Arlo Video Doorbell 2nd Gen

[MKGAULIN]

Without a subscription and using local storage does the doorbell automatically record to the device accessible by the app? 

[StephenB · Accepted solution]

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@MKGAULIN wrote:

Without a subscription and using local storage does the doorbell automatically record to the device accessible by the app? 

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If the doorbell is connected through a VMB4540 or VMB5000 smarthub, then every time the doorbell triggers on motion or audio, the video will be recorded by the smarthub.  These recordings can be accessed from the app.  None of this functionality requrires a subscription.

There are limitations:

• recordings are only accessible from the app (not the browser)
• recordings are only visible from the primary account (not "friend" accounts)
• there are no thumbnails - videos need to be downlaoded to your phone before you can see anything
• You cannot make manual recordings or take snapshots
• remote access requires router setting changes that many find difficult (and which won't work with some internet service providers).

[MKGAULIN]

Thank you for that. I got one for my dad to primarily keep an eye on his koi pond as he often has unwanted visitors that he would like to identify. He has no Arlo smart hub. I was told this would operate stand alone without the base station. 
Yes? No?

[StephenB]

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@MKGAULIN wrote:

Thank you for that. I got one for my dad to primarily keep an eye on his koi pond as he often has unwanted visitors that he would like to identify. He has no Arlo smart hub. I was told this would operate stand alone without the base station. 
Yes? No?

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If you want local storage with no subscription, then it needs a smarthub.  The doorbell has no storage of its own.  So you either need a subscription or a smarthub.

One comment on your planned usage - the doorbell has a very short motion detection range (4m, or 13 ft).  It can pick up vehicles from farther away, but generally not reliably.  So this might not be the right choice for your situation.

[MKGAULIN]

Thank you Stephen. If the kid at Best Buy had your knowledge I would have walked out with one. I didn't want to give my dad a gift that came with monthly payments. His pond is small and the camera will only need to see about eight feet or less.

[alex_loo]

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@MKGAULIN wrote:

Thank you Stephen. If the kid at Best Buy had your knowledge I would have walked out with one. I didn't want to give my dad a gift that came with monthly payments. His pond is small and the camera will only need to see about eight feet or less.

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hehe, I don't think the Best Buy kid is supposed to know up to that level of details.  Imagine that many products and brands there!

I'd say this is ARLO's own responsibility to make these basic info clear on the package, or on its website.  As a matter of fact, I tend to believe they intentionally make it unclear/vague to take customers to the subscription path.

Alex

[MKGAULIN]

This is from Arlo's website.

No. Arlo SmartHubs and Arlo Base Stations are not currently compatible with the Arlo Video Doorbell (2nd Generation). Simply use your existing Wi-Fi router to connect the doorbell directly to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network.

Please advise!!

[alex_loo]

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@MKGAULIN wrote:

This is from Arlo's website.

No. Arlo SmartHubs and Arlo Base Stations are not currently compatible with the Arlo Video Doorbell (2nd Generation). Simply use your existing Wi-Fi router to connect the doorbell directly to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network.

Please advise!!

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apparently ARLO hasn't even updated their official information but according to this community announcement, gen2 doorbells are now supported, after firmware update.

So @StephenB should be correct (he is our nice supersuper here!).  Where within the ARLO website did you quote that info?

I wonder if/when ARLO would update its official webpage, just to release good news for themselves.

Alex

[StephenB]

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@MKGAULIN wrote:

This is from Arlo's website.

No. Arlo SmartHubs and Arlo Base Stations are not currently compatible with the Arlo Video Doorbell (2nd Generation). Simply use your existing Wi-Fi router to connect the doorbell directly to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network.

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As @alex_loo says, this is out of date information. 

@JamesC - I suggest you contact the web team to revise the answer in the FAQ here:

• https://www.arlo.com/en-us/doorbell

[MKGAULIN]

Thank you all. Hoping this all works out.

[JamesC]

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I will reach out to the web team to correct the information published their. 2nd generation devices are now compatible with base stations/smart hubs as StephenB has already mentioned here. 

JamesC

[MKGAULIN]

If my parents opt to expand this system and add cameras what can I tell them would be the monthly subscription fee?

[JamesC]

MKGAULIN,

Subscription plans and their associated costs can be found at arlo.com. You can select annual or monthly billing and the appropriate plan for your needs based on the listed features.

Take a look here: https://www.arlo.com/en-us/arlosecure.html

JamesC