Arlo Camera features in ST app

Devices & Integrations
1

Hello SmartThings community,

I want to buy a smart cam that works with SmartThings. I am considering to buy Arlo Camera (VMC2030-100NAS Essential Spotlight Camera).
Thus i want to know the features of above cam in SmartThings app. Are there some issues with it ? Should i buy or not?

I am looking for

  1. motion detection notification
  2. livesteaming
  3. cloud storage
  4. 2 way audio
  5. local storage
2

I´ve been quite happy with my Arlos and their ST integration for couple of years now. You can get all those features straight from ST except the local storage. For that you need Arlo base station (hub) and you have to use Arlo app, but it´s quite cumbersome to use compared to cloud storage.
I like especially that you can use separate motion sensors with ST which turns cameras on only when they´re needed, which extends the battery life of the cameras to a completely a different level.
One issue that I can think of for my individual needs is that if you want to use Arlos AI notifications, you can´t turn them off anywhere except manually from Arlo app and even then only for 30min to 24h. You can arm/disarm your cameras automatically for example when you come home with IFTTT or just turn them off with ST but your cameras won´t then record to cloud either.

1 Like
3

What about tapo cameras?

5

Work just fine oin ST. I hvave 2 and no complain

6

Hi @sonikky,

I want to know Arlo cam commands as shown in SmartThings Advance Portal. Can you help me in this regard? You just have to

  1. sign in SmartThings Advance Portal
  2. In the left menu click Devices
  3. Select Arlo cam
  4. Please send a screenshot of commands in the device profile (of Arlo cam)

By this i would understand the commands i can issue for an Arlo cam using SmartThings Device API (you can say a simple request to device i will make using the commands mentioned there).

Please note this information does not expose your device. This information is useful or all (or most of the) Arlo cams.

7

I heard that Tapo cams do not have motion detection available.
Can you confirm

  1. motion detection notification
  2. livesteaming
  3. cloud storage
  4. 2 way audio
  5. local storage
8

I´ll check when I get home from work.

edit:
I hope this is what you meant:

Arlo
Arlo749×451 38.4 KB

1 Like
9

I have couple of Tapos also and at least mine has motion detection but it´s quite slow. I tried to control my garage lights and it took anything between 5-20sec for my lights to turn on when I entered to my garage. I also hate that you cannot shut Tapo cameras off easily if you want to turn those off.

2 Likes
10

I have motion on ST with tapo… but a little bit slow to turn on my garage lights :grin:

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11

Thanks @sonikky. This helps a lot!

12

Do we get notifications for motion detection (Arlo camera) in SmartThings app?

In the provided image of Arlo cam capability and command i dont see motion detection capability thus the above question.

13

Yes, motion detection works just fine. But you just get basic notification for the movement and not more detailed smart notifications which you can have with paid Arlo subscription, which can define if the movement is triggered by human, animal, vehicle or just a movement.

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14

I want to create a routine :
if Arlo camera - on motion detection
then Video capture using Ring doorbell pro

Can such a routine be created?

15

If i some person is walking infront of arlo camera. Will i be notified continously unless the person is out of the camera survellance area?

16

Yes, you can make a routine just the way you described and you´ll be receiving notifications all the time when somebody is in the cameras movement detection area. But you can make borders in Arlo app from which particular area of the cameras view you want to have notifications and you can also set time limit to your routine so the notification will be sent only if camera detects motion for 5 seconds or so for example.

1 Like