A129 Pro firmware

[Jeremy Wong]

I noticed the firmware for the IR version comes in 2 parts... Do mind showing us the version number after you’ve fed it the first file?

I didn't manage to take a photo after the flashing the 1st file as I was following the instructions from Viofo website...

 

[jokiin]

not commenting so much on what Viofo are doing, more about how backward the Blackvue is which runs at lower bitrates and still overheats, not sure what processor they are using but it's struggles

 

[Jeremy Wong]

As I said above, this is mainly because the H265 mode uses a lower bitrate for each bitrate setting ("Maximum" is 50Mb/s instead of 60Mb/s for H264), thus the memory card is doing less work and generating less heat.

If you have a memory card that can't tolerate high temperature then this is an advantage, it doesn't make much difference to the camera itself.
I believe image quality is dependent on bitrate, H265 at the same bitrate as H264 is going to be impossible to tell the difference. Reduced bitrate H265 is likely to lose detail when driving at speed under trees in good lighting, although normally it will be hard to tell the difference.

As for the Blackvue, well it can overheat at 12Mb/s whatever codec!

Unless you're those who have eagle eyes that see duplicate frames I can't even see many differences even if I stared at it. As long as I can see clearly is what matters.

 

[jokiin]

I noticed the firmware for the IR version comes in 2 parts... Do mind showing us the version number after you’ve fed it the first file?

first file is a boot loader update, you won't see anything about that, just means the future updates you would only need the firmware, it's a one time process to update the loader to look for a different firmware file

 

[Nigel]

first file is a boot loader update, you want see anything about that, just means the future updates you would only need the firmware, it's a one time process to update the loader to look for a different firmware file

In other words, it is the thing that converts your standard A129 PRO into an A129 PRO IR so that it can accept A129 PRO IR firmwares, and will from then on refuse standard A129 PRO firmwares!

 

[jokiin]

and will from then on refuse standard A129 PRO firmwares!

unless you install the standard bootloader back again

it won't refuse any firwmare if the name matches what the bootloader expects, renaming firmware files though can have other consequences so it's always best not to do that and to update the loader to the correct version to avoid potential human error issues

 

[Jeremy Wong]

In other words, it is the thing that converts your standard A129 PRO into an A129 PRO IR so that it can accept A129 PRO IR firmwares, and will from then on refuse standard A129 PRO firmwares!

Damn then means I can't flash back the A129 Pro Duo firmware after this bootloader upgrade?

@viofo can clarify?

 

[Nigel]

Damn then means I can't flash back the A129 Pro Duo firmware after this bootloader upgrade?

@viofo can clarify?

As Jokiin has just explained, yes it is possible, but it was also worth giving people a warning that it is not quite as simple as it may have appeared!

 

[jokiin]

you can load the regular bootloader back and then update the firmware again

 

[Jeremy Wong]

As Jokiin has just explained, yes it is possible, but it was also worth giving people a warning that it is not quite as simple as it may have appeared!

There was no disclaimer or warning in Viofo website

Learn something new. Thanks @Nigel and @jokiin

 

[TonyM]

Most users will have an IR camera, or they won't. Very few will have any need to change back and forth. But I agree that a warning would still be useful.

 

[Nigel]

There was no disclaimer or warning in Viofo website

For most people, they will either have standard hardware or IR hardware, there is no reason they would install IR firmware on a standard camera so I think a warning would cause more confusion than it would be worth. There are a few people who may want to convert, so it is nice that they have provided the bootloader. Not sure the bootloader to go back is available though! (Although I do have one, it can be asked for.)

 

[Jeremy Wong]

Can I double-check with you guys if the below is about correct?

H.264 Low bit rate
Front cam: 3840×2160 30fps – Overall bit rate: 15.3 Mb/s. 110MB per 1min file.
Rear cam: 1920×1080 30fps – Overall bit rate: 10.3 Mb/s. 73.9MB per 1min file.

H.264 Medium bit rate
Front cam: 3840×2160 30fps – Overall bit rate: 30.3 Mb/s. 217MB per 1min file.
Rear cam: 1920×1080 30fps – Overall bit rate: 12.4 Mb/s. 88.8MB per 1min file.

H.264 High bitrate
Front cam: 3840×2160 30fps – Overall bit rate: 42.4 Mb/s. 303MB per 1min file.
Rear cam: 1920×1080 30fps – Overall bit rate: 14.3 Mb/s. 102MB per 1min file.

H.264 Maximum bit rate
Front cam: 3840×2160 30fps – Overall bit rate: 60.3 Mb/s. 431MB per 1min file.
Rear cam: 1920×1080 30fps – Overall bit rate: 16.2 Mb/s. 116MB per 1min file.


H.265 Low bit rate
Front cam: 3840×2160 30fps – Overall bit rate: 13.7 Mb/s. 97.7MB per 1min file.
Rear cam: 1920×1080 30fps – Overall bit rate: 8,665 kb/s. 62MB per 1min file.

H.265 Medium bit rate
Front cam: 3840×2160 30fps – Overall bit rate: 22.4 Mb/s. 160MB per 1min file.
Rear cam: 1920×1080 30fps – Overall bit rate: 10.3 Mb/s. 73.9MB per 1min file.

H.265 High bitrate
Front cam: 3840×2160 30fps – Overall bit rate: 34.5 Mb/s. 247MB per 1min file.
Rear cam: 1920×1080 30fps – Overall bit rate: 12.4 Mb/s. 88.8MB per 1min file.

H.265 Maximum bit rate
Front cam: 3840×2160 30fps – Overall bit rate: 52.4 Mb/s. 375MB per 1min file.
Rear cam: 1920×1080 30fps – Overall bit rate: 14.5 Mb/s. 104MB per 1min file.

 

[Nigel]

Can I double-check with you guys if the below is about correct?

I can't remember every value, but the ones I can are indeed about correct, and the bitrates can vary a little depending on image complexity and vehicle speed so you will never be exactly correct.

 

[JayceOoi]

Can I double-check with you guys if the below is about correct?

H.264 Maximum bit rate
Front cam: 3840×2160 30fps – Overall bit rate: 60.3 Mb/s. 431MB per 1min file.
Rear cam: 1920×1080 30fps – Overall bit rate: 16.2 Mb/s. 116MB per 1min file.

H.265 Maximum bit rate
Front cam: 3840×2160 30fps – Overall bit rate: 52.4 Mb/s. 375MB per 1min file.
Rear cam: 1920×1080 30fps – Overall bit rate: 14.5 Mb/s. 104MB per 1min file.

Yes. About the same here. I always use max.

 

[Jeremy Wong]

Yes. About the same here. I always use max.

I think the Maximum bitrate is an overkill for daily use unless you're using a 256GB micro SD or bigger.

Medium or High bitrate is good enough for daily use.

 

[Nigel]

I think the Maximum bitrate is an overkill for daily use unless you're using a 256GB micro SD or bigger.

Medium or High bitrate is good enough for daily use.

It is a bit strange seeing the threads on modifying the A129 Duo firmware to get over 30Mb/s because the standard 16Mb/s is "terrible quality", and modifying the Gitup F1 to 100Mb/s, yet the A129 Pro can manage an excellent image quality with 4x the resolution on just the Medium bitrate of 30Mb/s!

 

[Jeremy Wong]

It is a bit strange seeing the threads on modifying the A129 Duo firmware to get over 30Mb/s because the standard 16Mb/s is "terrible quality", and modifying the Gitup F1 to 100Mb/s, yet the A129 Pro can manage an excellent image quality with 4x the resolution on just the Medium bitrate of 30Mb/s!

It's the fine tuning of the image quality

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

 

[jokiin]

It is a bit strange seeing the threads on modifying the A129 Duo firmware to get over 30Mb/s because the standard 16Mb/s is "terrible quality", and modifying the Gitup F1 to 100Mb/s, yet the A129 Pro can manage an excellent image quality with 4x the resolution on just the Medium bitrate of 30Mb/s!

Just upping the bitrate with a hex editor is not the same, and it shows

 

[Nigel]

Just upping the bitrate with a hex editor is not the same, and it shows

Is that how Blackvue did it on their 4K dashcam?