A229 Plus Test & Review PP

Just having fun till the facts arrive
Keep "just for fun" in your A229 thread, my thread is all business. lol

This post is for @VVonderwalle
Q: Does the A229 Plus have the same heat sink as the A229 Pro?
A: You tell me, (plus is middle).

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Wow! Plus looks like having the right hardware to be able to be a very reliable dashcam...
 
Let’s get ready to rumble.
I just got done reconfiguring my scrap wood test rig.
I felt a sigh of relief getting the Vantrue S1 Pro off my rig, and some “real” cameras on for testing.
A229 Pro 3-CH ...Novatek 96529 (IMX678) + (IMX675) + (IMX307)
A229 Plus 3-CH ..Novatek 96580 (IMX675) + (IMX675) + (IMX307)
A139 Pro 1-CH ...Novatek 96687 (IMX678)
A119 Mini 2 .........Novatek 96580 (IMX675)
Sorry @Jeff_Vantrue but based on what I’m seeing Vantrue is just not ready for Prime Time yet.
The first order of business is to check cold & hot focus to make sure the cameras don’t lose focus after getting up to operating temperature after running for a few hours, so we can avoid the debacle of the A119 Mini 2.
Right now the A229 Pro & A229 Plus are cooking.
In a few hours I’ll take some thermal photographs to check for any differences since they’re now both at the same ambient temp.
Place your bets, how much cooler do you think the A229 Plus will be compared to the A229 Pro?
My guess is 15℉ (9℃) degrees cooler.

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Boy, do I love the voice commands for turning On/Off the Wi-Fi it sure comes in handy.

 
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Very obedient, apart from one of them that doesn't have a screen :unsure:
 
Preliminary Heat Comparison - A229 Pro vs. A229 Plus
Garage Ambient Temp: 80℉ (26℃)
Cooking Time: 3 Hours
Normal Recording Mode
Pro V1.0 0926 3-CH 4K + 2K + 1080p
Plus V1.0 0922 3-CH 2K + 2K + 1080p
Bitrate: Maximum
IR LED: ON
Pro SD Card: Viofo 512GB
Plus SD Card: Viofo 256GB
Loop Record: 1 Minute
Pro Hottest Temp: 166℉ (74℃)
Plus Hottest Temp: 138℉ (58℃)
Difference: 28℉ (16℃)

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5 Pro .jpg 6 Plus .jpg
7 Pro .jpg 8 Plus .jpg
 

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Higher temps tends to increase CMOS image sensor (dark) noise, so this could help the Plus image noise levels (additionally or does the IMX678 always run hotter anyway?) ...
 
Higher temps tends to increase CMOS image sensor (dark) noise, so this could help the Plus image noise levels (additionally or does the IMX678 always run hotter anyway?) ...
You'd think it always runs hotter because it's 4k
 
You'd think it always runs hotter because it's 4k
Yeah. Guess what I'm at is, if if this Plus runs extra cool it should increase the advantage perhaps? Anyway the bigger form factor and that big heat sink really make sense for a modern dashcam...
 
Higher temps tends to increase CMOS image sensor (dark) noise, so this could help the Plus image noise levels (additionally or does the IMX678 always run hotter anyway?) ...
Heat is enemy #1.
Heat ruins everything. lol
Maybe I will compare both again in 1-CH configuration.
 
Yeah. Guess what I'm at is, if if this Plus runs extra cool it should increase the advantage perhaps? Anyway the bigger form factor and that big heat sink really make sense for a modern dashcam...
You're spot on there, think it could be the best performing especially at night with the smaller sensor but I could be mistaken. And it runs a lot cooler too so a lot more efficient.

A119 Mini 2 seemed like the sleeper hit, and this could be a sleeper hit too with the A229 plus...
 
Heat is enemy #1.
Heat ruins everything. lol
Maybe I will compare both again in 1-CH configuration.
Please do, I can barely hold my excitement and keep it in my pants
 
This post is for @Karagandinez
Q: Are the REAR & INTERIOR cameras of the A229 Plus interchangeable with the REAR & INTERIOR cameras of the A229 Pro?
A: Yes. I just confirmed, and verified by swapping the cameras.
I filmed, downloaded, and viewed the test footage.
Everything is fully functional.
 
Indoor Focus Check
Keep in mind I will follow up with an Outdoor focus check.
Another Note:
It was explained to me the INTERIOR camera has a focal length that is designed to be used in a vehicle passenger compartment, (1 Meter).
Oh yeah, the IR LEDs are set to OFF for this check.

FRONT
Front .png
REAR
Rear .png
INTERIOR
Interior .png
 
Let’s talk about Bitrate for a minute.
What is Bitrate, and why is it important?
The more Bitrate, the more fine detail in the recorded footage.
Running high Bitrates is Viofo’s secret sauce.
Based on my experience Viofo usually runs double, or triple the Bitrate of a competitor’s camera.
It’s part of the reason they are continually beating their competitor’s cameras in overall image quality.
This comes at an expense though, (extra heat).

The maximum file size for a 1-Minute clip from the A229 Plus in 1-CH configuration is 208 MB.
208 MB ⨸ 7.5 = Approximately 28 Mbps

1-CH .png

The maximum file size for a 1-Minute clip from the A229 Plus in 2-CH Rear configuration is;
Front 208 MB ⨸ 7.5 = Approximately 28 Mbps
Rear 172 MB ⨸ 7.5 = Approximately 23 Mbps

2-CH Rear .png

The maximum file size for a 1-Minute clip from the A229 Plus in 2-CH Interior configuration is;
Front 208 MB ⨸ 7.5 = Approximately 28 Mbps
Interior 114 MB ⨸ 7.5 = Approximately 15 Mbps

2-CH Interior .png

The maximum file size for a 1-Minute clip from the A229 Plus in 3-CH configuration is;
Front 208 MB ⨸ 7.5 = Approximately 28 Mbps
Rear 172 MB ⨸ 7.5 = Approximately 23 Mbps
Interior 114 MB ⨸ 7.5 = Approximately 15 Mbps
Take note of the order of the files.
The usual order is F + I + R.
I have noticed sometimes the files are out of order like shown: R + F + I.
This is a red flag for me, and feels like sloppy processor work.

3-CH .png

The maximum file size for a 1-Minute clip from the A229 Duo is;
Front 226 MB ⨸ 7.5 = Approximately 30 Mbps
Rear 184 MB ⨸ 7.5 = Approximately 24 Mbps
What’s going on here @viofo?
How does the new & improved A229 Plus have less Bitrate than the old A229 Duo?
Did you think we wouldn’t check? lol
Give me back my Bitrate.
Crank it up a notch.

A229 Duo .png
 

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I’m pleased to report the A229 Plus does NOT have the super secret H.265 HEVC Codec by long pressing the MIC button, (I tried all buttons).
The only Codec available is H.264.
This means recorded footage will be accessible by EVERY computer / device.
If you didn’t know I have a strong aversion to H.265 for personal reasons. lol
 
Preliminary Power Consumption
Keep in mind these figures may change with firmware updates.
Q: Why is power consumption important?
A: Usually the more power a dash cam uses the more heat it will generate.
And it will indicate how long it will operate in a parking mode.

Well no wonder the A229 Plus runs 28℉ (16℃) degrees cooler than the A229 Pro in 3-CH configuration.
I measured the power consumption of the A229 Plus & A229 Pro consecutively, using identical settings, and the same Hardwire Kit.
I remember reading different SD Cards can affect power consumption & operating temperature so I used the same Viofo brand 512GB SD Card.
A229 Plus: 2K + 2K + 1080p Firmware V1.0 0922
A229 Pro: 4K + 2K + 1080p Firmware V1.0 0926
Maximum Bitrate
HDR On
IR LED’s Off
Wi-Fi Off
LCD Screen Off

Normal Recording Mode
489mA @ 12.60V = 6.16 Watts (A229 Plus)
631mA @ 12.60V = 7.95 Watts (A229 Pro)

Low Bitrate Parking Mode
453mA @ 12.60V = 5.71 Watts (A229 Plus)
496mA @ 12.60V = 6.25 Watts (A229 Pro)

Two things stand out at me.
1.) In Normal Recording Mode the A229 Plus uses considerably less power than the A229 Pro, (1.79 Watts).
2.) The A229 Plus Low Bitrate Parking Mode is no where near efficient as the A229 Pro.

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A229 Plus 138℉ (58℃) .jpg A229 Pro 166℉ (74℃) .jpg
 

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LOW LIGHT COMPARISON
I would like to remind everyone these silly experiments I do in my garage are NOT the final judge of image quality.
I perform these tests for three reasons.
1.) To satisfy my selfish curiosity how different dash cams compare to each other with controlled lighting conditions.
Since 2019 I’ve uploaded the test footage of every dash cam I’ve ever tested to my second YouTube Channel, and organized them into Playlists so I can easily compare new models with old, and image quality firmware updates.
2.) Before I install a new dash cam in my car to gather “driving” test footage I perform basic tests like checking focus, low light sensitivity, HDR performance, audio test, etc.
3.) It’s much quicker, easier, and cheaper than driving around burning gas in my car that gets 9 MPG on city streets.
I earn zero dollars testing dash cams.
My YouTube Channel is not monetized.
I am not an Amazon Associate.
I am not an Affiliate for any retailer, or manufacturer.
I actually lose money on this hobby, especially buying test equipment.
After a dash cam passes my preliminary “garage” testing, only then will I install it in my car.
If a dash cam can’t make it past my garage gauntlet because image quality is just plain bad, or other critical hardware / software flaws I will not waste my gas, and I send it back to the manufacturer.
DNFers (did not finish) include;
BlackVue DR970X 2-CH
BlackVue DR900X Plus 2-CH
Thinkware U3000 1-CH
FineVu GX 1000 2-CH
Vantrue E1 1-CH
Vantrue S1 Pro 2-CH (pending)

On with the games.
For this low light sensitivity test I place the camera test rig on top of my car 5ft high in the center of my 20ft x 20ft two car garage.
I have six 4ft LED shop lights mounted on the 8ft ceiling, (5000 lumen / 5000K color temp).
I have a Streamlight Stinger LED flashlight hanging from the ceiling with a diffuser 5ft behind the test rig in an attempt to evenly distribute the beam pattern.
The flashlight has 3 power modes HIGH/MED/LOW.
I use the LOW setting rated at 100 lumen for this test.
The test starts with both light sources illuminated.
Then I turn off all 6 shop lights leaving the flashlight as the only source of light.
This simulates extremely poor lighting conditions, and acts as a “stress test” to see how the cameras react.

Flashlight .jpg

Cameras on the rig;
A229 Pro 3-CH ..(IMX678) + (IMX675) + (IMX307)
A229 Plus 3-CH (IMX675) + (IMX675) + (IMX307)
A139 Pro 1-CH ..(IMX678)
A119 Mini 2 ……(IMX675)

Camera Settings;
Bitrate: …..Maximum
HDR: ……..On
IR LEDs: …Off
CPL Filter: Off

Camera Firmware;
A229 Pro Front: ..V1.0 0925
A229 Pro Rear: …V1.0 0901
A229 Plus Front: .V1.0 0922
A229 Plus Rear: ..V1.0 0901
A139 Pro: ………..V1.1 0629
A119 Mini 2: ……..V1.0 0912

After watching the recorded footage, and comparing screenshots side by side I’ve noticed five things.
1.) The A229 Pro Front camera has been greatly improved over the A139 Pro Front camera.
2.) The A229 Plus Front camera appears to have better light sensitivity, and a brighter exposure than the A229 Pro Front Camera.
However, you will see in the next post, this brighter exposure is detrimental to HDR performance, and objects illuminated under direct lighting will become overexposed, and illegible.
3.) The A229 Pro Front camera is no match for the A119 Mini 2, in terms of light sensitivity, and clarity.
Will the A119 Mini 2 maintain its supremacy over the A229 Pro Front camera in the next HDR test?
4.) The Rear & Interior cameras of the A229 Pro & A229 Plus have identical image quality.
However, you may notice the one of the Rear cameras has a slightly soft focus.
Can you spot it?
5.) The “lowly” STARVIS 1 (IMX307) image sensor of the A229 Pro & A229 Plus pales in comparison with the newer STARVIS 2’s.
But, stay tuned for the next HDR Test, and I will show you something interesting.

1.) A229 Pro Front - Low Light .png
2.) A139 Pro - Low Light Test .png
3.) A229 Plus Front - Low Light Test .png
4.) A119 Mini 2 - Low Light Test .png
5.) A229 Pro Rear - Low Light.png
6.) A229 Plus Rear - Low Light Test .png
7.) A229 Pro Interior - Low Light.png
8.) A229 Plus Interior - Low Light Test .png

Here is the test footage I took the screenshots from.
If you notice the downward rolling bars in the video, that is my LED shop lights not playing well with my city’s electrical grid.
During peak usage hours I get “60Hz hum bars”.


Tune in next time, same Bat-Time same Bat-Channel.
 
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