Arlo’s security cameras are some of the best in the game as they feature a smart and wireless build with a good audio system, and rechargeable batteries amongst others. These features have stood them out from the many competitions out there over the years.
In this article, therefore, we will be exploring how you can add an Arlo Pro Camera to your Arlo system. So, if it has been something you’ve been having issues with, stick around as we explore the possibilities together.
Let’s get right into it.
Can I Add an Arlo Pro Camera to My Arlo System?
You can add an Arlo Pro camera to your Arlo system so long as your subscription plan supports it. This means you have to verify the terms of the plan of your subscription to know whether this is possible. If you have checked and it allows you to add another device, then you are good to go.
If you can’t add another device, it’s nothing to cause you to worry. There is still a way to work around this. You can either decide to upgrade your account to a better plan. So, scan through the Arlo subscription plans and see the other premium plans to go for.
If you however don’t have enough money to upgrade your plan, then you will have to cut down on some devices. You will have to remove a less important device to be able to add a new Arlo Pro camera to your Arlo system. This doesn’t sound too difficult, right? Exactly what we think too.
The Basic plan of an Arlo system allows you have five cameras on your Arlo system. With the Premier plan, that number shoots up to ten cameras and with the Elite plan, you have fifteen. So, if you have met the number in the plan, you will have to remove old cameras to add new ones or upgrade your plan as we have said.
How Do I Add Arlo Pro Camera to Base Station?
Setting up Arlo cameras and adding them to the base station comes with little or no difficulty. Just ensure you follow the steps we will be highlighting below and you will see the cameras come great.
All set? Let’s get right into it.
- Install the Arlo mobile app
The first thing to do will be to download the Arlo mobile app. The app eases you by setting up your camera and you can use it to tweak the camera’s settings. Installing a new camera without the app is almost impossible. Once you have the app installed, create an account and add your camera model from the list on the app.
- Switch on your camera
You have your app all set up, right? Great. The next thing in line will be to turn on your Arlo camera. If it is a wireless model, you will have to place and change the batteries. Open the battery compartments, insert the battery and close the battery door. Did you notice any grooves on the battery? Exactly. These grooves are the bottom of the battery so you don’t place the battery upside down.
Once you have the batteries sorted, observe the LED lights at the front. If you notice an amber color, then you have to charge the device. If what comes on is a blue color, then, you can skip the charging process.
If on the other hand, you have a wired model, you have to find an outlet. The cameras must not be more than six feet away from whatever outlet you decide on. Although there are longer cables that you could buy separately. Arlo even sells solar panel chargers to aid the charging of the camera with solar energy.
- Sync your Arlo camera to the Base station
Since we have the camera on, the next line of action is to sync the camera to a base station. A base station holds the advantage of having local video storage. This means that you won’t need to buy an added cloud storage plan.
If you are working with an Arlo Pro base station, locate a sync button on the side of the base station. Hold it down for about two seconds and release it. If it is an Arlo Pro 2 base station, the button should be at the top.
Hold on for the sync status LED to turn green. The next thing to do is get the sync button, which can be found on the camera. Press and hold it for two seconds, then, release. Can you observe a blue LED blinking on the camera? Yes, great. Notice the camera LED on the base station now. Can you observe a solid green LED? This confirms the completion of the sync process. That was quite easy to flow with, right?
Some newer models of the Arlo cameras do not require a base station. Models such as the Arlo Pro 3 and Arlo Ultra 2. You can just establish a Wi-Fi connection for your Arlo camera. Remember the mobile app we installed earlier? Exactly. It comes with instructions that help you connect the camera to Wi-Fi.
Once you have launched the app, you will be required to enter the name of your Wi-Fi network and password. The app will create a QR code that you will have to scan with the camera. The camera should chime once the scan is complete.
Are Arlo Cameras Compatible with all Base
Stations?
Not all Arlo cameras are compatible with all base stations. Arlo Base Stations with siren can work well with Arlo Ultra, Pro3, Pro 3 Floodlight camera, Video Doorbell, Pro, Pro 2, Wireless, and Audio Doorbell cameras. The Base Stations that have sirens include the VMB4000 and VMB4500.
When we consider normal Arlo base stations, they are only compatible with Arlo Pro 2, Pro, Doorbell, and Wire-Free. The base stations in this category include VMB3000 and VMB3500.
Hope we didn’t lose you there for a bit? We are only saying that some base stations can only work with certain cameras. So, just check the camera you are buying, look through our list here, and find the most compatible base station. That sounds more like it, right?
Let’s continue then.
How Many Arlo Cameras Can You Have?
Depending on the system you have set up and the plan you have subscribed to, you can have up to fifteen Arlo cameras at once. Remember the subscription plans we talked about? Exactly. The plan will go a long way to determine the number of Arlo cameras you can have.
If your Wi-Fi connection has a limited bandwidth, you might have issues linking to all your cameras at once. If you are uploading files while your camera is streaming, you can also experience some issues if your Wi-Fi does not have a good bandwidth.
It all depends on the kind of plan that you have subscribed to. So, as we said earlier, look through the plans again and see the number of cameras that you can add per plan. That makes sense, right?
How Can You Tell The Difference Between Arlo Pro and Pro 2?
Arlo Pro and Pro 2 cameras are some of the finest cameras in the Arlo lineup. They entered the market a year apart from each other so they share some particular features. They both have good audio setup, geofencing possibilities, and rechargeable batteries among a host of other features. Yet there are still some features that tell both cameras apart.
So, let’s do some exploring as we consider the difference between both cameras.
- Resolution
The Arlo Pro camera features a 720p resolution which comes in as a fair for a home security camera even though there are better options available. This resolution will afford you clear images and videos.
The Arlo Pro 2 on the other hand features a 1080HD resolution which is higher than its counterpart. This kind of quality is quite rare with cameras. Do you remember how enjoyable it was the last time you streamed a high-quality video? Exactly. That is the kind of awesome experience you will have with this camera.
- Power
The Arlo Pro camera can only be powered by solar energy and rechargeable batteries. The Arlo Pro 2 on the other hand can be powered by both solar and batteries. It also now features the use of an AC adapter. This AC adapter can be the difference in your device staying on and off.
With this AC adapter, the Arlo Pro 2 camera does not have to be shutting down different applications because it is running out of power, unlike the Arlo Pro. The AC adapter feature will always guarantee you optimal power.
Another great feature, right? Let’s keep on exploring.
- Video recording
The Arlo Pro comes with the ability to capture videos for eight minutes alone. Although it starts capturing only when it senses movements. If it does not, it will just remain in the sleep mode to conserve the battery.
The Arlo Pro 2 comes with a better video capturing ability. With this camera, you have a continuous video capturing device that will cover its perimeter well. This camera does not go into sleep mode like its counterpart, it stays active through the day and night as long as you have it connected to the AC adapter.
One other important difference here is the look-back feature of the Arlo Pro 2 camera. Remember we said that the Arlo Pro starts capturing once it senses motion. This Pro 2 camera steps that feature up. With the Arlo Pro 2 camera, you can capture movements with a three-second look-back option.
What we are simply saying is that this camera will help you capture the first few seconds of motion that you would have missed out on with the Arlo Pro camera. That could be a great feature for security measures, right? It could almost help you solve a puzzle when something goes wrong.
- Audio features
If you find audio necessary for your video capturing, then, the Arlo Pro 2 camera is a device you should not compromise on. While the Arlo Pro cannot support audio in its capturing, this is not the case with the Arlo Pro 2.
The Arlo Pro 2 not only comes with an audio support feature but also offers two-way communication. Simply put, you can have conversations with this camera. You will have to use your mobile device as the connecting link though.
- Motion Active Zones
One thing that a lot of people have complained about when it comes to the Arlo Pro camera is that you can’t choose where the camera focuses on. You cannot choose the area the camera monitors nor can you zoom into a PIR focus. This means that you might be limited with what you see on this camera.
With the Arlo Pro 2 camera, there is a feature that is tagged activity zone. What this will do is initiate capturing or the siren when the camera senses motion in the area you have chosen for it to cover. You have to make sure you use the AC adapter for the camera though.
The Arlo Pro 2 can be seen as a better version of its counterpart as it was made to capitalize on some of the deficiencies of the Arlo Pro. Although both cameras have some similar features, some of the pointers we have shown above can help you tell the difference between both cameras.
Is Arlo Pro a Good Security System?
There have been different commendations and applause towards the Arlo security systems. Many users of their cameras have commended them for the ease in installing their cameras and the great video quality they feature.
The Arlo Pro cameras have some stellar features that stand out from the Arlo product line. They come with HD video capturing quality, communication tendencies, nighttime vision, and a wide field of view among others. You will not regret taking a shot at these cameras.
Video Guide
Conclusion
The Arlo Pro camera will be a good bargain for your home’s security system. Some of their cameras feature some amazing features you should not miss out on. By now, you should have a great grasp on how to add an Arlo Pro camera to your Arlo system, right? Exactly what we thought.
Read through again and take in every piece of information well.
Additional Source
https://www.arlo.com/en_eu/cameras
https://www.cnet.com/home/security/arlo-pro-4-review/
https://www.lifewire.com/which-digital-camera-features-do-you-really-need-4095391