Arlo down

TonyR

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Not sure why someone would go with a cloud-based system in the first place. It's like asking your neighbor's 18 year old son to do something important for you at 8 AM Saturday while you're out of town and you'll pay him $20...you forgot that, unlike when your were his age 50 years ago, that most kids today his age are in bed until noon on Saturday.

The slick ads by Arlo, Ring, etc. don't mention how dependent the overall operation is not only on THEIR server(s) being online but also that YOUR ISP or YOUR mobile provider at your cell's location must be online to be of any use to you.

Too many parts in the machine insures that it'll break sooner than later.
 

aristobrat

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Not sure why someone would go with a cloud-based system in the first place.
The only reason I can think of is because it's easy for non-technical people, and because Arlo/Nest/etc market it in a very elegant way.
 

TonyR

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The only reason I can think of is because it's easy for non-technical people, and because Arlo/Nest/etc market it in a very elegant way.
You are 100% correct. And in Utopia, the Internet is always 'UP' and everyone has 4 MBps upload speed minimum.

Most folks look at their download speeds and figure "...well, I've got 20 megs coming down, it'll work great". Having a fast download speed is, in fact, a good thing but with these cloud-based devices, one must have no less than 4 meg going up or you'll be gravely disappointed. Video will lag, skip, etc. Lowered to a dismal 480p @ 5 FPS and having only 1 cam online you might get away with a 2 meg upload speed.

In addition to the slick ads, too many folks have bought into Hollywood's version of how tech "...always works when you need it, never fails and works as advertised".:facepalm:
 

Pmedicj

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I had the original dropcams and they were ok. Looked at going with the Arlo setup and then found this forum and went with dahua from Andy. Glad I did!
I must say the IPC-A46 ptz consumer camera was way cheaper then the Arlo or Nest cams and is much better than either. I use it for the kids room and it does the job. I have an SD card in it and it records to my NVR as well. Much better than relying on the cloud.
 

looney2ns

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I chuckle at the local neighbors on the NextDoor app.
They all recommend, Arlo, Nest, Ring crap after something happens.
Then all I have to do, is drop a still from my front door with the statement: "This cam cost less, than any of the Alro, Nest, Ring garbage. Do you really want your security system tied to a rogue server in China or Russia."

That shuts them down, then I get a couple of PM's asking about my real cam. :)
 

aristobrat

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That shuts them down, then I get a couple of PM's asking about my real cam. :)
That’s a mixed bag. Talking to normal folks about what they need to do to get a Starlight + NVR that they can remotely monitor is usually a rough conversation. This is when I appreciate Ring, Arlo, etc for the masses. lol
 

looney2ns

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I've converted a couple actual neighbors and found out later a couple of distant neighbors converted or avoided the cloud stuff.

I'm lucky to know a local alarm installer that understands the need to put in good equipment properly, without raping the customer, that I can recommend without concern.
No, I don't have any monetary interest in what he's doing.
 
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