Front camera not visible/recording

erkme73

erkme73

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2013
Messages
677
Reaction score
370
Country
United States
Dash Cam
a119v3 x 4
I got into the closest near-hit today that I couldn't believe there wasn't any contact. Upon bringing up the latest version of the app and connecting to the camera's wifi, I was seriously disappointed to find ZERO front camera videos since 7/31/24. Interior and rear were all there up current time.

I also noticed that the live preview was just a black screen, and pressing the "switch camera" button did nothing. I am able to get into the settings, but no changes stick. About half the time, the camera locks up tight (all LEDs stop blinking and WIFI disconnects). The only resolution is to unplug power to the camera (at which point it stays on until the cap drains - it doesn't gracefully shut down)

I verified that I'm on the latest firmware as per Viofo website. I did a "reset all settings" from the settings menu (that did take). I replaced the 256GB card (which was working flawlessly for the last 6mo) with a 32GB card. It did continue to record interior and rear, but no files for front.

I created a ticket with VIOFO earlier today but have not heard back yet.

I have several of these T130s in my vehicles and until today, have never had reason to question the reliability. In fact, several neighbors have the same units based on my recommendations.

What concerns me more than anything is that I had absolutely no clue that it wasn't working as intended. It still boots up, says, "recording 3 channel" and by all outward appearances, it's working 100%. Thank God I didn't actually need it today. A split second longer reaction time, and that video would have been sorely missed.
 
erkme73 said:
I got into the closest near-hit today that I couldn't believe there wasn't any contact. Upon bringing up the latest version of the app and connecting to the camera's wifi, I was seriously disappointed to find ZERO front camera videos since 7/31/24. Interior and rear were all there up current time.

I also noticed that the live preview was just a black screen, and pressing the "switch camera" button did nothing. I am able to get into the settings, but no changes stick. About half the time, the camera locks up tight (all LEDs stop blinking and WIFI disconnects). The only resolution is to unplug power to the camera (at which point it stays on until the cap drains - it doesn't gracefully shut down)

I verified that I'm on the latest firmware as per Viofo website. I did a "reset all settings" from the settings menu (that did take). I replaced the 256GB card (which was working flawlessly for the last 6mo) with a 32GB card. It did continue to record interior and rear, but no files for front.

I created a ticket with VIOFO earlier today but have not heard back yet.

I have several of these T130s in my vehicles and until today, have never had reason to question the reliability. In fact, several neighbors have the same units based on my recommendations.

What concerns me more than anything is that I had absolutely no clue that it wasn't working as intended. It still boots up, says, "recording 3 channel" and by all outward appearances, it's working 100%. Thank God I didn't actually need it today. A split second longer reaction time, and that video would have been sorely missed.
Click to expand...
Was the GPS possibly not working? I have seen cameras throw off the time if the GPS stops working
 
No, speed info is on the interior and rear camera so I'm pretty sure that's working. It's almost as though the front-facing camera is disconnected internally (or through software) and the firmware is unaware. The fact that no live video is available on wifi streaming, none of the settings changes I make stick, and about half the time I try to stream recorded videos the camera locks up, tells me there is something quite wrong.

VIOFO just responded this AM asking me to "reset it" using the buttons on the camera. Going to give that try.
 
erkme73 said:
The fact that no live video is available on wifi streaming, none of the settings changes I make stick, and about half the time I try to stream recorded videos the camera locks up, tells me there is something quite wrong.
Click to expand...
Is the app version on your smartphone up to date?
 
erkme73 said:
disappointed to find ZERO front camera videos since 7/31/24. Interior and rear were all there up current time.

I also noticed that the live preview was just a black screen, and pressing the "switch camera" button did nothing.


What concerns me more than anything is that I had absolutely no clue that it wasn't working as intended. It still boots up, says, "recording 3 channel" and by all outward appearances, it's working 100%.
Click to expand...
Exactly the same problem here!! I thought it is an app problem so i took the card and verify it in the laptop.

The main front channel doesn't record anything despite the fact it says "3 channel start recording".

I had removed back camera. Same story.
It says "2 channel start recording" but on the memory card there is only interior camera footage.
So the main front cam isn't working anymore. Very strange!
Any thoughts @viofo @VIOFO-Support ?
 
Last edited:
Dadi_T said:
Exactly the same problem here!! I thought it is an app problem so i took the card and verify it in the laptop.

The main front channel doesn't record anything despite the fact it says "3 channel start recording".

I had removed back camera. Same story.
It says "2 channel start recording" but on the memory card there is only interior camera footage.
So the main front cam isn't working anymore. Very strange!
Any thoughts @viofo @VIOFO-Support ?
Click to expand...
Ultimately they warrantied the camera. While waiting for the replacement to arrive, I bought another identical 3 chan from Amazon on sale for $120.
 
erkme73 said:
Ultimately they warrantied the camera. While waiting for the replacement to arrive, I bought another identical 3 chan from Amazon on sale for $120.
Click to expand...
I don't have a warranty anymore, but still, some answers are needed.
 
Ugh... I'm sorry. I was only relaying that to confirm it wasn't the app or firmware. It's a hardware failure.
 
Dadi_T said:
Exactly the same problem here!! I thought it is an app problem so i took the card and verify it in the laptop.

The main front channel doesn't record anything despite the fact it says "3 channel start recording".

I had removed back camera. Same story.
It says "2 channel start recording" but on the memory card there is only interior camera footage.
So the main front cam isn't working anymore. Very strange!
Any thoughts @viofo @VIOFO-Support ?
Click to expand...
If updating the firmware cannot help, then the front camera may be defective now. You can claim a warranty here: https://support.viofo.com/support/t...9.1349053206.1721178368-1444957744.1721178368
 
Dadi_T said:
Exactly the same problem here!! I thought it is an app problem so i took the card and verify it in the laptop.

The main front channel doesn't record anything despite the fact it says "3 channel start recording".

I had removed back camera. Same story.
It says "2 channel start recording" but on the memory card there is only interior camera footage.
So the main front cam isn't working anymore. Very strange!
Any thoughts @viofo @VIOFO-Support ?
Click to expand...

VIOFO-Support said:
If updating the firmware cannot help, then the front camera may be defective now. You can claim a warranty here: https://support.viofo.com/support/t...9.1349053206.1721178368-1444957744.1721178368
Click to expand...
I have the same problem, it's a shame that Viofo doesn't provide more information.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top