A329 Test & Review PP

[Bladex]

The research you are carrying out is super interesting, congratulations and thanks for the contributions.

So as a general summary, it could be considered that mounting remote SD slightly decreases the temperature of the camera and slightly increases energy consumption.
SD of up to 4Tb can be mounted by pretending to be an SSD.

The main advantage over an SSD would be its lower energy consumption and smaller size, allowing it to be hidden in more remote areas.

The disadvantage of an SSD could perhaps be a higher probability of SD failure and a higher price.

I don't know if I forgot something?

I do not present all this as an affirmation, they are doubts.

I have all the components with which you are carrying out the remote SD tests in the shopping cart.

I'm just waiting for your final verdict and if there is any pending testing that will determine whether to invest in this or not.

For now I am surviving with a 64GB card that not even she knows who made it.

Greetings.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

Well that’s interesting.
For as long as I’ve been testing the A329 in every possible configuration it has always recorded a 1 Minute file at 472MB, (approx. 63 Mbps).
I just did a default reset before performing an audio test, and now it’s recording a 1 Minute file at 700MB, (approx. 93 Mbps).
What the heck did I just do?
Btw, I have never updated the firmware.
I’ve been using the firmware that was delivered in the camera V1.0 241009
@safedrivesolutions
@rcg530
@Vortex Radar
@Agie
@Karagandinez

 

[Chuck McCoy]

I have all the components with which you are carrying out the remote SD tests in the shopping cart.

I'm just waiting for your final verdict and if there is any pending testing that will determine whether to invest in this or not.

I would not buy anything yet, I'm still testing.
But, thank you for the kind words.

 

[Karagandinez]

Well that’s interesting.
For as long as I’ve been testing the A329 in every possible configuration it has always recorded a 1 Minute file at 472MB, (approx. 63 Mbps).
I just did a default reset before performing an audio test, and now it’s recording a 1 Minute file at 700MB, (approx. 93 Mbps).
What the heck did I just do?
Btw, I have never updated the firmware.
I’ve been using the firmware that was delivered in the camera V1.0 241009
@safedrivesolutions
@rcg530
@Vortex Radar
@Agie
@Karagandinez

Have the resolution settings changed?
The Mini 2 has a fixed bitrate when using a resolution of 2560x1080, but not when using a resolution of 2560x1440.

 

[Augustus]

Well that’s interesting.
For as long as I’ve been testing the A329 in every possible configuration it has always recorded a 1 Minute file at 472MB, (approx. 63 Mbps).
I just did a default reset before performing an audio test, and now it’s recording a 1 Minute file at 700MB, (approx. 93 Mbps).
What the heck did I just do?
Btw, I have never updated the firmware.
I’ve been using the firmware that was delivered in the camera V1.0 241009
@safedrivesolutions
@rcg530
@Vortex Radar
@Agie
@Karagandinez

Guessing you used the exact same settings like Maximum bitrate and resolution and so on and so forth? Seems very strange it would go to 93mbps bitrate, I'm puzzled..

 

[Chuck McCoy]

A329 vs. A229 Pro - Audio Comparison

I will recreate this comparison will actual driving test footage.
Just waiting on official public firmware for the A329.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

Have the resolution settings changed?

So far I have been using 4K60fps & 4K30fps 16:9.
HDR On / Off
1-CH and 2-CH configuration.
To do the audio test I did a default reset, and selected 4K60fps 1-CH and it provided the 700MB 1 Minute file.
But, I previously used this setting to gather daytime test footage, and it was only 472MB 1 Minute File.
This is 1-CH configuration, even though the STAMP says "2-CH REAR" I did not install the rear camera yet.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

Guessing you used the exact same settings like Maximum bitrate and resolution and so on and so forth?

Yes, I always do that.
Except for comparisons of different settings.

 

[Nigel]

117℉ (47℃) Front
135℉ (57℃) Right
120℉ (49℃) Left

I'm wondering how much cooler it runs if you leave the internal SD card in use, but plug an extension cable into the USB-C socket, with nothing at the other end? Could do the same with the HDMI socket.

 

[Nigel]

This is 1-CH configuration, even though the STAMP says "2-CH REAR" I did not install the rear camera yet.

You are supposed to get the higher bitrate in 1 Ch configuration.

 

[Karagandinez]

You are supposed to get the higher bitrate in 1 Ch configuration.

Maximum bitrate A329 1CH = 65.7 Mb/s

 

[Chuck McCoy]

I'm wondering how much cooler it runs if you leave the internal SD card in use, but plug an extension cable into the USB-C socket, with nothing at the other end?

I can do that.
You must wait 2 hours. lol

You are supposed to get the higher bitrate in 1 Ch configuration.

Incorrect.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

I'm wondering how much cooler it runs if you leave the internal SD card in use, but plug an extension cable into the USB-C socket, with nothing at the other end? Could do the same with the HDMI socket.

I’ve got it warming up in LBR Parking Mode.
I chose to use the included 50cm Type-C Data Cable because every A329 consumer will have that on hand right out of the box.
I don’t have a micro HDMI cable.
But, I’m falling asleep this may have to wait until tara.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

A329 is now available on Amazon US with free 256GB Viofo Brand SD Card, ($64 value).
https://www.amazon.com/gp/B0DKDXY5HP
My 10% Off Promo Code is not active yet; PANZERA329
Does anyone have a working promo code?

 

[rcg530]

Well that’s interesting.
For as long as I’ve been testing the A329 in every possible configuration it has always recorded a 1 Minute file at 472MB, (approx. 63 Mbps).
I just did a default reset before performing an audio test, and now it’s recording a 1 Minute file at 700MB, (approx. 93 Mbps).
What the heck did I just do?
Btw, I have never updated the firmware.
I’ve been using the firmware that was delivered in the camera V1.0 241009

I checked my A329 video files all the way back to mid-July 2024 when I first received a prototype A329 to start testing. I did find one instance of 700MB video front video files and that was with firmware v1.0_240716 in a 1-channel configuration, HDR off, 3840x2160 60fps and a 97.4 Mbps bitrate.

A week later with the same firmware, but with HDR off and a 30fps, the front video file size was 472MB with a 65.5 Mbps bitrate.

With firmware v1.0_240913, 3840x2160 30fps, HDR on, 2-channel = front: 472MB and 65.5 Mbps bitrate
With firmware v1.0_241009, 3840x2160 60fps, HDR off, 2-channel = front: 472MB and 65.5 Mbps bitrate
With firmware v1.0_241029, 3840x2160 60fps, HDR off, 2-channel = front: 472MB and 65.5 Mbps bitrate

 

[Chuck McCoy]

I checked my A329 video files all the way back to mid-July 2024 when I first received a prototype A329 to start testing. I did find one instance of 700MB video front video files and that was with firmware v1.0_240716 in a 1-channel configuration, HDR off, 3840x2160 60fps and a 97.4 Mbps bitrate.

A week later with the same firmware, but with HDR off and a 30fps, the front video file size was 472MB with a 65.5 Mbps bitrate.

With firmware v1.0_240913, 3840x2160 30fps, HDR on, 2-channel = front: 472MB and 65.5 Mbps bitrate
With firmware v1.0_241009, 3840x2160 60fps, HDR off, 2-channel = front: 472MB and 65.5 Mbps bitrate
With firmware v1.0_241029, 3840x2160 60fps, HDR off, 2-channel = front: 472MB and 65.5 Mbps bitrate

Thanks for the reply.
It must be a bug that is “unlocked” by a specific settings configuration.
Hopefully it will be “fixed” in the first official public firmware.

 

[GPak]

According to the following post, the 1Ch mode max bitrate is 97.5 Mbps

Post in thread 'VIOFO A329 2CH - Testing / Review - RCG'

Oct 4, 2024

Percent is hard for my brain to understand.
This is what I interpret. lol

A229 Pro
Front: 60 Mbps
Rear: 24 Mbps
Total: 84 Mbps

A329
Front: 65 Mbps
Rear: 27 Mbps
Total: 92 Mbps

When I get my A329 I’m going to ask Viofo for a custom firmware for 1-CH configuration with 95 Mbps.
I doubt I will get it, but I’m still going to ask. Lol

The 1CH mode MAX bitrate is already 97.5Mbps.

• viofo

• 
• 

 

[Chuck McCoy]

According to the following post, the 1Ch mode max bitrate is 97.5 Mbps

Correct.
However, that was pre-production firmware.
It was removed for overheating concerns, and reduced to 65 Mbps in both 1-CH & 2-CH configuration.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

For @Nigel
Heat Test & Power Consumption Comparison (connecting included 50cm Type-C data cable to SSD input)

BASELINE TEST (before)
Internal SD Card - 64GB Viofo Brand
Firmware: V1.0 20241009
Low Bitrate Parking Mode
HDR: All Channels Off
63℉ (17℃) Garage Ambient Temp
106℉ (41℃) Front
121℉ (49℃) Right
120℉ (49℃) Left
3.93 Watts = 312mA x 12.6V

 

[Chuck McCoy]

For @Nigel
Heat Test & Power Consumption Comparison (connecting included 50cm Type-C data cable to SSD input)

50cm TYPE-C DATA CABLE CONNECTED (after)
Internal SD Card - 64GB Viofo Brand
Firmware: V1.0 20241009
Low Bitrate Parking Mode
HDR: All Channels Off
61℉ (16℃) Garage Ambient Temp
103℉ (39℃) Front
117℉ (47℃) Right
108℉ (42℃) Left
4.03 Watts = 320mA x 12.6V

3.93 Watts ÷ 96Wh Battery Pack = 24.4 Hours Recording Time
4.03 Watts ÷ 96Wh Battery Pack = 23.8 Hours Recording Time (0.6 Hours Less)