2.4 and 5.  What is the purpose of the WiFi?  Is it a separate WiFi that will use different channels from the existing WiFi network?

2.  Does/can the WiFi in the SmartHub interfere with the existing WiFi?

3.  If it uses the existing WiFi network:  I have a WiFi-6 system with 2 satellites (kind of mesh network).  I have had trouble with some "smart" devices interacting with the Mesh Network (e.g., Leviton smart plugs and switches).  Has the SmartHub and Cameras been tested with a Mesh Network?

4.  It looks like only 802.11 a/b/n is supported (not 802.11 ac or ax).  Correct?

5.  The Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera spec sheet mentions ArloRF ready -- what is that?

6.  Do the cameras connect directly to the SmartHub (WiFi?) or connect first to the home WiFi?

7.  the specs on the Ultra 2 camera web page mention Bluetooth -- what is the purpose?

8. the web page for the "Ultra 2 4-camera kit" has a photo showing 4 cameras and 2 hubs -- is that correct?

NOTE -- the verbal description is wrong - it mentions 2 cameras, 1 hub

9.  The support Documentation page shows an Ultra 2 XL camera -- what is that?

[Edinburgh_lad1]

Answers in-line: 

1.  SmartHub connects via Ethernet to the router.  However, specs say that it has WiFi 2.4 and 5.  What is the purpose of the WiFi?  Is it a separate WiFi that will use different channels from the existing WiFi network?

Cameras communicate with the base stattion via 2.4 and 5 GHz networks. As a user, you have no control over which of them is used. These are separate, but Arlo is designed in such a way that it'll change its channel to the same one(s) broadcast by the router.  

2.  Does/can the WiFi in the SmartHub interfere with the existing WiFi?

Yes and no. It really depends on your environment. Moving the base station slightly away from the router can improve the situation. 

3.  If it uses the existing WiFi network:  I have a WiFi-6 system with 2 satellites (kind of mesh network).  I have had trouble with some "smart" devices interacting with the Mesh Network (e.g., Leviton smart plugs and switches).  Has the SmartHub and Cameras been tested with a Mesh Network?

Don't know the answer to this question 

4.  It looks like only 802.11 a/b/n is supported (not 802.11 ac or ax).  Correct?

No. Ultra 2 support 802.11 b/g/n/ac

5.  The Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera spec sheet mentions ArloRF ready -- what is that?

A proprietary system. See this article: https://www.cepro.com/news/arlo_launches_security_home_automation_hub_proprietary_arlorf_ces_2019/

6.  Do the cameras connect directly to the SmartHub (WiFi?) or connect first to the home WiFi?

Some Arlo products connect to the home WiFi. Ultra 2 cameras don't. 

7.  the specs on the Ultra 2 camera web page mention Bluetooth -- what is the purpose?

Not sure, apart from connecting to something. 

8. the web page for the "Ultra 2 4-camera kit" has a photo showing 4 cameras and 2 hubs -- is that correct?

NOTE -- the verbal description is wrong - it mentions 2 cameras, 1 hub

A kit is sold with one hub, but you can add hubs, depending on your needs.

9.  The support Documentation page shows an Ultra 2 XL camera -- what is that?

You can get extra large batteries (in terms of capacity) as a replacement for standard ones. 

[StephenB · Accepted solution]

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@Bob-the-techie wrote:

1.  SmartHub connects via Ethernet to the router.  However, specs say that it has WiFi 2.4 and 5.  What is the purpose of the WiFi?  Is it a separate WiFi that will use different channels from the existing WiFi network?

It is a closed wifi network that is used to connect the cameras to the base.  Users have no ability to adjust the settings.  The password is not disclosed, so your other clients cannot join the base station wifi network.

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@Bob-the-techie wrote:

2.  Does/can the WiFi in the SmartHub interfere with the existing WiFi

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The smarthub is designed to use the same wifi channels as the closest  WiFi AP/router.  That algorithm goes back to when Netgear owned Arlo.

I haven't seen any evidence of the Arlo wifi interfering with my normal network, though some posters have said that they have.  I have three bases - two near my main Orbi router, and one near my Orbi satellite.

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@Bob-the-techie wrote:

3.  If it uses the existing WiFi network:  

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The Ultra doesn't use your existing WiFi network.

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@Bob-the-techie wrote:

4.  It looks like only 802.11 a/b/n is supported (not 802.11 ac or ax).  Correct?

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Correct.

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@Bob-the-techie wrote:

5.  The Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera spec sheet mentions ArloRF ready -- what is that?

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https://www.cepro.com/news/arlo_launches_security_home_automation_hub_proprietary_arlorf_ces_2019/

Oddly, the lightweight devices communicate to the hub via ArloRF, a proprietary two-way RF technology that provides “extended battery life and superior long-range wireless coverage, enabling hassle-free communication between the SmartHub and Arlo devices,” according to the company.

The Arlo security system has yet to be released, though it was shown at CES this year: https://www.arlo.com/en-us/arlo-clinches-2022-ces-innovation-award-for-fourth-consecutive-year-with-...

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@Bob-the-techie wrote:

6.  Do the cameras connect directly to the SmartHub (WiFi?) or connect first to the home WiFi?

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To the smarthub

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@Bob-the-techie wrote:

7.  the specs on the Ultra 2 camera web page mention Bluetooth -- what is the purpose?

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AFAIK the BlueTooth is not used at the moment.

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@Bob-the-techie wrote:

8. the web page for the "Ultra 2 4-camera kit" has a photo showing 4 cameras and 2 hubs -- is that correct?

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One of the mods ( @JamesC or @ShayneS ) will hopefully answer that.  Not sure if the 4-camera kit is simply two VMS5240s (which is the system sku for the two camera kit), or of it has another sku (which unfortunately is not on the web site).

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@Bob-the-techie wrote:

9.  The support Documentation page shows an Ultra 2 XL camera -- what is that?

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The XL has a longer camera body, and a larger battery (2.5x the capacity of the stock Ultra).

There is also an XL upgrade kit that can be purchased to upgrade a stock ultra to use the larger battery.  That includes a new camera shell and of course the battery.

[Bob-the-techie]

Thank you very much for the clear and thorough reply.

[Bob-the-techie]

Thank you very much for the clear and thorough reply.  for BOTH of the replies!!  my sincere thanks.

[JamesC]

8. the web page for the "Ultra 2 4-camera kit" has a photo showing 4 cameras and 2 hubs -- is that correct?

Do you have a link to where you're seeing this?

[Bob-the-techie]

Looks like they just changed the site to add a sale but it still has the same problem.

the URL is https://www.arlo.com/en-us/cameras/ultra-4-cam-kit-b.html 

Top part of the page shows 4 cameras and 2 SmartHubs.  Description only mentions 4 cameras.

Bottom part of the page show 2 cameras and 1 SmartHub.  Click "What's included" and it's 2 cameras and 1 SmartHub.

the page is mixing up the 4 camera bundle and the 2 camera bundle.

[JamesC]

Bob-the-techie,

The reference on the bottom is for the (2) camera kit, which includes (1) SmartHub.

The top of the page is referencing the 4 camera bundle, which is two of the (2) camera kits.

JamesC

[Bob-the-techie]

The top part of the page description does not mention how many SmartHubs are included.  Are we to "assume"
 that it's 2 just because there are 2 in the photo?

There is a separate page for the 2-camera bundle so I don't understand why it shows the 2-camera bundle at the bottom.  I think that they just copied the 2-camera bundle page and forgot to edit the bottom.

[JamesC]

Bob-the-techie,

I've submitted a request to the marketing team to clarify the product description for this bundle. They should be updating it shortly.

JamesC