Vantrue E1 Pro testing and comparisons with VIOFO A229 Pro

[Hack_man]

There's another USB-C on the side of the actual camera just like there is on the A229 Pro but used for the rear camera. If you look closely, it says LTE "|" <some little monitor / camera symbol thingy> and I think the pipe is an OR. I wouldn't be surprised if a firmware update is coming at some point to be able to use this port for the rear or interior camera.

its already amazing to me that Vantrue squeezed true 4K 30 FPS performance into this tiny unit. I can't imagine it also supports processing for another lens, unless the rear lens has the smarts.

 

[sorka]

its already amazing to me that Vantrue squeezed true 4K 30 FPS performance into this tiny unit. I can't imagine it also supports processing for another lens, unless the rear lens has the smarts.

Yup. It would probably need to do it's own encoding and just directly write the HEVC to the sd card when it comes back over the usb-c cable.

 

[TonyM]

There's another USB-C on the side of the actual camera just like there is on the A229 Pro but used for the rear camera. If you look closely, it says LTE "|" <some little monitor / camera symbol thingy> and I think the pipe is an OR. I wouldn't be surprised if a firmware update is coming at some point to be able to use this port for the rear or interior camera.

The LTE / [] symbol refers to using the USB-C port for either the LT01 (for LTE functions) or for connecting to a computer to access the E1 Pro in disk mode. There is a menu option to set how you want that port to work.

 

[sorka]

The LTE / [] symbol refers to using the USB-C port for either the LT01 (for LTE functions) or for connecting to a computer to access the E1 Pro in disk mode. There is a menu option to set how you want that port to work.

That makes sense. Thanks for the clarification. So the little symbol to the right of the OR is a computer monitor.

 

[Karagandinez]

The E1 Pro and Mini 2 don't look like a fair comparison. E1 Pro is 4K which has over 8 million pixels but the Mini 2 is 1080P has around 2 Million Pixels which is even less than 2K's 3+ million.

This will be a comparison of models in the same price category.

Well, screenshots from cameras with the same video sensor can be seen here:

Post in thread 'Vantrue E1 Pro / 4K / Novatek NT98528 + SONY STARVIS 2 IMX678 / HDR / Wi-Fi / GPS / PlatePix™ / Voice Control / Support LTE / Video and Screenshots'

Feb 26, 2025

A couple of screenshots from A229 Pro, E1 Pro and A329_Day.







The settings are the same on all models:
3840x2160
EV=0,0
CPL=on

• Karagandinez

• 

My biggest complaints so far with the E1 Pro are lack of rear camera support

Well then it won't be E1 Pro, but E2 Pro.

 

[DashcamDriversGermany]

The E1 Pro and Mini 2 don't look like a fair comparison. E1 Pro is 4K which has over 8 million pixels but the Mini 2 is 1080P has around 2 Million Pixels which is even less than 2K's 3+ million.

It always depends a bit on what you compare.
If you compare the readability of a license plate of a car 30meters in front you are absolutely right. But usually if you really need a license plate, the car will be closer on some point anyway.

When comparing readability the most relevant factor (in my personal opinion) is oncoming traffic since this is the easiest way to compare factors like motion blur/lens design/sensitivity to light.

On average, from my experience the IMX678 is doing better than the IMX675 (A229 Pro is better than A229 Plus, N4 Pro is clearly better than S1 Pro/N2X)
But on average does obviously not mean always. Mini2 with IMX675 was from my personal testing for example better than A139Pro with IMX678

Would be just interesting to see.
But yeah, in situations that are resolution-based and not motion-blur-based, 4K vs. 2,7K is not fair, you are right.
But I think the most relevant situations where you need a dashcam are not necesarily resolution-based.

But I think this might also depend A LOT where you are located. Roads and driving situations in europe might on average be different to the US or Asia
I think here in europe motion blur is the most relevant point. And in other areas where you have A LOT of multi-lane-roads resolution might be key.

 

[Augustus]

its already amazing to me that Vantrue squeezed true 4K 30 FPS performance into this tiny unit. I can't imagine it also supports processing for another lens, unless the rear lens has the smarts.

The chipset would be capable but with the heat and being such a tiny space to dissipate heat, then it would struggle a lot.

I presume that the E1 Pro is using the older Novatek chipset not the latest NT98530 that the E360, A329, Omni 4k is using that enables 4k60. The e360 don't have 4k60 cos I think it's purely pushing through 5.2k and the extra horsepower is required for that.

 

[Hack_man]

Mini2 with IMX675 was from my personal testing for example better than A139Pro with IMX678

Where are you seeing the MIni2 uses the IMX675? All I can find is it uses a CMOS image sensor with 2MP Garmin Clarity™ HDR optics sensor

 

[Karagandinez]

Where are you seeing the MIni2 uses the IMX675? All I can find is it uses a CMOS image sensor with 2MP Garmin Clarity™ HDR optics sensor

VIOFO A119 MINI 2 Voice Control 2K 60fps 5GHz WiFi Dash Camera with Sony STARVIS 2 Image Sensor HDR Super Night Sensibility

VIOFO A119 MINI 2 — Ultra-Compact 2K 60fps Dash Cam with Sony STARVIS 2 The VIOFO A119 MINI 2 is a compact single-channel dash cam that records at 2K (2560×1440) at 60fps using the Sony STARVIS 2 IMX675 sensor. It measures approximately the size of a car key fob, features...

www.viofo.com

 

[Hack_man]

VIOFO A119 MINI 2 Voice Control 2K 60fps 5GHz WiFi Dash Camera with Sony STARVIS 2 Image Sensor HDR Super Night Sensibility

VIOFO A119 MINI 2 — Ultra-Compact 2K 60fps Dash Cam with Sony STARVIS 2 The VIOFO A119 MINI 2 is a compact single-channel dash cam that records at 2K (2560×1440) at 60fps using the Sony STARVIS 2 IMX675 sensor. It measures approximately the size of a car key fob, features...

www.viofo.com

OK I was thinking of the Garmin Mini 2

Vantrue is going to send me a CPL Filter for the E1 Pro so I will be able to better compare apples to apples with the A229 Pro.

 

[sorka]

Does anyone know if the bitrate on the E1 Pro can be changed for 4K normal driving mode?

 

[Karagandinez]

Does anyone know if the bitrate on the E1 Pro can be changed for 4K normal driving mode?

Vantrue does not have a bitrate change setting.

 

[Hack_man]

I installed a CPL Filter on the E1 Pro so both cameras now have one.

I'm surprised I still see some reflections in my windshield of the speaker grill with the E1 Pro
A closeup of the plates still shows the E1 Pro is a bit brighter than the A229 Pro. Both are readable but the A229 Pro is a bit more clear. I expected the E1 Pro to be a bit dimmer once I installed the filter but it was not.
I'm splitting hairs here (it's what we do) both plates are readable.

A229 Pro

E1 Pro

 

[sorka]

Rotate the filter while viewing the live image on the phone full screen until the reflections disappear.

 

[Hack_man]

Rotate the filter while viewing the live image on the phone full screen until the reflections disappear.

Good point I'll do that. It screws on with threads.
I noticed there was no "marker alignment" dot on the Vanture Filter like on the A229 Pro.

 

[sorka]

There's a tiny little index mark on the inside lip of the outer ring. The CPL filter is a two piece where the filter itself rotates freely on the mount ring with the threads so that it can be adjusted. Adjust it by turning clockwise (as if facing it) so that you don't accidentally unscrew the mount ring.

 

[Hack_man]

Is the mounting ring already part of the camera? My filter was one piece (I think).
I don't see how its two pieces, inner and out ring, unless the inner is part of the camera.

 

[sorka]

Is the mounting ring already part of the camera? My filter was one piece (I think).
I don't see how its two pieces, inner and out ring, unless the inner is part of the camera.

Nope. It's part of the filter. It's hard to see, but the filter is actually two parts. The ring with the polarizing glass, and the ring with the threads. It's a bit stiff, but they the rotate independently of each other.

 

[sorka]

Without the filter:

With the filter. Notice the addition has TWO rings on it and you can see the two tick marks on the inside edge of the outer ring:

 

[Hack_man]

Nope. It's part of the filter. It's hard to see, but the filter is actually two parts. The ring with the polarizing glass, and the ring with the threads. It's a bit stiff, but they the rotate independently of each other.

Wow now I understand. That is not obvious. The back of the box gives some indication.
I definitely see now that there are two stiff rings that rotate.