Review: DDPai Mini 1080p Dashcam Hisilicon HI3516 & IMX322 (Gearbest)

[Sunny]

Thank you @GearBest for providing DDPai Mini 1080p WiFi dashcam for review.
It's available at Gearbest here: DDPai Mini 1080p WiFi Dashcam
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Conclusion: Overall DDPai has decent video quality but has low bitrate so the videos are not very sharp or detailed.
Night video quality is pretty good.
Audio is very good. Wi-Fi works great. Has remote control.
It's small and discrete.
>>
One thing that needs improvement besides the low VBR is the startup time.
It takes around 25 seconds before it starts recording.
The mount is attached to the camera so there is no way to take it out without taking the whole thing off.
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Description & Features:
It's based on Hisilicon Hi3516C chipset with 1/2.9 inch IMX322 Exmor CMOS sensor.
110 degree (horizontal) + 140 degree (diagonal), F1.8 6 glass + 1 IR filter lens
Built-in WiFi 2.4G wireless module, support video output (for Android and iOS system)
Battery: Built-in 250mAh li-ion battery
Power supply: 5V 1A
APP Download: For Android and iOS users, please search "DDpai" in Google Play or APP Store
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DDPai Mini 1080p WiFi dashcam unboxing video:

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Package Contents:
1 x Car DVR, 1 x Remote Controller, 1 x 3M Bracket, 1 x Car Charger (dual USB), 1 x USB Cable, 1 x English User Manual, Cable management accessories.


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Product Images:


MicroSD port and reset hole are covered.
MicroUSB charging port is on the sticky mount.



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Tests coming soon...

 

[Sunny]

DDPai Mini Folders and files:
Root has DCIM with subfolders for video, photo and thumbnails.
Video and photo files have date and time so easy to find a particular file.


DDPai VBR: Overall VBR is low at only 8.4 mbps with video @ 8.3 mbps and audio @ 24 kbps.


DDPai android app:
Download link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cam.ddpai
It's very good app that automatically switches phone's wifi so no need to manually change wifi connection.
Also, it automatically upgrades firmware from the app.



Has option to Auto download photo to phone.


Advanced settings:

"On the road" menu has "Trending", "Latest" and "Nearby" tabs.
Nearby looks for other nearby DDPai dashcams?


Latest tab has other DDPai videos uploaded recently, I think as these videos are not from my DDPai.

Not sure what Trending tab shows.


continued...

 

[Sunny]

Daytime Videos: Video quality is pretty good for the low bit rate.
Audio also is at lower volume than normal.

Daytime Video Screenshots:










Photo mode: Photos are 1920x1080p and are around 330KB in size.

 

[Sunny]

DDPai Mini Dashcam Night Videos: Night videos look pretty good in lighted areas but low bit rate means not much detail.

DDPai Mini Dashcam Night Video Screenshots:

 

[Sunny]

It looks pretty small and discrete from outside.
Here's DDPai mini, Junsun S100 and Hyundai H100 from outside:

 

[Sunny]

Conclusion:
Overall DDPai has decent video quality but has low bitrate so the videos are not very sharp or detailed.
Night video quality is pretty good.
Audio is very good. Wi-Fi works great. Has remote control.
It's small and discrete.
>>
One thing that needs improvement besides the low VBR is the startup time.
It takes around 25 seconds before it starts recording.
The mount is attached to the camera so there is no way to take it out without taking the whole thing off.

One more sunny day video:

 

[russ331]

Overall VBR is low at only 8.4 mbps with video @ 8.3 mbps and audio @ 24 kbps.

Making it look like a BlackVue is fine. Adopting BlackVue level of Bitrate is going too far...

 

[Sunny]

Making it look like a BlackVue is fine. Adopting BlackVue level of Bitrate is going too far...

I've never used Blackvue but DDpai is good for the vbr. I wish there was firmware update with higher vbr.

 

[russ331]

I've never used Blackvue but DDpai is good for the vbr. I wish there was firmware update with higher vbr.

On the upside, should get nearly 9 hours from a 32GB card before looping over.

 

[Shambalic]

Is there any delay with the streaming wifi image? I have neck problems and was thinking of getting this to cover blindspots.

 

[Sunny]

Is there any delay with the streaming wifi image? I have neck problems and was thinking of getting this to cover blindspots.

You are better off getting something like this so it's instant and no phone needed.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/B00FECAUSG

 

[Erea]

Hi I'm new here. I just bought a DDPai mini
It seems a good camera for the price. But I'm having some problems with it and I was wondering if anyone here can help.
When I try to playback video that is already recorded as soon as I press play it reverts to live feed
If I select a piece to download as soon as I press the download arrow it says "Download failed "
But if I use the remote to save 10 seconds all that works perfectly I can view and download any of the 10second clips.
I have tried resetting it and still the same.
And ideas?

 

[Sunny]

Hi I'm new here. I just bought a DDPai mini
It seems a good camera for the price. But I'm having some problems with it and I was wondering if anyone here can help.
When I try to playback video that is already recorded as soon as I press play it reverts to live feed
If I select a piece to download as soon as I press the download arrow it says "Download failed "
But if I use the remote to save 10 seconds all that works perfectly I can view and download any of the 10second clips.
I have tried resetting it and still the same.
And ideas?

Do you have the wifi in your phone switched to ddpai?
Also, use card reader if available as that's easier and faster.

 

[Erea]

Thanks for your fast reply
Yes I have the wifi on and the phone is connected to the camera. I can download stills and the 10 second videos captured by the remote. I'll fiddle around with it a bit more. The date and time are also out. When the camera is on the date is correct but time is wrong. But when I try and go back on video it says 1/1/1970 1.00 for all the records

 

[J Ward]

Is there a hack where we can increase the bitrate?

 

[alexsoll]

1. I no found raw video (day, night)
2. who is the manufacturer?

 

[jokiin]

2. who is the manufacturer?

DDpai

 

[alexsoll]

Hisilicon HI3516 & IMX322 - I like this bunch
maybe we could make her a custom firmware with an increased bit rate to optimize night shooting
there must be a good motion sensor

 

[J Ward]

1. I no found raw video (day, night)
2. who is the manufacturer?

I can get you some raw video if you wish for it Alexsoll. You are the king of hacking cams. I think DDPAI could use your hack to increase bit rate @alexsoll

 

[J Ward]

Hisilicon HI3516 & IMX322 - I like this bunch
maybe we could make her a custom firmware with an increased bit rate to optimize night shooting
there must be a good motion sensor

YES!!!!! I mention you in post #73 here https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/threads/ddpai-mini-2.20366/page-4