A229 Ultra Test & Review PP

[Chuck McCoy]

Retail test unit with serial number provided by Viofo, (thank you very much).
If you have any testing / compatibility / configuration questions or anything else just leave them below, and I’ll work them into my testing schedule.

Last month I removed (2) A229 Pro & (1) A229 Plus 3CH units from my test mule to make room for (2) A329S 3CH units, boxed them up, put away in my closet, and "emotionally" deleted their existence from my brain. Lol
Well it looks like Viofo is breathing new life into the A229 Series.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining.
Q: Do we really need 4K Rear Cameras?
A: I’m sceptical the IMX678 is going to have better low light performance / image quality than the IMX675, but YES! I’m all for advancement, and pushing the envelope.
This will be one of the first things I test.
As soon as the technology becomes available, (processor, heat management, Video Codec, SD Card Memory, etc.) I want 4K on every channel including telephoto, and IR Interior cameras.
I want my MTV! lol

SPECIFICATIONS:
First Delivered Firmware;
Front: V1.0_250708
Rear: 4K_V1.0_250620
Waterproof Rear: 4KW_V1.0_250519

Next Firmware:
Front: V1.0_250804
Waterproof Rear: 4KW_V1.0_250620

Processor: ???
STARVIS 2 (IMX678) Front / Main Unit 4K30fps
STARVIS 2 (IMX678) RNE800 Rear 4K30fps
STARVIS 2 (IMX678) RWE800 Waterproof Rear 4K30fps (IP67)
STARVIS 2 (IMX662) RNF210 IR Interior Fisheye 1080p30fps

HDR: Supported All Channels
Front: On / Off / Auto HDR Timer
Rear: On / Off / Auto HDR Timer
IR Interior Fisheye: No Setting (always on)

F1.8 Lens Aperture Front
F1.8 Lens Aperture Rear
F1.5 Lens Aperture Waterproof Rear
F2.2 Lens Aperture IR Interior Fisheye

140° FOV Front
140° FOV Rear
130° FOV Waterproof Rear
210° FOV IR Interior Fisheye

Maximum Bitrate & 1 Minute File Size 3CH Configuration;
36 Mbps / 260MB Front
35 Mbps / 250MB Rear & Waterproof Rear
16 Mbps / 114MB IR Interior Fisheye

Maximum Bitrate & 1 Minute File Size 2CH Rear Configuration;
60 Mbps / 430MB Front
35 Mbps / 250MB Rear & Waterproof Rear

Maximum Bitrate & 1 Minute File Size 1CH Configuration;
60 Mbps / 430MB Front

CPL Filter: Front CPL-200 Included
CPL Filter: Rear CPL-600 Not Included

HK6 Compatibility: Yes, displays system voltage in text stamp at bottom of recorded footage, (vehicle starter battery / dash cam battery pack)
Q: Why is this important?
A: Aids in parking mode malfunction diagnosis, (shutting off too soon / unexpected).

LCD Display: 2.5” inch
Voice Commands: Yes (enable / disable)
Voice Notifications: Yes (enable / disable)
Video Codec: H.264
Format: MP4
Super Capacitor (no lithium battery)
External Microphone Jack: No
Micro HDMI Output: No
Remote Camera Cable Connections: USB Type-C (IR Interior “main end” 3.5mm TRRS 4 Pole)
Generic / Aftermarket remote camera cable support not guaranteed
Operating Temperature: -4℉ to 149℉ (-20℃ to 65℃)
LED Status Lights: Power, Recording, Wi-Fi, MIC, GPS
Bluetooth: Yes, Built-in
Bluetooth Remote: Optional BTR200
Quad GPS: GPS, BeiDou, Galileo, and GLONASS
Loop Record: (1, 2, 3, 5, 10 min, OFF)
Max SD Card: 512GB Viofo Brand
Wi-Fi: Dual Band 2.4GHz & 5GHz
Wi-Fi Transfer Speed: 9.5MB/s

Parking Modes: Auto Event Detection, Time Lapse, Continuous Low Bitrate
Official Release Date Viofo.com: August 1, 2025
Official Release Date Amazon US: TBA
FCC ID: 2AMBW-A229PRO (September 23, 2023)

MSRP:
$370 3CH Rear & IR Interior Fisheye
$370 3CH Waterproof Rear & IR Interior Fisheye
$340 2CH Rear
$340 2CH Waterproof Rear
(just get the 3CH, it's only $30 more, if you change your mind later a la carte will cost you more)

MSRP a la carte:
$??? Front / Main Unit
$??? RNE800 Rear
$??? RWE800 Waterproof Rear
$??? RNF210 IR Interior Fisheye

Default & Optional cable lengths for remote cameras;
DEFAULT;
6 Meter Rear
7.5 Meter Waterproof Rear
1 Meter IR Interior Fisheye

OPTIONAL REAR;
1, 3, 8, 10 Meter

OPTIONAL IR INTERIOR FISHEYE:
0.3, 0.5, 3, 6 Meter

OPTIONAL WATERPROOF REAR;
9.5, 14.5 Meter

Q: What remote cameras, and other components are from the A229 Pro & A229 Plus are compatible with A229 Ultra?
A:

Q: Are the 4K Rear & Waterproof cameras compatible with A229 Pro & A229 Plus?
A: No

Q: Is the IR Interior Fisheye camera STARVIS 2 (IMX662) RNF210 compatible with the A229 Pro & A229 Plus?
A: Yes

We only get 5,000 Characters, and 10 Photos per post, more to follow.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

Q: What is the measured Horizontal FOV of A229 Ultra, and all its remote cameras?
A:
112° Horizontal FOV Front
112° Horizontal FOV Rear
104° Horizontal FOV Waterproof Rear
194° Horizontal FOV IR Interior Fisheye
108° Horizontal FOV IR Interior Fisheye (LED’s on in darkness)

 

[Chuck McCoy]

A229 Ultra 4K Waterproof Rear (RWE800) vs. A329S 2K Waterproof Rear (RWC400)

Firmware:
RWE800 4KW_V1.0_250620
RWC400 V1.2_250708

Image Sensor:
RWE800 (IMX678) 4K A229 Ultra
RWC400 (IMX675) 2K A329S

1 Minute File Size:
RWE800 255MB
RWC400 196MB

Bitrate:
RWE800 35Mbps
RWC400 27Mbps

Lens Aperture:
RWE800 F1.5
RWC400 F1.8

Measured Horizontal FOV:
RWE800 104°
RWC400 94°

Here’s the original / raw files, (please download in 24 hours).
4 videos, (3 Minutes each).
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/10hgOUlZE1NyMGNgngf8jIo_YIPecnb4p?usp=sharing

Here’s the original / raw files uploaded to YouTube for easy viewing;