Upgrade Base Station (VMB3010) to SmartHub (VMB4540 or VMB5000) - Will performance improve?

[mcelmell]

I have an older system of Arlo cameras (five VMC3030 cameras) and a Base Station (VMB3010), activated in 2016. I also have an Arlo Pro 4 camera (VMC4041), recently added to the system, although I am having trouble getting it to connect with the Base Station. I recently received the "End-Of-Life" notice, explaining that I should replace the Base Station with a more modern SmartHub.

We have a 3500 square foot, 2-story home, with decent WiFi and a mesh network. The Base Station is connected to one of the mesh units by ethernet cable. I'm not an IT expert, but I'm fairly certain I have the whole house covered with a strong WiFi signal. However, the cameras sometimes struggle to get a good connection with the Base Station. Consequently, some cameras don't connect with a live video feed when I need it.

So, my questions are...

1. If I were to upgrade the Base Station to a SmartHub, should that improve the camera performance? Also, which SmartHub is suitable for my needs, VMB4540 or VMB5000? If possible, I'd like to continue using the old cameras (VMC3030), rather than paying for a whole new set of cameras.

2. I'd think I'd prefer NOT to subscribe. Instead, I prefer to monitor live video feeds, and also review the 10-second recordings within a few days of activity. Am I missing out on something else if I don't subscribe?

3. I'm thinking about adding another camera to our system, an Arlo Essential Video Doorbell. Any advice about choosing the wired unit over the wireless unit? I also worry that the Essential may not connect to the old Base Station (even though I have read that it should), so I'm assuming that if I upgrade to the SmartHub, the Essential would integrate into the system with fewer problems. Any thoughts about that?

Thanks, in advance, for any wisdom on this.

[StephenB]

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@mcelmell wrote:

1. If I were to upgrade the Base Station to a SmartHub, should that improve the camera performance? Also, which SmartHub is suitable for my needs, VMB4540 or VMB5000? If possible, I'd like to continue using the old cameras (VMC3030), rather than paying for a whole new set of cameras.

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It probably won't increase the range.  

As far as models go, both the VMB4540 and the VMB5000 are compatible with your old cameras.  

One difference is that the VMB5000 uses microSD for storage, while the VMB4540 uses USB.

Another is that the VMB4540 only uses 2.4 ghz, which makes it less expensive.  But the Pro 4 camera is 2.4 ghz only also, so if you get the VMB5000 you'd be paying for a feature you can't take advantage of.

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@mcelmell wrote:

2. I'd think I'd prefer NOT to subscribe. Instead, I prefer to monitor live video feeds, and also review the 10-second recordings within a few days of activity. Am I missing out on something else if I don't subscribe?

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There is no cloud recording with the Pro 4 unless you have a subscription.  You'd need to set up direct access to local storage with one the new smarthub.

Downsides are

• recordings can only be seen in the app, not the browser
• recordings cannot be shared (only accessible from the primary account)
• all recordings need to be downloaded to the phone to view
• no thumbnails
• no ability to make manual recordings or take snapshots
• remote access requires router setting changes that some find difficult (and which don't work with some internet service providers).

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@mcelmell wrote:

3. I'm thinking about adding another camera to our system, an Arlo Essential Video Doorbell. Any advice about choosing the wired unit over the wireless unit? I also worry that the Essential may not connect to the old Base Station (even though I have read that it should), so I'm assuming that if I upgrade to the SmartHub, the Essential would integrate into the system with fewer problems. Any thoughts about that?

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No idea what you are reading, but the Essential Doorbells are not compatible with the VMB3010 base.

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

The wireless doorbell is a bit bulkier, and has a somewhat shorter motion detection range.  FWIW, I think the shorter range is actually an advantage. 

It is compatible with a wider range of transformers, and installation doesn't require the power kit (unlike the wired doorbell).

Circling back to subscriptions - the doorbell cameras can't be re-aimed, and often will trigger on street/sidewalk traffic.  Activity zones are often needed to control the notifications.  But activity zones require a subscription.