Is there really a difference between VIOFO's own HW kit & some no-name Amazon kit?

Chuck McCoy said:
Should I buy yet another specialized piece of test equipment, and make one more lame VIOFO OTHER testing thread? lol
Click to expand...
Absolutely yes please get it so we can enjoy another lame video! I can't believe it's only $15.99 for the cable tester.

This may not apply to the OP's situation but Viofo has shared with us that their HK6 cable has a pin reserved for transmitting serial voltage data for cameras without bluetooth. Just another example why you can't assume dashcam cables are universal.

V

Post in thread 'VIOFO BP-100 / EP-100 Dash Camera Battery Packs - RCG'

Hack_man said:
@rcg530 Thank you for the response and great photo.
Bummer so that means it's not compatible.
I noticed the 4 vs 3 pin connector discrepancy earlier and asked @viofo what is the function of the 4th pin with no reply.
I wonder why the pins are so much larger on the BP100, hard to imagine it's sized due to current draw.
Click to expand...
The fourth pin (white cable) is for serial port transmission, which can be used to transmit battery voltage to the machines that don't have Bluetooth.
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@Tschingis
That’s for HK3.
What about;
HK4
HK6
BP100 Unit
Are they all the same?
That should tell you how little I know. Lol
 

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Hack_man said:
cable tester.
Click to expand...
After a closer look this tester will not work to answer OP's question.
It only works to test Type-C to Type-C cables.
The HK6, HK4, BP100 unit only have Type-C on one end.
I could use it to test the included power cable delivered with every camera, but that cable does not support parking mode.
So I'm safe from wasting another $15.99 on more junk. lol

 

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Chuck McCoy said:
Should I buy yet another specialized piece of test equipment, and make one more lame VIOFO OTHER testing thread? lol

https://www.amazon.com/gp/B0CF95VL2Y
Click to expand...

I have one of these, a slightly earlier version, but other than the external power source, it is the same. They work very well, users just need to know not to hook up to a powered device. Do so will smoke the board.
 
Hack_man said:
Absolutely yes please get it so we can enjoy another lame video! I can't believe it's only $15.99 for the cable tester.

This may not apply to the OP's situation but Viofo has shared with us that their HK6 cable has a pin reserved for transmitting serial voltage data for cameras without bluetooth. Just another example why you can't assume dashcam cables are universal.

V

Post in thread 'VIOFO BP-100 / EP-100 Dash Camera Battery Packs - RCG'

Hack_man said:
@rcg530 Thank you for the response and great photo.
Bummer so that means it's not compatible.
I noticed the 4 vs 3 pin connector discrepancy earlier and asked @viofo what is the function of the 4th pin with no reply.
I wonder why the pins are so much larger on the BP100, hard to imagine it's sized due to current draw.
Click to expand...
The fourth pin (white cable) is for serial port transmission, which can be used to transmit battery voltage to the machines that don't have Bluetooth.
  • Like
Click to expand...

Here is an image using the Treedix with the Viofo factory cable for the A229 Pro Telephoto camera.

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lufa6977 said:
They work very well, users just need to know not to hook up to a powered device. Do so will smoke the board.
Click to expand...
Is it possible to test HK4/HK6 or Vantrue Hardwire Kit using your board?
Or is it possible to test only cables that have plugs on both ends?
 
The only connections I see that are easily possible are to the onboard USB connectors, so there are no pinouts I can wire to or clip onto.

I have wondered about the HK series and testing the USB-C end. This board will not work with a powered device, and I would guess that even if I plug a USB-C into the ACC/GND/VCC wire ends, the Treedix board will not see the far end because the HK buck converter is between them.
 
I think it's possible to test the HK6, since the cable from the downconverter to the dashcam is detachable,
but you'll need a USB-A or USB-C plug.
Although the HK6's pinout is already known.
I'm more interested in the pinout on the Vantrue Hardwire Kit.
 
Tschingis said:
I think it's possible to test the HK6, since the cable from the downconverter to the dashcam is detachable,
but you'll need a USB-A or USB-C plug.
Although the HK6's pinout is already known.
I'm more interested in the pinout on the Vantrue Hardwire Kit.
Click to expand...

Oh yes, I forgot about that. It should be testable then. I don't have an HK 6, so I can't help with that.
 

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Karagandinez said:
Do you already have these boards or are you planning to buy them?
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Those two break out boards look above my skill level, and I don't have the necessary equipment to connect to them.

However, this caught my eye for 50% off for only $10 so I can at least test Type-C cables.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/B0GD218NPJ
Maybe I could "hack" something up to test hardwire cables, (Viofo & Vanture) to answer OP's question.
It's just a simple continuity check right?
 

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Chuck McCoy said:
It's just a simple continuity check right?
Click to expand...
Not quite right.
I'm interested in which pin receives power from the yellow/signal wire on the Vantrue.
On the Viofo, these are pins: CC1/CC2.
VBUS = red/+power and GND = black/-ground on the Viofo and Vantrue have identical pins.
 
Karagandinez said:
I'm also interested in the pinouts of the Vantrue kit.
Click to expand...
EricSan said:
Here is what I have found so far:
Vantrue VP03(II) and VP05(II) Hardwire Kits: use A8/SBU1 and B8/SBU2 to toggle parking mode on an off. It appears that the parking mode trigger with the E360 requires the unit to be powered by the GPS/windshield mount in order for parking mode to work otherwise the camera thinks it is mounted on the battery stick.
Viofo HK3-C, HK4, and HK6 Hardwire Kits: use A5/CC1 and B5/CC2 to toggle parking mode on an off.
Click to expand...
 
lufa6977 said:
Here is an image using the Treedix with the Viofo factory cable for the A229 Pro Telephoto camera.

View attachment 90239
Click to expand...
Excellent photo

I'm not familiar with USB-C protocol (assuming the dashcam somewhat complies with USB-C) , how are these pins used?

Are TX2+/- and RX1+/- for firmware updates to the camera
and
SBU2 and SBU1 are for +5V dc power and the video signal ?

Or is the camera signal purely digital transmission and SBU1 and SBU2 are for power?

The instruction manual for the cable tester shows it's a simple LED continuity checker:
screenshot_1385.webp
 
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Chuck McCoy said:
Should I buy yet another specialized piece of test equipment, and make one more lame VIOFO OTHER testing thread? lol

https://www.amazon.com/gp/B0CF95VL2Y
Click to expand...
I'm not being notified of replies from dcm. It seems to be selective and also delayed.


Yeah been there done that- not the video bit.

It would be nice if viofo could clarify what they have done and if it applies to all dash cams.

Viofo does like to change things so what worked yesterday may not apply today. Only they have the definitive answer.

@viofo
 
LateralNW said:
Viofo does like to change things so what worked yesterday may not apply today. Only they have the definitive answer.
Click to expand...
You are correct.
We may need to started a new thread, we are kinda going off topic.
When my thingy gets delivered tomorrow I'll start a new VIOFO Other thread.
LateralNW said:
It would be nice if viofo could clarify what they have done and if it applies to all dash cams.
Click to expand...
Well of course that would be nice, but everytime you ask Viofo to tell us their "secrets" it's like opening a can of worms.
I've learned not to ask about the really good secrets. lol
 
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