NEW Installation questions - 4K Streaming & Smart Plan

[oabushaban]

Hi,

Been searching the forums with no luck to get definite answers.

I have one challenge and one question.

I just purchased and configured Arlo Ultra (3 cameras bundle), comes with 1 year premier plan (2k video quality). My challenge is that I can't stream 4k quality video. Although, 4k Local streaming is enabled, I have my mobile and cameras on the same network, connection quality test between the Home-Base and Cameras is "strong", and tried both the 120 and 150 degrees angel. The live streaming is showing me 4k icon, but there is no way it's a 4k quality not even a 2k). Neither you can read plate numbers (20 feet from the camera) or any closer object.

My question, Is there an annual (Smart Plan - Elite) price? It says CAD19.99 (up to 5 cameras) / monthly.

This translates to hefty total cost of ownership (CAD 240 / Annual). Especially if I compare it with the new Google Nest Aware, they just introduced CAD 80 annual for the entire Home that includes unlimited google devices .

https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/9546397

[oabushaban]

UPDATE:

I was chatting with Arlo Support. They gave me weird answer.

My Premier Subscription (1 year free), is an old Premier Plan and doesn't support 4k Streaming. I told the agent it's brand new Arlo Camera kit, with no luck to get. I feel Arlo is pushing their customers to get into expensive subscriptions. Definitely a NO NO.

Did anyone run into something similar? 

[StephenB]

They re-did the subscriptions last December, and your camera kit predates that.

In the original scheme, Premier handled up to 10 cameras at 1080p.  You needed to purchase an add-on called PVR ("premium video recording") to get 4K.  That cost $2.00 per month per camera.

If you have 5 or fewer cameras, then the new pricing for 4K is about the same (or a bit cheaper) than the old plan.  If you have a lot of cameras, then the new pricing is definitely more expensive.

[oabushaban]

Thanks! I don't think it's the case or I may don't get it right.

The current free plan that comes with Arlo ultra is (Smart Premier), seems to get the 2k or 4k I need to go for a higher plan Like Premier (2k) or Elite (4k). The Elite is at CAD 19.99 / Monthly for up to 5 cameras.

Is there anything else or something I am missing?

[StephenB]

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@oabushaban wrote:

The current free plan that comes with Arlo ultra is (Smart Premier), seems to get the 2k or 4k

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At launch, the 10 camera smart premier trial subscription did not include PVR (4K).  2K wasn't available at all, because the Pro3 camera wasn't yet launched.  At least that's the way I remember it.  Note I am talking about cloud recording - not live streaming.

I don't recall CAD pricing.  US pricing was $99 annually for Premier back then.  PVR might have had an annual rate too, but I don't know what it was.  Definitely the per-camera  monthly price for PVR was $1.99 per month.  So to get 4K for 5 cameras would have cost $218.40.  Elite for 5 cameras now is $179.88.  So 4K actually cheaper if you have 5 cameras.

With 3 cameras, the old plan would have been $170.64 paid annually for 4K, compared to $179.88 for the new plan that has to paid monthly.  So slightly more.