N4S 3CH HDR Aussie Review!

suparoo said:
Oh boy! I feel like a right royal dipstick, a couple of days ago I removed t😉😉he front dashcam to download a video. It's easier for me with my big fingers to get the SD card out on my desk than have is spring out and get lost in the car, been there done that.
Anyway, while I had the dashcam inside I decided to clean all the lenses. when I removed the CPL it looks weird inside, so I proceeded to clean it but it still looked off somehow. it turned out I hadn't removed the protective film on the inside, I do remember removing outside film though.
So in short, any of my videos before today will be with the film on the inside of the CPL.
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😎 You wanted to show others what happens if the Protective Plastic were Left on.... You meant to do that as part of the "testing process 😉
 
You are not the first. 😉
 
Oh no!, not you too.
Poke.gif
🤣🤣
 
jsmith said:
The rear camera will be redesigned in the next 1 to 2 months based upon earlier suggestions and feedback given to Vantrue.
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Have you heard anything further about or seen the NEW rear camera's mount as yet?
 
jsmith said:
I was told end of November is when it'll got public. I haven't received one to review yet myself. I was told that could happen in early November.
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🤞🤞I am interested to see the improvement they have made.
 
Thank you! 👍
 
Apologies, I have been absent with illness plus the Christmas break followed by even more illness, not good. 👎😡

I am having problems trying to update my N4S Dashcam Firmware from N4S_VT-EEI151 to N4S_VT-EEL172.
Each time I connect the dashcam to my PC I get a Windows 11 (24h2) error stating USB device not detected, I have formatted the card - changed leads - changed USB ports - updated USB drivers on my PC, but nothing has worked.
The dashcam does not even give me the option of selecting “USB Connecting” on dash cam, as per the upgrade steps. It just shuts down with this symbol on the screen - see pic below. The dashcam still works but only with N4S_VT-EEI151 as the firmware.
Can anybody help me out here please.

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suparoo said:
Apologies, I have been absent with illness plus the Christmas break followed by even more illness, not good. 👎😡

I am having problems trying to update my N4S Dashcam Firmware from N4S_VT-EEI151 to N4S_VT-EEL172.
Each time I connect the dashcam to my PC I get a Windows 11 (24h2) error stating USB device not detected, I have formatted the card - changed leads - changed USB ports - updated USB drivers on my PC, but nothing has worked.
The dashcam does not even give me the option of selecting “USB Connecting” on dash cam, as per the upgrade steps. It just shuts down with this symbol on the screen - see pic below. The dashcam still works but only with N4S_VT-EEI151 as the firmware.
Can anybody help me out here please.

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Hope you’re feeling better now!
I've passed this issue on to our tech team and will get back to you once they have a reply.
In the meantime, you can try a different way to update the firmware.
Do you have a card reader? If so, you can copy the firmware file to the root directory of the SD card, then insert the card back into the N4S. Make sure the N4S is connected to a stable power source and you should be able to start the upgrade. It usually only takes a few minutes.
 
suparoo said:
Apologies, I have been absent with illness plus the Christmas break followed by even more illness, not good. 👎😡

I am having problems trying to update my N4S Dashcam Firmware from N4S_VT-EEI151 to N4S_VT-EEL172.
Each time I connect the dashcam to my PC I get a Windows 11 (24h2) error stating USB device not detected, I have formatted the card - changed leads - changed USB ports - updated USB drivers on my PC, but nothing has worked.
The dashcam does not even give me the option of selecting “USB Connecting” on dash cam, as per the upgrade steps. It just shuts down with this symbol on the screen - see pic below. The dashcam still works but only with N4S_VT-EEI151 as the firmware.
Can anybody help me out here please.

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Place the firmware on the root directory of the SD Card. YOU DO NOT plug in the camera to update the firmware. You simply copy the firmware to root directory of the MicroSD, plug in the camera power source to the BASE MOUNT of the camera, and then let the camera firmware flash. You need to plug it into a USB C Plug to the wall. I don't believe the PC has enough power to permit firmware update.
 
suparoo said:
where all the files are uploaded to the player automatically once the program is opened on your PC
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That was like the old registrator viewer software worked, automatic looking for dashcam footage and bundling it up into drive sessions, this was one of my favorite features of that old software ( back then i did use dedicated daashcam players )
Also as a result of that it was quite easy to select a range of a drive session you would like to save.

Having automated drive sessions being generated i felt it was quite convenient looking for a particular moment, just felt more easy than looking at umpteen files on a memory card, and often in 2 windows for front & rear cameras.
Of course a drive to your M8 house and you stopping at the gas station would be filtered as 2 drive sessions due to the short stop, but it still worked well for me, maybe due to my stops is always in familiar places.
 
suparoo said:
Apologies, I have been absent with illness plus the Christmas break followed by even more illness, not good. 👎😡

I am having problems trying to update my N4S Dashcam Firmware from N4S_VT-EEI151 to N4S_VT-EEL172.
Each time I connect the dashcam to my PC I get a Windows 11 (24h2) error stating USB device not detected, I have formatted the card - changed leads - changed USB ports - updated USB drivers on my PC, but nothing has worked.
The dashcam does not even give me the option of selecting “USB Connecting” on dash cam, as per the upgrade steps. It just shuts down with this symbol on the screen - see pic below. The dashcam still works but only with N4S_VT-EEI151 as the firmware.
Can anybody help me out here please.

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This may be because the USB port on the computer is not providing enough power. The dashcam draws relatively high power during data transmission, and if the power supply is insufficient, it can trigger a low-power shutdown.
But don’t worry, you can still update the firmware using the microSD card method instead.
 
Jeff_Vantrue said:
Hope you’re feeling better now!
I've passed this issue on to our tech team and will get back to you once they have a reply.
In the meantime, you can try a different way to update the firmware.
Do you have a card reader? If so, you can copy the firmware file to the root directory of the SD card, then insert the card back into the N4S. Make sure the N4S is connected to a stable power source and you should be able to start the upgrade. It usually only takes a few minutes.
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Thanks Jeff, before Christmas I was in hospital with Cellulitis, post Christmas I returned from Japan with the Japanese Flu, still trying to shake off the cough.
I haven't had a game of golf in over 2 months.😡😡
 
jsmith said:
Place the firmware on the root directory of the SD Card. YOU DO NOT plug in the camera to update the firmware. You simply copy the firmware to root directory of the MicroSD, plug in the camera power source to the BASE MOUNT of the camera, and then let the camera firmware flash. You need to plug it into a USB C Plug to the wall. I don't believe the PC has enough power to permit firmware update.
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Thanks for your reply jsmith, but in following the directions on Vantrue's Support page it states:

How to update the N4S dash cam?

Please follow the Steps below to upgrade your device:

1.Download the firmware to your PC;
2.Insert your microSD card (32GB – 1TB) to the camera, and then connect the camera to the computer through the USB port on the camera. Select “USB Connecting” on dash cam. Copy the firmware file (VT_N4S.bin) from the computer to the microSD card, then unplug the camera from the computer and turn it off;
Note 1: the firmware file (VT_N4S.bin) could not be recognized by computer, it could just be recognized by the dash cam, so don’t try to open it on PC or try to rename it, just copy it to the card.
3.Plug the camera to a power charger (not computer), or press the power button;
4.Then the camera will auto upgrade, and it will take about 30 secs to 1 min, during this time, the camera will not turn on and will not respond to any button or operation;
5.Once the dash cam upgraded successfully, it will turn on and work.
6.Please check the version of your device now (go to the System Setup menu and turn to the Version) and see if it is the same as the website show. If it is, then the camera has been upgraded successfully.
7.Format the microSD card when the update has been completed.


Thank you! Any question, please contact us at support@vantrue.net.

My thoughts are, the bold red text should be removed and replaced with the following:

2. "Insert the microSD card into a card reader and plug it into your PC. Now copy the downloaded firmware file (VT_N4S.bin) from the computer to the root of the microSD card, e.g. Local disk (G). Now place the microSD card into the dash cam from the computer.

Also add a reminder for users:
8. You now need to reset all your settings within the dashcam. Firmware updates are full upgrades, meaning the dash cam resets to a clean state. It helps prevent any old settings from clashing with the new version and keeps everything running smoothly.
 
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suparoo said:
Thanks for your reply jsmith, but in following the directions on Vantrue's Support page it states:

How to update the N4S dash cam?

Please follow the Steps below to upgrade your device:

1.Download the firmware to your PC;
2.Insert your microSD card (32GB – 1TB) to the camera, and then connect the camera to the computer through the USB port on the camera. Select “USB Connecting” on dash cam. Copy the firmware file (VT_N4S.bin) from the computer to the microSD card, then unplug the camera from the computer and turn it off;
Note 1: the firmware file (VT_N4S.bin) could not be recognized by computer, it could just be recognized by the dash cam, so don’t try to open it on PC or try to rename it, just copy it to the card.
3.Plug the camera to a power charger (not computer), or press the power button;
4.Then the camera will auto upgrade, and it will take about 30 secs to 1 min, during this time, the camera will not turn on and will not respond to any button or operation;
5.Once the dash cam upgraded successfully, it will turn on and work.
6.Please check the version of your device now (go to the System Setup menu and turn to the Version) and see if it is the same as the website show. If it is, then the camera has been upgraded successfully.
7.Format the microSD card when the update has been completed.

Thank you! Any question, please contact us at support@vantrue.net.

IMO the bold red text should be removed and replaced with the following:
2. "Insert the microSD card into a card reader and plug it into your PC. Now copy the downloaded firmware file (VT_N4S.bin) from the computer to the root of the microSD card, e.g. Local disk (G). Now place the microSD card into the dash cam from the computer.
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Thank you for the suggestion. We’ll take this into consideration and look at adding a supplementary note to the instructions.
The purpose of Step 2 is to copy the firmware file onto the microSD card. In most cases, a computer’s USB port can provide stable power to the dash cam during this process, which is why this method is listed first as the most convenient option.
We understand that some computer models or USB ports may not provide sufficient power. In those cases, using a card reader to copy the firmware directly to the SD card is a perfectly valid alternative.
 
Jeff_Vantrue said:
Thank you for the suggestion. We’ll take this into consideration and look at adding a supplementary note to the instructions.
The purpose of Step 2 is to copy the firmware file onto the microSD card. In most cases, a computer’s USB port can provide stable power to the dash cam during this process, which is why this method is listed first as the most convenient option.
We understand that some computer models or USB ports may not provide sufficient power. In those cases, using a card reader to copy the firmware directly to the SD card is a perfectly valid alternative.
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Thanks Jeff.
I tried every USB port on my PC, obviously my ports don't have enough power to run the Dash Cam. I have made a note to myself for future firmware upgrades, so I don't get caught out again. 👍
I finally got the firmware upgraded to N4S_VT-EEL172 following jsmith's guide.
 
suparoo said:
Thanks Jeff.
I tried every USB port on my PC, obviously my ports don't have enough power to run the Dash Cam. I have made a note to myself for future firmware upgrades, so I don't get caught out again. 👍
I finally got the firmware upgraded to N4S_VT-EEL172 following jsmith's guide.
Click to expand...

@suparoo

You're welcome. A PC doesn't have enough energy to offer the dashcam stable power, and only plugging it into a USB-C via a Wall Socket or the Car will suffice. Glad my guide assisted you in upgrading the firmware.

You can find the photos here of the upgraded Camera. My apologies for not sharing them on this thread:

https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/threads/n4-pro-s-camera-redesign-thread.58310/#post-662338

1768384255216.webp
 
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Jeff_Vantrue said:
Thank you for the suggestion. We’ll take this into consideration and look at adding a supplementary note to the instructions.
The purpose of Step 2 is to copy the firmware file onto the microSD card. In most cases, a computer’s USB port can provide stable power to the dash cam during this process, which is why this method is listed first as the most convenient option.
We understand that some computer models or USB ports may not provide sufficient power. In those cases, using a card reader to copy the firmware directly to the SD card is a perfectly valid alternative.
Click to expand...

Hello @Jeff_Vantrue @suparoo

This is inaccurate. Laptops (not sure about Desktops.. I'd have to test) cannot provide stable power to upgrade a camera's firmware unless it supports an ALWAYS ON USB port. Otherwise, the USB port will not get a stable current, and will be unable to reliably power the dashcam.

Even while the computer is in sleep, hibernation, or off mode, you may still charge USB-connected devices through the Always on USB connector.
 
jsmith said:
@suparoo

You're welcome. A PC doesn't have enough energy to offer the dashcam stable power, and only plugging it into a USB-C via a Wall Socket or the Car will suffice. Glad my guide assisted you in upgrading the firmware.

You can find the photos here of the upgraded Camera. My apologies for not sharing them on this thread:

https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/threads/n4-pro-s-camera-redesign-thread.58310/#post-662338

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That new rear camera looks much more stable than the old hinged type.
Also looking at the end the new rear camera it needs a new cable too.

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