BlackVue Elite 9 - Unboxed & Sample Footage

[Dan-UK1415]

I purchased the BlackVue Elite 9 in order to compare it against the Elite 8.
This is not a review sample from BlackVue, I have purchased this myself and my reviews and comments are based on my own opinions.


Very fast delivery from BlackVue as always - just just 2 days (despatched Monday 24th November, received Wednesday 26th November).

The Elite 9 is the 4K HDR front with 2K HDR rear.
Compared to the Elite 8 which is 2K HDR front and 2K HDR rear.

Whilst the Elite 10 is due early next year and is 4K front, 4K rear, it is only HDR on the front camera and non-HDR on the rear camera so depending on your preference, this could make the Elite 9 the better option for you.


The retail box and contents are identical to the Elite 8 except for the different front camera.
All the included cables, clips etc are the same between models.

So far the only physical differences between the front camera on both Elite 8 and Elite 9 is the different text printed on them, and the Elite 9 has a gold/copper ring around the lens, whereas the Elite 8 has a black ring around the lens - something the BlackVue do on all their 4K cameras to denote it being 4K.


I've not set this up for a full review yet, but that will follow in the next few days.
Apparently the Elite 9 has different encoding options for the video footage to allow a better bitrate and overall quality improvement, even on the identical rear 2K cameras - meaning the Elite 9 should have slight improvements over the Elite 8 rear.

 

[Dan-UK1415]

Changed from the Elite 8 model which just had a single video encoding options, the Elite 9 now has both H264 (AVC) and H265 (HEVC)

These have different bitrates and different file saving sizes.

Parking Mode Options;

WiFi Hotspot options have now gone back to 3 potential different saved networks you can connect to, instead of just 1 like on prior BlackVue cameras (they used to allow 3, but then reduced to 1 - this has now been reverted after customer feedback).

 

[indigo]

why the file size h265 is bigger than h264

 

[indigo]

it seem elite8 front camera =elite9=elite10

 

[Dan-UK1415]

it seem elite8 front camera =elite9=elite10

File sizes and encoding compared to the Elite 8;

Elite 8 is 2K, so file sizes are smaller.

The Elite 9 has AVC and HEVC.
HEVC has better compression and better video quality when comparing like for like, but keeping same file sizes or increasing files sizes means even better video bitrate compared to AVC.
BlackVue confirmed in the SEMA video with @Vortex Radar that their dashcams over record at 12 bit, then the camera processes the video and outputs an 8bit file.
This allows them to create higher quality and higher bitrate files using HEVC even with higher file sizes than AVC which would usually be smaller when encoding an equal file - because BlackVue cameras capture the image at a higher quality then downsize it in video compression.

 

[indigo]

File sizes and encoding compared to the Elite 8;
View attachment 88360
Elite 8 is 2K, so file sizes are smaller.

The Elite 9 has AVC and HEVC.
HEVC has better compression and better video quality when comparing like for like, but keeping same file sizes or increasing files sizes means even better video bitrate compared to AVC.
BlackVue confirmed in the SEMA video with @Vortex Radar that their dashcams over record at 12 bit, then the camera processes the video and outputs an 8 but file.
This allows them to create higher quality and higher bitrate files using HEVC even with higher file sizes than AVC which would usually be smaller when encoding an equal file - because BlackVue cameras capture the image at a higher quality then downsize it in video compression.

sorry ELITE8 is 2k
so ELITE9 front =elite 10

 

[Dan-UK1415]

sorry ELITE8 is 2k
so ELITE9 front =elite 10

Yes.
Elite 9 and 10 have same front camera
Only difference is the rear camera

 

[Dan-UK1415]

Sample footage;

Front camera in Extreme records at 30fps 60Mbits/sec
Rear camera in Extreme records at 30fps 25Mbits/sec

 

[indigo]

for the rear carema. waterproof is best
why the blackvue and vueroid and thinkware dot make it

 

[Dan-UK1415]

for the rear carema. waterproof is best
why the blackvue and vueroid and thinkware dot make it

BlackVue do offer a waterproof rear camera. The ERC1-C waterproof rear camera is compatible with the DR range.
I'm unsure if this is compatible with the newer Elite series - but additional add-ons like these usually come later after release.

 

[indigo]

BlackVue do offer a waterproof rear camera. The ERC1-C waterproof rear camera is compatible with the DR range.
I'm unsure if this is compatible with the newer Elite series - but additional add-ons like these usually come later after release.

i wish they have 4k waterproof rear
and what u think 2khdr and 4k without hdr which one is good?
maybe i will wait elite10

 

[indigo]

blackvue can adjust the exposure？

 

[Dan-UK1415]

i wish they have 4k waterproof rear
and what u think 2khdr and 4k without hdr which one is good?
maybe i will wait elite10

BlackVue won't release a 4K waterproof anytime soon.
No you can't adjust expose.

2K HDR rear camera is a definite upgrade over the older 1080p rear camera.

4K non-HDR camera will be useful for some people, but others may prefer 2K HDR.
It's personal preference.

But also the higher quality video footage, the higher the file sizes, which means the SD card will fill up very quickly.

Shop around for whatever your needs are and pick whichever camera or manufacturer is best for you.

There is currently no 'perfect' camera.

 

[Onetenner]

I'm interested in where you got this from in UK - its not listed on Blackvue UK as yet and the US site states "Note: This product is expected to ship from December 17 (KST) on a first-come, first-served basis."

 

[indigo]

I'm interested in where you got this from in UK - its not listed on Blackvue UK as yet and the US site states "Note: This product is expected to ship from December 17 (KST) on a first-come, first-served basis."

maybe blackvue.com?

 

[Dan-UK1415]

I'm interested in where you got this from in UK - its not listed on Blackvue UK as yet and the US site states "Note: This product is expected to ship from December 17 (KST) on a first-come, first-served basis."

I bought it when it was on pre-order around 18th November - direct from;

ELITE 9-2CH

Key Features 4K Ultra HD Front and 2K Quad HD Rear Sony STARVIS 2 Sensors with HDR Front and Rear Ultra-low Power Parking Mode Fast 5GHz Wi-Fi Cloud compatibility via optional LTE Connectivity Module or 3rd-Party Wi-Fi hotspot

blackvue.com

It was shipped when it was released on 24th November.
Seems the pre-order sold out and more stock is due soon.

I never use the BlackVue.co.uk site as that's just a reseller which have an inflated markup cost.

It is shipped from South Korea to the UK.
Select free delivery (it's already fast premium delivery to UK even with free options). Arrives in a few days.
Use a discount code for an extra 10% off (either Google search one or use LSEATER10 which I found previously and still works).

There is additional import tax payable to DHL when it's in transit (20% of the GBP declared value).

 

[indigo]

I bought direct from;

ELITE 9-2CH

Key Features 4K Ultra HD Front and 2K Quad HD Rear Sony STARVIS 2 Sensors with HDR Front and Rear Ultra-low Power Parking Mode Fast 5GHz Wi-Fi Cloud compatibility via optional LTE Connectivity Module or 3rd-Party Wi-Fi hotspot

blackvue.com

I never use the BlackVue.co.uk site as that's just a reseller which have an inflated markup cost.

It is shipped from South Korea to the UK.
Select free delivery (it's already fast premium delivery to UK even with free options). Arrives in a few days.
Use a discount code for an extra 10% off (either Google search one or use LSEATER10 which I found previously and still works).

There is additional import tax payable to DHL when it's in transit (20% of the GBP declared value).

oh UK have more higher import tax also🙂

 

[Onetenner]

Thanks for that, very useful - there is no customs duty payable, just VAT at 20% (plus any shippers 'handling fee')
I have a Thinkware ARC 900 due for delivery today, having seen the side-by-side screenshots from a U3000 Pro and Blackvue DR970X, from what I read the Elite 9 is the next iteration of this with improved rear camera resolution, your videos above have persuaded me to order the Elite 9 to do my own side-by-side comparison.

 

[Dan-UK1415]

Thanks for that, very useful - there is no customs duty payable, just VAT at 20% (plus any shippers 'handling fee')

Correct.

For example, my Elite 9 was;
- £318.03 from BlackVue (with pre-order discount+ additional discount code)
- £71.16 import charges (20% + £7.55 import handling fee)
Total = £389.19

If I had bought from a reseller such as BlackVue.co.uk (who don't even have the Elite 8 available yet), would have been over £500+
Amazon.co.uk for example currently have the Elite 8 for £479.95

That's why I always buy direct. Cheaper, quicker and direct support with free return/repair/replacement in the event of any issues for 2 years.

 

[Onetenner]

My order doesn't have the pre-order discount, with VAT & handling it'll be £425.84, which isn't bad at all.