Arlo VMC2030 User manual

Essential Spotlight Camera
VMC2030
User Manual
DRAFT FOR CERTIFICATION. ALL IMAGES IN THIS DOC-
UMENT ARE FOR POSITION ONLY AND MAY DIFFER
FROM THE ACTUAL PRODUCT.
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Contents
1. Get Started 4
Use the Arlo app for installation and setup.................................................................................... 4
Charge your camera............................................................................................................................ 4
Wall mount your camera.................................................................................................................... 5
Your Camera’s eld of view................................................................................................................ 6
Position your camera to detect motion in specic areas............................................................ 6
Test motion detection ........................................................................................................................ 8
Arm your camera to detect motion.................................................................................................. 8
2. WiFi Setup and Connections 9
WiFi connection options .................................................................................................................... 9
Tips for optimal WiFi performance .................................................................................................. 9
Connect your mobile device to a 2.4 GHz WiFi network during setup.................................... 10
Move your camera’s WiFi connection to a SmartHub or base station .................................... 11
Move your camera’s WiFi connection to a direct router connection ...................................... 12
3. Camera Basics 14
View your camera feeds ................................................................................................................... 15
Foresight.............................................................................................................................................. 15
Record clips from live video............................................................................................................. 16
Take a snapshot from live video ..................................................................................................... 16
Talk and Listen ................................................................................................................................... 16
Turn the camera spotlight on and o............................................................................................ 16
Turn the camera siren on and o ................................................................................................... 17
Customize your camera feed image .............................................................................................. 17
Motion detection activity zones...................................................................................................... 18
View recordings and snapshots...................................................................................................... 19
Download recordings........................................................................................................................ 20
4. Modes, Rules, and Alerts 23
Modes................................................................................................................................................... 23
Select a mode..................................................................................................................................... 23
Mute Notications ............................................................................................................................. 24
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Essential Spotlight Camera
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Rules for modes ................................................................................................................................. 24
Change motion sensitivity ............................................................................................................... 25
Automatically stop recording when motion stops...................................................................... 25
Control whether the spotlight turns on when motion is detected at night .......................... 25
Manage alerts ..................................................................................................................................... 26
Schedule your camera rules............................................................................................................ 26
Set up Arlo Geofencing..................................................................................................................... 27
Geofencing with multiple mobile devices.................................................................................... 29
5. Change Your Settings 32
Two-step verication ........................................................................................................................ 32
Use face or ngerprint authentication .......................................................................................... 33
Customize your prole ..................................................................................................................... 34
Change your Arlo password............................................................................................................. 35
Reset a forgotten password............................................................................................................. 35
Grant access to friends ..................................................................................................................... 36
Change the time zone....................................................................................................................... 38
Camera settings ................................................................................................................................. 38
Customize the camera spotlight settings ..................................................................................... 41
Adjust the icker setting................................................................................................................... 41
View device information................................................................................................................... 42
Remove a device from your account............................................................................................. 42
6. Troubleshooting 43
Troubleshoot Arlo Geofencing........................................................................................................ 43
Can’t see video streams in a browser ............................................................................................ 43
WiFi signal interference .................................................................................................................... 44
Not receiving push notications..................................................................................................... 44
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1. Get Started
Use the Arlo app for installation and setup
You must use the Arlo app to install and set up your camera. The Arlo app
guides you through setup:
1. Create your Arlo account.
You use the same account to manage all your Arlo devices.
2. Connect your camera to WiFi to add it to your Arlo account in the
cloud.
Once you set up your Arlo account, you can access it by using the Arlo app on a smartphone
or tablet, or from a computer using a web browser. If you’re using a computer, enter https://
my.arlo.com/#/login in the address bar of the browser.
Aer installation, you can use the Arlo app to view your camera feed, customize alerts and
notications, create schedules for your cameras, and more.
Charge your camera
A USB charging cable came in the box with your camera. This cable is for indoor use only.
1. Connect the USB charging cable to your
camera.
2. Connect the other end of the USB charging
cable to an AC power adapter (sold
separately) and plug the adapter into an
electrical outlet.
The battery charges automatically.
The camera LED lights solid blue when the camera is fully charged.
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5Get Started
Eseential Spotlight Camera
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The Camera LED
The LED on the camera lights when the camera is powered on. The LED changes color and
blinks depending on the camera’s charge level and to indicate the status of activities such as
pairing the camera and updating the camera rmware.
• Slow blinking blue. The camera is in the process of pairing to a WiFi network.
• Fast blinking blue. The camera paired with a WiFi network.
• Blinking amber. The camera is out of range, a connection error occurred during pairing, or
the camera battery charge is low (15% or less).
• Alternating blue and amber. The camera failed to pair with the WiFi network, or a
rmware update is in process, or a reset is in process.
Wall mount your camera
Your camera comes with a mount and a screw kit.
1. Place the mount and secure it with screws.
If you’re mounting the camera on drywall, use
the drywall anchors we provide.
2. Attach the camera to the mount.
3. Tilt and swivel to adjust the camera angle.
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Your Camera’s eld of view
The eld of view is the area in which the camera can detect motion. You can set the eld of
view to Full (X degrees), Wide (Y degrees), or Super Wide (Z degrees).
Arlo automatically corrects the image to reduce the sheye effect for each eld of
view setting. The Full setting completely eliminates the sheye effect.
Change the eld of view
You can set the eld of view to Full (110 degrees), Wide (125 degrees), or Super wide (160
degrees).
1. Open the Arlo app.
2. Tap Settings > My Devices.
3. Select the camera.
4. Tap Video Settings > Video Mode.
5. Tap a eld of view to automatically apply it to your camera.
Position your camera to detect motion in
specic areas
You can mount and aim your camera in dierent ways to optimize the camera’s ability to
detect motion in specic areas. The lower two-thirds of the camera’s eld of view is the
motion-sensitive part of the image. Aim the camera so that any motion you wish to detect
appears within this part of the image.
If you want to monitor motion closer to the
camera, such as visitors to your front door,
mount the camera at least 6.5 feet (1.9
meters) high*and aim it so that visitors
appear in the lower two-thirds of the image.
This angle works well to avoid motion alerts for
movement in the top third of the image, such as
vehicles driving by.
*At 6.5 feet (2 meters) or higher, we recommend using the Arlo Outdoor Mount.
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To monitor motion occurring farther away,
such as children playing on a lawn, aim the
camera higher to frame the area within the
lower two-thirds of the image.
It’s best to position the camera so that motion
is moving from side-to-side across its eld
of view rather than directly toward or away
from the camera. Also, though the camera can
detect motion up to 25 feet (7.6 meters) away,
the best area for motion detection is 5 to 20
feet (1.5 to 6 meters) from the camera position.
Use camera positioning to aim your camera
Camera positioning is available only when the camera is not streaming, recording motion, or
using the Motion Detection test. During camera positioning, the camera streams video as fast
as possible, without buering. You can aim your camera while watching on your smartphone
and making near real-time adjustments to the camera position. This means that you might
see lower-quality video while you are positioning your camera.
To position your camera:
1. Open the Arlo app.
2. Tap Settings > My Devices.
3. Select the camera.
4. Tap Device Utilities > Camera Positioning.
The camera starts streaming video. The signal strength bar indicates the WiFi signal that
your camera is receiving at its current location.
Test motion detection
You can use the motion detection test to nd the right motion sensitivity setting for each
camera.
1. Open the Arlo app.
2. Tap Settings > My Devices.
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3. Select the camera.
4. Tap Device Utilities > Motion Detection Test.
5. Move in front of the camera.
During this test, the camera LED blinks amber when motion is detected.
6. Move the slider to adjust the motion sensitivity level as needed.
7. Edit the rule for your camera to enter the motion sensitivity level that you want to use. See
Change motion sensitivity on page 23.
Arm your camera to detect motion
You control when your camera detects motion and the rules it uses to record and alert you
by selecting a mode. The Arlo app comes with four modes: Armed, Disarmed, Schedule,
and Geofencing. You can customize each mode and you can also create custom modes. For
information about how to do this, see Chapter 5. Modes, Rules, and Alerts on page 21.
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2. WiFi Setup and Connections
When you install and set up your camera, the Arlo app guides you through the process of
connecting the camera to your router’s 2.4 GHz WiFi network or to an optional Arlo SmartHub
or base station.
WiFi connection options
When you install your camera you can connect it directly to your router’s 2.4 GHz WiFi band, or
you can connect the camera with WiFi to an Arlo SmartHub VMB5000 or VMB4540, or an Arlo
base station VMB4500 or VMB4000.
An Arlo SmartHub or base station isn’t included in the package with your camera. They are
sold separately. Using your camera with a SmartHub or base station gives you access to these
additional features:
• Use local storage on an SD card in a VMB5000 SmartHub or on a USB storage device
connected to the SmartHub VMB4540 or base station VMB4500 or VMB4000.
• Use remote access for SmartHubs VMB5000 and VMB4540.
Aer you install and set up your camera, you can move its WiFi connection from your router
to a SmartHub or base station. You can also move your camera’s WiFi connection from a
SmartHub or base station and connect it directly to your router’s 2.4 GHz WiFi band. To do
this, you must remove the device from your account and reinstall through the Arlo app,
selecting the appropriate option to move back and forth.
Tips for optimal WiFi performance
The distance between WiFi devices can aect the WiFi signal:
• Maximum recommended distance. We recommend that you place your WiFi router within
300 feet (90 meters) from the camera. The maximum line-of-sight range of 300 feet is
reduced by each wall, ceiling, or other major obstruction between the camera and the
router.
• Minimum recommended distance. To reduce WiFi interference, allow at least 6½ feet (2
meters) between your camera and any Arlo cameras that you install.
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10WiFi Setup and Connections
Essential Spotlight Camera
User Manual
These materials can reduce WiFi signal strength if they are located between WiFi devices:
• Unusually thick walls and ceilings
• Brick
• Concrete
• Stone
• Ceramic
• Glass, especially mirrors
• Metal
• Large quantities of water, such as the water in a sh tank or water heater
Connect your mobile device to a 2.4 GHz WiFi
network during setup
If you’re connecting your camera directly to your router’s WiFi network, it’s important to
understand that your mobile device must connect to the same WiFi network as the camera
during setup.
Your camera can only connect to a 2.4 GHz WiFi network. Many routers broadcast WiFi
networks in both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, so your phone might connect to the 5 GHz WiFi
band. During setup, connect your phone to your 2.4 GHz WiFi network, then connect your
camera to that same 2.4 GHz WiFi network.
Find your 2.4 GHz WiFi network name and password
Your phone might connect to your 5 GHz WiFi network most of the time. If you’re not sure
about how to nd the 2.4 GHz WiFi network:
• Look on your WiFi router label.
Many routers have a label that shows the WiFi network name, which is also called an SSID.
Your 2.4 GHz network name might have a 2, 2.4, or 2G at the end. Your 5 GHz network
name might have a 5 or 5G at the end. If you changed your WiFi settings, then check the
place where you saved your custom settings.
• If your WiFi network name or SSID doesn’t indicate whether it’s 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, ask your
Internet service provider (ISP) or the person who set up your WiFi router.
• If you have a mesh WiFi network, it uses only one WiFi network name for both WiFi bands.
The camera nds and connects to the 2.4 GHz WiFi band. As long as you connect your
phone to the same mesh network, Arlo can discover the camera.
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Essential Spotlight Camera
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Connect your iOS (Apple) device to a 2.4 GHz network
1. Unlock your device and tap Settings.
2. Tap Wi-Fi, near the top of the list of Settings options.
3. Turn on WiFi by tapping the switch next to Wi-Fi at the top.
Note: WiFi is activated when the switch is green.
4. Select a 2.4 GHz WiFi network.
This is commonly indicated by a 2, 2.4, or 2G at the end of the network name.
5. If prompted, enter the password for the network.
When you’re connected to the WiFi network, a blue check mark appears to the le of the
network name.
Connect your Android device to a 2.4 GHz network
1. Unlock your device and tap Settings.
2. Tap Network & Internet > Wi-Fi.
3. Turn on WiFi by tapping Use WiFi at the top.
4. Select a 2.4 GHz WiFi network.
This is commonly indicated by a 2, 2.4, or 2G at the end of the network name.
5. If prompted, enter the password for the network.
When you’re connected to the WiFi network, the word Connected appears under the
network name.
Move your camera’s WiFi connection to a
SmartHub or base station
You can change your camera’s WiFi connection from your router to an Arlo SmartHub
VMB5000 or VMB4540, or an Arlo base station VMB4500 or VMB4000. When your camera is
connected to an Arlo SmartHub or base station, you can use the camera to trigger an Arlo
Chime or other cameras.
To add a SmartHub or base station and connect your camera:
1. Open the Arlo app.
2. Add the SmartHub or base station to the same Arlo account that your camera was
originally connected to.
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12WiFi Setup and Connections
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If you’re using an Arlo Smart trial associated with this account, doing this keeps the Arlo
Smart trial active so you don’t lose it.
3. Follow the Arlo app instructions to set up your SmartHub or base station and connect it to
the Internet.
4. Tap Settings > My Devices.
5. Select your camera.
6. Scroll down and tap Remove Device.
Your device is reset and removed from your account.
7. From My Devices, tap Add New Device > Camera > Essential Spotlight Camera.
8. Follow the Arlo app instructions to add the camera.
9. When the Arlo app detects your SmartHub or base station, follow the instructions to
connect your camera to your SmartHub or base station.
Move your camera’s WiFi connection to a direct
router connection
You can change your camera’s WiFi connection from a VMB5000, VMB4540, VMB4500, or
VMB4000 SmartHub or base station, and connect the camera directly to your router’s 2.4 GHz
WiFi network.
Note: When you connect your camera directly to your router, you can’t use the camera to
trigger an Arlo Chime or other cameras, and you can’t store Arlo recordings to a local storage
device in a SmartHub or base station.
To move your camera’s WiFi connection directly to your router:
1. Open the Arlo app and log into the same Arlo account that your camera is connected to.
If you are using an Arlo Smart trial associated with this account, doing this keeps the trial
active so you don’t lose it.
2. Make sure that your mobile device is connected to your router’s 2.4 GHz WiFi network.
For more information, see Connect your mobile device to a 2.4 GHz WiFi network during
setup on page 73.
3. Tap Settings > My Devices.
4. Select your camera.
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13WiFi Setup and Connections
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5. Scroll down and tap Remove Device.
Your device is reset and removed from your account.
6. From My Devices, tap Add New Device > Camera > Essential Spotlight Camera.
7. Follow the Arlo app instructions to connect your camera directly to a 2.4 GHz WiFi
network.
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3. Camera Basics
When you open the Arlo app, the Devices page displays your camera feeds.
Camera
icon
Located below each camera
feed
Camera
feed icon
Tap the camera feed to display
these icons
Battery charge Play/Stop
WiFi signal from the SmartHub Mute the audio
Motion detection is on Talk and Listen
View or change the camera settings Record video manually
Take a snapshot
Turn the camera spotlight on and o.
Live camera feed
This camera is disarmed.
The icons for sound and
motion detection are gray.
Tap to turn the camera
siren on and o.
Number of new recordings
SmartHub or Base
Station settings
Tap to view device settings
for the camera
This camera is armed to
detect sound and motion.
Tap a button to go to Devices,
Library, Modes, or Settings.
Tap Play to begins streaming
this camera.
The time the current
snapshot was taken
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View your camera feeds
1. Open the Arlo app.
2. Tap Play on the camera feed.
The camera feed updates and camera feed icons display.
3. To stop viewing and listening to the live feed, tap Stop .
Pan and zoom video
You can pan and zoom to focus in on the high-denition details of any live or recorded video.
Just pinch and drag any image as you do with photos on your smartphone.
1. Open the Arlo app.
2. Tap Library.
3. Tap any live video or prerecorded video from your Arlo library.
A full screen view displays.
4. To pan and zoom using a mobile device:
• Pinch to zoom in and out of the video.
• Touch and drag to move around the zoomed-in frame.
5. To pan and zoom using a computer:
• Click the Zoom icon.
• Use your mouse to move around the frame.
Foresight
When plugged in using the indoor or outdoor magnetic charging cable, your camera records
continuously, but discards the video aer three seconds if no motion is detected. This is called
Foresight and it means that your motion-triggered video recordings start before any motion
happens; you don’t miss a thing.
To record and view video with foresight:
1. Plug in your camera.
2. Make sure the camera is using a motion-detection mode such as Armed.
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Record clips from live video
1. Open the Arlo app.
2. Tap the camera feed image.
3. Tap Record to begin recording.
This icon turns red to indicate that you are recording the live feed.
4. To stop recording, tap Record again.
Note: Manual recording is not possible when you are using Local Live Streaming.
Take a snapshot from live video
1. Open the Arlo app.
2. Tap the camera feed image.
3. Tap Snapshot .
The snapshot is saved in your library.
Talk and Listen
The camera includes a microphone that allows you to talk and listen.
1. Open the Arlo app.
2. Tap the camera feed image.
3. Tap the microhone icon .
4. The rst time you use Talk and Listen, allow Arlo to use your phone’s microphone.
5. Tap the microphone button.
Two-way audio automatically opens, allowing you to use Talk and Listen.
Turn the camera spotlight on and o
You can use your camera spotlight at night for better video quality. When your camera is
armed and detects motion at night the spotlight turns on automatically. You can also adjust
the spotlight behavior and turn it on and o.
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Essential Spotlight Camera
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Turn the spotlight on and o from the camera feed
1. Open the Arlo app.
2. Tap the camera feed.
3. Tap Spotlight .
4. To adjust the brightness, tap and hold the icon and adjust the slider.
5. To turn o the spotlight, tap Spotlight .
For information about how to customize the spotlight settings, see Customize the camera
spotlight settings on page 39.
Turn the camera siren on and o
1. Open the Arlo app.
2. Tap Siren on the upper right.
3. Tap Activate Siren.
If you have multiple cameras, you are prompted to select one.
4. Swipe the siren icon to the right.
The camera siren turns on.
5. To turn o the siren, tap the slider at the top of the Devices page.
Customize your camera feed image
If you use more than one camera, you can change the order in which the camera feeds display
on the Devices page. You can also zoom or rotate the camera feed image 180 degrees.
Change the camera order
1. Open the Arlo app.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Under SYSTEM, tap Device Order.
4. If you are using a smartphone or tablet, tap Edit at the top of the page.
A list icon displays.
5. Tap and hold the list icon and drag each device to the correct position on the list.
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6. Tap Save.
Rotate a camera feed image 180 degrees
1. Open the Arlo app.
2. Tap Settings > My Devices.
3. Select the camera.
4. Tap Video Settings.
5. Rotate the image.
If you’re using an iOS device, tap Rotate Image 180°.
If you’re using an Android device, tap the slider to OFF and then rotate the image.
Motion detection activity zones
You can designate zones within the camera view where you want the camera to detect and
record motion.
Add an activity zone
1. Open the Arlo app.
2. Tap Settings > My Devices.
3. Select the camera.
4. Under VIDEO, tap Activity Zones.
5. Tap +.
An activity zone box displays in the camera feed image.
6. Move the zone to the desired position in the camera feed image.
7. To reposition the zone, tap and hold the zone and move it.
8. To customize the zone name, tap Edit and enter a name.
If you’re using a web browser, click >next to the zone name.
9. Tap Save.
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Change an activity zone
1. Open the Arlo app.
2. Tap Settings > My Devices.
3. Select the camera.
4. Under VIDEO, tap Activity Zones.
5. Tap a zone to select it.
6. Move the zone to the desired position in the camera feed image.
7. To reposition the zone, tap and hold the zone and move it.
8. To customize the zone name, tap Edit and enter a name.
If you’re using a web browser, click >next to the zone name.
9. Tap Save.
Delete an activity zone
1. Open the Arlo app.
2. Tap Settings > My Devices.
3. Select the camera.
4. Under VIDEO, tap Activity Zones.
5. Tap a zone to select it.
6. Delete the device.
On an iOS device, slide the motion detection zone to the le and tap Delete.
On an Android device, slide the motion detection zone to the le.
View recordings and snapshots
Your camera stores recordings and snapshots in the library. You can use the lter and the
calender to nd and view specic recordings.
Access cloud recordings
cameras record when they are in an armed mode and they detect motion or sound. Your Arlo
recordings are sent to your Arlo account in the cloud and stored in your library. Recordings are
encrypted with your user name and password.
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You can access your recordings from the Arlo app on your mobile device or by using a web
browser to visit https://my.arlo.com/#/login. You can download recordings from the cloud and
save them.
Use the Library
You can use the library to nd and view recordings based on the date.
1. Open the Arlo app.
2. Tap Library.
A green circle indicates the selected day. A green dot below the date indicates each day on
which a video clip was recorded.
3. Tap a highlighted date.
Recordings from that date display below the calendar.
Use the lter
You can use the lter to nd and view recordings based on criteria that you select.
1. Open the Arlo app.
2. Tap Library.
3. Tap Filter in the upper le corner of the page.
4. Tap the ltering criteria that you want to use.
5. Tap Done.
Turn o the lter
1. Open the Arlo app.
2. Tap Library.
3. Tap Filter in the upper le corner of the page.
4. Tap Reset.
5. Tap Done.
Download recordings
1. Open the Arlo app.
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