A119 V3: 1080p 60fps smoothness?

[jei13]

Greetings all. Would like your opinion on the following.

I've been using the A119 V3 for a couple of days now, normally at 1440p30 resolution. Today, I wanted to see how the 1080p 60fps video looked. But while playing back the 1080p60 file on my different computers (I7-7500U laptop & I7-8700 desktop), to me it didn't look as smooth as your typical 60fps video. It actually looked more like 30fps to me, even though Windows file properties correctly showed 60fps frame rate. This was on the original 1.00 firmware. So I updated to 1.02 and tested 1080p60 again, but the file still did not look 60fps smooth to me upon playback.

FYI, I used my usual card, a 128GB Samsung Evo Select (sequential read speed 89 MB/s & write speed 84 MB/s according to CrystaDiskMark). I also tested with a 128GB Sandisk Ultra Plus that was lying around. Same result (60fps not looking smooth).

I recorded two 1-minute clips shot one after the other in bright sunny weather, one in 1080p60 resolution and the other 1080p30. Both high bitrate mode. While checking the file properties in Windows, what's strange is that while the file size of the 1080p30 clip is 166 MB, the 1080p60 clip in comparison is only 181 MB. I was expecting the 60fps file to be a lot larger, since in theory it would have recorded twice the amount of frames as the 30fps clip. Again, Windows file properties does correctly show the 1080p60 file to have a 60fps frame rate.

Here is each file directly uploaded to Youtube along with raw file download links:

A119 V3 at 1080p60 High Bitrate Mode (1.02 firmware)

1080p60 File Properties -- Length: 1 Minute; Resolution: 1920 x 1080; File Size: 181 MB; Total Bitrate: 24,681 kbps; Frame Rate: 60.00 frames/second; (playback looks more like 30fps to me)
Raw File Download Link

A119 V3 at 1080p30 High Bitrate Mode (1.02 firmware)

1080p30 File Properties -- Length: 1 Minute; Resolution: 1920 x 1080; File Size: 166 MB; Total Bitrate: 22,622 kbps; Frame Rate: 30.00 frames/second
Raw File Download Link

Any ideas about this? Is this normal for A119 V3 1080p60? Could it be my microSD card? Wondering if any other A119 V3 owners have also tested at this resolution and frame rate and can comment on the smoothness, file size, etc.

 

[jokiin]

While checking the file properties in Windows, what's strange is that while the file size of the 1080p30 clip is 166 MB, the 1080p60 clip in comparison is only 181 MB. I was expecting the 60fps file to be a lot larger, since in theory it would have recorded twice the amount of frames as the 30fps clip. Again, Windows file properties does correctly show the 1080p60 file to have a 60fps frame rate.

bitrate will determine the file size, not frame rate

 

[jei13]

bitrate will determine the file size, not frame rate

Thanks for the reply jokiin. Just wondering why my 1080p60 clip's smoothness looks more like 30fps. Both clips in my original post were recorded in high bitrate mode, the only difference being the framerate (1080p60 vs 1080p30).

When looking at other youtube clips of the A119 recorded at 60fps, they actually have that 60fps smoothness, unlike the 1080p60 clip I in my original post. The following is an example (granted it's the V2, not the V3):

This looks 60fps smooth to me.

 

[jokiin]

different hardware, the V3 is only new so I'm sure they'll have more work to do

 

[kamkar]

It could be it play double frames, i was not able to Dl the raw file as mega want me to log in, so diggin out my mega credentials now.

 

[kamkar]

Yes confirmed the A 119 V3 in 60 FPS are frame doubling, so it is 60 FPS alright but 2 X 30 frames with each repeated 2 times, you can see this going frame by frame, and there is only change in the footage every 2 time you press the 1 frame forward key ( E key using VLC player )

 

[kamkar]

No need to worry too much, this are a "easy" fix, its not like viofo are trying to pull one over on you.
And i have tested 2 simmilar cameras one with 30 fps and one with 60 FPS, and really outside of beeing able to slow 60 FPS down 50 % and so anjoy the stupid of another driver, i found no need to use 60 FPS.

 

[jokiin]

if 1080p60 is what you want better to have a native 1080p sensor, not really what this model is about

 

[kamkar]

Yes i would recommend using the 1440 / 30 FPS it is meant for, at least for the main purpose of dashcams being capturing proof and as many little details as possible, so the higher 1440p resolution should beat 1080p even if its at half the frame rate.
The times i have had the chance to run with a higher than 1080p resolution i have found it better, and this is also why i am really eager to see try a 4K dashcam.

 

[jei13]

Yes, I've actually been running it at 1440p30 resolution since I received the V3 several days ago. I just wanted to give 1080p60 a try earlier today. You're right, I checked VLC media player and it indeed doubles each frame at at 60fps mode. Thanks for ruling out the possibility that my particular unit is defective! So far, really good dash cam.

 

[kamkar]

NP. its just a little hiccup on the way, viofo will have 1080/60 rained in soon i am sure. but as i said comparing 2 similar cameras i found no reason to use 60 FPS, cuz if that camera got a plate the 30FPS camera also did, so it is very marginal if 60FPS are better in regard to collecting evidence.
So i had to revise my feeling that clearly 60 FPS got to be better.

 

[Tractor]

60Fps is helpful for fast panning and zooming or similar to reduce judder. Better related to action cameras and not a necessity for a dashcam in normal use. As already stated I am sure Viofo will sort it out for those that wish to use it.

 

[HPF]

60Fps is helpful for fast panning and zooming or similar to reduce judder. Better related to action cameras and not a necessity for a dashcam in normal use. As already stated I am sure Viofo will sort it out for those that wish to use it.

V1.03 fixes the problem for 1080p@60fps but 720p@120fps is only 60fps (write same frame two times).