A329 Test & Review PP

[Panzer Platform]

How about a round of applause for Viofo, more like standing ovation.
They’re back with another industry first.
Let’s take a quick look back.
2019 first 4K Sony Exmor sensor (A129 Pro Duo)
2022 first 2K+2K Sony STARVIS IMX335 (A229 Duo)
2022 first 4K Sony STARVIS 2 IMX678 (A139 Pro)
2023 first 2K Sony STARVIS 2 IMX675 (A119 Mini 2)
2023 first 4K+2K Sony STARVIS 2 IMX678+IMX675 (A229 Pro)
2024 first 4K60fps+2K STARVIS 2 IMX678+IMX675 SSD, Wi-Fi 6 (A329)

If you’re new to DCT, or not familiar with my amateur attempts I recommend you see the testing threads, and YouTube channels of;
@Vortex Radar https://www.youtube.com/@VortexRadar
@rcg530 https://www.youtube.com/@RetroCarGuy530
@safedrivesolutions https://www.youtube.com/@SafeDriveSolutions
@BlackboxMyCar https://www.youtube.com/@blackboxmycar

I have no formal education in engineering, computers, electronics, programming, software, coding etc.
I’m a basic user that has become a Viofo fanboy because I’ve tested most of the competition, and Viofo dash cams are the only ones I’d buy with my own money.
I prioritize image quality, reliability, and durability.
Bell & whistle features like Cloud, ADAS, Artificial Intelligence are of little interest, and my design preference is K.I.S.S (keep it simple stupid).

Q: Does the A329 have the best NIGHT TIME HDR performance of all previous Viofo models?
Q: If I already have a Viofo dash cam, is it worth upgrading to the A329?
Q: Will the A329 overheat in Parking Mode, and does it run cooler than A229 Pro?
Q: How much faster is the new Wi-Fi 6 for downloading clips to smartphone?
Q: What is the actual measured Horizontal FOV, and how does it compare to previous Viofo models?
Q: Exactly how much faster is the A329 booting up compared to A229 Pro?
Q: Is the new SSD protocol 100% functional, and worth the extra expense to increase the 512GB SD Card capacity to 4TB?
Q: Does Viofo have an Official recommended list of SSD’s, and SSD data cables like they do for SD Cards?
Q: Exactly how much does parking mode power consumption increase when using an SSD?
Q: Does the original A229 Duo (2022) use the same Coax cable for the Rear camera?
Q: How does the prototype Telephoto remote camera compare with the A229 Pro Telephoto camera?
Q: How does the prototype IR Interior camera camera compare with the A229 Pro IR Interior camera?
Q: Will there be an optional waterproof rear camera?
Q: Exactly how much does the Super Night Vision Time Lapse Parking Mode lower power consumption?
Q: What are the improvements of the A329’s all new D6000 CLA charger with 45 Watt total output & PD capability, and 18AWG Type-C to Type-C power cable?
Q: How does DAYTIME 4K60fps compare with 2K60fps from the A119 Mini 2?
Q: Why has the A329 returned to a 2-CH system, and is not 3-CH like the A229 Pro, and will there be a 3-CH model?
Q: When will the A329 be available for purchase on Amazon US, and do you have a 10% Off promo code?
Q: Is 60fps the same as 60Hz for gaming?
Q: Is this a paid review, how can I trust your worthless opinion?
A: Viofo has been sending me units for test & review since 2022, but I have never received any monetary compensation, or commission.
I always think the current test unit will be my last because I am extremely critical.
I have never gone easy on them, or any dash cam manufacturer.
I’m retired, and playing with dash cams is my fun time hobby.
I have nothing to loose if manufactures stop sending me products to test & review.
This is not a source of income for me.
Q: Does 60fps increase license palate capture during daytime?
Q: Why can’t the camera run 60fps with HDR enabled?

These are some questions I plan to tackle with my testing, and review.
If you want anything tested let me know.
At this point my usual routine is to mount the camera with previous models on a test rig, and perform useless stationary tests in my garage to check for improvements for about a week before I install the cameras in my test mule.
I have a feeling people are sick, and tired of this, and just want to see real world actual driving test footage, so that’s what I’ll do.
Also, I don’t have time because I’m prepping a road trip to Las Vegas for SEMA 2024.
I want to get the A329 installed in my car, and make sure everything works, so I can film test footage of the Las Vegas Strip.
The bright lighting conditions, and the A329’s HDR should look amazing.

However, I just completed an HDR performance test in my garage, and I’m pleased to report the night time HDR performance is better than the A229 Pro, and A119 Mini 2 at license plate capture.
This makes me very happy, because it took 6 months for Viofo to publish a public firmware with acceptable NIGHT TIME HDR performance for the A229 Pro.
Q: Why would I compare the $400 A329 flagship with a budget $99 A119 Mini 2?
A: The A119 Mini 2 has the best night time HDR performance of any camera I’ve ever tested, (until now).

 

[Julian23]

The heat comparison between the A329 and the A229 Pro could be interesting.
Then we can see how much of a difference the new vents make at 4k60 compared to the A229 Pro with the more closed housing at 4k30.

 

[Agie]

The heat comparison between the A329 and the A229 Pro could be interesting.
Then we can see how much of a difference the new vents make at 4k60 compared to the A229 Pro with the more closed housing at 4k30.

I am interested to see how it will perform in the summer heat here in Australia, as summer has began here and it won't be very long before we reach scorching temperatures. My unit should be arriving soon.

The A229 Pro had a tendency to overheat, but at least shut down safely unlike other brands, minimising the potential for component damage.

 

[Julian23]

I am interested to see how it will perform in the summer heat here in Australia, as summer has began here and it won't be very long before we reach scorching temperatures. My unit should be arriving soon.

The A229 Pro had a tendency to overheat, but at least shut down safely unlike other brands, minimising the potential for component damage.

While I was in Montenegro in the summer my A229 Pro did shutdown 2 times.
But that was with 41°C and direct sun on the camera. It worked fine again after a few minutes.

How hot does it get in Australia on a normal warm day?
Seems like you have the best chance to do heat testing.

 

[Agie]

While I was in Montenegro in the summer my A229 Pro did shutdown 2 times.
But that was with 41°C and direct sun on the camera. It worked fine again after a few minutes.

How hot does it get in Australia on a normal warm day?
Seems like you have the best chance to do heat testing.

Similar temperatures to what happened in Montenegro with yourself. Few degrees hotter at times too. Mine exhibited similar behaviour, but my Vantrue Nexus 4 Pro never stopped recording (that's my contingency solution haha).

It's tough because obviously you want the dashcam to keep recording while driving but then I don't want it to have permanent damage either. Nor do I want to have to power it back on whilst driving, and have to keep an eye on it to when it does power off....

 

[Panzer Platform]

A329 Comparison Cameras

Front Windshield:
1.) A229 Pro Front (60Mbps)
2.) A229 Pro Telephoto
3.) A329
4.) A119 Mini 2 (should be interesting to compare DAYTIME 60fps with A329)
5.) A229 Pro 3-CH (36Mbps) IR Interior + Rear
Back Window:
A229 Plus 3-CH Telephoto
If anyone wants to know how the A329 performs on the back window I can easily swap it to the rear.
However, the A229 Pro & Plus GPS modules will not provide accurate data.
All cameras have CPL Filters installed.

Q: Your car is a 2004 model year with the original 20 year old windshield, did you at least clean the windshield?
A: Yes, I spent 2 hours super cleaning all 8 windows inside & out, and I even applied 3 coats of water repellent on all 8 exterior windows.
Q: How do you make sure all cameras are aligned with identical 50/50 road & sky alignment so all test footage can be compared on an even playing field?
A: See horizontal blue painter’s tape on the garage door, and back wall.
This marks the horizon, and it makes adjusting 50/50 a piece of cake, (except for 1-CH cameras the Mini 2 might be off a little).
Q: Why didn’t you install the A329 Rear camera yet?
A: I’ll install it when I get back from SEMA.
I did some night time HDR testing in my garage, and I’m pleased to report the A329 Rear camera has better HDR performance than the A229 Pro Rear for license plate capture.
I’ll post screenshots later.

 

[Panzer Platform]

Night Time HDR Comparison

A329 1-CH:
V1.0 20241009
4K 16:9
HDR On
Max Bitrate (65 Mbps)
All other setting default

A229 Pro 2-CH Telephoto:
V1.3.1 20241024
4K 16:9 + 2K 16:9
HDR On
Max Bitrate (60 Mbps + 26 Mbps)
All other setting default

Q: Does the A329 FRONT have better Night Time HDR Performance for license plate capture than A229 Pro FRONT?
A: Yes
Q: Does the A329 FRONT have better Night Time HDR Performance for license plate capture than A229 Pro TELEPHOTO?
A: See For Yourself
Q: Why doesn't Viofo offer a Telephoto for the A329?
A: I have a prototype on the way for testing.
If enough customers ask for an A329 Telephoto, they will make them available as an optional camera.





CA Plate # 6XLB055 2012 Chevrolet Equinox





CA Plate # 6VAC990 2012 Volvo S60





Cash: Arm
Credit/Debit: Leg

Here’s the test footage I took the screenshots from.
As always I upload the clips directly to YouTube without any editing.
I remove the SD Card from the camera, insert it into my Chromebook, and upload it to YouTube.
If you want the raw / original files I can upload them to a Google Drive folder for 24 hours, (I have limited space).

 

[Panzer Platform]

overheat

shutdown

When you guys say “overheat & shutdown” do you mean;
1.) Driving down the road in Normal Recording Mode with A/C blowing?
2.) Parking Mode windows up, no air flow, direct sunlight?
Please don't say both. lol

 

[Agie]

When you guys say “overheat & shutdown” do you mean;
1.) Driving down the road in Normal Recording Mode with A/C blowing?
2.) Parking Mode windows up, no air flow, direct sunlight?
Please don't say both. lol

For me it was no. 1. And I parked undercover all day at work, 20/30 minutes of driving continuously after that it started to shut down . And that's with A/C blowing to keep my beautiful radiant face calm and composed in the summer heat

 

[viofo]

We are still optimizing the IQ for A329, such as reducing the sharpness for daytime 4K 60fps, reducing motion blur, etc.

 

[Panzer Platform]

We are still optimizing the IQ for A329, such as reducing the sharpness for daytime 4K 60fps

Thanks for telling me, I won't post the daytime 4K60 footage I filmed yesterday.
Can you publish the public firmware on the official Viofo.com website before I leave for SEMA, (Monday 11AM) so I can film my road trip with the A329 from Dixon, CA to Las Vegas?

 

[Panzer Platform]

And that's with A/C blowing to keep my beautiful radiant face calm

Well there's your malfunction. lol
When I'm driving in summer 100F (38C)+ I turn the A/C on, but I use the DEFROST position so it blows cold air up the windshield, and onto the cameras.
If you set the vents to FACE no air flow reaches the camera.

 

[Agie]

Well there's your malfunction. lol
When I'm driving in summer 100F (38C)+ I turn the A/C on, but I use the DEFROST position so it blows cold air up the windshield, and onto the cameras.
If you set the vents to FACE no air flow reaches the camera.

Funnily enough I tried that last summer when I had come to a park and it didn't stop it turning off, still turned off eventually after a few minutes more. It's gonna overheat like a phone regardless, there's ways of alleviating the severity. That's just electronics for ya

Besides, expecting the A329 to be a lot better going off @Vortex Radar YouTube review where he shows the temps from the thermal imaging camera. If it's a reduction in 10 to 15 Celsius that's going to help a lot.

Two or three weeks here in Australia and those temps will hit like a wet sock.

 

[Panzer Platform]

I forgot to add the test footage from the previous post:

Here’s the test footage I took the screenshots from.
As always I upload the clips directly to YouTube without any editing.
I remove the SD Card from the camera, insert it into my Chromebook, and upload it to YouTube.
If you want the raw / original files I can upload them to a Google Drive folder for 24 hours, (I have limited space).

 

[Panzer Platform]

expecting the A329 to be a lot better

If you can justify the exorbitant expense to buy a thermal imaging camera just for dash cam testing this is the one I use, and recommend, (Rcg530, and Vortex use the same one).
I tried to convince Ben SafeDriveSolutions to buy one to no avail.
It was the best bang for your buck with the best specifications that would have cost $600USD for a FLIR.
It was only $300.

 

[Agie]

If you can justify the exorbitant expense to buy a thermal imaging camera just for dash cam testing this is the one I use, and recommend, (Rcg530, and Vortex use the same one).
I tried to convince Ben SafeDriveSolutions to buy one to no avail.
It was the best bang for your buck with the best specifications that would have cost $600USD for a FLIR.
It was only $300.

Have been heavily contemplating to purchase one for a while now tbh, thank you for that. Will see what other options are out there - hopefully can find cheaper ones on AliExpress etc. No way paying for FLIR

 

[blinkenjim]

We are still optimizing the IQ for A329, such as reducing the sharpness for daytime 4K 60fps, reducing motion blur, etc.

Any idea when your first firmware update will drop? I’m asking not so much for image quality as for bugs… like my A329 shuts off randomly in Parking mode. Very frustrating.

 

[Panzer Platform]

my A329 shuts off randomly in Parking mode.

1.) Is the parking mode timer set?
2.) Are you using the HK4 hardwire kit, or the included CLA & power cable in the box, or some other power supply?
3.) Is it powering down because the Low Voltage Cut Off is being activated?
I would connect a multimeter to the battery, and place it in view of one the cameras.
Right before the camera powers down it will show you the battery voltage.
What kind of car, (year / make / model)?
I would reset the camera to default settings, and check to see if it shuts off again.

 

[Julian23]

Similar temperatures to what happened in Montenegro with yourself. Few degrees hotter at times too. Mine exhibited similar behaviour, but my Vantrue Nexus 4 Pro never stopped recording (that's my contingency solution haha).

It's tough because obviously you want the dashcam to keep recording while driving but then I don't want it to have permanent damage either. Nor do I want to have to power it back on whilst driving, and have to keep an eye on it to when it does power off....

Alright then I know what to expect from your summer.
The N4 Pro doesn't care, that's true. For me it also hasn't shutdown at any time because of heat. But I also haven't been in such a hot climate. Only 37°C in Italy with direct sun.

When it shuts down it is unfortunate. But I have added a switch to the ground of my hardwire kit, allowing me to kill the power completely to not have any drain while the car is parked for a longer time when I don't need the parking mode.
When the shutdown happened, I just flipped the switch to off and after 2-3min cooldown I turned it on again and the A229 Pro worked as it should again.
This is in my opinion more convenient than having to press the button on the camera and having to wait for it to do something.

 

[Julian23]

When you guys say “overheat & shutdown” do you mean;
1.) Driving down the road in Normal Recording Mode with A/C blowing?
2.) Parking Mode windows up, no air flow, direct sunlight?
Please don't say both. lol

Well it wasn't either of the options you mentioned.
I was stuck at the border control and the sun was hitting directly on the dashcam.
Ac was set to 21°C and with the fan turned up ¾.