New generation of doorbell is awful

[JamesC]

Introducing the 2nd generation of the Arlo Video Doorbell, now offered in both 2K and HD options. While you’re away from home, running errands, working, or on vacation, you can count on the Arlo Video Doorbell to let you know what’s happening at your front door.

Protect your door and more. Video Doorbell protects your front door with clear HD 1080P resolution, Night Vision, and Integrated Siren. Respond to visitors with 2-way audio or send a quick reply message. ·        HD Video Doorbell ·        Updated seamless Bluetooth onboarding ·        180° field of view ·        Built-in battery with new technology for long life ·        Night Vision ·        Sleeker form factor with newer battery technology

Protect your door and more with crystal-clear details. Video Doorbell protects your front door with crystal clear 2K resolution, Night Vision, and Integrated Siren. Respond to visitors with 2-way audio or send a quick reply message. ·        2K Video Doorbell ·        Updated seamless Bluetooth onboarding ·        180° field of view ·        Built-in battery with new technology for long life ·        Night Vision ·        Sleeker form factor with newer battery technology

Post a reply or visit Arlo Support if you have any additional questions or need more information about the Arlo Video Doorbell - 2nd Generation

Thank you for being part of the Arlo Community!

[hpatel85]

When will there be a fix for the horrible noise issue making the doorbell essentially useless for its intended use when actually trying to talk to someone at the door.

[1starlo]

Hi, I just purchased 2 video doorbells (2k, 2nd G), and the Smarthub VMB4540.  Will these work together, or do I need to return them?

[StephenB]

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@1starlo wrote:

Hi, I just purchased 2 video doorbells (2k, 2nd G), and the Smarthub VMB4540.  Will these work together, or do I need to return them?

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The 2nd gen cameras (and doorbells) do not support smarthubs yet.  Arlo says they will add that feature, but haven't said when.

[mrodrigu74]

Hi. I have exactly the same problem. How you fix it? I have the last version of Arlo Secure in both my iPhone 14 Pro and my iPad and the Video Doorbell 2nd Generation does not appear in the App to start installation. 

[JamesC]

mrodrigu74,

Where are you located? Arlo Essential 2nd generation devices are not available for onboard in all regions.

JamesC

[McCormack]

Wish I'd have read this first, mine was stole just before I found out my trial was up n didn't get footage of the thieving swine....

[gIr0d]

@JamesC regarding the local storage capability for the Doorbell 2, is it possible to get on a list to know when its available or do you have any details if it comes this or next year? I assume Arlo has a software/firmware release planning where they list out the features etc. they deliver.

Plus maybe you can check if the local storage videos can ever appear in the Feed section please?

Thanks

[DanK50]

Referring to passages in the Arlo user manual, it can only be connected to 2.4 GHz. Here are the references:

2. Make sure your phone is connected to 2.4 Ghz Wi-Fi network...

6. Select a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network.

When you install and set up your doorbell, the Arlo Secure App guides you through the
process of connecting the doorbell to your router’s 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network.

You can change your doorbell’s Wi-Fi to a different 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network.

Hope that helps.

[srpugliese]

Can this doorbell use the existing wires (from the current doorbell) to power it?

[StephenB]

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@srpugliese wrote:

Can this doorbell use the existing wires (from the current doorbell) to power it?

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Yes - assuming that the wires are delivering low voltage ac (8-24 volts) and at least 10VA.

If you can find the transformer, the voltage and power should be on the label.

[lakefever]

AVD4001Aer1.3 doorbell will not capture or when it does, it only records a few seconds. No amount of searching the community finds a solution, only other complaints of the same issue.  Arlo has not posted a solution as well. With so many complaints I would think Arlo would be posting a solution instead of searching the community full of complaints.   With purchase price and monthly subscription fee makes this a costly problem. No amount of blaming wifi,  checking for updates, assuring it is mounted correctly, etc. will correct an inferior product. 

[JamesC]

lakefever,

You may need to adjust the recording length and/or sensitivity for the doorbell to achieve the desired results.

Take a look here for information about how to make those adjustments:

https://kb.arlo.com/000062895/How-do-I-change-the-motion-sensitivity-on-my-Arlo-camera-Arlo-Secure-4...

https://kb.arlo.com/000062820/How-do-I-adjust-Arlo-video-recording-length-Arlo-Secure-4-0

JamesC

[lakefever]

These settings have been checked 5-6 times. The motion is only detected when it is within 5-6 feet of the camera. The camera then only captures a few seconds of video. Sometimes the motion is detected as a person is walking way!

This gets to be really frustrating when these simple steps are suggested as they were taken during setup. I need a solution, repeating instructions is no help.  

To me this is equivalent to asking if a switch was turned on because a light will not work. Is this the level of support Arlo provides?    

[jguerdat]

If you only get a few seconds of recording when the doorbell is set to record a timed amount, that implies a poor WiFi connection which can be due to a signal strength and/or quality issue. You can take the doorbell indoors for testing to see if it works better.

[lakefever]

Already tried that. Doorbell and phone also show full signal when mounted. I think a replacement is due. Never had this trouble until I installed the new doorbell. 

[JamesC]

lakefever,

I encourage you to reach out to support to open a ticket detailing the concerns you've mentioned here. You can find support options within the Arlo app under Settings > Support.

JamesC

[jeremykei]

This is our observation too. On top of that, there's this noise issue trying to talk to someone at the gate. Plus the battery is non-removable in the 2nd Gen, so if you're on a busy street like some of us, the battery needs swapping every few days to a week where solar panels wun charge sufficiently during seasons. Means you're gonna need at least 2 complete units if u wanna charge up some place else.

[voletco1]

Have you figured out a solution? I’m thinking about switching to the Arlo doorbell as we have the wired nest doorbell currently but have been having the offline issues. Could this possibly be a Google Home API issue? We get the same error when we try to get a live view within the app.

[lakefever]

Sadly no resolution. 

[alex_loo]

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@JamesC wrote:

Like previous Arlo models, these 2nd generation models will need to be connected to a compatible Base Station/SmartHub to integrate with Apple Home. Apple Home integration and Base Station/SmartHub support will not be available for Arlo Video Doorbell 2nd Generation and Arlo Essential 2nd Generation camera models at launch. We expect Apple Home and Base Station/SmartHub support to be made available in a future firmware release. We will make an announcement once support for these features is available after launch.

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hi @JamesC , understand above information may have been outdated.  Could you advise if gen 2 doorbell can record locally to smarthub?  (under the context of NO SUBSCRIPTION)

Found following regarding gen2, saying it does NOT/ cannot connect to SmartHUB.  I am confused with this.

Alex

[JamesC]

alex_loo,

The firmware to allow 2nd generation devices to connect to Base Stations/Smarthubs is currently being tested for full release. We expect this phase of the release to be completed soon, allowing users to connect 2nd generation devices to their Base station/Smarthubs. 

I will provide more information as it becomes available. 

JamesC

[alex_loo]

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@JamesC wrote:

The firmware to allow 2nd generation devices to connect to Base Stations/Smarthubs is currently being tested for full release. We expect this phase of the release to be completed soon, allowing users to connect 2nd generation devices to their Base station/Smarthubs. 

I will provide more information as it becomes available. 

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that means it's NOT supporting as of today, right?  thanks.

Alex

[JamesC]

Base Station/SmartHub compatibility is now available for Arlo 2nd generation devices. For those that already have your Arlo 2nd generation device onboarded, you will need to remove the device from your Arlo account and re-onboard to see the option to sync with your Base Station/SmartHub. The following firmware or newer is required for this integration.

Compatibility list:
Arlo Essential 2nd Generation Outdoor - VMC2050, VMC2052 – Firmware: 1.5.0_1048_85f53f3 
Arlo Essential 2nd Generation Outdoor 2K - VMC3050, VMC3052– Firmware: 1.5.0_1048_85f53f3
Arlo Essential 2nd Generation Indoor - VMC2060 – Firmware: 1.5.0_1048_0e78ae4
Arlo Essential 2nd Generation Indoor 2K - VMC3060 – Firmware: 1.5.0_1048_0e78ae4
Arlo Video Doorbell 2nd Generation - AVD3001 / AVD4001 – Firmware: 1.5.0_1059_eb10395

Compatible Base Station/SmartHub:
Base Station VMB4000 – Firmware: 1.25.0.1_4591_0201bb2
Base Station VMB4500 – Firmware: 1.25.0.1_4541_0201bb2
SmartHub VMB4540 – Firmware: 1.25.0.1_1680_0201bb2
SmartHub VMB5000 – Firmware:  1.25.0.1_1762_0201bb2

[alex_loo]

great.  So "Arlo Video Doorbell 2nd Generation - AVD3001 / AVD4001 – Firmware: 1.5.0_1059_eb10395" can now record locally to the storage of "SmartHub VMB5000 – Firmware:  1.25.0.1_1762_0201bb2", right?

Alex

[JamesC]

ale_loo,

Correct. As long as you have local storage enabled on your VMB5000: https://kb.arlo.com/000062818/How-do-I-set-up-local-storage-backups-using-my-Arlo-SmartHub-or-Base-S...

JamesC