BlackVue DR650GW-2CH (v.2.005_2016.07.12)

Ralph2

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Dash Cam
BlackVue DR900x-Plus in 2022 Palisade replaced the 650
The long awaited upgrade is out? So did it solve all the problems?
http://www.blackvue.com/support/downloads/
BlackVue DR650GW-2CH (v.2.005_2016.07.12)

Also compatible with BlackVue DR650GW-2CH TRUCK and DR650GW-2CH IR.

WHAT’S NEW:
Firmware compatible with the Cloud service – BlackVue Over the Cloud.

Refer to the table for a comparison with the Legacy firmware (v1.xxx).

IMPORTANT:
※ Please be sure to update to the latest version of the following:
– Android / iOS app
– Windows viewer, Mac viewer (latest version embedded in the firmware folder)



This version adds:

1) Added video quality settings (Highest/High/Normal).

2) Video quality improvements.

3) Expanded hotspot settings.

※ When you change the time zone and save the settings, the next time you insert the microSD card into the BlackVue it will format the microSD card.





Note 1: Even if you install this Cloud firmware, you will be able to install the Legacy firmware again.
Note 2: To check if your BlackVue DR650GW-2CH / 2CH TRUCK dashcam is compatible with BlackVue Over the Cloud, refer to [link].
Note 3: This firmware is compatible with the new BlackVue C app only, as well as the BlackVue Windows / Mac Viewer.
 
Yup, I already reported that here: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/threa...crease-in-early-june.18511/page-2#post-264128

A few observations:
- I prepared the SD card, including my config.ini. However, it basically reset most of the options (including the time zone) except the cloud Wi-Fi network
- Because I had to reset the time zone, it formatted the SD card (as mentioned on the download page)
- Recording bitrates (file sizes from 1 minute recordings):
-> Firmware 2.004: Front: 6294kbps (size 46,2MB), Rear 2112kbps (size 15,5MB)
-> Firmware 2.005, default: Front: 8390kbps (61,4MB), Rear 4180kbps (30,8MB)
-> Firmware 2.005, highest: Front: 10489kbps (76,7MB), Rear 5225kbps (38,4MB)
- Only the latest version of the Android app (2.02) is compatible with this firmware
- I was able to set 2 hotspots and that seems to work fine. You can actually setup 3, but I only use 2 (Wi-Fi at home and Wi-Fi in the car, the Wi-Fi in the car is only available when the ignition is on)

I didn't drive anywhere yet so I am hesitant to say anything about the actual video quality already...

Also, I was looking for an option to disable to rear led, but it seems that is a DR650S-only option :(
 
How do you set the time using the BlackVue C iOS app? In the previous iteration of the iOS app (for v1.X firmware) there was a "sync time" option, but I can't find that in C. My time is only off by a few minutes, but it's the method I usually use when it comes to DST adjustments.

Don't tell me time is only synced online? I disabled all cloud features, with no intention to ever use them. I went to v2.X firmware for the manual recording.
 
The iOS app doesn't seem to be showing the firmware update. Are you installing is PC?
 
I installed it via computer as I was going from v1.X to v2.X. Downloaded from here - http://www.blackvue.com/support/downloads/

In case you haven't seen the steps before (they've been posted elsewhere, but it doesn't hurt to repeat):
* Plug in your current SDCard to the computer back take a copy of your SDCard:\blackvue\config\config.ini
* Erase SDCard.
* Extract the "Blackvue" directory to the SDCard (so you have "E:\Blackvue").
* Plug the SDCard in to the device, and start it up. Make sure your car is running so that power stays on throughout the process.

Whether you pre-configure a config.ini (as I did) or not, you'll now have default settings. If you want to bring in pre-configured settings you'll have to do the upgrade, eject the SDCard, plug it in to a computer and copy the config.ini file back on to it after the firmware upgrade.

Keep in mind that although some settings are shared between v1.X and v2.X, they both use different config.ini files. If you want to pre-configure one it's best to take a note of your current settings, then after step 3 above, using the app set up the same config again as you had before. Take a copy of the file once you've done this, as the upgrade process will overwrite the one on the SDCard.
 
Just plugged my SDCard into my work computer, Windows 10 is reporting the rear video is ~5Mbps, front video is ~10Mbps. Anyone want to confirm what bitrates they're seeing? Being at work I don't want to play videos and look at number plate visibility. I'll check that out tonight when I get home (late).

Edit: No point making another post if nobody else has replied. Just going to append this post.

BlackVue just tweeted this link - http://www.blackvue.com/firmware-update-for-blackvue-dr650gw-1ch2ch-version-2-005/

"1. Video quality improvement (including bitrate up to 10Mbps for the front camera on Highest quality setting).
Note: this is actually higher than the Highest quality setting on the Legacy firmware (8Mbps)."
 
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10 mpbs front and 5 mpbs rear? I'm surprised they actually improved it that much.
Also how come blackvue.com won't load on my end but blackvue.eu will? Checked it on IsItDown and they said it's down as well.
 
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I am reluctant to install this latest version until it gives me access via my home WiFi (LAN) to my PC.
So.. with the new version when you connect at home, using your home WiFi what options do you have via your PC? Can you download video to your computer? Watch individual clips on your PC?
Is the included PC program any different than the one included in the "old" versions?
 
You can already do that with the 2.004 version (and probably older cloud versions).

When you connect to the cloud through your home Wi-Fi network, search for the IP address of the dashcam. Through a browser (or script) you then have access to all your clips. Here are some links:

Check to see if dashcam is alive (should report "BlackVue"): http://<ipaddress>/index.html
Front live view: http://<ipaddress>/blackvue_live.cgi
Rear live view: http://<ipaddress>/blackvue_live.cgi?direction=R
List of available recordings: http://<ipaddress>/blackvue_vod.cgi
Download a recording: http://<ipaddress>/Record/<name of mp4, gps or 3gf file>
Download your config: http://<ipaddress>/Config/config.ini
Upload your config (or firmware, not sure how to use that): http://<ipaddress>/upload.cgi

I created a script that (based on the MAC address) search for the IP of the BlackVue, checks if the BlackVue is connected, gets the list of recordings and the downloads the new ones, in daily folders. This is running on my Synology NAS. Perhaps this might inspire you. I have it scheduled to run every 15 minutes. To ensure only one copy is running at the same time, I use this to start the script:
Code:
flock -n /var/run/dashcam.pid -c /volume1/Dashcam/dashcam.sh &>> /volume1/Dashcam/dashcam.txt

Here is the actual script:
Code:
# Root path and BlackVue MAC address
rootpath=/volume1/Dashcam/
macaddress="00:25:42:XX:XX:XX"

echo

# Locate IP address in arp table
ipaddress=$(arp -n | grep -i $macaddress | awk '{print $1}')

# If ipaddress is empty
if [[ -z $ipaddress ]]; then

    # Ping all addresses between 192.168.1.100 and 192.168.1.200 to make sure we have a complete arp table
    for i in {100..200}; do (ping 192.168.1.$i -c 1 -w 5  &> /dev/null &); done
    # Allow some time to get the ping responses
    sleep 5s
    # Try again to locate IP address in arp table
    ipaddress=$(arp -n | grep -i $macaddress | awk '{print $1}')

fi

if [[ ! -z $ipaddress ]]; then

    count=$(ping -c4 $ipaddress | grep 'received' | awk -F',' '{ print $2}' | awk '{ print $1}')
    if [ $count -eq 4 ]; then

        echo "BlackVue is up at $(date) ($ipaddress)"
        if wget "http://$ipaddress/blackvue_vod.cgi" --output-document=${rootpath}list.txt --no-verbose;then

            # sort the file, get the oldest files first
            sort ${rootpath}list.txt -o ${rootpath}sortlist.txt

            while read line
            do
                # check if valid line
                if [[ $line = *Record* ]];then

                    # extract the different file formats from the line read
                    path=$(echo $line| cut -d':' -f 2)
                    path=$(echo $path| cut -d',' -f 1)
                    file=$(echo $path| cut -d'/' -f 3)
                    sdir=$(echo $file| cut -d'_' -f 1)
                    # echo "$sdir" - "$file" - "$path"

                    # check if directory exist. If not, create it.
                    if [ ! -d "$rootpath$sdir" ]; then
                        mkdir "$rootpath$sdir"
                    fi

                    # check if file exist. If not, copy from dashcam.
                    if [ ! -f "$rootpath$sdir/$file" ]; then

                        # If front camera file, try to download gps and 3gf file first
                        if [[ $path = *F.mp4* ]];then
                            wget "http://$ipaddress${path/F.mp4/.gps}" --directory-prefix=$rootpath$sdir --no-verbose
                            wget "http://$ipaddress${path/F.mp4/.3gf}" --directory-prefix=$rootpath$sdir --no-verbose
                        fi

                        if ! wget "http://$ipaddress$path" --directory-prefix=$rootpath$sdir --no-verbose;then
                            echo Transfer of "$file" failed...
                            if [ -f "$rootpath$sdir/$file" ]; then
                                # remove bogus file
                                rm -f "$rootpath$sdir/$file"
                            fi
                        fi
                    fi

                fi

            done < ${rootpath}sortlist.txt

            echo "Completed at $(date)"

        fi

    else

        echo "BlackVue is down at $(date) ($ipaddress not responding)"

    fi

else

    echo "BlackVue is down at $(date) (not found in arp table)"

fi

Make sure to change the "rootpath" and "macaddress" variables, and also check the IP range that your DHCP is using (I use 192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.200, see line 14). Or, if you use a static IP address (reserved on your router/dhcp server) you can just remove the "find IP address" logic and set the IP address in the script by filling the "ipaddress" variable.
 
Anyone know when the update goes live on FOTA? Would much rather update automatically via my phone, but they haven't released it as a FOTA yet.
 
Anyone know when the update goes live on FOTA? Would much rather update automatically via my phone, but they haven't released it as a FOTA yet.

I was able to use my phone to update this morning on the 650-2 channel.
 
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I was able to use my phone to update this morning on the 650-2 channel.
Haha god damn, I had to re-install the app in order to get the update to show up on the firmware download page. Great coding there, guys!
Going to install it tomorrow, hoping for the best. Also thanks for the link, Blackboxmycar! I wonder, when you say that it's more reliable to do it using the card - what makes the FOTA upgrade less reliable?
 
How do you set the time using the BlackVue C iOS app? In the previous iteration of the iOS app (for v1.X firmware) there was a "sync time" option, but I can't find that in C. My time is only off by a few minutes, but it's the method I usually use when it comes to DST adjustments.

Don't tell me time is only synced online? I disabled all cloud features, with no intention to ever use them. I went to v2.X firmware for the manual recording.

Does anyone have an answer to this question?
 
I wish there was a way to run this script in windows. I have a python script that downloads from my camera but this one is better as it only gets the new stuff and sorts it all.

You can already do that with the 2.004 version (and probably older cloud versions).

When you connect to the cloud through your home Wi-Fi network, search for the IP address of the dashcam. Through a browser (or script) you then have access to all your clips. Here are some links:

Check to see if dashcam is alive (should report "BlackVue"): http://<ipaddress>/index.html
Front live view: http://<ipaddress>/blackvue_live.cgi
Rear live view: http://<ipaddress>/blackvue_live.cgi?direction=R
List of available recordings: http://<ipaddress>/blackvue_vod.cgi
Download a recording: http://<ipaddress>/Record/<name of mp4, gps or 3gf file>
Download your config: http://<ipaddress>/Config/config.ini
Upload your config (or firmware, not sure how to use that): http://<ipaddress>/upload.cgi

I created a script that (based on the MAC address) search for the IP of the BlackVue, checks if the BlackVue is connected, gets the list of recordings and the downloads the new ones, in daily folders. This is running on my Synology NAS. Perhaps this might inspire you. I have it scheduled to run every 15 minutes. To ensure only one copy is running at the same time, I use this to start the script:
Code:
flock -n /var/run/dashcam.pid -c /volume1/Dashcam/dashcam.sh &>> /volume1/Dashcam/dashcam.txt

Here is the actual script:
Code:
# Root path and BlackVue MAC address
rootpath=/volume1/Dashcam/
macaddress="00:25:42:XX:XX:XX"

echo

# Locate IP address in arp table
ipaddress=$(arp -n | grep -i $macaddress | awk '{print $1}')

# If ipaddress is empty
if [[ -z $ipaddress ]]; then

    # Ping all addresses between 192.168.1.100 and 192.168.1.200 to make sure we have a complete arp table
    for i in {100..200}; do (ping 192.168.1.$i -c 1 -w 5  &> /dev/null &); done
    # Allow some time to get the ping responses
    sleep 5s
    # Try again to locate IP address in arp table
    ipaddress=$(arp -n | grep -i $macaddress | awk '{print $1}')

fi

if [[ ! -z $ipaddress ]]; then

    count=$(ping -c4 $ipaddress | grep 'received' | awk -F',' '{ print $2}' | awk '{ print $1}')
    if [ $count -eq 4 ]; then

        echo "BlackVue is up at $(date) ($ipaddress)"
        if wget "http://$ipaddress/blackvue_vod.cgi" --output-document=${rootpath}list.txt --no-verbose;then

            # sort the file, get the oldest files first
            sort ${rootpath}list.txt -o ${rootpath}sortlist.txt

            while read line
            do
                # check if valid line
                if [[ $line = *Record* ]];then

                    # extract the different file formats from the line read
                    path=$(echo $line| cut -d':' -f 2)
                    path=$(echo $path| cut -d',' -f 1)
                    file=$(echo $path| cut -d'/' -f 3)
                    sdir=$(echo $file| cut -d'_' -f 1)
                    # echo "$sdir" - "$file" - "$path"

                    # check if directory exist. If not, create it.
                    if [ ! -d "$rootpath$sdir" ]; then
                        mkdir "$rootpath$sdir"
                    fi

                    # check if file exist. If not, copy from dashcam.
                    if [ ! -f "$rootpath$sdir/$file" ]; then

                        # If front camera file, try to download gps and 3gf file first
                        if [[ $path = *F.mp4* ]];then
                            wget "http://$ipaddress${path/F.mp4/.gps}" --directory-prefix=$rootpath$sdir --no-verbose
                            wget "http://$ipaddress${path/F.mp4/.3gf}" --directory-prefix=$rootpath$sdir --no-verbose
                        fi

                        if ! wget "http://$ipaddress$path" --directory-prefix=$rootpath$sdir --no-verbose;then
                            echo Transfer of "$file" failed...
                            if [ -f "$rootpath$sdir/$file" ]; then
                                # remove bogus file
                                rm -f "$rootpath$sdir/$file"
                            fi
                        fi
                    fi

                fi

            done < ${rootpath}sortlist.txt

            echo "Completed at $(date)"

        fi

    else

        echo "BlackVue is down at $(date) ($ipaddress not responding)"

    fi

else

    echo "BlackVue is down at $(date) (not found in arp table)"

fi

Make sure to change the "rootpath" and "macaddress" variables, and also check the IP range that your DHCP is using (I use 192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.200, see line 14). Or, if you use a static IP address (reserved on your router/dhcp server) you can just remove the "find IP address" logic and set the IP address in the script by filling the "ipaddress" variable.
 
I now randomly get "cannot connect to wi-fi" using 2.005 firmware. Anyone else?
 
I wish there was a way to run this script in windows. I have a python script that downloads from my camera but this one is better as it only gets the new stuff and sorts it all.

This must be your lucky day! ;)
Code:
@echo off
rem Requires wget in the same directory as this script
rem Download here: https://eternallybored.org/misc/wget/current/wget.exe

rem Root path and BlackVue MAC address
set rootpath=%userprofile%\desktop\Dashcam
set macaddress="00-25-42-xx-xx-xx"

echo.
setlocal enableextensions enabledelayedexpansion

rem Locate IP address in arp table
set ipaddress=
for /f "tokens=1,2" %%i in ('arp -a') do if "%%j" EQU %macaddress% set ipaddress=%%i

if "%ipaddress%" EQU "" (

	rem Ping all addresses between 192.168.1.100 and 192.168.1.200 to make sure we have a complete arp table
	for /l %%i in (100,1,200) do start /min ping -n 1 -w 5 192.168.1.%%i
	rem Allow some time to get the ping responses
	timeout 5 /nobreak > nul
	rem Try again to locate IP address in arp table
	for /f "tokens=1,2" %%i in ('arp -a') do if "%%j"==%macaddress% set ipaddress=%%i

)

if "%ipaddress%" NEQ "" (

	for /f "tokens=5,7" %%i in ('ping -n 4 -w 5 %ipaddress%') do if "%%i" EQU "Received" set count=%%j
	set count=!count:~0,1!
	if "!count!" EQU "4" (

		echo BlackVue is up at %date% %time% ^(%ipaddress%^)

		%~dp0wget "http://%ipaddress%/blackvue_vod.cgi" --output-document=%rootpath%\list.txt --no-verbose
		if %ERRORLEVEL% EQU 0 (

			rem sort the file, get the oldest files first
			sort %rootpath%\list.txt > %rootpath%\sortlist.txt

			for /F "tokens=2 delims=:," %%i in (%rootpath%\sortlist.txt) do (

				set filepath=%%i
				set file=!filepath:/Record/=!

				rem check if valid line (did it contain "/Record/"?)
				if !filepath! NEQ !file! (

					set file=!filepath:/Record/=!
					set _end=!file:*_=!
					call set sdir=%%file:_!_end!=%%
					rem echo !sdir! - !file! - !filepath!
			
					rem check if directory exist. If not, create it.
					if not exist %rootpath%\!sdir!\nul mkdir %rootpath%\!sdir!

					rem check if file exist. If not, copy from dashcam.
					if not exist %rootpath%\!sdir!\!file! (

						rem If front camera file, try to download gps and 3gf file first
						set _end=!filepath:F.mp4=!
						if !filepath! NEQ !_end! (
							%~dp0wget "http://%ipaddress%!filepath:F.mp4=.gps!" --directory-prefix=%rootpath%\!sdir! --no-verbose
							%~dp0wget "http://%ipaddress%!filepath:F.mp4=.3gf!" --directory-prefix=%rootpath%\!sdir! --no-verbose
						)

						%~dp0wget "http://%ipaddress%!filepath!" --directory-prefix=%rootpath%\!sdir! --no-verbose
						if %ERRORLEVEL% NEQ 0 (

							echo Transfer of "!file!" failed...
							if exist %rootpath%\!sdir!\!file! (
								rem remove bogus file
								del %rootpath%\!sdir!\!file!
							)

						)

					)

				)

			)

		echo Completed at %date% %time%

		)

	) else (

		echo BlackVue is down at %date% %time% ^(%ipaddress% not responding^)

	)

) else (

	echo BlackVue is down at %date% %time% ^(not found in arp table^)

)

endlocal

Save as a .cmd and run. Again, make sure to change the "rootpath" and "macaddress" variables. Also, you will need wget.exe and place it in the same directory as this script. You can get it from here: https://eternallybored.org/misc/wget/current/wget.exe

Let me know if this works for you. I didn't test this very well to be honest, just a quick run on my Windows 10 (English).
 
It wouldn't find the cam by the mac address so I just coded set ipaddress=192.168.1.182 because I have a DHCP reservation setup for my cam so it always has the same IP. As soon as I did that it started downloading. I also turned off the --no-verbose I like to see the speed and time remaining for the files.

It seems to do the job even better than my other script.
 
Man the script for windows works perfectly from what I can tell. Now I really need to take some time to get my power magic box connected so when I leave my cam turned on to download it doesn't kill my battery. It only takes about 1.5 days to do that too.
 
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