Ultra Smart Hub question

[jimmbonz]

I currently have 4 cameras: 3 of the VMC series and the new floodlight FB1001. I want to get a hub. Right now I have a subscription. If I get the hub I can store video locally and cancel my subscription correct? and what is the typical storage capacity that you recommend. I dont want to get bare minimum. Thanks. I opened a ticket and Arlo nnever responded. That was days ago.

[StephenB]

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@jimmbonz wrote:

I currently have 4 cameras: 3 of the VMC series and the new floodlight FB1001. 

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Just to clarify - the FB1001 (wireless floodlight) is not new, it was launched back in 2020.   Did you get this, or did you get the wired FLW2001 (released in Oct 2024)???

This matters because the FLW2001 can't be connected to a smarthub yet.  The Gen 2 cameras were introduced in the fall of 2023, and it took Arlo a year to add smarthub support.  The needed firmware is still being rolled out to users.  So if you have the wired floodlight, you should wait until Arlo actually releases smarthub support.

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@jimmbonz wrote:

If I get the hub I can store video locally and cancel my subscription correct? 

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Cloud recording is probably the most important subscripton feature, but it is not the only one.  Others include AI classification and activity zones.

Local storage has several limitations:

• Recordings can only be accessed from the app (not my.arlo.com on a PC).
• Recordings can only be accessed from the primary account (not "Friend" accounts)
• There are no thumbnails - videos need to be downloaded to your phone before you can see anything
• There is no ability to make manual recordings or take snapshots
• There is no way to filter to feed (to only see recordings for a specific camera)
• Remote access requires router setting changes that many find difficult, and which do not work with some internet service providers.

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@jimmbonz wrote:

and what is the typical storage capacity that you recommend. I dont want to get bare minimum. 

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The minimum size is 16 gb.  I recommend something in the 128-512 gb range.  Even 128 GB will hold a lot of recordings.  

You'd need a microSD card with the VMB5000.  The VMB4540 supports USB storage.  While some folks here use a hard drive, I think it is more sensible to use a thumb drive instead.  They are smaller, and there are no power or cabling issues.

Get name brand storage (sandisk, samsung, kingston, pny, ...).  There are a lot of scams out there for USB thumb drives and microSD cards - particularly in the 1 TB or larger sizes (which I think is a lot more storage than you need anyway).  So if you see a suspiciously low price, I recommend passing on it. 

[jimmbonz]

i bought the FB1001 just a month ago. wireless with solar panel.

I thought that ARLO fixed the issue where you can only review video from the app?? Seems like local storage has a lot of limitations. The question I need to ask myself is do any of them matter to me. I use my phone for mostly everything related to the system.

[StephenB]

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@jimmbonz wrote:

i bought the FB1001 just a month ago. wireless with solar panel.

It's still a currently sold camera.  I didn't know if "new" meant newly purchased, or newly launched.

The FB1001 can be connected through a smarthub.

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@jimmbonz wrote:

I thought that ARLO fixed the issue where you can only review video from the app??

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No.  

Initially the recordings were only available in "Feed" if you

1. went to the devices page
2. selected the base
3. selected "storage settings"

They are in the process of adding "Local" and "Cloud" selections on the "Feed" page.  That change is out there for Android, but not yet on iPhone.

But they haven't removed any of the limitations I listed.

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@jimmbonz wrote:

Seems like local storage has a lot of limitations. The question I need to ask myself is do any of them matter to me. I use my phone for mostly everything related to the system.

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FWIW, the lack of thumbnails can be quite annoying.  There are a lot of recordings where I just look at the thumbnail, and never play the full video.  Having to download each video does add friction/delay.

Setting up remote access can be difficult.  Have you ever set up port forwarding?  Or a home VPN?