Purchased A329T - Firmware Bugs / Problems (Help) - Suggestions

[jsmith]

I purchased the A329T and this was not given to me as a review. Thus, I have used it for about a day and come across some issues I hope either @viofo @VIOFO-Support can assist with resolving or users here can do so @EricSan @SafeDriveSolutions @Augustus @TonyM

A329T is 3 Channel. Also have A139 Pro 2 Channel. Please ignore 2 Channel Voice.

Setup:

A. HK6 Hardwire
B. Low Bitrate Parking Mode
C. Firmware Version: V2.0_260104

Did quick basic setup (not configured everything), but don't see anything related to problem below:

Problem / Firmware Bug? - Help

Sequence: Car shuts off --> A329T enters parking mode --> Car Starts - A329T Locks Video every time Car Starts and Exits Parking Mode --> Returns to Normal Recording: See Videos:

Recommendations:

On the right is the N5S and left is the Viofo A329T rear camera. @VIOFO-Support @viofo

I'd recommend Viofo make a Right Angled Cord for Rear Camera. Or make an accessory that attaches to cord to turn it into right angle for existing installs.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

1.) Are you using a Viofo Brand SD Card?
2.) Perform factory reset / default settings.
3.) Try Viofo Brand Type-C Power Cable & Viofo Brand CLA Charger included with camera in box to see if you get the same malfunction.
4.) Remove camera from car, and test on bench.
5.) SUBMIT A TICKET

 

[jsmith]

1.) Are you using a Viofo Brand SD Card?
2.) Perform factory reset / default settings.
3.) Try Viofo Brand Type-C Power Cable & Viofo Brand CLA Charger included with camera in box to see if you get the same malfunction.
4.) Remove camera from car, and test on bench.
5.) SUBMIT A TICKET

@Chuck McCoy

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Not Viable. Won't get parking mode using Type-C Cable / Viofo Charger.
4. Not sure Bench Testing would change outcome. No way to test HK6 Parking Cable on bench test nor am I removing install. Don't have any battery park to do a test either.

Only happens when Car turns offs, A329T enters Parking Mode, and then A329T Wakes up from Parking Mode after car starts. Fuses were same ones I used on A129 and other cameras without issue.

5. Will see if @VIOFO-Support @viofo responds, and if not, submit ticket.

Do you own the A329T? Can you test and see if you can replicate using Hk6?

 

[Chuck McCoy]

Reply function not working.

@jsmith said:
3. Not Viable. Won't get parking mode using Type-C Cable / Viofo Charger.
Chuck said:
Don’t be stubborn.
This is protocol from Viofo.
They recommend using included Viofo Brand power cable, and Viofo Brand CLA to rule out possible malfunctioning HK6.

@jsmith said:
4. Not sure Bench Testing would change outcome. No way to test HK6 Parking Cable on bench test nor am I removing install. Don't have any battery park to do a test either.
Chuck said:
You’re a bonafide consumer electronics expert.
You should have tested all components for proper operation BEFORE you installed in car.
Start at 2:18

@jsmith said:
Do you own the A329T? Can you test and see if you can replicate using Hk6?
Chuck said:
I have two.
I will replicate, if you replicate using included Viofo Brand power cable, and Viofo Brand CLA.
With video proof, I trust you as far as I can throw you. lol
-Chuck

 

[jsmith]

Reply function not working.

@jsmith said:
3. Not Viable. Won't get parking mode using Type-C Cable / Viofo Charger.
Chuck said:
Don’t be stubborn.
This is protocol from Viofo.
They recommend using included Viofo Brand power cable, and Viofo Brand CLA to rule out possible malfunctioning HK6.

@jsmith said:
4. Not sure Bench Testing would change outcome. No way to test HK6 Parking Cable on bench test nor am I removing install. Don't have any battery park to do a test either.
Chuck said:
You’re a bonafide consumer electronics expert.
You should have tested all components for proper operation BEFORE you installed in car.
Start at 2:18

@jsmith said:
Do you own the A329T? Can you test and see if you can replicate using Hk6?
Chuck said:
I have two.
I will replicate, if you replicate using included Viofo Brand power cable, and Viofo Brand CLA.
With video proof, I trust you as far as I can throw you. lol
-Chuck

@Chuck McCoy

1. Your video appears to demonstrate / confirm the issue I raised. Watch when camera goes into parking mode and then wakes up. Yellow Triangle and Snapshot sound.

2. I forgot to mention I am using low bitrate parking mode.

3. Does Viofo support the 5 minute idle? I could use the power cord to test the camera via idle, if the camera will enter low bitrate after 5 minutes. Then start car and see if the same issue occurs. Based on the video, it's very likely.

4. Honestly, I don't have equipment to bench test HK6 or parking mode (without idle parking mode via electrical outlet). I've tested Vantue cameras only. I haven't invested in any battery park or equipment to bench test hardware kits. Mainly, I've helped them debug / find faults in their software.

I've had the A329T less than a day, but didn't see any settings to avoid what your video showed. I can test the power cord and see if camera goes into idle low bitrate and replicates HK6 issue, assuming Viofo A329T has idle parking mode.

 

[TonyM]

Only happens when Car turns offs, A329T enters Parking Mode, and then A329T Wakes up from Parking Mode after car starts. Fuses were same ones I used on A129 and other cameras without issue.

The A329T is more sensitive in parking mode than your other dashcams.

It looks like the vibration from starting your (diesel?) engine is enough to trigger the g-sensor whilst the A329T is still in parking mode. A few moments later the HK6 gets consistent power on the ACC line and so the dashcam switches to normal recording mode.

I can't verify this because my hybrid car has a gentle electric-only start when I turn on the ignition, so it never triggers an event at startup.

 

[SafeDriveSolutions]

I purchased the A329T and this was not given to me as a review. Thus, I have used it for about a day and come across some issues I hope either @viofo @VIOFO-Support can assist with resolving or users here can do so @EricSan @SafeDriveSolutions @Augustus @TonyM

A329T is 3 Channel. Also have A139 Pro 2 Channel. Please ignore 2 Channel Voice.

Setup:

A. HK6 Hardwire
B. Low Bitrate Parking Mode
C. Firmware Version: V2.0_260104

Did quick basic setup (not configured everything), but don't see anything related to problem below:

Problem / Firmware Bug? - Help

Sequence: Car shuts off --> A329T enters parking mode --> Car Starts - A329T Locks Video every time Car Starts and Exits Parking Mode --> Returns to Normal Recording: See Videos:

Recommendations:

On the right is the N5S and left is the Viofo A329T rear camera. @VIOFO-Support @viofo

I'd recommend Viofo make a Right Angled Cord for Rear Camera. Or make an accessory that attaches to cord to turn it into right angle for existing installs.

View attachment 90553

No to right angle cords. Thats a good reason why we do not install Rove and some Vantrues for that very reason.

 

[SafeDriveSolutions]

@Chuck McCoy

1. Your video appears to demonstrate / confirm the issue I raised. Watch when camera goes into parking mode and then wakes up. Yellow Triangle and Snapshot sound.

2. I forgot to mention I am using low bitrate parking mode.

3. Does Viofo support the 5 minute idle? I could use the power cord to test the camera via idle, if the camera will enter low bitrate after 5 minutes. Then start car and see if the same issue occurs. Based on the video, it's very likely.

4. Honestly, I don't have equipment to bench test HK6 or parking mode (without idle parking mode via electrical outlet). I've tested Vantue cameras only. I haven't invested in any battery park or equipment to bench test hardware kits. Mainly, I've helped them debug / find faults in their software.

I've had the A329T less than a day, but didn't see any settings to avoid what your video showed. I can test the power cord and see if camera goes into idle low bitrate and replicates HK6 issue, assuming Viofo A329T has idle parking mode.

We have seen where it locks videos going in and out of parking mode. This is something that was fixed on prior firmware then new one came out and it was back on again.

Not sure whats going on there

 

[VIOFO-Support]

I purchased the A329T and this was not given to me as a review. Thus, I have used it for about a day and come across some issues I hope either @viofo @VIOFO-Support can assist with resolving or users here can do so @EricSan @SafeDriveSolutions @Augustus @TonyM

A329T is 3 Channel. Also have A139 Pro 2 Channel. Please ignore 2 Channel Voice.

Setup:

A. HK6 Hardwire
B. Low Bitrate Parking Mode
C. Firmware Version: V2.0_260104

Did quick basic setup (not configured everything), but don't see anything related to problem below:

Problem / Firmware Bug? - Help

Sequence: Car shuts off --> A329T enters parking mode --> Car Starts - A329T Locks Video every time Car Starts and Exits Parking Mode --> Returns to Normal Recording: See Videos:

Recommendations:

On the right is the N5S and left is the Viofo A329T rear camera. @VIOFO-Support @viofo

I'd recommend Viofo make a Right Angled Cord for Rear Camera. Or make an accessory that attaches to cord to turn it into right angle for existing installs.

View attachment 90553

When your car ignition is turned on, the camera feels the shakiness, so the G-sensor is triggered. Please set both the G-sensor and Parking G-sensor to low sensitivity to test if it helps.

 

[SafeDriveSolutions]

When your car ignition is turned on, the camera feels the shakiness, so the G-sensor is triggered. Please set both the G-sensor and Parking G-sensor to low sensitivity to test if it helps.

This is not a sensitivity issue. This is a Ilooked at the VIOFO unit funny and the G sensor was triggered issue.

 

[jsmith]

This is not a sensitivity issue. This is a Ilooked at the VIOFO unit funny and the G sensor was triggered issue.

@SafeDriveSolutions can you replicate this exact issue on newest firmware using low bitrate parking mode, too?

Sequence: Car Shuts off ---> Camera Enters Parking Mode ---> Car Starts G-Sensor / Lock Triggered --> Camera Enters Normal Recording?

When your car ignition is turned on, the camera feels the shakiness, so the G-sensor is triggered. Please set both the G-sensor and Parking G-sensor to low sensitivity to test if it helps.

@TonyM @VIOFO-Support The G-Sensor being set to low sensitivity on everything has same result. Car G-Sensor / Lock triggers every time car exits parking mode.

 

[GPak]

..........
Did quick basic setup (not configured everything), but don't see anything related to problem below:
Problem / Firmware Bug? - Help
Sequence: Car shuts off --> A329T enters parking mode --> Car Starts - A329T Locks Video every time Car Starts and Exits Parking Mode --> Returns to Normal Recording: See Videos:
.........

I noticed the exact same "problem"- which, isn't really a problem in my opinion - on my A329S.
All it took was simply opening the door and sitting in the car to trigger the parking G-sensor.
After I changed the parking G-sensor sensitivity setting from "High" to "Medium", this "problem" is basically fixed.
(For. ref. I use "low bit rate" parking)

For this reason, I would set the parking G-sensor to "high sensitivity" only during extended parking - say, at a hotel, an airport, etc.

 

[jsmith]

I noticed the exact same "problem"- which, isn't really a problem in my opinion - on my A329S.
All it took was simply opening the door and sitting in the car to trigger the parking G-sensor.
After I changed the parking G-sensor sensitivity setting from "High" to "Medium", this "problem" is basically fixed.

For this reason, I would set the parking G-sensor to "high sensitivity" only during extended parking - say, at a hotel, an airport, etc.

@GPak this isn't a G-Sensor setting issue. I can be sitting in car without camera G-Sensor having triggered, then start car, and G-Sensor triggers every time car exits parking mode via low bitrate. I tested setting G-Sensor to Low Sensitivity and the issue still occurs every time my car is started.

The issue here is my SD card will get filled up with a LOT of unnecessary lock videos.

 

[TonyM]

The issue here is my SD card will get filled up with a LOT of unnecessary lock videos.

@VIOFO-Support can the card ever become full with Event files, or do you delete the oldest ones when the Event folder reaches a certain size?

 

[CaptureYourAction]

@VIOFO-Support can the card ever become full with Event files, or do you delete the oldest ones when the Event folder reaches a certain size?

Unless something has changed, the RO folder will also loop, making room for new files. I don't recall the allocated size, but I think it's around 20% of the card.

 

[jsmith]

@VIOFO-Support can the card ever become full with Event files, or do you delete the oldest ones when the Event folder reaches a certain size.

Weren't you in the UK? Flag shows Germany.

Issue will be that X amount of the MicroSD card will be full with unnecessary event files. Hoping Viofo can resolve this issue in a firmware update (which is what I suspect is the problem). Thus, it appears that according to @SafeDriveSolutions this is a confirmed firmware bug and not a hardware fault on my camera / hk6.

 

[jsmith]

No to right angle cords. Thats a good reason why we do not install Rove and some Vantrues for that very reason.

@SafeDriveSolutions why do you hate right angled cables? They are far cleaner with rear install. Or at least have both types of cables as an option.

 

[TonyM]

These event files - I assume they are parking mode files? Just think about the 'issue' for a moment: Your A329S is in low bitrate parking mode and it senses movement or vibration strong enough to trigger the sensor. What do you want it to do? At that moment it doesn't know you're starting the engine, so it flags the PF file and saves it in the Event folder.

Increased sensitivity may be better for minor door dings in a parking lot, but brings with it the increased likelihood of false positive triggers.

 

[jsmith]

These event files - I assume they are parking mode files? Just think about the 'issue' for a moment: Your A329S is in low bitrate parking mode and it senses movement or vibration strong enough to trigger the sensor. What do you want it to do? At that moment it doesn't know you're starting the engine, so it flags the PF file and saves it in the Event folder.

Increased sensitivity may be better for minor door dings in a parking lot, but brings with it the increased likelihood of false positive triggers.

@TonyM but it isn't a sensitivity issue. I tried low sensitivity G-Sensor. Didn't change anything. It's a firmware bug according to @SafeDriveSolutions . Whenever the camera is exiting parking mode, it's locking the file being recorded for no reason related to G-Sensor.

We have seen where it locks videos going in and out of parking mode. This is something that was fixed on prior firmware then new one came out and it was back on again.

Not sure whats going on there

 

[TonyM]

Weren't you in the UK? Flag shows Germany.

I can check my A329T for this issue when I return home from Germany