DR970X Plus Series - Testing/Review - RCG

[rcg530]

Thanks @DashCamMan for creating the "DR970X Plus Series" forum on this site!

Pittasoft has shipped two DR970X Plus dash cameras to me. They should be next week. I'm assuming they are the DR970X-2CH Plus and the DR970X-2CH LTE Plus dash cameras. I will compare these newer Sony STARVIS 2 dash cameras with their early models (DR970X-2CH and DR970X-2CH LTE). I'll have to see what data will be embargoed by Pittasoft for these dash cameras.

 

[Panzer Platform]

Looking forward to your findings.
Especially the difference between the H.264 30Mbps Bitrate vs. H.265 60Mbps Bitrate on your Durock Center illuminated sign test.

 

[Turbine]

Any info about the rear camera sensor ?
Looking forward to this dashcam

 

[rcg530]

Any info about the rear camera sensor ?
Looking forward to this dashcam

It looks like the rear camera is the "same" as the one used with the DR900X Plus and DR970X. It has a "Sony STARVIS 2.1 MP" image sensor. The box does not state the exact image sensor used.

 

[rcg530]

Looking at the rear camera provided in the DR970X-2CH Plus box, the same model number is used RC110F. There does appear to be a difference in the front lens. I'm not sure yet if it's purely a cosmetic difference.

 

[Panzer Platform]

It looks like the rear camera is the "same" as the one used with the DR900X Plus and DR970X.

Are they also out of focus, and under-exposed just like the 900X Plus & 970X?
I'm sorry, I could not help myself. lol

 

[rcg530]

Any info about the rear camera sensor ?
Looking forward to this dashcam

I've been checking with Pittasoft on the rear camera provided with the DR970X Plus series of dash cameras.

The image sensor is the Sony STARVIS (1) IMX327 image sensor. The rear camera in the box (I don't know about the "DR970X Plus Box" camera yet) is an updated RC110F unit. I confirmed that even though the lens was changed, it will still be called the RC110F model instead of giving it a new model name.

The updated lens for the RC110F has a view angle of 131 degrees vs 139 degrees for the previous version. Both lenses are f/2 lenses.

 

[rcg530]

For now, there's a data/video embargo in place for these new dash cameras. It was stated unboxing pics/videos are permitted at this time. The projected release date for the DR970X-2CH Plus and the DR970X-2CH LTE Plus is January 15, 2024.

DR970X-2CH Plus Unboxing Pics

The Box



Front Camera



Rear Camera

Shown in previous posts

DR970X vs DR970X Plus



Box Contents

 

[rcg530]

DR970X-2CH LTE Plus Unboxing Pics - Post 1 of 2

The Box



DR970X LTE Plus Front vs DR970X LTE Front

 

[rcg530]

DR970X-2CH LTE Plus Unboxing Pics - Post 2 of 2

RC110F Rear Camera



Box Contents



BlackVue SIM Card Packaging

 

[mkoo]

I'm looking to buy 970X LTE Plus when it comes out. I'd like to connect an older 590X to the new cam and have LTE enabled for all 4 cameras (2 x 2ch system) as 970X LTE Plus can share the LTE connection. My question is: how does one connect the cameras, is it through a usb cable? Do I need to purchase that separately?

 

[rcg530]

I'm looking to buy 970X LTE Plus when it comes out. I'd like to connect an older 590X to the new cam and have LTE enabled for all 4 cameras (2 x 2ch system) as 970X LTE Plus can share the LTE connection. My question is: how does one connect the cameras, is it through a usb cable? Do I need to purchase that separately?

The connection sharing is done via a Wi-Fi connection from the client BlackVue dash camera (590X in your case) to the DR970X LTE Plus dash camera. The 590X would be using the DR970X LTE Plus as a Wi-Fi hotspot. Previously, the BlackVue firmware disallowed client BlackVue dash cameras from connecting over Wi-Fi to the BlackVue dash camera that had the LTE connection to the internet.

The DR970X LTE Plus has a default Wi-Fi connection speed setting of 5 GHz. The DR590X only supports 2.4 GHz connection speeds (based on the technical specs I just looked at). To get the DR590X to connect to the DR970X LTE Plus over Wi-Fi, you would have to change the Wi-Fi connection speed on the DR970X LTE Plus to 2.4 GHz.

 

[mkoo]

The connection sharing is done via a Wi-Fi connection from the client BlackVue dash camera (590X in your case) to the DR970X LTE Plus dash camera. The 590X would be using the DR970X LTE Plus as a Wi-Fi hotspot. Previously, the BlackVue firmware disallowed client BlackVue dash cameras from connecting over Wi-Fi to the BlackVue dash camera that had the LTE connection to the internet.

The DR970X LTE Plus has a default Wi-Fi connection speed setting of 5 GHz. The DR590X only supports 2.4 GHz connection speeds (based on the technical specs I just looked at). To get the DR590X to connect to the DR970X LTE Plus over Wi-Fi, you would have to change the Wi-Fi connection speed on the DR970X LTE Plus to 2.4 GHz.

Thanks for the info. I wonder how much this reduced Wi-Fi speed will affect the overall performance. Well, I guess I just have to test and see how it does.

 

[Bono]

If I’m upgrading from last year’s model the 970X LTE is it just a straight swap out or do I need to remove the holders from the windshield?

 

[rcg530]

If I’m upgrading from last year’s model the 970X LTE is it just a straight swap out or do I need to remove the holders from the windshield?

I just tested the mount from the DR970X LTE front camera on the DR970X LTE Plus front camera body and it seems to fit just fine.

 

[Bono]

I just tested the mount from the DR970X LTE front camera on the DR970X LTE Plus front camera body and it seems to fit just fine.

Thanks. Looking forward to your test results. My 970X LTE has been disconnected from the cloud for hours today both on the home wifi and out and about using LTE. This is becoming a regular occurrence along with disconnecting when downloading “parked” files from it over the cloud and not connected directly to it via. it’s own wifi.

 

[Vortex Radar]

I'm looking through some sample footage now and I'm very unimpressed with what I'm seeing from this DR970X Plus. The footage is grainy and even if I compare it to the A229 Pro running as a 3CH setup, the Viofo still looks better and does a better job of grabbing plates, despite its lower bitrate.



Edit: Whoops! Sorry I posted this in your thread @rcg530. I’ll create my own thread later to share my impressions and sample clips.

 

[kamkar]

I wish the image temperature could be somewhere in the middle of those two, the viofo are cold and the Blackvue warm

 

[rcg530]

I'm still working through focus issues with the BlackVue DR970X Plus series dash cameras. I had an odd assortment of dash cameras in my car this morning, but here are screenshots from those units.

• BlackVue DR970 Plus - Out of focus, No CPL (none available), FW v1.000, Bitrate Extreme 60.0 Mbps
• Thinkware U3000 - No CPL, FW v1.01.00US, 30.154 Mbps
• VIOFO VS1 - HDR enabled, FW v1.0_240105, Bitrate Maximum, 25.460 Mbps
• VIOFO VS1 - HDR disabled, FW v1.0_240105, Bitrate Maximum, 25.460 Mbps
• VIOFO A119 Mini 2 - HDR disabled, CPL, FW v1.0_20231116, Bitrate High, 22.024 Mbps

 

[LateralNW]

I'm looking through some sample footage now and I'm very unimpressed with what I'm seeing from this DR970X Plus. The footage is grainy and even if I compare it to the A229 Pro running as a 3CH setup, the Viofo still looks better and does a better job of grabbing plates, despite its lower bitrate.

View attachment 70187

That is a crazy difference.
It looks like a blur tool was used it's that bad.

Is this the latest blackvue that doesn't use hdr? They mentioned it in one of your ces interview videos.

Edit:
I'm talking about this clip from Vortexs interview with Backvue. They say they don't use or need HDR.