Is Arlo Ultra buffer recording AKA "look back" gone?

[Arlo618]

Hi all - 

I just noticed that the videos from my permanently plugged in Arlo Ultra do not have the look back buffer.  All triggered recordings start at the point where the object enters the frame, no 3 seconds of buffer period.   Has there been a change in this feature recently?  Or is everyone's plugged in Ultras still recording 3 seconds of buffer video as expected? 

Referencing this KB article for info: https://kb.arlo.com/000062053/How-does-the-Look-Back-feature-work-on-my-Arlo-camera

[K9trainer]

I just looked my library and my cameras are still showing the 3sec look back. I have Ultra cameras. The way I can tell is that (for example) the recording shows a car as the trigger.. my video starts before the car even shows.

I also checked on audio triggers and it the video shows the recording starts before the audio trigger.

hope this helps

[JamesC]

Arlo618,

No changes have been made to this feature for Arlo Ultra. Try rebooting your SmartHub and test again to see if you still experience the same behavior.

JamesC

[HazzMatt]

Hello, I've had Ultra for over a year and was not aware of Lookback feature you refer to. Is that an actual advertised feature? Thanks

[K9trainer]

The way it works is that your cameras are recording before they get triggered to record. So If you run your cameras plugged into power you have the ability to see the extra 3 seconds ahead of the trigger. This only works with the cameras plugged in.

I live on a busy street, so I have a lot of recordings of cars driving by.

When you look in your library, the thumb nail is what you will see in the recordings as the start of the recording. With look back I see 3 seconds before the thumb nail. So what I see is 3 seconds before the car driving by  triggers my cameras to record.

[Arlo618]

Thanks James - i did that as part of my trouble shooting and did not notice a difference.  Videos still start with the object entering the frame, no 3 second pre-buffer.

[JamesC]

HazzMatt,

You can find more information on this feature here: Why does my Arlo camera start recording video before the trigger event happens?

Arlo618,

Is your camera plugged in with a solar panel or are you using the AC adapter and power cable that came with your Arlo Ultra kit? Note that a solar panel will not provide enough charge to enable this feature.

JamesC

[K9trainer]

If you look at your thumb nails in your library, is that the start of your video? Or do you see any recording prior to that thumb nail?

[Arlo618]

Yes, it's plugged into an outlet, not a solar panel. I will connect a wall charger and do a test at another property that has also been set up with Ultra cameras.   

[Arlo618]

Video starts only when object is already in the frame, probably a second into it entering the frame.  Same as thumbnail.

[JamesC]

Arlo618,

Could you provide a video clip showing what you're describing so we can better understand if there is an issue?

JamesC

[Arlo618]

Confirming that there is no Arlo Ultra buffer time on another system that is under my account but at a different physical location. 

I tested with charging cable that came with the kit and with an aftermarket one.  Arlo Pro 2s that are on the same network connected to the same Hub seem to be working as expected - there is a buffer time before the motion starts and/or object enters the frame. Arlo Utlra videos start with the object in the frame, no buffer.

[JamesC]

Arlo618,

Please contact the Arlo Support Team to further investigate this issue. You will find several options for contacting support in the provided link.

JamesC

[Arlo618]

Here is a video sample: https://youtu.be/KdcWWoCReS4

[K9trainer]

Is that your video quality? Looks terrible.

[Shaun1234]

Hi did you fix this my Arlo pro 3's have the same issue?

[K9trainer]

There wasn’t a  fix, it just started working