Arlo Video Doorbell - my personal review and some thoughts regarding the recording angle

[mama2ewmm]

Purchased this on the Ding Dong Ditch program, returning my Ring (I think the first version).  I do think Ring has Arlo beat in may ways.  I love my Arlo Pro 2 cameras over my Ring doorbell camera so I decided to take advantage of this offer.  The video quality of the Arlo Video Doorbell is much better than on the Ring product was using.  One thing I was hoping to gain is that it would record up to 300 seconds when motion is detected as my cameras do.  It is set for this.  It only records in 13 second spurts.  Apparently the range for it to pick up motion is not as good as the cameras, even when motion is within the zone highlighted in my motion zones.  In one video I was well within an acceptable range and it stopped mid-motion.  I will play with the fixed record settings to see what works best.  I also am not pleased with the angle of the video.  My Ring recorded my entire front porch due to the width it would record.  The Arlo stops at the edge of my door.  I will be mounting the angle plate behind it to help that issue.  I'm glad it records at a wider angle below the doorbell as it catches where packages are left, however it also is a wide angle above so I catch a lot of sky which is not needed.  I'd much rather a wider angle side to side.  I was hoping to not have to mount a separate camera as I was going to with the Ring Doorbell due to the video quality of the ring and the fact it would only record for 30 seconds, no more.  I am still going to have to mount a camera due to the poor recording angle of the Arlo doorbell and the fact that it doesn't seem to sense motion as well as the cameras do.  Also, my cameras don't have much of a delay from when motion starts until it starts recording.  The Arlo Video Doorbell does which is another issue I also had with Ring that I was trying to get away from.  For reference, I do have the free trial of the Premier Smart Plan set up.  Also of note, the subscription plan that is required for the Arlo Video Doorbell is more expensive than the one I have with Ring.  Ring offers a one year plan that is discounted over the monthly plan.  

[JamesC]

mama2ewmm,

Thanks for the feedback on night vision, i'll follow up with the product manager on these comments.

Regarding field of view, every environment is going to be a little bit different and adjusting the position/angle of the doorbell where possible may help. We chose a 1:1 aspect ratio to allow for more vertical field of view so that in most user environments this would allow for objects placed in front of the door to be visible. Traditional video doorbells use a 16:9 aspect ratio which allows for much less vertical field of view, see below:

Given the symptoms of motion not continuing up to 300 seconds and motion not being sensed as well as your cameras, you might considering increasing the motion sensitivity on the Arlo Video Doorbell. Take a look here for more information on how this can be done: How do I change the motion sensitivity on my Arlo camera?

JamesC

[mama2ewmm]

I don't think I mentioned anything regarding night vision.  I have already adjusted the motion sensor.  It still didn't pick up continuous motion happening 5-10 feet in front of the camera.  The motion was between the red line in the pic I've attached and the camera.  It all stopped while motion was actively occurring.  My motion zone is set all the way back to where the yellow line is marked.  All stopped recording at 13 seconds then restarted.  I've switched it to a set recording of 120 seconds to see if that's any better.  

[JamesC]

mama2ewmm,

Sorry about the night vision mix up, I was reading two different, but similar reviews simultaneously and mixed up my response.

Please let me know the results of your switch to 120 seconds.

Thanks,

JamesC