Complete Review RX300 Shadow-Tec / Seezeus, 1080p, 30Fps, 15Mbps, GPS logg (WDR*) HDR

niko

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After success of dash camera GT680W , Shadow-Tec / Seezeus came out with new updated model RX300.
It is based on popular combination of reliable Processor Novatek NT96650, Aptina AR0330 3.5Mpix CMOS sensor, 6G glass lens, Large F1.6 lens aperture, (WDR*) HDR etc. and has option of using an external GPS module. Records 1080p / 30Fps at average 15Mbps bit-rate, good night- and day video recording, wide FOV ( field of view ) and also some extra interesting features / options that you will find from my review along with comparison to GT680W.

RX300 Intro.jpg


Review Content
I split my review into 7 posts due to max 10 pictures allowed per one post.

Part 1
- RX300 Main features
- Specifications
- Size comparison with other dash cameras
- Installed in car
- Menu Interface video
- RX300 vs GT680 ( options, functions )

Part 2
- Disassembled / Inside look
- PC Viewer / Player


Part 3
- Start-Up /Longitude / Latitude / Compass / Over speed warning

Part 4
- VLC Player and KMPlayer Media Info
- Day YouTube videos / Screenshots / RAW video files download links


Part 5
- Night YouTube videos / Screenshots / RAW video files download links


Part 6
- Comparison:
RX300 vs GT680W Videos / Screen shots
RX300 vs GT680W Videos vs Panorama II ( Beta FW 1.11.11 )

- IR Night-Vision LEDs
- Firmware

Part 6
- weak points
- strong points
- Conclusion

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REVIEW

I found short video overview of RX300. It is in Chinese language, but nice lady voice is not disturbing and overall it is not hard to understand main features.


Part 1

RX300 Main features
  • 2.7" 16:9 Widescreen TFT LCD Display
  • Full HD 1920x1080p 30Fps high definition video
  • Video bit-rate: average 15Mbps
  • ( WDR* ) HDR Technology for good low light / night recording.
  • Six-Element Sharp Lens for Crystal Clear video and images
  • SOS and G-sensor function
  • 12 Mega pixels ( interpolation from 3Mpix )
  • F1.6 Big Aperture – Low Light Performance
  • 140 degree ultra wide angle lens
  • 4x Digital Zoom
  • Motion detection function
  • EV ( Exposure value ) manual setting from -2, -4/3, -2/3, 0, +2/3, +3/4, +2
  • WB / AWB ( white balance ): Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten,
  • 30 frames per second for smooth video flow.
  • *Seamless loop video recording ( 1 sec overlap ): OFF, 2, 3, 5 min.
  • Car Plate Stamp
  • Built-in Microphone and Speaker
  • Stop voice recording function ( Microphone ON / OFF )
  • Supports Micro SD Card up to 32GB
  • Auto start / stop recording function - Camera automatically turns on and starts recording when car ignition switched On. Camera automatically stops and turns off when car ignition is switched off.
  • Screensaver
  • Automatic screen rotate
  • Date / Time Stamp Recording
  • Driver Fatigue Warning
  • Parking Monitoring ( 1, 2, 5 Fps )
  • SOS Emergency File Lock ( Hotkey, - one push button )
  • GPS logger: optional (GPS module required - not included in basic package)
  • GPS Over Speed Warning: optional (GPS module required - not included in basic package)
  • GPS Screensaver - Provides compass direction and speed in MPH or KM/h - (GPS module required - not included in basic package)
  • Available Speed Measurement Unit: MPH, KM/h
* Understanding WDR / HDR

* Seamless loop video recording with 1 sec overlap.

Most other NT96650+AR0330 based dash cameras recording each video clip with 1 ec overlap and it can be seen from each individual video clip, for example 2 min 1 sec, 3 min 1 sec or 5 min 1 sec.

RX300 records each video clip at exact selected length ( 2.00, 3.00, 5.00 ), but it doesn't mean it have no overlaps. Actually real footage length is 1.59 + 1 sec, 2.59 + 1 sec, 4.59 + 1 sec.


From the list of main features where majority of them became a standard on many dash cameras I want to point out few interesting features that are applied to RX300.

GPS Screensaver ( GPS antenna required )
- If this option is enabled from menu settings, after 1 or 3 min LCD screen goes into "standby" mode and displays on the screen car speed and digital compass. Data is taken from GPS satellites.

GPS Over Speed Warning ( GPS antenna required )
- Chose between 40, 60, 80, 100, 120 Kmph / Mph values and if you drive faster than chosen value, - dash camera will warn driver about that by displaying speed sign on the screen.

Platenubmer stamp ( number plate stamp )
- You can enter up to 8 digits of your car reg or any other word and it will be displayed on video. This is good feature for companies who has a fleet of vehicles ( taxies, truck drivers, buses, etc )

Fatigue driving warning
- For long distance driving you can set warning message that will notify you after 1, 2, 3 or 4 hours constant driving, so driver can take a rest.

Automatic image and screen rotation
- You can flip screen and video recording 180 degree automatically. Another words, if you set from the menu "automatic image rotation", you can turn RX300 upside down and it will record video correctly.


SOS Emergency file lock
- By pushing hot-key (!) button on the front panel, RX300 will lock file and save into protected files folder so it can not be overwritten by loop recording. Need to mention that SOS file length will be the same ongoing recording file length chosen from loop recording menu option.

For example. If you set loop recording to 2min files and within normal loop recording SOS button activated on 1 min 50 sec ( LOCK key icon will appear on the right side of the screen ), then RX300 will continue to record 10 sec of ongoing file, saves it into protected files folder and LOCK key icon will disappear from screen. RX300 will continue normal loop recording. To save longer SOS file, you need to press SOS button again after new loop recording file starts. Loop recording file length can be seen from the top right corner of the LCD screen.


Parking Monitoring
- Records video at low 1, 2, 5 Fps

Specifications

· Display Size: 2.7" 16:9 TFT LCD
· Angle: 140° wide angle lens
· Lens: F1.6 Big aperture Super Low Light Performance
· Zoom: 4x Digital Zoom
· Video Resolution: 1920x1080p @ 30 fps, 1280x720p @ 30 fps, 1280x720p @ 60 fps ( double frame ), 848x480p @ 30fps 640x480 @ 30fps
· Video format: MOV
· Video bit-rate: average 15mbps
· Video Codec: H.264
· Video Output Port: HDMI
· Image Resolution:
12MP - 4032x3024 / 3648 x 2736 / 3264 x 2448 / 2592 x 1944 ( interpolation ), 2592 x 1944 ( real )
· Image Format: JPG
· Speed Measurement Unit: Mph, Km/h
· USB 2.0
· Battery: Built-in 3.7V 500mAh Lithium-ion Battery
· Internal Memory: 128MB
· Internal Memory Card Slot: Micro SDHC/MMC Card up to 64GB (Memory Card Not included)
· Menu language: English, Franch, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese



Box content



Box Content.JPG


Size comparison with other dash cameras


Size Comparison (1).jpg

Size Comparison (5).jpg

Size Comparison (6).jpg

Size Comparison (7).jpg

Size Comparison (8).jpg



Installed in car


InCar.jpg



Menu Interface video



RX300 vs GT680 ( options, functions )

vs Table.jpg

Please note that GPS antenna plug ( jack ) on GT680W is 3.5mm and on RX300 is 2.5mm
 
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Part 2


Disassembled / Inside look

Inside RX300 (1).jpg

Inside RX300 (2).jpg

Inside RX300 (3).jpg

Inside RX300 (4).jpg

Inside RX300 (5).jpg



PC Viewer / Player

To view video files on your PC or Laptop you can use any common media player, but recommended is VLC or KMPlayer.

If you have purchased a RX300 with GPS antenna and want to inspect more data, then you may chose between 3 PC Player / Viewers: RegistratorViewer, Shadow Player, Dod Player.

Shadow Player ( Driving Recorder Player v1.0 ) comes on CD supplied.

Shadow PC Player can be also downloaded from HERE

RegistratorViewer download is HERE,

Registrator Viewer is considered the most advanced Dash Camera PC player / Viewer with wide range of extra options.




CD Files.jpg

PC Player 1.jpg

PC Player Screen Capture.jpg

PC Player Settings.jpg

PC Player Version.jpg
 
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Part 3


Start-Up /Longitude / Latitude / Compass / Over speed warning


It takes about 5 second from the moment you power on RX300 till it starts recording.


Left: GT680W, Centre: Panorama II, Right: RX300




If RX300 has not been operated for 1 minute, after that LCD display shows compass, longitude, latitude and car speed for 1 more minute and then LCD display turns off.


Compass Speed GPS.jpg
 
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Part 4


VLC Player and KMPlayer Media Info


KMPlayer Media Info.jpg

VLC Media Info.jpg




VIDEOS


Not in all cases you can read vital data like car number plates, - it's all depends on light conditions, car speed and other factors. This rule applies not only for particular dash camera, but for ALL other dash cameras as well.

Big factor at night regarding reading car numberplate is what type headlights bulbs are used in the car.
I wrote about that here:Reading License Plates at Night. HID / Xenon, standard bulbs

When watching a YouTube videos, please select 1080p from YouTube screen options at the bottom right corner.
P.S. - YouTube compresses files / data, so it does not show real video result.
You may download RAW video files to watch real footage ( check below )

Please turn down volume when watching / listening videos, - I like driving and listening loud music ( volume was about at 30-40% from max )

In all tests I was using default video recording settings for EV ( Exposure value ), White Balance ( AWB ), WDR On.



Day YouTube videos / Screenshots / RAW video files download links








RAW video files


RX300 Day (1).MOV 342.2 MB

https://mega.co.nz/#!rVIFHTBa!Ke3o9AarhQxaPa3rTfzAJ1OtlXgXCujkXX7QdFHi4c0


RX300 Day (2).MOV 342.2 MB

https://mega.co.nz/#!mJgmAbKR!HU_MAnNSrFrLVqJAXQ7ZgwYngdkZ6tngyRoX_jtxBto


RX300 Day (3).MOV 342.0 MB

https://mega.co.nz/#!HdwWnZqA!f6QV4FG7kQohazFM1dbe0F6Kp7wJsEA7deiiKLvv580


Day RX300 (1).jpg

Day RX300 (2).jpg

Day RX300 (3).jpg

Day RX300 (4).jpg

Day RX300 (5).jpg

Day RX300 (6).jpg

Day RX300 (7).jpg
 
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Part 5


Night YouTube videos / Screenshots / RAW video files download links










RAW video files:


RX300 Night (1).MOV 341.8 MB

https://mega.co.nz/#!aMQkAS4b!PpXvN1LebpaPAnp8aHWrwWMnKwUKyxMr-Pq0GgPoLpU


RX300 Night (2).MOV 342.3 MB

https://mega.co.nz/#!qUIg1JxA!cqCsDVHU3SRxvxwiJvy_yxU6c5Za4XbXN0Bi9VzSJQc


RX300 Night (3).MOV 17.3 MB

https://mega.co.nz/#!bdhB3TbL!AjxUxlJJyM9Wfohw_eNM6RWpaPUM-3JsesjDMaVCkK8



RX300 Night (4).MOV 28.6 MB

https://mega.co.nz/#!SQIFWS5R!KgjE1F3-Jzx1v_eAfn3h5mjvYQsxl6l0BBQOSG7xPkM


RX300 Night Screen Shot (1).jpg

RX300 Night Screen Shot (2).jpg

RX300 Night Screen Shot (3).jpg

RX300 Night Screen Shot (4).jpg

RX300 Night Screen Shot (5).jpg

RX300 Night Screen Shot (6).jpg

RX300 Night Screen Shot (7).jpg

RX300 Night Screen Shot (8).jpg

RX300 Night Screen Shot (9).jpg
 
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Part 6

Comparison:

RX300 vs GT680W.jpg


- RX300 vs GT680W Videos / Screen shots

- RX300 vs GT680W Videos vs Panorama II ( Beta FW 1.11.11 )


IR Night-Vision LEDs

It is trend in China to add IR lights on dash cameras. For many years I deal with dash cameras I never got any justified answer from Chinese manufacturers why they do so. It's looks like a trend in China to have them. If you mount dash camera inside car and recording at night trough windshield ( or any glass ) - the IR waves will bounce back causing video "overexposure" or other distortions, so for so called western world IR Leds are useless

HOWEVER ...

Actually in my mind I have one justified explanation why /and when "somebody" need IR Led-s: taxi drivers, bus drivers, or any other drivers who want to record at night with dash-camera facing inside vehicle. Then Yes, - IR Led-s are helpful compare if not having them at all.

Also, due to RX300 has built-in 500mAh battery, you can record around 30min continuous video outside car using IR Led-s, however effective distance of IR night-vision is usually 2-3 ( max 5 ) matres.

Many Chinese dashcameras have automatic IR LED-s turn on function which is not practical option to use as a dash cam, but RX300 IR LED-s can be truned ON / OFF via menu.

So, RX300 having IR LED-s gives option for drivers to recording at night inside car ( for example your sleeping kids, drunk friend etc. ) or especially good for professionals like taxi, - bus drivers etc.


Still, if you don't like appearance of having IR LED-s on the front of dash camera, - it is very easy DIY "fix" using black electrical tape.


Cover IR LED (1).jpg

Cover IR LED (2).jpg

Cover IR LED (3).jpg



Firmware

Firmware is v2.2G


To stay up to date with all new firmware version please keep eye on FoxOffer Blog, or contact FoxOffer directly.

How to update the firmware:

1. Download the firmware .bin file
2. Format the SD card, copy the Firmware “.bin”-file to the root directory
3. Make sure the camera battery is fully charged, insert the MicroSD cart to the camera MicroSD slot, turn on the camera, wait until the camera turn on automatically and starts updating.
4. Check the version
 
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Part 7

Weak points

Waving sound
"waving" high pitch noise on the background when recording a voice ( Mic. On ), which is typical for most NT96650 based dash cameras" and it has not been yet resolved, so I guess just need to get used to it, but of course it would be nice if manufacturer could solve this.

GPS Over Speed Warning is not practical
Its not practical for all-around driving. For example, if you set over-speed warning to 60kmph for city driving and want to drive outside city to drive on high-way, then you need manually always to change over-speed warning value to higher, or otherwise you will have constant warning message, which can not be turned off unless you slow down speed to the value set previously from the menu.

Bracket / Suction mount hard to operate first few days from new
When it's new and you trying to mount suction cup to the
wind-shield, you need to apply at the end a quite strong force to twist ( turn ) suction cup button in order to hear that "click" which tells you that suction cup is tighten to the max position.
When first I was attaching it to the
wind-shield, I used normal force to turn suction cup mount button and I thought that's it, should be OK, but after few minutes RX300 fell down. After few similar attempts of test and try I realised that I was not turning knob till the very end, there for not maximum suction was applied to the suction cup.
Knob need to be turned till you hear "click", but to
achieve that need to apply some force. It's was because it's new and need some time to be "worn-in". After few days of use ( about 10 mount-dismount ), suction mount installation was a little bit smoother, so be prepared to have similar situation like I had.
Also after bracket inserted into dash cam body, it clicks in ( spring-release button fixes / locks it into the place ), but there is still very little movement ( about 1mm ) between bracket and dash cam body if you try to "wobble" it with hand, however it sits fairly tight and when driving - recording, it didn't "wobble", so it didnt affect video recording.

Poor User Manual

User Manual is basic leaflet-type, which for some people might not give clear instructions on how fully operate RX300.
Manufacturer should work on full detailed user manual.

Myself, having experience with dash cameras, in 99% cases don't need to look into user manual and I am sure most people also can manage on how to operate this device, but with RX300 I struggled to activate Parking Monitoring low FPS rate ( 1, 2,5 Fps ). This function I have not been able to test. E-mail was sent to the vendor to explain on how this function works and how to activate it. I will keep update about it in Post 8.

Bracket.jpg

Strong points

- Very good day-time video recording at 1080p / 30Fps at a high bit-rate ( average 15Mbps ) and good night vision. My tests show that video quality is same as GT680W .

- Wide FOV ( field of view ) lens. As tests showed, FOV is nearly the same as on Gt680W.

- Small, compact design makes it easier to hide behind rear-view mirror.

- Operational buttons all positioned at the bottom of the device, which give more convenient access to operate it. For example if you mount RX300 the way it blends in and close to rearview mirror, in many cases ( depending on the car ) it is not possible or very hard to operate buttons if they are situated on sides or front panel where is the screen. With RX300 all buttons being at the bottom of the case / body it is much easier to operate it.

- 500mAh battery ( vs GT680W 110mAh ) give an option to record videos without external power. I have tested 4-5 times driving-recording without external power and on fully charged battery I achieved 28-32 minutes video recording length ( without GPS module attached ).


- strong suction cup hold
Despite the suction cup turn-button is hard to turn at the very last point where its clicks into the the fix position, - the suction hold is truly strong. All this time I was able to mount suction mount to the dotted area of rearview mirror sunshade and RX300 never fell down from there. Its rare to find suction cup mount that can hold on that dotted sunshade area. The only good one that had same strong hold on dotted sunshade area was Dod LS300W ( first released edition ) and Panorama II suction mount from Arkon. All other suction mounts failed to hold on sunshade dotted area. So from suction hold point of view, - RX300 bracket does it's job well.

- 360 degree swivel bracket
bracket / mount allows to turn dash camera 360 degree horizontally, so you can record side view action. Of course it's all depends how you mount RX300. If mounted the way it blends in with rearview mirror ( behind mirror ), then of course it is harder not possible to turn it and to record left or right side action.
Also not in all vehicles you can turn camera 360 degree. For example trucks, minivans or other vehicles which have close to vertical angle
wind-shield, there it is not possible 360 degree turn of RX300.

- mounts close to wind-shield
due to bracket low profile, it allows to mount dash camera much closer to the
wind-shield than in most other dash cameras from same range.

Conclusion

For the past year, dash cameras which are based on combination of NT96650 Novatek possessor + AR0330 Aptina CMOS sensor in most cases has been proven to be
reliable and good value for money.
RX300 video performance at day and night is quite good, same as it's "brother" GT680W, but has some extra options / features compare to GT680W that some people might find useful.
If looking into RX300 as a whole package: video recording quality, functionality, size, pros and cons I pointed out in this review, then It fairly justifies it's price and worth to buy.

At the moment without GPS set sold by FoxOffer 89.90usd including standard shipping.
GPS module cost extra 16.99 usd.

Those prices are valid / correct on the day when review was posted ( 11.01.2013 ) and may be changed later.

You may also check other online stores for prices.

Thank you for your patience in reading my review.
 
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This post here I will reserve for additional info that may accrue during further tests.
------------------------------------------
Added 14 Jan 2014:
Got quick replay from FoxOffer regargind Parking Monitoring activation.

PARKING MONITORING: 1, 2, 5 Fps

To activate Parking Monitoring:

1. set from Menu settings "Parking Guard" to value 1, 2, or 5Fps.
2. Exit Menu
3. Hold down (!) "emergency" button for 2-3 sec
4. Now RX300 starts loop recording at chosen parking monitoring Fps

If you set RX300 to "motion detection" mode and also activated from menu settings a "Parking Guard" 1, 2, 5Fps, plus Hold down (!), - then RX300 also will save all motion detected videos at low Fps chosen from the "parking monitoring" menu on the first place.

To Exit Parking Monitoring you need to go to Menu Settings and set "Parking Guard" OFF

-------------------------------------------
 
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Nice complete review as always Niko.
Any further details on Parking mode? In order to use it I assume it's a manual thing going through the menus to start recoding in this mode?
 
Very good review, Thank you.

did you test the GPS?
Is it the high quality GPS module?
I hope it doesnt have the same problems like the GT680W GPS when it just came out.
 
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Nice complete review as always Niko.
Any further details on Parking mode? In order to use it I assume it's a manual thing going through the menus to start recoding in this mode?

Thanks.
I have added into "weak points" this:

User Manual is basic leaflet-type, which for some people might not give clear instructions on how fully operate RX300.
Manufacturer should work on full detailed user manual.

Myself, having experience with dash cameras, in 99% cases don't need to look into user manual and I am sure most people also can manage on how to operate this device, but with RX300 I struggled to activate Parking Monitoring low FPS rate ( 1, 2,5 Fps ). This function I have not been able to test. E-mail was sent to the vendor to explain on how this function works and how to activate it. I will keep update about it in Post 7.
 
Very good review, Thank you.

did you test the GPS?
Is it the high quality GPS module?
I hope it doesnt have the same problems like the GT680W GPS when it just came out.

I have mentioned it in review. It works flawlessly. Check from review my comparison videos of gt680w vs RX300 ( vs Panorama II ) and you can see all GPS data is perfectly synchronized with GT680W data.
 
anybody knows how "parking mode" function works? i dont understand. seems it doesnt work normally.
 
anybody knows how "parking mode" function works? i dont understand. seems it doesnt work normally.

Read Post 12.

" E-mail was sent to the vendor to explain on how this function works and how to activate it. I will keep update about it in Post 7. "
 
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Nice complete review as always Niko.
Any further details on Parking mode? In order to use it I assume it's a manual thing going through the menus to start recoding in this mode?

I have updated Parking Monitoring activation info and added instructions into Post 8
 
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anybody knows how "parking mode" function works? i dont understand. seems it doesnt work normally.

I have updated Parking Monitoring activation info and added instructions into Post 8
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I have updated Parking Monitoring activation info and added instructions into Post 8

unique function I guess for this type of camera, shame you have to drill through menus and enable and disable it though
 
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