VIOFO A229 Pro - Testing / Review - RCG

[rcg530]

On Tuesday 26-Sep-2023, I was given permission from VIOFO to start posting info about the A229 Pro / A229 Plus dash cameras. I have not started my testing of the A229 Plus dash camera yet since it is scheduled to arrive later today.

A229 Pro Unboxing

The VIOFO A229 Pro will be sold in two configurations. A three channel configuration with front, rear and interior cameras and a two channel configuration with a front and rear camera. I was provided a 3-channel A229 Pro dash camera by VIOFO free of charge for my testing / review. I should also receive an A229 Plus dash camera from VIOFO for testing / review.

The A229 Pro will operate in any of the following configurations:

• 3CH - Front + Rear + Interior
• 2CH - Front + Rear
• 2CH - Front + Interior
• 1CH - Front

Accessories for the A229 Pro

• Front Camera CPL
  • The A229 Pro includes a front camera CPL filter while the A229 Plus does not include a front camera CPL filter.
• Bluetooth Remote
• HK3-C / HK4 3-Wire Hardwire Kit
• No Option For An External Microphone
  • The location on the side of the A229 front camera for an external microphone has been repurposed for the 3.5mm connector for the interior camera.
  • There is no way to connect an external microphone with the A229 Pro / Plus dash cameras.
• Up to 512 GB MicroSD Cards
  • The A229 Pro / Plus will support microSD cards with a storage capacity of up to 512 GB.

Changes / Additions From The A229 Duo

• Image Sensors
  • Front and rear cameras now have a Sony STARVIS 2 image sensor
    • A229 Pro Front - Sony STARVIS 2 IMX678 1/1.8" 8MP Image Sensor
    • A229 Plus Front - Sony STARVIS 2 IMX675 1/2.8" 5MP Image Sensor
    • A229 Pro / Plus Rear - Sony STARVIS 2 IMX675 1/2.8" 5MP Image Sensor
  • Interior camera - Sony STARVIS IMX307 2MP Image Sensor
• HDR (High Dynamic Range) For All Three Cameras
  • The A229 Duo offered WDR (Wide Dynamic Range) for the front camera.
  • The HDR feature in the A229 Pro / Plus is functional for all three cameras.
• Quad-Mode GPS Receiver
  • The GPS receiver provided with the A229 Pro / Plus is a new quad-mode unit.
  • It should deliver more precise GPS data.
  • Note: The GPS windshield mount from the older A229 Duo is similar in shape and size, but the GPS mount from the A229 Duo is not compatible with the A229 Pro / Plus dash camera.
• Voice Commands
  • You can now control the A229 Pro / Plus dash cameras by simply using voice commands.
    • Take Photo
    • Turn On Audio
    • Turn Off Audio
    • Turn On Screen
    • Turn Off Screen
    • Show Front Camera
    • Show Both Cameras
    • Show Rear Camera
    • Video Start
    • Turn On Wi-Fi
    • Turn Off Wi-Fi
    • Lock The Video

 

[rcg530]

Feature Comparison Chart - A229 Pro / A229 Plus / A229 Duo



Additional A229 Pro Pictures



A229 Pro - Weight

The front camera weight has increased from 143 grams for the A229 Duo to 172 grams for the A229 Pro.

 

[rcg530]

Power Consumption Test Data

3-Channel Front + Rear + Interior



2-Channel Front + Rear



2-Channel Front + Interior



1-Channel Front



Summary Of Video Bitrate Data

 

[rcg530]

Reserved

 

[Deleted member 85644]

Excellent information, I am chomping at the bit to get my two A229 Pro in my hands.

 

[Panzer Platform]

Hooray!
The wait is finally over.
Yo @DashCamMan can we get a new thread section specifically for the new A229 Plus, just like we have separate threads for the A129 Pro & A129 Plus?

 

[DashCamMan]

New forum for A229 Plus is here: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/forums/a229-plus.422/

 

[Dex_]

Feature Comparison Chart - A229 Pro / A229 Plus / A229 Duo

View attachment 67773

A229Duo can't record at 2160 resolution - only 1440(F) + 1440(R) or 1080(F)+1080(R). Please fix it.

 

[rcg530]

A229Duo can't record at 2160 resolution - only 1440(F) + 1440(R) or 1080(F)+1080(R). Please fix it.

Thanks for catching that. I also corrected the A229 Plus 2CH resolutions. The VIOFO website shows a 1440p 60fps (F) + 1440p 30fps (R) resolution option. Now that I have the A229 Plus in my hands, I checked the "Resolution" options in 2-channel mode (F + R) and there is no such option. I'm sending an email to VIOFO to correct either the firmware or the website depending on which one is incorrect.

 

[rcg530]

Thanks for catching that. I also corrected the A229 Plus 2CH resolutions. The VIOFO website shows a 1440p 60fps (F) + 1440p 30fps (R) resolution option. Now that I have the A229 Plus in my hands, I checked the "Resolution" options in 2-channel mode (F + R) and there is no such option. I'm sending an email to VIOFO to correct either the firmware or the website depending on which one is incorrect.

The 60fps option is present. I had the HDR feature enabled which restricted the list of resolutions listed in the firmware screen.

 

[VVondervvall]

Feature Comparison Chart - A229 Pro / A229 Plus / A229 Duo

View attachment 67844

For reference, what processor does the A139 Pro use? Googling didn't turn up an immediate answer for me.

 

[Panzer Platform]

what processor does the A139 Pro use?

A229 Pro: 96529
A139 Pro: 96687
A229 Plus: 96580
A119 Mini 2: 96580
A229 Duo: 96580

 

[rcg530]

My A229 Pro 3-Channel Dash Camera Testing Status - 28-Sep-2023

I received the A229 Pro 3-channel dash camera on 12-Sep-2023. Later that evening, I ran a heat soak test to capture some thermal pics. The ambient air temperature was 81F/27.2C. The test ran for 4.5 hours. No abnormal issues were discovered in this test. The heat generated by the A229 Pro front camera body was a bit surprising (high). The area around the microSD card slot was the hottest at 167.4F/75.2C. That seems quite high especially without any sunlight heat energy present (indoor test).

Spoiler: A229 Pro Thermal Pics

... to be continued ...

 

[rcg530]

My A229 Pro 3-Channel Dash Camera Testing Status - 28-Sep-2023 - Continued

The A229 Pro front camera and rear camera both have an embedded processor. The video quality of the rear camera (with firmware v1.0_230901) has been very good overall. The front camera processor handles the encoding of the front and interior cameras. The front camera firmware has had several revisions during the testing period.

The updates to the front camera firmware have been to address nighttime HDR image quality issues and to resolve problems with the front and interior video having numerous dropped or duplicated video frames in each video file. The rear camera video did not have any dropped or duplicated video frames. When the front or interior video is played, you can see noticeable jumps/pauses every 1 to 2 seconds in the video.

The most recent firmware that I was given to test for the front camera processor was v1.0_230926. With that firmware version installed, the dropped/duplicated video frame issue seemed to be "resolved". Unfortunately, it also introduced a "blue flashing" event when the front camera would adjust the brightness level. I was able to see that issue in video captured on an overcast day, which is very rare for this time of year in Northern California. VIOFO gave me a debug firmware with image quality debug data on the status line and I captured video and sent them examples from that drive with the debug firmware installed.

Before Blue Flash / During Blue Flash / Somewhat After Blue Flash - There's only a few frames in between screenshots



VIOFO has been very responsive to my problem/bug reports during this testing period. I'm hoping to get new firmware updates for the A229 Pro and the A229 Plus before their 8 day national holiday break that begins 29-Sep-2023.

 

[Deleted member 85644]

.
.
VIOFO has been very responsive to my problem/bug reports during this testing period. I'm hoping to get new firmware updates for the A229 Pro and the A229 Plus before their 8 day national holiday break that begins 29-Sep-2023.

Yikes! Since I have not received a ship notice yet, I expect I will be waiting an extra week or so. I will survive, it will be painful, but I will survive.

 

[Panzer Platform]

VIOFO has been very responsive to my problem/bug reports

I wish I could say the same about Vantrue.
I wish Vantrue would step up to the plate, and start fixing the S1 Pro, but oh well.
I have a feeling they are putting that camera on the back burner.

 

[Paul Iddon]

I get that blue flashing issue with the Vantrue N4 Pro all the time Robert - but they don't seem to either care, or have a solution.

Paul.

 

[viofo]

I get that blue flashing issue with the Vantrue N4 Pro all the time Robert - but they don't seem to either care, or have a solution.

Paul.

It is a big challenge for the manufacture or seller to talk directly with the users and reviewers. You can see there are also some other Chinese sellers or manufacturers trying to post or do marketing on DCT, but they disappeared soon.
So it is better not to respond the issues directly, and just focus on sales.
For such a Blue Flash bug, I don't think any other manufacturer will put any effort into debugging this.

For most of the Chinese sellers, they only need to focus on Amazon.

 

[Paul Iddon]

It is a big challenge for the manufacture or seller to talk directly with the users and reviewers. You can see there are also some other Chinese sellers or manufacturers trying to post or do marketing on DCT, but they disappeared soon.
So it is better not to respond the issues directly, and just focus on sales.
For such a Blue Flash bug, I don't think any other manufacturer will put any effort into debugging this.

For most of the Chinese sellers, they only need to focus on Amazon.

A very fair point.

Vantrue approached me just the once and sadly for them, it's not looking favourable.

Yourselves however, do excel in helping the helpers, for which we are grateful. Support behind the scenes is always there.

This will always lead to mutual associations going forward.

 

[Agie]

Gett

A229 Pro: 96529
A139 Pro: 96687
A229 Plus: 96580
A119 Mini 2: 96580
A229 Duo: 96580

Getting confusing with all these chipsets haha, does anyone know the differences between them or the specs? @viofo perhaps?