A119 Mini 2 Test & Review PP

[Dashmellow]

I like that! 👍

It makes them easy to compare and you can do it all at once.

Also, it does seem to be the same focal length lens projecting onto different size and resolution sensors. The perspective is the same, and the barrel distortion is about the same but the magnification is different. Notice how the 4K camera produces a smaller image and thus a wider AOV.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

Or collect screenshots of these videos like this: 🙂

Spoiler

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Your first screenshot is actually the Mini 2, not the Mini 1.
The Mini 1 is much narrower.
Can you fix please?
Oh yeah, I wish I could make these but I don't have a Windows PC.
I don't have access to video editing, or Photoshop etc. =(
-Chuck

 

[Chuck McCoy]

Highway Test Footage with Firmware 0605.
2K 60fps

 

[Leonauto]

View attachment 65872

Your first screenshot is actually the Mini 2, not the Mini 1.
The Mini 1 is much narrower.
Can you fix please?
Oh yeah, I wish I could make these but I don't have a Windows PC.
I don't have access to video editing, or Photoshop etc. =(
-Chuck

I'm sorry, I made a mistake, mixed up the screenshots and inserted two identical ones. Now everything is fixed

Spoiler

PS: if possible, you can upload some original videos to the cloud service, then we can take high quality screenshots
(although in the case of FOV, what happened is enough).
We can and should help fellow enthusiasts and the whole forum 😉

 

[Chuck McCoy]

if possible, you can upload some original videos to the cloud service, then we can take high quality screenshots

The reason I posted the recent test footage videos is because I'm making my "YouTube Full Review" video.
I already deleted the footage.
In a few minutes I'm going to re-film my night time sample footage for my YouTube Review with the improved audio from the new 0605 firmware.
I'll post the videos on my 2nd YouTube Channel.
All the videos are UNLISTED, however all videos can be found in the PUBLIC playlist for each camera I test.
If you see a video that you want the "original high quality raw video" send me an email, and I will send it to you.
Email: BudgetPantherPlatform@gmail.com
Here is where to find the playlists; https://www.youtube.com/@PanzerDashcam/playlists

 

[Kremmen]

There's some weird things going on with some of those screenshots. One has a white sign whilst another is blue ! Another seems washed out.

Having looked at all of them, day and night, I think the original Mini gives the best compromise.

But I'll be sticking with my V3 for the foreseeable future.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

City Test Footage with Firmware 0605, (improved audio).

 

[Chuck McCoy]

Highway Test Footage with Firmware 0605, (improved audio).

 

[Vortex Radar]

Happy Monday everyone!

This week I'm starting to work on my A119 Mini 2 review. I've been running beta firmware 0605 recently as well and comparing it to audio from the current public firmware, it sounds like they've basically turned up the volume of the mic. It's easier to hear conversations in the car now. At first I thought the audio also sounded a bit more full and with more bass (in a good way), but after using my video editor to turn up the volume of sample footage from public firmware, it basically sounds the same. I don't think they've changed quality directly, but rather simply raised the volume of the mic. Sometimes this can lead to clipping if it gets too loud, but either way I think it's a very welcome change and makes a noticeable improvement to hearing what's going on in the car.

Comparing it to the A139 Pro, overall the A139 Pro does seem better so far in the daytime. The video is more clear while the A119 Mini 2's footage looks like it has more artifacting. This is particularly noticeable when I'm driving and there's a lot of movement around me like when driving past trees. I know it's not apples to apples due to different resolutions, but it's like the A139 Pro is using a much higher bitrate. (I'm testing with the A139 Pro as a 2CH at the moment.)

In terms of nighttime footage, I think the A119 Mini 2 has a slight edge. One of the main things I'm noticing so far is that it does a better job of capturing rear plates when my headlights are shining directly on them, even when both cams have HDR enabled.

I still need to go back and look at how it compares to the original A119 Mini which I've also got on my WS at the moment.

 

[Dashmellow]

I don't think they've changed quality directly, but rather simply raised the volume of the mic. Sometimes this can lead to clipping if it gets too loud

This is the reason I would like to see a low, medium and high volume control in the menu, so the user would have some control over the gain.

The sound on my Mobius 1S is excellent but I've noticed that when I drive at speed with the window(s) open I can get serious clipping from the wind noise. The solution was to re-set the volume from high to medium.

(Edit: I didn't become aware of this problem until the weather warmed up and I started driving with my windows open.)

 

[SafeDriveSolutions]

So this is the detail that is being missed between A139 Pro and A119 Mini 2. Do you see the difference in colors and detail on A139 Pro. Look at mobil express sign. I have more comparisons to follow that I think people are really missing when comparing these 2 units. My polls are still coming back as 75% of people see the 139Pro as being better video quality.

 

[Karagandinez]

what happened? Your post was deleted. Do we have this feature, or no?

I misunderstood that you want microphone adjustment.
The latest firmware V1.0_0605 has a sound level adjustment in the menu and has 3 levels.
I'm sorry.

 

[Dashmellow]

I misunderstood that you want microphone adjustment.
The latest firmware V1.0_0605 has a sound level adjustment in the menu and has 3 levels.
I'm sorry.

No problem. We all do this kind of thing around here from time to time. 🙂

I'll delete my above reply posts too.

 

[SafeDriveSolutions]

Do you see the reflection on tunnel wall sides from 119 Mini 2 as compared to 139 Pro. Do you see the license plate? Do you see the green arrows from roof?

 

[SafeDriveSolutions]

Last one here for comparison. There is lots more I could reference but I do not want to jam this post with my screenshots. Take a look at sign MEAT SHOP. Street sign park street.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

This week I'm starting to work on my A119 Mini 2 review.

I’m also trying to write my script for my “YouTube Review” of the Mini 2.
I filmed a demo trying to show the difference between wide vs. narrow FOV.
I used the 170° rear cam from the A139 Pro, and the original A119 Mini 140°.
After filming some test shots trying to get the cameras aligned perfectly I finally got the footage I wanted but, the original Mini’s speaker “blew up” on that take.
It sounds like a duck fart. The mini literally sh8t the bed. Lol

So now I’ve had 3 Viofo cameras blow out their speakers from beeps, and voice notifications that are too loud. A129 Pro (2020), A229 (2022), and now the Mini (2023).
I think it’s just me having this bad luck, because I don’t see anyone else reporting blown speakers.

One year ago I asked @viofo to add Adjustable Volume Control with a firmware update for the voice notifications, just like they have done for the A229 & A139 Pro.
I’m hoping they can still add it to the Mini so I can set the volume control to “silent but deadly”. Lol
Have a listen;

 

[Chuck McCoy]

I do not want to jam this post with my screenshots

Feel free to jam all you want. lol

 

[SafeDriveSolutions]

Feel free to jam all you want. lol

My contact at Viofo asked me why 25% of people thought Mini2 was better. I explained it is due to Field of View and that some people are not seeing the details being missed. Even when driving down highway at night A139 Pro is picking up the green grass.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

The latest firmware V1.0_0605 has a sound level adjustment in the menu and has 3 levels.

Is this what your talking about?
See attached photos.
I thought this was the volume control for the Voice Notifications.
If so, I screwed up because I have it set on LOW. lol

 

[Chuck McCoy]

My contact at Viofo asked me why 25% of people thought Mini2 was better. I explained it is due to Field of View and that some people are not seeing the details being missed. Even when driving down highway at night A139 Pro is picking up the green grass.

I am now even more confused.
I thought we both found the Mini 2 to outperform the A139 Pro in most night time, and low light conditions.
Please confirm.