EricSan
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Yep - been there, done that. Check here:
N4 Pro S Review
- Thread starter Hack_man
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EricSan
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This seems to depend on the camera model. The images that I linked above clearly show that PlatePix alone has a different impact than HDR alone, but I haven't made this comparison with each of the cameras that I have.
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Hack_man
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Yes I remember those tests @EricSan ran in this post.
I agreed there was a difference in the images but It contradicts these exact words I got from Vantrue: "PlatePix only works when HDR is enabled, so its timer follows the HDR timer setting"
Data is Data so I can't refute the evidence. Its just not all adding up.
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jsmith
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Is the rear camera of the replacement unit marked F 1.6 or F1.8? If F1.6, care to repeat my tests with this new unit to see if it works properly with the F 1.6?
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Hack_man
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I confirmed the rear camera included with the replacement N4 Pro S was F 1.8 so I assume no need to test?
jsmith
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Test the replacement N4 Pro S unit with the OLD F 1.6 and see if you get any drop rear feeds. Start by placing the camera in collision mode as this test will immediately yield 3 channel --> 2 Channel (rear drops) on my Old N4 Pro S and F 1.6 Rear Camera.
Curious to see if the replacement front unit works or DOES NOT work with the F 1.6 rear camera.
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Hack_man
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Results:
Configuration #1:
New N4 Pro S
Previous Rear Camera F1.6 from older N4 Pro S
LBR parking Mode
Powered up with Hardwire Kit on both accessory and Batt terminals +13.5V
Wait 5 minutes to enter LBR Parking Mode, then wake up camera (jiggle) and enter WIFI mode
"App Connection Failed"
Camera rebooted
repeated second time, after reboot, same failed results
Same as configuration #1 EXCEPT new Rear Camera F1.8 from new N4 Pro S
LBR Parking Mode
Same results as Config #1 (Connection failed, camera rebooted)
Same configuration as #1
Collision Mode
Powered up with Hardwire Kit on both accessory and Batt terminals +13.5V
Wait 5 minutes to enter Collision Parking Mode, then wake up camera (jiggle) and enter WIFI mode
Connected to Live View no problem, all 3 channels worked
Repeated second time after reboot, still worked with no problem
Same configuration as #1 EXCEPT new Rear Camera F1.8 from new N4 Pro S
Collision Mode
Powered up with Hardwire Kit on both accessory and Batt terminals +13.5V
Wait 5 minutes to enter Collision Mode, then wake up camera and enter WIFI mode
Connected to Live View no problem, all 3 channels worked
Repeated second time after reboot, still worked with no problem
These results are identical to what I saw with the older N4 Pro S camera with it's rear camera
Collision mode was OK but LBR caused app crash and rebooted camera
I think you should try powering the camera with the Hardwire Kit instead of the OBD cable to more closely align with my testing, to see if you agree with my LBR results, since I believe this is the only difference (assuming you have a power supply).
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jsmith
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So here's the official Answer
Regarding the N4 Pro S rear camera issue, we've identified that in rare cases, certain early production rear cameras may have a voltage mismatch with the main unit, which triggers over-voltage protection. This is why you're seeing some combinations not working properly.
To address this, our production process has been updated, hardware revisions have been made to resolve the over-voltage issue.
The issue you encountered is considered an isolated case. Thank you for your detailed testing and it's been very helpful.
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Hack_man
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Ok so this addresses the dropped rear camera issue.
Have you witnessed the problem I reported in Post #127 above with Low Bit Rate Parking? I believe you originally found this issue.
To summarize, I can't connect to the camera thru the app after it's been placed into LBR Parking mode.
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jsmith
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Yes, the LBR issue has been covered where the camera is unconnectable upon waking up, crashes, and then reboots. After camera restarts, you are then able to reconnect. This is also where I would lose the feed from the rear camera due to Voltage Mismatch.
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Hack_man
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What does the camera "unconnectable upon waking up, crashes, and then reboots" have to do with a "rear camera voltage mismatch from certain early production rear cameras" if the problem happens when no rear camera is connected?
I experienced this problem with 2 or 3 channels. It also seems odd it would only happen with LBR Parking if it's a voltage mismatch problem.
Seems like a separate issue to me.
jsmith
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Two separate issues @Hack_man
1. Issue #1 is during production, Vantrue produced cameras with mismatched voltage according to them. It's odd, but basically, if the camera has a glitch, it causes over volting and the feed gets dropped. Basically, when the Front unit crashes from Wifi bug, the rear camera sends too high of a voltage to the front, and the front camera drops the feed. The same happens when waking up from Collision mode. Apparently, the rear camera sends a voltage spike and the front camera protects itself and drops rear feed, too.
This problem only affected certain combinations of Front + Interior and Rear Cameras. The hardware responsible for the problem was resolved at some point.
Basically, affected units didn't work well with rear cameras marked F 1.6 but work fine with the revised rear cameras marked F 1.8.
2. Issue #2 - Crashing upon reconnecting to Wifi after Low Bitrate is a firmware bug. The dropping of my rear camera happens because of a voltage issue, but you are unaffected. The Failure to wake after collision mode is because it requires two events to trigger the camera to wake up after car starts driving.
Vantrue will need to mess with settings and sensitivities to determine the best resolution there.
I asked if a firmware fix is forthcoming on the LBR crash. Waiting ot hear back.
EricSan
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My original N4S camera arrived with a rear camera that was stamped F1.8 - it made the N4S lose rear footage.
My N4 Pro S arrived with a rear camera that was stamped F1.6. It seems to work fine with the N4PS.
My N4S replacement rear camera arrived with an F1.6 stamp on it. It works fine with the N4 Pro S. Haven’t tested it with the N4S camera yet.
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jsmith
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So here's how much a difference the CPL Filter Makes in visibility. Brief clip, but with tinted windows the shadows obscure detail. Per the above, you have two choices, which include using a CPL or placing a black matte mat to prevent glare.
Here's what you get using the CPL with Tint (Viofo CPL-300) with VHB. Major improvement:
No CPL with Tint
Here's what you get using the CPL with Tint (Viofo CPL-300) with VHB. Major improvement:
No CPL with Tint
jsmith
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Exactly. The CPL filter makes a tremendous difference. I sent this sample to Vantrue.
Good news is their R&D team will be making redesigns to both the N4 ProS and S1 Pro Max rear Cameras. Excited by that news! Hoping a factory CPL filter will follow suit.
jsmith
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Shape of the cameras and their casing will be redesigned to eliminate vibration. I made a recommendation and they agreed it's a better option. We'll have to just wait and see!
jsmith
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From my understanding, no. It'll be a fixed mount and different casing design from what I'm told based upon suggestions I made. We have to just wait and see.
The hinged design is too unstable.