DR970X Plus gets HDR, firmware 2.002

ahxcjb said:
‘Will be restored after issue resolution’. They know there’s a clear issue with HDR.
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ahxcjb said:
…and, NO. This is *all* about the dashcam video settings.
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I'm not able to test this at the moment, but can you test if updating the app and setting the bitrate affects the video quality of the dashcam? Unless the issue is specifically tied to certain bitrate options on the dashcam, I don't otherwise see how updating the app affects the dashcam given that the issue is tied to the firmware of the dashcam and how the dashcam operates, not the available settings in the app.
 
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So is the overall takeaway, do *not* update firmware to this latest version?
 
fOxW said:
So is the overall takeaway, do *not* update firmware to this latest version?
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Daytime is fine, honestly. Night time, yes, not great.. but meh. I like the HDR during the day. BV does need to fix the night image though, don't get me wrong.
 
Some night files below:

BR.MP4

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Will also upload & share some daylight examples, though they seemed better with HDR enabled.
 
@Xuqi99 thanks for sharing the footage. Your footage like absolutely grainy on my 4K 32" monitor (please open the full image to view the grain). This is unacceptable on a dashcam in this price range, where Chinese counterfeits are getting better quality with third of the price.
1752860605109.webp


@Vortex Radar any news regarding the changes in the II model? I just sent my 970X Plus LTE to Blackvue, as it started randomly dying or randomly saying "Please insert SIM card", even though it has one and the Cloud features work. If they offer a replacement, I might ask them to upgrade to the II (and pay the delta), however not sure if its worth it. I spent so much on this dashcam and I'm super disappointed.
 
Fraysa said:
@Vortex Radar any news regarding the changes in the II model?
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Here's what has been shared with me regarding the new II and this latest update:
About the DR Series II, the hardware (lens, sensor, CPU, etc.) is mostly the same.

We wanted to differentiate the Series II models from their predecessors because we overhauled the packaging and the included accessories, with the inclusion of USB-C PD3.0 Cable and 12V cigarette adapter dongle that provides 2 USB-C power outlets.
In the case of the 4K models, we also modified the ISP tuning quite extensively. HDR is now inherently activated.

About the firmware update:
It effectively turns your DR970X Plus into a DR970X Plus II.
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So it's basically just new packaging and a new USB C power cable / adapter.

If you've got an original 970X Plus series model, this latest (broken) firmware update basically gives us a Plus II, just without the new packaging and power cable.
Fraysa said:
I just sent my 970X Plus LTE to Blackvue, as it started randomly dying or randomly saying "Please insert SIM card", even though it has one and the Cloud features work. If they offer a replacement, I might ask them to upgrade to the II (and pay the delta), however not sure if its worth it. I spent so much on this dashcam and I'm super disappointed.
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I just sent back one of my DR970X Plus' for a boot loop issue where it keeps trying to boot up, but then reboots itself, and so it never gets fully up and running. I've also got several issues with things like poor GPS connectivity (which I hope gets resolved now that the CM100G LTE's GPS antenna can be used by the dashcam) as well as several units where the retaining clip on the round plastic cover near the plugs and memory card keeps sliding off, and it exposes the internals of the dashcam's ports and PCB. I have to be extra careful now when removing the dashcams from the mounts.
 
@Vortex Radar thanks for the quick reply and information.

I've also noticed they released a new magic battery pack, which finally solves an issue I've been writing about for ages: most people buy the battery after they hardwired their dashcam, so the battery pack comes with an adapter from the 3 hardwire kit wires to the battery connector. However, they never included a connector from the battery straight to the camera - for those folks like me who purchased both. Are there any major differences between the new battery pack model (B130A) and the older one (B130X) other than that?
 
I'd been asking them for almost a year to allow the DR970X Plus to utilise the external GPS on the CM100GLTE module because it's the only BlackVue dashcam that I had GPS issues with.
The LTE version was better, but still had dropouts and delayed connections.
I ended up selling the DR970X Plus (non-LTE version) because of it.
Whilst it's good they've now implemented it, I can't test it out because it's not applicable to the LTE model as that has no micro-USB port for the external module.

I also don't like how they turn GPS off in parking mode - whilst it's good for battery consumption, it doesn't store the last location when using Cloud view - so when your vehicle is parked, and you go and check on it, you just get a black map that shows middle of US.

I don't like how they remove features and charge more (3 hotspots down to 1 as an example).

At least this means the DR970X Plus range will now get extended life firmware updates seen as they're the same model
 
Fraysa said:
@Vortex Radar thanks for the quick reply and information.

I've also noticed they released a new magic battery pack, which finally solves an issue I've been writing about for ages: most people buy the battery after they hardwired their dashcam, so the battery pack comes with an adapter from the 3 hardwire kit wires to the battery connector. However, they never included a connector from the battery straight to the camera - for those folks like me who purchased both. Are there any major differences between the new battery pack model (B130A) and the older one (B130X) other than that?
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I think it's mostly just the new output cable which can go directly from the battery to the dashcam, plus that the B-130A is not compatible with the older Blackvue battery app. They've been phasing that app out in favor of their new Blackvue/Fleeta apps that have battery communication built in and both the A and the X work fine in the new apps.

The A has a lower price, in part because of some minor internal changes that help Blackvue save cost, but there's really not much else that is different. I've swapped my X out for the A just to get a newer battery since I have them here and might as well, but for most people I don't think there's any reason to upgrade from the X to the A.
Dan-UK1415 said:
I'd been asking them for almost a year to allow the DR970X Plus to utilise the external GPS on the CM100GLTE module because it's the only BlackVue dashcam that I had GPS issues with.
The LTE version was better, but still had dropouts and delayed connections.
I ended up selling the DR970X Plus (non-LTE version) because of it.
Whilst it's good they've now implemented it, I can't test it out because it's not applicable to the LTE model as that has no micro-USB port for the external module.

I also don't like how they turn GPS off in parking mode - whilst it's good for battery consumption, it doesn't store the last location when using Cloud view - so when your vehicle is parked, and you go and check on it, you just get a black map that shows middle of US.

I don't like how they remove features and charge more (3 hotspots down to 1 as an example).

At least this means the DR970X Plus range will now get extended life firmware updates seen as they're the same model
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Glad to hear the GPS issues weren't just me or my vehicle! I can run a bunch of dashcams on the WS and it was only the BV's what would struggle to maintain a GPS lock while driving.

When I heard that Blackvue was doing an updated USB C cable, at first I thought maybe they'd be upgrading the MicroUSB port on the side for the CM100G LTE to USB C to help modernize things, even though it'd mean we'd need newer LTE modules with a different USB connector, but alas the II is less of an upgrade than it otherwise could have been.

Totally with you on the feature removal over the years too. That, combined with some of the issues that we've been seeing here as of late, is making me less and less enthused about Blackvue's offerings.
 
Only thing keeping me from dropping BlackVue altogether is Cloud Access.
It's good to keep one camera in the car to have remote access to check on it, but even that has reduced with it only showing location when the vehicle is moving, otherwise it's a blank map.

Other manufacturers are now catching up with cloud access and quality.

Just waiting on Viofo to finish their testing 👍
 
My only issue with Viofo is that their cameras are... ugly. I use the app to download the files, and I rarely change settings, so I don't find the screen useful at all. If they had a cylinder shaped camera, I would still not give them a try because I don't like Chinese stuff. But that's just my philosophy. I've spent too much money on Chinese dashcams just for them to die on me.
 
Viofo for best quality footage, BlackVue for remote access.

They need to get married and have babies. I've said it many times before
 
Daylight example:

DVAN8153.MP4

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Tested this on a spare SD card and after formatting and copying the Blackvue folder to the card, DR970X-2CH would just repeat "Dash Cam Model Error"

Formatted SD card again and this time inserted without folder copy and back to the previous version.

Must've downloaded the wrong version
 
fOxW said:
Tested this on a spare SD card and after formatting and copying the Blackvue folder to the card, DR970X-2CH would just repeat "Dash Cam Model Error"

Formatted SD card again and this time inserted without folder copy and back to the previous version.

Must've downloaded the wrong version
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DR970X-2CH is different to the DR970X-2CH PLUS
So maybe you've downloaded the wrong version for your camera.
 
Nigel said:
It can read the big KFC sign! 😀
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But that sign is the Burger King sign! Or maybe the McDonalds sign?
Fraysa said:
@Xuqi99 where Chinese counterfeits are getting better quality with third of the price.
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Why are counterfeits the chinese dascams? Viofo is a dashcam leader and it is a Chinese manufacturer. Is Viofo a counterfeiter?
 
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