Mi-Witness - what do you think?

[origin]

Hi all

I'm still hunting for a dash cam and came across this one http://www.store.mi-witness.co.uk/mi-wi ... ckage.html
What do you think? I like the dual cam (although resolution is 1280x720p @ 20fps on channel 1 and 640x480 @ 15fps on channel 2) and the wi-fi. I'm not sure how it would stand up in the summer heat here - there's no mention of operating or storage temps. Its also very expensive.

Thanks
A

 

[jokiin]

Saw that the other day, looks very similar to another Korean cam, nice website, one of the more professional looking sites I've seen

 

[B20RRL]

Hey!!

It's a good camera! We are an official re-seller for the Mi-Witness.

The camera is totally unique and of a British design. Basically the guys who make it took all the best bits of the Blackvue camera, left the bad bits and put it into a neater/smaller camera. Obviously the great thing is that it's one of the only cameras that allows Front & Rear cameras!

In regards to heat, it's pretty good! It has vents Top, Rear & Side. Due to it being a 720p camera it doesn't have to work as hard as the usual 1080p cameras. It's also been put into an oven for testing electrical equipment and went pretty high up with no issues.

Worthwhile checking out all the different options here - http://www.advanced-incar.co.uk/mi-witness-hd

Have uploaded some pics for everybody to see what it looks like!

(Admin - If you create a new sub-forum for the brand, I'm happy to monitor and answer questions etc!)

--

--

--

--

 

[CheckYourLights]

Videos?

For anyone who is interested. I'm guessing these are all videos from the above camera.

Its also very expensive.

The exclusive package is £349.99/$530
The Basic Camera is £249.99/$379

The mount looks interesting since you can remove the camera unlike the JAEWONCNC IROAD IONE-3800FU

 

[tofu]

The camera is totally unique and of a British design. Basically the guys who make it took all the best bits of the Blackvue camera, left the bad bits and put it into a neater/smaller camera

they forgot to take the part about the blackvue being 1080p and put it into this camera

rear cam is 640x480?

why would anyone purchase this over the urive md8000p?

 

[Bluerose]

Which is the best camera? I don’t know. We are trying to buy Mega Pixles and reliability.
DASH CAMERAS
NAME Price Ratings

FineVu CR-500 HD (1920x1080) @30fps 2MP $369 4.4 stars
Ironic ITB-100 HD (1920x1080) @24fps 2MP $320 3.5 stars
BlackVue DR400G (1920x1080) @30fps 2MP $260 3.5 stars
BlackVue DR500G (1920x1080) @30fps 2MP $320 4.0 stars
Smarty BX1000 Plus 170 (640x480)@30fps 0.3MP $179 4.5 stars
Smarty BX1500 Plus 170 (640x480)@30fps 0.3MP $249 4.0 stars
A8 Hero HD DVR (1280x720)@30fps 0.9MP $70
*Black Hero HD DVR (1280x720)@30fps 0.9MP $40 4.5 stars 64 review
Itronics ITB-500 HD (2CH) Car Camera. It is interesting, but for a hefty $488.
HD High Quality Video - Camera:1/4" CMOS Camera / 2.0 Mega Pixels
Image Resolutions - High Definition 1280px x 720px - 15 FPS (not impressive).
Video Compression Type - H.264
Operation Temperature - Handles the Aussie Heat -20C~80C! (very impressive).
*HD 720P Dual Lens Dashboard Car vehicle Camera $58 4.5 stars
HD 1280*720 25-30 fps front camera 0.9MP
VGA 640*480 30 fps 0.3MP rear camera
H.264
Adapter is located outside camera and equipped with the cooling fan.
Until market stabilized, I have bought 2 different cheap cameras marked with asterisk.
The first is in use. It is working as described, providing 0.9MP image. It is not a set and forget camera. Decreased input current from 14.2V to 9V via an adapter. Working in opening holes and installing a small 200ma-cooling fan, with a 3-component proportional fan speed controlling circuit, which is going to cost me $12. My labor not included.
The second one it is shipped but not arrived yet. I decide to wait 6 more months before spending $200 - $300. Till then I have something better than nothing.

 

[Milamber]

If you want reliability, a camera that has passed alot of testing and design is your reason for buying along with video quality then I do recommend the FineVu CR500 IF... the mount is a good one, I had to replace my first one due to it being shaky when I went over a slight bump - seller replaced it straight away without even having to send the initial one back!

The FineVu has very good night quality, I use a CPL lens as well which is optional.

 

[Al Drake]

Which is the best camera? I don’t know. We are trying to buy Mega Pixles and reliability.
DASH CAMERAS
NAME Price Ratings

FineVu CR-500 HD (1920x1080) @30fps 2MP $369 4.4 stars
Ironic ITB-100 HD (1920x1080) @24fps 2MP $320 3.5 stars
BlackVue DR400G (1920x1080) @30fps 2MP $260 3.5 stars
BlackVue DR500G (1920x1080) @30fps 2MP $320 4.0 stars
Smarty BX1000 Plus 170 (640x480)@30fps 0.3MP $179 4.5 stars
Smarty BX1500 Plus 170 (640x480)@30fps 0.3MP $249 4.0 stars
A8 Hero HD DVR (1280x720)@30fps 0.9MP $70
*Black Hero HD DVR (1280x720)@30fps 0.9MP $40 4.5 stars 64 review
Itronics ITB-500 HD (2CH) Car Camera. It is interesting, but for a hefty $488.
HD High Quality Video - Camera:1/4" CMOS Camera / 2.0 Mega Pixels
Image Resolutions - High Definition 1280px x 720px - 15 FPS (not impressive).
Video Compression Type - H.264
Operation Temperature - Handles the Aussie Heat -20C~80C! (very impressive).
*HD 720P Dual Lens Dashboard Car vehicle Camera $58 4.5 stars
HD 1280*720 25-30 fps front camera 0.9MP
VGA 640*480 30 fps 0.3MP rear camera
H.264
Adapter is located outside camera and equipped with the cooling fan.
Until market stabilized, I have bought 2 different cheap cameras marked with asterisk.
The first is in use. It is working as described, providing 0.9MP image. It is not a set and forget camera. Decreased input current from 14.2V to 9V via an adapter. Working in opening holes and installing a small 200ma-cooling fan, with a 3-component proportional fan speed controlling circuit, which is going to cost me $12. My labor not included.
The second one it is shipped but not arrived yet. I decide to wait 6 more months before spending $200 - $300. Till then I have something better than nothing.

Isn't that list a bit out of date?
ITB-100HD SP 30fps for one and it's $239.

 

[Mitch]

Which is the best camera? I don’t know. We are trying to buy Mega Pixles and reliability.
DASH CAMERAS
NAME Price Ratings

FineVu CR-500 HD (1920x1080) @30fps 2MP $369 4.4 stars
Ironic ITB-100 HD (1920x1080) @24fps 2MP $320 3.5 stars
BlackVue DR400G (1920x1080) @30fps 2MP $260 3.5 stars
BlackVue DR500G (1920x1080) @30fps 2MP $320 4.0 stars
Smarty BX1000 Plus 170 (640x480)@30fps 0.3MP $179 4.5 stars
Smarty BX1500 Plus 170 (640x480)@30fps 0.3MP $249 4.0 stars
A8 Hero HD DVR (1280x720)@30fps 0.9MP $70
*Black Hero HD DVR (1280x720)@30fps 0.9MP $40 4.5 stars 64 review
Itronics ITB-500 HD (2CH) Car Camera. It is interesting, but for a hefty $488.
HD High Quality Video - Camera:1/4" CMOS Camera / 2.0 Mega Pixels
Image Resolutions - High Definition 1280px x 720px - 15 FPS (not impressive).
Video Compression Type - H.264
Operation Temperature - Handles the Aussie Heat -20C~80C! (very impressive).
*HD 720P Dual Lens Dashboard Car vehicle Camera $58 4.5 stars
HD 1280*720 25-30 fps front camera 0.9MP
VGA 640*480 30 fps 0.3MP rear camera
H.264
Adapter is located outside camera and equipped with the cooling fan.
Until market stabilized, I have bought 2 different cheap cameras marked with asterisk.
The first is in use. It is working as described, providing 0.9MP image. It is not a set and forget camera. Decreased input current from 14.2V to 9V via an adapter. Working in opening holes and installing a small 200ma-cooling fan, with a 3-component proportional fan speed controlling circuit, which is going to cost me $12. My labor not included.
The second one it is shipped but not arrived yet. I decide to wait 6 more months before spending $200 - $300. Till then I have something better than nothing.

I'm surprised the under $100 and A8 dash cam is highly rated above 4 stars.

 

[DashCamMan]

The mi-witness seems very expensive for what you get. Over $500 for 720p in the front and 480p in the back and a low frame rate. I would consider the urive shotgun or the garmin gr35d which have better specs and are much more affordable.

If there is a lot if interest in this camera I will create a sub forum.

 

[DashCamMan]

Not sure where those rankings came from but the high ranking for the Smarty cameras does not make sense. Expensive, 480p and no audio.

 

[suparoo]

Which is the best camera? I don’t know. We are trying to buy Mega Pixles and reliability.
DASH CAMERAS
NAME Price Ratings

FineVu CR-500 HD (1920x1080) @30fps 2MP $369 4.4 stars
Ironic ITB-100 HD (1920x1080) @24fps 2MP $320 3.5 stars
BlackVue DR400G (1920x1080) @30fps 2MP $260 3.5 stars
BlackVue DR500G (1920x1080) @30fps 2MP $320 4.0 stars
Smarty BX1000 Plus 170 (640x480)@30fps 0.3MP $179 4.5 stars
Smarty BX1500 Plus 170 (640x480)@30fps 0.3MP $249 4.0 stars
A8 Hero HD DVR (1280x720)@30fps 0.9MP $70
*Black Hero HD DVR (1280x720)@30fps 0.9MP $40 4.5 stars 64 review
Itronics ITB-500 HD (2CH) Car Camera. It is interesting, but for a hefty $488.
HD High Quality Video - Camera:1/4" CMOS Camera / 2.0 Mega Pixels
Image Resolutions - High Definition 1280px x 720px - 15 FPS (not impressive).
Video Compression Type - H.264
Operation Temperature - Handles the Aussie Heat -20C~80C! (very impressive).
*HD 720P Dual Lens Dashboard Car vehicle Camera $58 4.5 stars
HD 1280*720 25-30 fps front camera 0.9MP
VGA 640*480 30 fps 0.3MP rear camera
H.264
Adapter is located outside camera and equipped with the cooling fan.
Until market stabilized, I have bought 2 different cheap cameras marked with asterisk.
The first is in use. It is working as described, providing 0.9MP image. It is not a set and forget camera. Decreased input current from 14.2V to 9V via an adapter. Working in opening holes and installing a small 200ma-cooling fan, with a 3-component proportional fan speed controlling circuit, which is going to cost me $12. My labor not included.
The second one it is shipped but not arrived yet. I decide to wait 6 more months before spending $200 - $300. Till then I have something better than nothing.

I'm surprised the under $100 and A8 dash cam is highly rated above 4 stars.

That price list must be for Authorized Resellers, I bought my ITB 100HD for $220.00 AUD and that included a UPC, it was $195.00 otherwise.

 

[Mtz]

The mi-witness seems very expensive for what you get. Over $500 for 720p in the front and 480p in the back and a low frame rate.

You are right!
But a nice site and good marketing can find some buyers without any experience in dash cams.

enjoy,
Mtz

 

[pete401]

The mi-witness seems very expensive for what you get. Over $500 for 720p in the front and 480p in the back and a low frame rate.

You are right!
But a nice site and good marketing can find some buyers without any experience in dash cams.

enjoy,
Mtz

Hi there.

I brought the Mi-Witness camera a few weeks ago at a purchase price of $420NZ ($350US) for the full package.
(unboxing the Mi-Witness) http://youtu.be/1umysIPSmUQ
I'm not experienced in dash cameras but I own a few GoPro's (Hero2 and Hero3 Black edition) and love using them. The quality is outstanding.
(my youtube channel) http://www.youtube.com/user/pete401
My experience with the Mi-Witness so far is, overall it's a good package. But the biggest thing I miss is 1080p. The 720p res just isn't high enough for a package that isn't cheap.

Pete.

 

[Mtz]

I think I have the external Wi-Fi dongle idea before this dashcam.

enjoy,
Mtz

 

[superpat]

Back to the original question!

i looked at the Mi Witness a few weeks ago, when I started to survey the market for a car dvr.

There are some worrying posts in the Mi Witness forum regarding owners complaining about the video quality, (unable to read car number plates), and also the reliability.

Considering this is in 1280x720p @ 20fps on channel 1 and 640x480 @ 15fps on channel 2, the camera is just too expensive!

They support an external wifi dongle, perhaps the bitrate has been screwed down too much to keep the videos short on the wifi link?

I cannot see the bit rate quoted on the website.

give this one a miss!

P

 

[pete401]

I think you're right in regards to WiFi and bitrate. Though I haven't used the WiFi on this unit. I see all the recording lengths are 1 minute long which would make it faster to transfer a file via that bandwidth.
Next week I'm returning the unit and trying another.

Pete.

 

[DashCamMan]

Hi superpat,

Thanks for your assessment on the Mi Witness. I agree. The camera seems ok but it is priced way to high.

 

[Talay]

Their latest offering, released only last week, which I had to double check was not a mistake, has managed to creep up to 1280 x 720

I fear they are extinct before breakfast with such an offering.

http://www.store.mi-witness.co.uk/mi-witness-hd-stb-11-hd/mi-witness-hd-stb-11-1-channel-hd.html

 

[JooVuu]

I hope for that price, you get someone to personally sit down and record the journey for you.