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Review of 2 channel Dash Camera system Urive Albatross II MD-7500P with GPS
Urive website ( English ): HERE
I have received it about 3 weeks ago from Astrobile.
Delivery was lightning fast, only 3 days via FedEx. Very pleased with delivery and communication.
After 3 weeks of testing, driving, getting to know product etc., now I can share my thoughts and present this review.
My understanding of reviewing any product ( in this case dashcamera ): "Never judge book by its cover!"
- It is wrong to fully judge product only by looking what is written in the specifications
- it is not always a correct to make a final conclusions by looking on a YouTube uploaded videos
- short review does not give understanding of a product full potentials
- it is impossible to fully get to know product within only 1-2 days test
- fair criticism is essential in order to deliver true info to the customer and help developer to improve their product.
Having in mind those criteria's I wast thinking not to rush with posting my initial review and decided to wait and fully test this device, to bring out every possible hidden extra it has, which often can not be seen from quick review. Besides, this device is not from cheapest ones, so it is even worth more to test and review it thoroughly, so people know on what investing their hard earned money.
I was driving with Albatross II every day and at the end of each day I'v spent couple of hours on making notes, video analysis , putting info together, etc. I think in total to finish this review it took me all together about 50-60 hours with all driving, writing, editing, some DIY projects, uploading etc.
Hope you will find it interesting.
Introduction
Some facts about Urive brand:
- Urive is one of the best selling Dash camera brands in Korea.
- Urive is the second biggest market share(20.1%), and first market share among High-end Dashcam brand in Korea.
- Around 3200 dealerships of Urive in Korea
Units sold:
- in 2012, average 25,000 units are sold monthly
- in 2013, average 20,000 units are sold monthly
- 60% of total sales is Albatross II, 20% of total sales is Albatross, 20% is rest.
- nearly around 100,000 units of Albatross II sold from day it was released.
In accordance with official company report, their sales are around US$ 42,300,000 in 2012. US$24,600,000 in the first half 2013.
- Urive Albatross II was released in Korea to public sale in March 2013
Albatross II Korean TV Ad ( May 2013 )
Review Content:
I split my review into 10 posts due to max 10 pictures allowed per one post.
Part 1
- Introduction
- Main features
- Specifications
- Unboxing and physical view
- Close view
Part 2
- Original bracket
- Alternative bracket solutions
- Mounted in Car
- Functions, settings and GUI ( Graphical User Interface ) overview
Part 3
- PC Viewer
- Dash camera configuration settings on PC Viewer
Part 4
Day / Night screen shots
- 1 channel 1080p / 30 Fps
Part 5
- 2 channel Day screen shots
Front camera 1080p / 20 Fps, Rear camera 720p / 20 Fps
Part 6
- 2 channel Night screen shots
Front camera 1080p / 20 Fps, Rear camera 720p / 20 Fps
Part 7
- Urive Albatross II vs Panorama II Powerucc ( video )
Part 8
- YouTube Videos
Post 9
- RAW video files Collection
Part 10
- Suggestions / Recommendations on what can be improved
- Strong point
- Conclusion
Part 1
NB! Now Urive ALbatross adapted to work with 64Gb MicroSDXC Cards as well ( read HERE )
Specifications
About video recording data:
- 1 channel ( front camera only ):
Resolution: 1080p, Frame rate: 29fps, Bit-rate: 12Mbps
- 2 channel parking mode ( front + rear camera )
In parking mode 2 channel it records 1080p / 29fps front and 720p / 29fps rear camera at 13Mbps bit-rate
- 2 channel driving mode ( front + rear camera )
Front camera: 1080p / 19fps / 8Mbps, Rear camera: 720p / 19fps / 4Mbps
When used 2 channel video recording, bit-rate of 8Mbps front camera and 4Mbps rear camera is fairly high rate of data speed for 2 channel dash camera systems which are based on System-on-a-Chip solution. For example, another popular 2 channel dash camera system BlackVue DR550GW, bit-rate is around 6Mbps front and 2Mbps rear camera, though at 30fps per channel. Urive Albatross II implemented Cortex A8 800MHZ CPU with 5Mpx and 2Mpx CMOS sensors.
Unboxing and physical view
Packaging is made of high quality transparent plastic. Well presented, nice and stylish design. This kind of packaging for sure will attract a potential buyer, especially in retail store. But of course have to remember saying: "Never judge book by its cover!"
Lets look inside the box, what you get as a standard set:
- Main unit ( front dash camera with 3.5" LCD ).
- Rear camera.
- 6 meters Micro-Usb Video-power cable to connect rear camera to the main unit.
- 3 meters power cable for hard-wiring to ACC / Battery / Ground.
- Front camera bracket / mount, ( rear camera bracket is already attached ).
- Spare set of double-sided pre-cut adhesive, 1 for front- 1 for rear camera bracket.
- 16Gb MicroSDHC, Class 10 memory card, ( can use up to 32Gb MicroSD memory card )
- Hex key to adjust and tighten front camera bracket .
- Windshield clips to run video and power cables
- MicroSD USB card reader
- User Manual booklet ( Korean ).
English User Manual ( Pdf )can be downloaded from HERE
Latest English Fimware can be downloaded from HERE
The MOST Complete and detailed English User manual I ever saw with any dash camera. Total 65 pages easy to read and understand with tons of diagrams and pictures. Great job by Urive !
Optional accessories*
- GPS antenna
- LCD screen protector
- Car cigarette lighter power cable.
Close view of main unit and rear camera
Holding in hand main unit, rear camera or accessories, - I can feel high quality built which gives confidence in this product.
When first time I saw Albatross II about half year ago on some Korean forums, - I was sceptical about its design. It looked bulky on photos. Now, after seeing it in real, - I have changed my mind and I think they did good job on this type of dash camera design, compare to many other similar category dash cameras which has an LCD screen.
First of all what I like about main unit design is that front facing surface is smooth, oval-shaped if look from up and sides. Lens part sticking out minimally compare to many other dash cameras where lens surrounding is bulky. Albatross II main unit design provides more discrete installation behind rear-view mirror. No sharp corners, no bulky lens surrounding sticking out if looking from outside. Albatross II fits almost discretely behind my car rear-view mirror ( blends in with rear-view mirror ) the way that almost no sticking out dash camera parts can be seen ( maybe 5-10% of main unit sticks out from behind of my rear-view mirror ) .
Main unit has a lot of vents for heat dissipation to prevent overheating. At the front ( near lens ) there is a blue LED light, which I have covered with black electrical tape to make it more discrete and avoid unwanted attention from outside.
Main unit and rear camera has black glossy finish, which for some people might be not perfect choice, because it leaves fingerprints and can reflect light which makes unit not that discrete compare to if coating would be flat black / matt. If this is a case for some people, then simple home DIY solution is to use black matt Plasti Dip spray paint. But of course coating type is not the most important part of any dash camera ( glossy or matt black ), more important is that it is black colour, not silver, white etc. I think first of all people who buying dash cameras look into functionality and reliability. Finishing ( glossy or not glossy ) comes to the end ( I guess ). So I am personally can live with that glossy finish. For me other factors are more important than coating.
Urive website ( English ): HERE
I have received it about 3 weeks ago from Astrobile.
Delivery was lightning fast, only 3 days via FedEx. Very pleased with delivery and communication.
After 3 weeks of testing, driving, getting to know product etc., now I can share my thoughts and present this review.
My understanding of reviewing any product ( in this case dashcamera ): "Never judge book by its cover!"
- It is wrong to fully judge product only by looking what is written in the specifications
- it is not always a correct to make a final conclusions by looking on a YouTube uploaded videos
- short review does not give understanding of a product full potentials
- it is impossible to fully get to know product within only 1-2 days test
- fair criticism is essential in order to deliver true info to the customer and help developer to improve their product.
Having in mind those criteria's I wast thinking not to rush with posting my initial review and decided to wait and fully test this device, to bring out every possible hidden extra it has, which often can not be seen from quick review. Besides, this device is not from cheapest ones, so it is even worth more to test and review it thoroughly, so people know on what investing their hard earned money.
I was driving with Albatross II every day and at the end of each day I'v spent couple of hours on making notes, video analysis , putting info together, etc. I think in total to finish this review it took me all together about 50-60 hours with all driving, writing, editing, some DIY projects, uploading etc.
Hope you will find it interesting.
Introduction
Some facts about Urive brand:
- Urive is one of the best selling Dash camera brands in Korea.
- Urive is the second biggest market share(20.1%), and first market share among High-end Dashcam brand in Korea.
- Around 3200 dealerships of Urive in Korea
Units sold:
- in 2012, average 25,000 units are sold monthly
- in 2013, average 20,000 units are sold monthly
- 60% of total sales is Albatross II, 20% of total sales is Albatross, 20% is rest.
- nearly around 100,000 units of Albatross II sold from day it was released.
In accordance with official company report, their sales are around US$ 42,300,000 in 2012. US$24,600,000 in the first half 2013.
- Urive Albatross II was released in Korea to public sale in March 2013
Albatross II Korean TV Ad ( May 2013 )
Review Content:
I split my review into 10 posts due to max 10 pictures allowed per one post.
Part 1
- Introduction
- Main features
- Specifications
- Unboxing and physical view
- Close view
Part 2
- Original bracket
- Alternative bracket solutions
- Mounted in Car
- Functions, settings and GUI ( Graphical User Interface ) overview
Part 3
- PC Viewer
- Dash camera configuration settings on PC Viewer
Part 4
Day / Night screen shots
- 1 channel 1080p / 30 Fps
Part 5
- 2 channel Day screen shots
Front camera 1080p / 20 Fps, Rear camera 720p / 20 Fps
Part 6
- 2 channel Night screen shots
Front camera 1080p / 20 Fps, Rear camera 720p / 20 Fps
Part 7
- Urive Albatross II vs Panorama II Powerucc ( video )
Part 8
- YouTube Videos
Post 9
- RAW video files Collection
Part 10
- Suggestions / Recommendations on what can be improved
- Strong point
- Conclusion
REVIEW
Part 1
NB! Now Urive ALbatross adapted to work with 64Gb MicroSDXC Cards as well ( read HERE )
Specifications
About video recording data:
- 1 channel ( front camera only ):
Resolution: 1080p, Frame rate: 29fps, Bit-rate: 12Mbps
- 2 channel parking mode ( front + rear camera )
In parking mode 2 channel it records 1080p / 29fps front and 720p / 29fps rear camera at 13Mbps bit-rate
- 2 channel driving mode ( front + rear camera )
Front camera: 1080p / 19fps / 8Mbps, Rear camera: 720p / 19fps / 4Mbps
When used 2 channel video recording, bit-rate of 8Mbps front camera and 4Mbps rear camera is fairly high rate of data speed for 2 channel dash camera systems which are based on System-on-a-Chip solution. For example, another popular 2 channel dash camera system BlackVue DR550GW, bit-rate is around 6Mbps front and 2Mbps rear camera, though at 30fps per channel. Urive Albatross II implemented Cortex A8 800MHZ CPU with 5Mpx and 2Mpx CMOS sensors.
Unboxing and physical view
Packaging is made of high quality transparent plastic. Well presented, nice and stylish design. This kind of packaging for sure will attract a potential buyer, especially in retail store. But of course have to remember saying: "Never judge book by its cover!"
Lets look inside the box, what you get as a standard set:
- Main unit ( front dash camera with 3.5" LCD ).
- Rear camera.
- 6 meters Micro-Usb Video-power cable to connect rear camera to the main unit.
- 3 meters power cable for hard-wiring to ACC / Battery / Ground.
- Front camera bracket / mount, ( rear camera bracket is already attached ).
- Spare set of double-sided pre-cut adhesive, 1 for front- 1 for rear camera bracket.
- 16Gb MicroSDHC, Class 10 memory card, ( can use up to 32Gb MicroSD memory card )
- Hex key to adjust and tighten front camera bracket .
- Windshield clips to run video and power cables
- MicroSD USB card reader
- User Manual booklet ( Korean ).
English User Manual ( Pdf )can be downloaded from HERE
Latest English Fimware can be downloaded from HERE
The MOST Complete and detailed English User manual I ever saw with any dash camera. Total 65 pages easy to read and understand with tons of diagrams and pictures. Great job by Urive !
Optional accessories*
- GPS antenna
- LCD screen protector
- Car cigarette lighter power cable.
Close view of main unit and rear camera
Holding in hand main unit, rear camera or accessories, - I can feel high quality built which gives confidence in this product.
When first time I saw Albatross II about half year ago on some Korean forums, - I was sceptical about its design. It looked bulky on photos. Now, after seeing it in real, - I have changed my mind and I think they did good job on this type of dash camera design, compare to many other similar category dash cameras which has an LCD screen.
First of all what I like about main unit design is that front facing surface is smooth, oval-shaped if look from up and sides. Lens part sticking out minimally compare to many other dash cameras where lens surrounding is bulky. Albatross II main unit design provides more discrete installation behind rear-view mirror. No sharp corners, no bulky lens surrounding sticking out if looking from outside. Albatross II fits almost discretely behind my car rear-view mirror ( blends in with rear-view mirror ) the way that almost no sticking out dash camera parts can be seen ( maybe 5-10% of main unit sticks out from behind of my rear-view mirror ) .
Main unit has a lot of vents for heat dissipation to prevent overheating. At the front ( near lens ) there is a blue LED light, which I have covered with black electrical tape to make it more discrete and avoid unwanted attention from outside.
Main unit and rear camera has black glossy finish, which for some people might be not perfect choice, because it leaves fingerprints and can reflect light which makes unit not that discrete compare to if coating would be flat black / matt. If this is a case for some people, then simple home DIY solution is to use black matt Plasti Dip spray paint. But of course coating type is not the most important part of any dash camera ( glossy or matt black ), more important is that it is black colour, not silver, white etc. I think first of all people who buying dash cameras look into functionality and reliability. Finishing ( glossy or not glossy ) comes to the end ( I guess ). So I am personally can live with that glossy finish. For me other factors are more important than coating.
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