A139 Pro Test & Review PP

[Gryphonz75]

I previously made a video testing the A139 Pro's IR & Rear cameras mounted on my A-Pillars looking outward, of the front windows toward the rear.
This time I adjusted the cameras so they are looking inward.
I think I like this POV better.
Skip to 1:18 in the video to see.

Love the ZZ Top beard.

 

[mikey94025]

I have another quick question.... Are you satisfied with the image quality of the A139 Pro?
I am very disappointed that it is supposed to be 4K.

I assume you have already set your video settings to 4K 2160P 30fps and Bitrate=maximum. Can you give us some example footage that demonstrates how you are disappointed? Comparisons with your A119 v3 footage would also help.

It also matters if you are recording during daytime vs. nighttime, also if in motion or at an angle. At night it's extremely difficult to capture license plates during motion for any dashcam.

 

[Paul Iddon]

The quality is excellent - as good as any if not better than others at 4K.

Paul.

 

[Panzer Platform]

Here is my usual test loop I’ve been using to test, and evaluate all dash cams since 2019.
This time I had the A119 Mini 2, Original A119 Mini, A139 Pro, and A229 on the front windshield.
Keep in mind my car is a 2004 model year with original windshield so it has plenty of rock chips from 19 years of highway driving.
You can really see the artifacts when I pass under street lamps.
Here are the settings & firmware levels for the four cameras.

A119 Mini 2: 2023_0509 (2560 x 1440) 30fps Bitrate: High 30Mbps HDR: On CPL Filter: Off
A119 Mini: 2023_0420 (2560 x 1440) 30fps Bitrate: High 30Mbps HDR: On CPL Filter: Off
A139 Pro: 2023_0321 (3840 x 2160) 30fps Bitrate: Maximum 60Mbps HDR: On CPL Filter: Off
A229 Duo: 2023_0413 (2560 x 1440) 30fps Bitrate: Maximum 30Mbps WDR: Off CPL Filter: Off



As an interesting side note take a look at the difference in file size for these 3 minute clips.
A139 Pro: 1.2 GB
A229 Duo: 640 MB
A119 Mini 2: 606 MB
A119 Mini: 390 MB

 

[ogzogz]

Here is my usual test loop I’ve been using to test, and evaluate all dash cams since 2019.
This time I had the A119 Mini 2, Original A119 Mini, A139 Pro, and A229 on the front windshield.
Keep in mind my car is a 2004 model year with original windshield so it has plenty of rock chips from 19 years of highway driving.
You can really see the artifacts when I pass under street lamps.
Here are the settings & firmware levels for the four cameras.

A119 Mini 2: 2023_0509 (2560 x 1440) 30fps Bitrate: High 30Mbps HDR: On CPL Filter: Off
A119 Mini: 2023_0420 (2560 x 1440) 30fps Bitrate: High 30Mbps HDR: On CPL Filter: Off
A139 Pro: 2023_0321 (3840 x 2160) 30fps Bitrate: Maximum 60Mbps HDR: On CPL Filter: Off
A229 Duo: 2023_0420 (2560 x 1440) 30fps Bitrate: Maximum 30Mbps WDR: Off CPL Filter: Off

View attachment 65430

As an interesting side note take a look at the difference in file size for these 3 minute clips.
A139 Pro: 1.2 GB
A229 Duo: 640 GB
A119 Mini 2: 606 MB
A119 Mini: 390 MB

View attachment 65429

It was nice to be able to watch the images one after the other like this.

I talked about the variability of microphone recording recently.

In addition, with the test you made below, the change that occurred due to the fact that the camera subjects were in different places while driving is obvious.
Post in thread 'A119 Mini 2 Test & Review PP' https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/threads/a119-mini-2-test-review-pp.48947/post-594131

I have an idea here.
Except for the a119 mini, the automatic volume adjustment is obvious. so when you start talking, the signal beep decreases. In the absence of sound, the a119 mini 2 and a139 pro sound recording levels increase. the sound is stabilized when the trim sound or speech starts.

a119 mini 2 and a139 pro are on the right side of the glass ie far from the signal beeper, a119 mini and a229 are on the left near the beeper. The habits are there.
in this case the a119 mini is more moderate and the tuning range is less. this indicates a cleaner sound.
others setting range is wider. That is, the less sound inside the vehicle, the more sound outside can be recorded.

 

[Panzer Platform]

Here’s some daytime test footage of the A119 Mini 2, Original A119 Mini, A139 Pro, and A229 on the front windshield.

Here are the settings & firmware levels for the four cameras.
A119 Mini 2: 2023_0509 (2560 x 1440) 60fps Bitrate: High 30Mbps HDR: Off CPL Filter: On
A119 Mini: 2023_0420 (2560 x 1440) 60fps Bitrate: High 30Mbps HDR: Off CPL Filter: On
A139 Pro: 2023_0321 (3840 x 2160) 30fps Bitrate: Maximum 60Mbps HDR: Off CPL Filter: On
A229 Duo: 2023_0413 (2560 x 1440) 30fps Bitrate: Maximum 30Mbps WDR: Off CPL Filter: On

As an interesting side note take a look at the difference in file size for these 3 minute clips.
A139 Pro: 1.3 GB
A229 Duo: 674 MB
A119 Mini: 577.7 MB
A119 Mini 2: 577 MB

Insert photo here

 

[Panzer Platform]

Here’s some daytime Highway test footage of the A119 Mini 2, Original A119 Mini, A139 Pro, and A229 on the front windshield.

 

[Panzer Platform]

Check out these screenshots from the A119 Mini 2, Original Mini, A139 Pro, A229.
I really like the narrow FOV of the Original Mini.
I wish all my dash cams were that narrow.

 

[LateralNW]

Check out these screenshots from the A119 Mini 2, Original Mini, A139 Pro, A229.
I really like the narrow FOV of the Original Mini.
I wish all my dash cams were that narrow.

View attachment 65578
View attachment 65579
View attachment 65580
View attachment 65581

Does the pro have a polarising filter on it?
Seems odd it's darker.
Great examples of so many models.

 

[Dex_]

Latest FW update for A139Pro V1.1 0605 should fix a lot metering. But it is also a bit blurry on all videos - and IMHO it can be fixed only via disassembly and change focus manually.

 

[Panzer Platform]

Does the pro have a polarising filter on it?

Yes, here are the settings;

Here are the settings & firmware levels for the four cameras.
A119 Mini 2: 2023_0509 (2560 x 1440) 60fps Bitrate: High 30Mbps HDR: Off CPL Filter: On
A119 Mini: 2023_0420 (2560 x 1440) 60fps Bitrate: High 30Mbps HDR: Off CPL Filter: On
A139 Pro: 2023_0321 (3840 x 2160) 30fps Bitrate: Maximum 60Mbps HDR: Off CPL Filter: On
A229 Duo: 2023_0413 (2560 x 1440) 30fps Bitrate: Maximum 30Mbps WDR: Off CPL Filter: On

 

[Panzer Platform]

I got a few comments on my recent test footage saying my A139 Pro is out of focus. I received my A139 Pro back in November 2022, (6 months ago). I’ve never had a focus issue in that time. Is it possible my A139 Pro has somehow developed an out of focus issue over time?

Before the sun comes up, I thought I would get a jump on things, and and try out the newly released A139 Pro firmware (0605) with a combination indoor focus check & low light test. And also compare it with the A119 Mini 2.



Here are the settings for both cameras;
A139 Pro: (3840 x 2160) 30fps Bitrate: Maximum 60Mbps HDR: On CPL Filter: Off
A119 Mini 2: (2560 x 1440) 30fps Bitrate: High 30Mbps HDR: On CPL Filter: Off





Interesting note:
The Mini 2’s variable / dynamic Bitrate was drastically reduced under these low light conditions. In good lighting it generates a 1 minute files size maximum of approximately 230 MB. In these test conditions it was only 160 MB.



Waiting for @viofo to send out a replacement A139 Pro takes 10-15 days for shipping. I wish I knew how to disassemble the camera and re-focus the lens myself. Does anybody have a YouTube video link they can share of the process on an A139?



Check out how much better the Mini 2 does as resolving the image on the lowest brightness setting of my flashlight, (amazing).



Here's the videos of me performing the low light test.

 

[Search&Rescue]

Well, I don't know, I don't know.
I see that the Mini2 image is much cloudier.
IMHO.

 

[Leonauto]

Check out how much better the Mini 2 does as resolving the image on the lowest brightness setting of my flashlight, (amazing).

Well guys... As they say "feel the difference". A119 Mini 2

Spoiler: Comparison in low light

PS: @Panzer Platform Can I ask you to hide these huge settings pictures under the spoiler?

 

[tchavei]

A139 Pro: 2023_0321 (3840 x 2160) 30fps Bitrate: Maximum 60Mbps HDR: Off CPL Filter:

I have the same settings except my HDR is ON and I'm getting 1gb files (actually 995MB) with the 605 firmware

 

[TonyM]

Before the sun comes up, I thought I would get a jump on things, and and try out the newly released A139 Pro firmware (0605) with a combination indoor focus check & low light test. And also compare it with the A119 Mini 2.

You got up at 3am to do a dashcam test? That's dedication!

 

[Panzer Platform]

PS: @Panzer Platform Can I ask you to hide these huge settings pictures under the spoiler?

I don't know how to do that. lol
Sorry.

 

[Panzer Platform]

I have the same settings except my HDR is ON and I'm getting 1gb files (actually 995MB) with the 605 firmware

How long is your Loop Recording Setting?
1 minute?
2 minute?
3 minute?
Can you show a screenshot if possible?

 

[tchavei]

How long is your Loop Recording Setting?
1 minute?
2 minute?
3 minute?
Can you show a screenshot if possible?

3 min

 

[Panzer Platform]

I have the same settings except my HDR is ON and I'm getting 1gb files (actually 995MB) with the 605 firmware

That explains it.
1 Minute video will be 437 MB.