Smarthub difference

[BooIJ]

What is the difference between vmb4540 vs vmb5000 ?

[jguerdat]

The major differences are 1) the VMB4540 uses a USB drive for local recordings vs. a micro SD card for the 5000 and 2) the VMB4540 supports only the 2.4GHz band while the 5000 supports both the 2.4 and 5GHz bands.

[BooIJ]

And de vmb5000 is the newest smarthub?

[StephenB]

---

@BooIJ wrote:

And de vmb5000 is the newest smarthub?

---

Actually the VMB4540 is a bit newer.  The VMB5000 was launched with the Ultra (late 2018), the VMB4540 was launched with the Pro 3 (late 2019)

Both smarthubs have the same camera compability list. The VMB5000 is somewhat more expensive ($100 vs $150 in the US). The 5 ghz feature is of limited value (both because it has shorter range than 2.4 ghz wifi, and because most Arlo cameras don't have a 5 ghz radio).  

[BooIJ]

So the VMB4540 better for the future?

[StephenB]

---

@BooIJ wrote:

So the VMB4540 better for the future?

---

No.  But if you'd asked "Is the VMB5000 better for the future?", I'd have answered "No" to that too.

[BooIJ]

Okay, bu i want buy a smarthub. 
Which of the two do you recommend?

[StephenB]

---

@BooIJ wrote:

Okay, bu i want buy a smarthub. 
Which of the two do you recommend?

---

If the USB vs microSD difference doesn't matter to you, then I'd go with the VMB4540, as it is less expensive.  

[BooIJ]

And there is no difference in speed, stability, quality, or compatibility?

[StephenB]

---

@BooIJ wrote:

And there is no difference in speed, stability, quality, or compatibility?

---

The compatibility list is the same.

• https://kb.arlo.com/000062284/Arlo-SmartHub-and-Base-Station-Compatibility

No difference in the specs other than dual-band and the USB/microSD.  No difference in performance or reliability that I've seen (I have both).

If you are worried about it, just get the more expensive one.

[Edinburgh_lad1]

@StephenB isn't it that vmb5000 is advertised as having a faster processor, though a good question in relation to what other model? Probably a marketing trick as it might have been compared to Vmb4000? Also, would the SD card reader on the former not offer faster speeds than USB A 2.0 on the VMB5000 if comparing storage like for like?

[StephenB]

---

@Edinburgh_lad1 wrote:

isn't it that vmb5000 is advertised as having a faster processor

Not anywhere I've seen (and I just looked).  If you are seeing Arlo advertise that, please provide a link.

---

@Edinburgh_lad1 wrote:

Also, would the SD card reader on the former not offer faster speeds than USB A 2.0 on the VMB5000 if comparing storage like for like?

---

USB-2 is much faster than needed to keep up with the advertised 5 simultaneous streams, so this is not something that makes any practical difference.

FWIW, 5 Ultra streams require < 15 mbps or < ~2 MB/s.  

[BooIJ]

So the VMB5000 is faster?
If the price difference is that big then there must be more difference than just 5ghz and the type of storage port?

[Edinburgh_lad1]

Unless we fell for it again 🙄

[BooIJ]

So everyone thinks you should buy the vmb4540? Or maybe someone knows if there will be a newer version soon?