A329S Test & Review PP

[GPak]

That equals 13.608 Ws. (Watt seconds), at 8W consumption for 3 channels, that is about 1.7 seconds, except there are two of those super capacitors, so it can probably run for a little over 2 seconds before the voltage drops too low. Normally they seem to run a bit longer than that, maybe 3 seconds.

2x 2.7V, 5F capacitor is used on Viofo Mini, 1ch dash cam

By the way, capacitors are produced in fixed sizes, so most likely the next larger value from the required one is selected.

 

[GPak]

I’m testing another 3CH dash cam that boots up, and starts recording approximately 2-3 times faster than A329S 3CH.
I have video of the speed test, but not allowed to post it right now, (it does not use capacitors).

Unlike a capacitor, a battery will retains enough energy to start the camera.
(assuming it is battery powered with proper battery management)

BTW, energy required for deshcam depends not only on number of channels but also on image sensor(s), processor(s), etc.
More powerful the hardware more energy capacity is required.
So the previous generation 3ch (1080) dash cam will likely take less boot time compare to now days monsters.

 

[GPak]

Re the bolded, when I first read about this I just assumed the 2.7v caps were being used more to provide 5vdc as opposed to providing more current.
Isn't 5vdc pretty much baseline?

The dash cam uses 2 capacitors connected in series, making it 2 x 2.7V = 5.4V

 

[Finnegan]

The dash cam uses 2 capacitors connected in series, making it 2 x 2.7V = 5.4V

I rounded down, like I do on my taxes. 😉 🤣

 

[Nigel]

2x 2.7V, 5F capacitor is used on Viofo Mini, 1ch dash cam

I just checked, 1x 5.4V 5.5F is used on the A329, presumably a matched pair inside, connected in series.

That doesn't seem like enough to continue at full power use, must power some things down in order to survive long enough, so the info doesn't help very much!

Since the capacitors still may retain a bit of energy after shut-off, there may be some difference between 1 and 12 hours, but I think it is likely negligible.

Most of the power comes out of a capacitor while the voltage is still reasonably high, so most of it will get used.

I would be surprised if the camera charged the capacitors based on the number of channels. To do that, it would have to calculate the power consumption level precisely, which is an unnecessary complication for a DVR, and perhaps impossible given the tiny amount of power it consumes.

Assuming that there is a limited supply current, and you do have to limit current flowing into super capacitors or they attempt to charge up instantly, having the third channel consuming power may reduce the amount of power available to go into the capacitors, so there are no calculations necessary, just need to wait until the voltage rises high enough before starting recording, and the dashcam is monitoring voltage anyway, since it uses that info for deciding when to shut down.

 

[GPak]

5.4V, 5.5F (total) for the original A329 makes sense with a boot time of 11 sec, which is comparable to the Viofo Mini with 5.4V, 5F (total).

It also tells me that for the Viofo Mini the capacitors are likely a bit over-sized, and that is why the Viofo Mini is not that sensitive to momentary power interruption as the newest cameras.
I remember when I tested a not so fast "UPS" for use with a dashcam, the Viofo Mini switched over to the alternative power source just fine, while the A229 Plus shut down.

Still need to find out what capacitors are used for the A329S/T/W

 

[Chuck McCoy]

How about some Multiplex footage from the A329WW.
The (2) waterproof rear cameras are mounted under both exterior side mirrors canted at a 45° angle.
@dacddong

HIGHWAY

CITY

HOME OF THE WHOPPER
(when I was in high school Whoppers were $0.99 regular price, now the are $7.39 How much were Whoppers when you were in high school? If you say $0.25 you’re gonna drive me to drink. lol)

TRYING TO PARK IN MY GARAGE

 

[Nigel]

How about some Multiplex footage from the A329WW.

Where are the rear, interior and telephoto?
We need more channels!

Also wondering how long it took you to decide which way around to arrange the left and right, and if they should be mirrored to give the same view as the driver has?

 

[Finnegan]

@Chuck McCoy, Yes indeed that price jump is huge and unfortunately the price/cost of many things
have followed that track. I seem to recall paying a low of $0.79 for a Whopper, I graduated high
school in 1975, so 1973, 1974, 1975?

I wonder what today's more expensive dash cams would have sold for back then? But tech was
not very cheap was it? I remember seeing an advertisement for a 10mb hard drive selling for
almost $10,000. Considering that, a good dash cam would probably cost more than a house! 😱

 

[Chuck McCoy]

Where are the rear, interior and telephoto?
We need more channels!

I know, I know. lol
I’ve spoiled you in the past with my multi-channel test footage clips.
I’ve got all the cameras installed but, I don’t have the correct length Coax Cables to provide the configuration you, and I want.
I’m waiting on a shipment of the correct length Coax Cables.

Right now I have an A329S Front / Main unit installed on both the front windshield, and rear window.
I only have one telephoto, and it’s mounted on the front windshield.
I only have one IR Interior fisheye, and it’s mounted on the rear window.
I only have one rear camera, and it’s mounted on the rear window.

Last night I had to remove all the cameras on the rear window because the IR Interior camera appears to be “crooked” by 1° or 1.5° degrees.
Either the lens is installed in the camera housing just a hair off, or the mounting surface is off by just a hair.
I had to put a few thin layers of reused 3M adhesive on the “left side heel” of the mount to cant it by 1° degree.
It took three tries, but I finally almost got a “100%” symmetrical POV of the vehicle interior.
“Symmetry is beauty”
It drives me nuts when the POV does not have symmetry. lol
It would make it a lot easier if Viofo had optional grid alignment lines on the live view.
But they won’t even give me a single horizon line for 50/50. LMAO!
I went through this with the (3) IR Interior cameras I installed form the A229 Pro, however it was much easier because I mounted them on 360° ball monts which made fine angle tuning a breeze.

When I get the longer Coax Cable shipment, this will be the 6CH configuration;
A329TW Main Unit: Front Windshield
Telephoto: Front Windshield
RWC400 Waterproof Rear: Left Side Exterior Mirror

A329SW Main Unit: Rear Window
IR Interior Fisheye: Rear Window
RWC400 Waterproof Rear: Right Side Exterior Mirror

Also wondering how long it took you to decide which way around to arrange the left and right, and if they should be mirrored to give the same view as the driver has?

OMG! Hours, and hours. lol
I had difficulty installing all the remote cameras because the coax connector is not uniform, (in the way it displays the image up/down).
And I need to install them in the naturally “correct” position so I don’t have to remember to change the mirror, up/down settings in the APP every time I install a new firmware, or prompt a default setting.
I experimented for an hour, or two which way to display both waterproof cameras for the multiplex video, and I could not display them how I wanted to because it’s almost impossible to align each camera the same exact POV to obtain 100% symmetry.
So I had to settle for the test footage you see because it hides the 1° to 3° degrees of “mismatch” between mounting locations.

Btw, here’s what the difference between Fisheye Mode On/Off looks like installed.

And here’s the grids lines from my Sony Action Cam I’m used to “cheating” with to set up a POV.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

But tech was
not very cheap was it?

I remember buying a Sony "Car DiscMan" for $300 in 1992 from The Good Guys electronics store in Fairfield, CA.
Then it became a Circuit City, then Best Buy shut 'em down, and ruined everything. lol
The regular Sony DiscMan was only $200, but the extra $100 for the car version got you a "spring" to prevent the CD from skipping during the vibrations of a moving vehicle. LMAO!

 

[kamkar]

I had a Sony diskman too bnack in those days, but really i did prefer to use my Sony Walkman or Aiwa ditto, with HEAVY TDK metal tapes.
The Aiwa model didn’t even sell here in Denmark, i picked it up in Japan the first year i had taken to the seas.


Bad timing CUZ i threw them all out a few months back.

I am kinda amused by kids today sporting HUGE headsets on the streets, i am thinking get a Walkman and dust off my old pair of HUGE Bayer Dynamic headset.

 

[Nigel]

Btw, here’s what the difference between Fisheye Mode On/Off looks like installed.

I wonder why Viofo decided to add some unnecessary zoom to the Fisheye Off 🤔 Not saying it is wrong, it does give more choice.

Last night I had to remove all the cameras on the rear window because the IR Interior camera appears to be “crooked” by 1° or 1.5° degrees.

You need an angle adjustment in the firmware setup, it is already doing the fisheye correction, so why not a 1° rotate correction as well 🙂

I experimented for an hour, or two which way to display both waterproof cameras for the multiplex video, and I could not display them how I wanted to because it’s almost impossible to align each camera the same exact POV to obtain 100% symmetry.

You did well, it is easy to watch what is happening. I sort of want the car in the middle, instead of at both edges, but maybe that doesn't work so well!

 

[Chuck McCoy]

I sort of want the car in the middle, instead of at both edges

That's exactly the configuration I wanted.
But the car's "belt line" did not match up so it was very unappealing to the eye.
You gave me an idea, let me go make an adjustment.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

I use a label maker to identify dash cams, and their components so I know what’s what.
I’ve discovered the labels serve a dual purpose as “heat tabs” similar how an engine re-builder uses them to deny warranty claims on overheated engines.
Take note of the “1” and “2” labels on the A329S.
The first photo shows them new shortly after I put them on.
The second photo was this morning.
Yesterday was only 92℉ (33℃).
I left on a drive cycle at 3PM did some shopping, and returned at 5PM.
For the roughly 2 hours of parking I situated the car in direct sunlight without any shade.
I started the cameras at 3PM in normal recording mode, and left them that way until I returned home, (running on dash cam battery packs).
I did not use any parking modes.
I checked the SD Card, and looked for missing files, or unexpected shut downs, and found no malfunctions.
However, it got so hot the thermal label tape was affected by the heat, and made them “go black”.
Today, and tomorrow is supposed to be 100℉ (38℃).
Let’s increase the run time, and see if I can document an overheating malfunction.
Let’s goooo!

 

[Nigel]

I’ve discovered the labels serve a dual purpose as “heat tabs” similar how an engine re-builder uses them to deny warranty claims on overheated engines.

What temperature tape are you using?

Maybe you need a selection...

"The Epson LabelWorks Heat Resistant Label Tapes are able to withstand extremely high temperatures of up to 225 degrees Celsius,"

 

[Chuck McCoy]

I sort of want the car in the middle, instead of at both edges

This is as close as I can get to “car in the middle”.
Second screenshot is what you don’t see behind the car with the rear camera.
I’ll film more test footage with this configuration.

Here’s what it looks like when I open the driver door;

 

[Chuck McCoy]

What temperature tape are you using?

I’ve been unnecessarily labeling things since 2007 with my Brother PT-65.
I proudly only use the cheapest, lowest quality, unbranded tape refills from Amazon.

Maybe you need a selection...

I'll submit that expense to accounting. lol

 

[Chuck McCoy]

You were right @Nigel “car in the middle” multiplex looks more appealing.
@indigo

 

[Nigel]

You were right @Nigel “car in the middle” multiplex looks more appealing.

Yes, the car does look a little odd, but that is just something to get used to, it makes more sense like this.

Some people would like the whole bottom of the multiplex mirrored, so that cars on the left in the front view are on the left in the rear views, as you would see them in your mirrors when driving, but I think it is better to get used to the un-mirrored view, it doesn't take long for your brain to adjust, this is reality, what you would see if you put your head out of the window.

Like with license plates, this is another case where European cars are better than US cars, you can mount the cameras further from the body of the car, and so actually see a little behind the car instead of the view behind being blocked by the curvature of the car body!

Nice videos, proof that Viofo needs a 5/6 channel dashcam with two multiplexed side cameras...

Only issue is installing them, which probably isn't a job for the average user...