Why is hub needed with cameras?

[JDB_5730]

I want to add wired cameras to my doorbell camera. What is purpose/need for hub? What does it do? Does anyone know if Arlo sells wired versions of Ultra 2? Thank you very much in advance. I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving.

[StephenB · Accepted solution]

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@JDB_5730 wrote:

What is purpose/need for hub? What does it do?

You can think of it as a specialized router for the cameras.  It creates a power-optimized closed wifi network that the cameras connect to.  It also lets you add a usb drive (or microSD card in the case of the VMB5000) for local storage.

Newer models (Pro 3 Floodlight, Pro 4, Pro 5, Essential) can connect either to a hub or to your home wifi.  Older models (including the Pro 3, Ultra, and Ultra 2) connect only to a hub.

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@JDB_5730 wrote:

Does anyone know if Arlo sells wired versions of Ultra 2? 

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They don't.  But you can connect it to a charger 24x7.  They sell both indoor and outdoor chargers for it.

They only connect wirelessly - no PoE versions.