Isolated Installation

[Gainer]

I seem to like everything I've read and heard about the Arlo systems is what we need. After activation, (probably off-site), operation location requirements are unique.

No smartphones allowed on premises. Most folks here do not have smartphones anyhow and a few have personal cell phones, but are checked in to lock up before entering.

Extremely restricted internet access for anything. Cannot plan on receiving approval to send video feed out.

Can an Arlo system be set up so as not to need internet access (after activation) but the video feed would still be available to a single dedicated monitor, PC and/or across a wired isolated LAN?

I am looking for a camera system like Arlo (no cables) but need to keep feed isolated to this location.

Other Suggestions?

Thank you g

[doraemon]

@Gainer

i'm afraid that's not gonna work without internet.

[Gainer]

I understand the need for the internet for registration/activation, remote access to feeds, but not local feed. I'm also reading that I am also needing to provide a WiFi Router. I am not using a unit that is a WiFi Acccess Point and a Router. I have a Modem Router and a separate WiFI Access Point.Will this work?

What is the Base Station that comes with the cameras used for? It must do a lot of processing so as not to load the netgear servers with a lot of unnecessary processes, just to send it back for local (PC/IE) viewing.

What format does it produce? Since one of the choices for access is Internet Explorer, why not have access to display the feed(s) in the browser without the need to be cloud driven? Sure, I understand the inticement to buy more service/space on the netgear cloud servers is there if you can only store 7 days of videos, but...

From the description of the base station, it can process the video feed from up to 4 cameras (largest Security System on the website (VMS3430). Does this mean if I need 12 cameras I will need 3 sets of VMS3430? and how does that work for (any) access to the feeds?

What is the Arlo base station processing that must be sent out on the internet just to display it on my PC Monitor? I'm not wanting access from any off-site device or location. Also, we do not use IOS (apple) or Android devices either so there is no need/use for the apps. Even if internet access was allowed, the apps have no value for us. So access is by local (Windows) PC only.

I'm not trying to argue these points, but would like Netgear to chime in if there is maybe some unpublished way to use the Arlo's in an isolated manner. Sure there may be very few of us that need this type of services/cameras/system, but will need to take our money elsewhere for cameras. Sure, if it can be worked out, would not be buying a subscription to storage anyway, but will have purchased some cool camera systems. Thanks

[JohnR]

Hello Gainer, 

I have listed down your questions and provided some answer and hopefully might give you a clearer perspective on the Arlo Unit. 

I understand the need for the internet for registration/activation, remote access to feeds, but not local feed. I'm also reading that I am also needing to provide a WiFi Router. I am not using a unit that is a WiFi Acccess Point and a Router. I have a Modem Router and a separate WiFI Access Point.Will this work?

-A Wi-Fi router is not neccessarry/needed, all you need is a router with an ethernet port. The base station will be connected to your router using ethernet (NOT Wireless). This is to ensure the fastest connection to the internet and eliminating interference.

What is the Base Station that comes with the cameras used for? It must do a lot of processing so as not to load the netgear servers with a lot of unnecessary processes, just to send it back for local (PC/IE) viewing.

-The base station's job is to create a separate wireless network on which will the camera will connect to. This is the contact point of the camera, its job is also to communicate to our Arlo server. 

What format does it produce? Since one of the choices for access is Internet Explorer, why not have access to display the feed(s) in the browser without the need to be cloud driven? Sure, I understand the inticement to buy more service/space on the netgear cloud servers is there if you can only store 7 days of videos, but...

-You can download the videos on mp4 format and screenshots are on .jpg. As of now, we can only save files automatically to the cloud (downloading the videos/screenshots are done manually). There may be plans (not confirmed) in the future for local backup, you can watch out for that. 

From the description of the base station, it can process the video feed from up to 4 cameras (largest Security System on the website (VMS3430). Does this mean if I need 12 cameras I will need 3 sets of VMS3430? and how does that work for (any) access to the feeds?

-A single base station can support about 5 cameras (on Basic Plan - Free), but 4 is suggested for maximum streaming performance. You can tie the 3 base station on a single account and view them all on a single login. Please check this link below for more information: 

https://community.netgear.com/t5/Arlo-Knowledge-Base/Can-I-connect-more-than-one-Arlo-base-station-t...

What is the Arlo base station processing that must be sent out on the internet just to display it on my PC Monitor? I'm not wanting access from any off-site device or location. Also, we do not use IOS (apple) or Android devices either so there is no need/use for the apps. Even if internet access was allowed, the apps have no value for us. So access is by local (Windows) PC only.

-Since the only automatic backup feature of the Arlo units is through cloud, it needs to be connected to the internet. The managment of the Arlo unit are tied up to our servers for us to monitor automatic firmware updates and status of the unit. 

I'm not trying to argue these points, but would like Netgear to chime in if there is maybe some unpublished way to use the Arlo's in an isolated manner. Sure there may be very few of us that need this type of services/cameras/system, but will need to take our money elsewhere for cameras. Sure, if it can be worked out, would not be buying a subscription to storage anyway, but will have purchased some cool camera systems. Thanks

-As of this moment, the Arlo system needs internet connection to accesss the cloud services. Without internet, the Arlo system will be unuseable. 

Hope it helps. Feel free to ask if you have more questions.

Thanks, 

JohnR

Arlo Team

[doraemon]

@Gainer

in my opinion, i would agree that i wouldn't be spending my $$$ on such devices that wouldn't do the right job for me. for now, that's how arlo is designed and based from these feedbacks i'm pretty sure netgear's doing something about it. we will just probably wait and see.

[TomMac]

@Gainer

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From the description of the base station, it can process the video feed from up to 4 cameras (largest Security System on the website (VMS3430). Does this mean if I need 12 cameras I will need 3 sets of VMS3430? and how does that work for (any) access to the feeds?

-A single base station can support about 5 cameras, but 4 is suggested for maximum performance. You can tie the 3 base station on a single account and view them all on a single login. Please check this link below for more information: 

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Not to jump on JohnR, but there needs slight corrections here....

A single base on the free plan can support up to 5 cameras, on the Premier plan up to 10 cameras ( Elite plan supports 2 more bases and up to 15 camera )

So a single base can support up to 10 cameras

A single base can ONLY stream 4 cameras at the same time. If you want to stream more than 4, up to 8, you need 2 bases to the max of 12 cameras with 3 bases.... To have 12 cams streaming requires the Elite Plan

[JohnR]

Hi TomMac, 

Thanks for the correction and additional info. I have edited that part, I missed adding "on basic plan". My mistake. 

Thanks, 

JohnR

Arlo Team

[DamTog]

@TomMac,

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TomMac wrote:

Not to jump on JohnR, but there needs slight corrections here....

A single base on the free plan can support up to 5 cameras, on the Premier plan up to 10 cameras ( Elite plan supports 2 more bases and up to 15 camera )

So a single base can support up to 10 cameras

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Actually, a single base station supports up to 15 cameras max. You'll need Elite that's right, to have 15 cameras on 1 account, but you can have those 15 cams connected to only 1 BS. Now, Elite plan allows you to have 3 BS max however it's not necessary to have at least 2 BS to connect 15 cameras on 1 account since you can do it with 1 BS.

[TomMac]

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DamTog wrote:

@TomMac,

Actually, a single base station supports up to 15 cameras max. You'll need Elite that's right, to have 15 cameras on 1 account, but you can have those 15 cams connected to only 1 BS. Now, Elite plan allows you to have 3 BS max however it's not necessary to have at least 2 BS to connect 15 cameras on 1 account since you can do it with 1 BS.

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That may be true, like 5 in basic, 10 in premier, 15 in elite.... but I have never seen it nor heard of a person doing it yet for a couple reasons.

The MAX number of strteaming Cams per base is 4!,  So running a high number of camera on a single base is unwise due to  it  allows only 26% of your cams usable...( since you've already invested the money in cams and have extra bases ( cheaper to buy 4 cam and base over single cams ))

You'd be better off runing 2 bases since you paying already and it comes up to 53% usage at the same time ( or 80% with 3 ).

[nbriser]

the requirement of the internet is a seriously limiting factor. while most people would use the cloud functionality, the fact that in an installation where there is no internet means that you are just out of the market. so is it more important to cash in on potential cloud storage monies or camera sales(given flexibilty and less proprietary rigidity)? 

off internet base and wireless cameras that save to "local" storage are necessary.

[ArtieIrwin]

How do you keep two base stations separate I have one in New York and one in Canada and there both operating on the one account I want to keep them separate Once I hooked up the second base station and synced the cameras only two cameras became active on the ny account and since you can only have a total of five cameras on the account I stuck with 2cameras I can't hook up!!?? Now what?

[jguerdat]

Reset one base by removing all associated devices (base and cameras) in Settings, My Devices.  Use a second email address to create a new account and set up the system as new.  This way both systems are completely separate.