Should Essential Video Doorbell stream video with motion when not armed

[NYRudedog]

I just installed the Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell. I have set everything up and it does alert and record video when armed, however; it does not stream video when motion is detected in the unarmed state. I thought a video doorbell would record video regardless of whether it is armed or not. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling. Please advise. This has to be a solvable issue/ I don't understand why it isn't readily mentioned anywhere.

[StephenB]

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@NYRudedog wrote:

 I thought a video doorbell would record video regardless of whether it is armed or not.

No.  If the camera is disarmed, then it will not record and it will not notify you.  It should still livestream video though.

You can disable just the notifications if you want (and leave the camera armed).

[NYRudedog]

Stephen B,

Thanks for your response. I have owned an Arlo system for many years and have recommended it to several persons as a former hard-wired security system installer. I am very disappointed that the Arlo Essential Doorbell camera functions differently than all other doorbell cams on the market. It is deceiving that they don't mention the inability to live stream at all times without having to arm the system. Arlo is providing a disservice to their existing and potential clientele by not supporting a feature that all other doorbell cams provide. I will probably end up replacing this doorbell cam with a manufacturer who can provide what I was searching for in a doorbell camera. If Arlo is paying attention, this could be easily remedied through simple programming. I am disappointed because before purchasing this product, I was very impressed with Arlo and their wireless camera technology. 

[StephenB]

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@NYRudedog wrote:

It is deceiving that they don't mention the inability to live stream at all times without having to arm the system.

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You can livestream a disarmed camera - if you can't then something is wrong.

[NYRudedog]

OK, maybe livestream is the improper term. I just expected it would continuously detect motion without being armed like competitor's models do.  Of course it will live stream if you select the play icon, however; unless the system is armed, it does not alert the homeowner of a presence at the door. What's the point of the ability to differentiate between vehicles, pets and humans if it isn't capable of doing so while unarmed? It would be such a better product if it could do what other doorbell cameras are capable of. Sure,  you can create a mode with just the doorbell camera included but then you have to manually arm the system with that mode just to do what the competition is already capable of doing. I think Arlo should consider a firmware upgrade that resolves this issue. 

[StephenB]

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@NYRudedog wrote:

OK, maybe livestream is the improper term. I just expected it would continuously detect motion without being armed like competitor's models do. 

By definition,  disarming any arlo camera turns off motion and audio detection.  Though I don't own a Ring doorbell, googling informs me that disarming a Ring Doorbell also turns off motion detection.

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@NYRudedog wrote:

Sure,  you can create a mode with just the doorbell camera included but then you have to manually arm the system with that mode 

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FWIW, Arlo has actually removed "disarmed" from new "Feed" experience being rolled out now.  Instead there is a "standby" mode.  You can edit that to keep the doorbell (or any other cameras) armed if you like.

[NYRudedog]

And just exactly how do I access this new "standby" mode?  I do not see it as an option under modes currently.

[jguerdat]

Sounds like you have the old interface - do you see Library or Feed to be able to see videos? Library means the old interface.

Assuming the above, you should have Armed and Disarmed as default modes. Which is selected?