Viofo A229 Pro (unboxing & first impressions) (Novatek NT96529, Sony IMX678/IMX675/IMX307, HDR³, GPS⁴, 5Ghz WiFi, 4k front + 2k rear + 1080p cabin)

lufa6977 said:
I generally try not to beta new firmware releases 😉 , but I had to give this one a try to see about the new text colours. The SNV is this a hard-coded feature or something you turn on? I did not notice it when using the dash cam LCD screen.
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You turn it on in the dashcam settings, it's not in the app but on the dashcam itself in the menu
 
lufa6977 said:
I have not had any of the reported file bugs, so I have wondered if there are hardware changes between production runs or just 'skippy' hardware for the odd camera.
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Bug might be present for some users but not all, like you say. All helps though.
 
Quick screen grab of the stamp colour option added in the latest V1.3.1 firmware for the A229 Pro.

Options are white, yellow, cyan and golden.

IMG_20241026_053510.webp
 
Agie said:
Fingers crossed it fixes the bugs for you mate
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It didn't, lol...

I think I have a spare GPS module somewhere which if I can find it I will try.


I noticed on a night test with the FW my windscreen needs a good clean - even when it looked clear to me, the camera still appeared a bit misty...
 
Paul Iddon said:
It didn't, lol...

I think I have a spare GPS module somewhere which if I can find it I will try.


I noticed on a night test with the FW my windscreen needs a good clean - even when it looked clear to me, the camera still appeared a bit misty...
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Potentially smudged lens on the camera? Though guessing you would have already checked that.

Well hopefully some day somewhere the bugs are fixed ..
 
Agie said:
Bug might be present for some users but not all, like you say. All helps though.
Click to expand...

This new firmware brought back a bug for me, the one where every so often the audible notification states "two channel recording started" while driving. When parking I also now here voice for parking mode started and then two channel recording started. I used to only get the parking mode started voice notification.

The intermittent two channel recording started notification, I think may be caused by software not handling a full SD card properly. Somewhere in moving files, it stops and starts recording as it makes space on the SD.

The video quality does seem to be better, that, or I have convinced myself it is better. Mulling going back to previous FW.
 
@viofo @VIOFO-Support

New iteration of the V1.3.1 update released for the A229 Pro with some new changes. Details and download link below:

NOTE: rear camera firmware is also the update for the RTC300 telephoto camera as they use the same sensor.

www.viofo.com

firmware

VIOFO specializes in professional-grade dash cameras featuring Sony STARVIS 2 IMX sensors, 4K ultra-high-definition recording, and advanced multi-channel systems from 1CH to 4CH. Known for superior license plate capture — including dedicated telephoto dash cams for long-range identification.
www.viofo.com www.viofo.com


Viofo A229 Pro Firmware Update (front)
  • Release date: 2024-12-06
  • Version: V1.3.1_241206
  • Filename: FWA229P.bin
  • File size: 67.6M

Changelog:
  • Added: Turn on/off the parking mode by BTR200 remote
  • Fixed: other bugs




Viofo A229 Pro Firmware Update (rear)

  • Release date: 2024-12-04
  • Version: V1.3.1_241204
  • Filename: EthamTxFw.bin
  • File size: 4.47M

Changelog:
  • Fixed: other bugs
 
Last edited:
I wonder how many firmware updates it will take for the A229 Pro to have similar HDR performance to the A329.
 
M_B said:
I wonder how many firmware updates it will take for the A229 Pro to have similar HDR performance to the A329.
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Different processors so not sure it would. Even though it's same sensor. Also they would want to differentiate the product line so doesn't make sense to make the A229 Pro too good
 
M_B said:
I wonder how many firmware updates it will take for the A229 Pro to have similar HDR performance to the A329.
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I have stored on my drive, ten firmware releases for the A229 Pro. Some of those were published on the VIOFO site and some were not. While I do favor VIOFO and buy their products, I have some strong opinions, not favorable, concerning their coding. I consider ten releases to be a bit much for a reasonably simple device, reminds me of ASUS motherboards and the swath of BIOS FW releases they have. 🙂 However, a motherboard is substantially more complicated than a dash cam.


Agie said:
Different processors so not sure it would. Even though it's same sensor. Also they would want to differentiate the product line so doesn't make sense to make the A229 Pro too good
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Complete agreement. The A229 Pro will soon be orphaned, other than major bug fixes. Unlike earlier dash cams, the A229 Pro is a distraction from newer releases that provide improved
features or image clarity.
 
@viofo @VIOFO-Support

New iteration of the V1.3.1 update released for the A229 Pro with some new changes. Details and download link below:

NOTE: rear camera firmware is not updated this time, it remains on December 2024 firmware.

www.viofo.com

firmware

VIOFO specializes in professional-grade dash cameras featuring Sony STARVIS 2 IMX sensors, 4K ultra-high-definition recording, and advanced multi-channel systems from 1CH to 4CH. Known for superior license plate capture — including dedicated telephoto dash cams for long-range identification.
www.viofo.com www.viofo.com


Viofo A229 Pro Firmware Update (front)
  • Release date: 2025-02-14
  • Version: V1.3.1_250214
  • Filename: FWA229P.bin
  • File size: 67.7M

Changelog:
  • Fixed: GPS data still exists while the GPS disabled
  • Fixed: other minor bugs
 
AliExpress are having a sale on at the moment, on both the Vantrue E1 Pro and the one-channel Viofo A229 Pro. Who would have thought we would be seeing fantastic 4K Starvis 2 dashcams at this low a price point.

Although the Vantrue E1 Pro is cheaper, it is hard to pick a winner between the two. The Viofo has a slower UI, but also has the higher bitrate and option for two or three channel expansion, and the wedge form factor.

The Vantrue has a faster UI, a cuter cube form factor and more pleasing video processing. But has a lower bitrate (no slouch though) and admittedly lower support lifespan through firmware updates.

Picking a winner between the two is a tough choice but ultimately who wins?

The customer. You can't go wrong with either 🙂


IMG_20250325_144742.webp
 
Thanks @viofo and @VIOFO-Support for the firmware update for the rear camera of the A229 Pro.



www.viofo.com

firmware

VIOFO specializes in professional-grade dash cameras featuring Sony STARVIS 2 IMX sensors, 4K ultra-high-definition recording, and advanced multi-channel systems from 1CH to 4CH. Known for superior license plate capture — including dedicated telephoto dash cams for long-range identification.
www.viofo.com www.viofo.com


Viofo A229 Pro (rear) Firmware Update
  • Release date: 2025-04-21
  • Version: V1.3.1_250421
  • File size: 4.52M

Changelog:
  • Fixed: other bugs
 
Thanks for making me aware of this update, somehow had missed it. Do you have any insight in what 'other bugs' could mean?
 
TheSpanishInq said:
Thanks for making me aware of this update, somehow had missed it. Do you have any insight in what 'other bugs' could mean?
Click to expand...
No worries I missed it completely too, no idea what the other bugs entails perhaps @viofo can shed some insight on this..
 
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