STACK April 2016 Issue 138

first trialed the Arlo range over a

year ago when it launched – installing

it in my property as a cost effective

security option, which is still in use on a daily

basis. Battery powered, if it detects

movement, users receive a push notification

enabling them to log on – using the free Arlo

app on their smartphone – to find out what's

happening.

It’s a great system, but the one feature

missing is the opportunity to communicate

through the camera; you could then 'politely'

relay the message to burglars rifling through

your undies drawer in search of valuables that

the police are on their way. Well,

Netgear clearly listened to me,

and the latest evolution

in the Arlo range does

indeed incorporate this

audio feature.

Organising your own

home security is now

an easy proposition

thanks to systems like

Arlo, and it’s simple to

see how this burgeoning

sector is becoming more

popular by the week.

Netgear’s newest addition is

the Arlo Q, a system designed to

work in conjunction with your existing Arlo

cameras. In terms of set-up, the Arlo Q, like

Arlo before it, is idiot proof – another great

selling point. In less than three minutes you

are up and running. Download the app, follow

the prompts to connect the camera to your

modem/router, and press the pairing button

to connect – it really is that simple.

The first thing you notice is how light the

Arlo Q is. It comes with a mounting bracket

for a permanent fix, or you can simply utilise

the desktop stand, that

also happens to be

magnetic; at one point I

had it stuck to the side

of the fridge to spy on

the dog.

The video is streamed

in crisp 1080p and the

Arlo Q has night vision

for up to eight metres, a

4-megapixel image sensor

(yes, you can take photos

with it) and features a 130 degree

In less

than three

minutes you

are up and

running.

chat

room

Big Brother is watching –

and talking. Netgear takes

its networked home security

cameras to the next level

with Arlo Q.

By Paul Jones

viewing angle. You can be pan and zoom

the vision. Unlike the wireless Arlo cameras,

you need to plug the Arlo Q into an power

point. Aside from the startling hi-def vision,

the big selling point here is the ability for

users to communicate via their smartphone

microphone through to a speaker on the

camera. The number of applications this

would prove useful for is extensive, from the

obvious protection against home intruders

to the monitoring of sleeping children or

teenagers left at home.

However, what proved invaluable for this

family was gauging the level of separation

anxiety our pet dog was registering. And

my word, what a surprise we got. When

movement or audio is detected, a push

notification is sent to your smartphone/

desktop. You then log into the Arlo app where

you can view the ‘action’ live. A 15 second

video is also recorded and saved in the library.

We had no idea that the dog could howl,

let alone the volume he howled at! We're

suprised the neighbours are even talking to

us. However, by selecting the mic button on

the user interface, I spoke directly to said pet

through the speaker located on the camera

unit, assuring him that everything was

OK, and order was momentarily restored.

Throughout the day I was able to speak

and keep him calm (if you’re away from a

Wi-Fi hotspot, just be mindful of your data

allowance). Of course, this two-way works

well with humans in the house, too. Latency

here did cause a few problems, but we're

assured by Netgear that a future firmware

update will address this problem.

If the thought of receiving multiple push

notifications as your pet/human moves

around the house during the day/night is too

much to bear, Arlo Q allows you to exclude

a particular area on the camera, known as an

‘Activity Zone’. Similarly, audio sensitivity can

also be adjusted. A feature called ‘Modes’

will enable operating times to be scheduled,

so you can program office hours or school

home times.

Another differential for Arlo Q is the

addition of free cloud recording for seven

days, and more extensive plans can be

purchased that bump up the storage levels

and length that the recordings are retained.

With forthcoming geo-fencing and IFTTT

support, the Arlo Q offers you complete

versatility and control. It will cover everything

you need for personal security solutions with

a host of customisation options and a brand

name you can rely on. The secret life of your

pet's days are numbered!

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APRIL

2016

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