Reviewing and Testing the new Vantrue N4S Dashcam

[Hack_man]

If PlatePix only works when HDR is enabled it should be mentioned in the app, or the on-screen display, or the manual.

I agree and why bother having a timer setting for PlatePix if it defaults to the HDR timer's setting.

 

[EricSan]

More Comparisons. Guess I should have cleaned all of the splatted bugs off the windshield before making these videos 😉 Sorry!

N4S HDR off, PlatePix on:

A139Pro HDR on

And a 200% zoom from each image:

N4S:

A139Pro:

 

[Augustus]

It does seem that the default exposure is a bit brighter with Viofo than with Vantrue. Plus, the grey back dash and trunk lid also take up nearly half of the frame for the rear camera, so that will tend to push the auto exposure level up just a bit, helping to wash out the sky.



It's curious, after playing with a few cameras you get to see the patterns that reveal the specific design philosophies and choices that define the brands. I suspect my comparisons might reveal different kinds of things related to overall detail and sharpness if I had a monitor that could display the full resolution of each video file.

Don't need a monitor, but a 4K TV will do to see the differences.

And even then, after reviewing quite a few dashcams between those brands myself, you pick up on those general characteristics of colour processing even by viewing the footage on a phone. Things haven't really changed that much in the last few years when it comes to this.

 

[EricSan]

And another comparison:

N4S HDR on, PlatePix on:

A139Pro HDR on:

And the close ups:

N4S:

A139Pro:

 

[EricSan]

Don't need a monitor, but a 4K TV will do to see the differences.

Ha - didn't think of connecting my computer to the television. I have a 65" 4K. Don't think the rest of the family would appreciate several hours of my videos while I fool around with time alignment and screen caps...

 

[EricSan]

And finally from last night, one from the cabin camera. HDR is off and IR LEDs are set to "Auto." The back seat kind of disappears, but I suspect it would look better if there were more people in the car. Also, the back seats are black leather and the top LEDs are probably somewhat blocked by the bottom of the rear view mirror. Based on this result, I'm curious to see what HDR ON looks like from the interior camera. Missed that setting while driving around last night...

 

[jsmith]

@EricSan

PlatePix and HDR are separate features. One does not need enabled for the other to work.

 

[jsmith]

I made a few images last night in an effort to compare various modes of the N4S camera and to compare it to the A139Pro. This first set of images is a screen cap from while I was moving at about 35 mph on a road this is fairly dark. There are a few street lights but not many.

From the A139Pro, HDR on, polarizer in place:
View attachment 81621

Vantrue N4S, HDR on, PlatePix On, Polarizer in place:
View attachment 81622

Vantrue N4S, HDR off, PlatePix On, Polarizer in place:
View attachment 81623

Vantrue N4S, HDR off, PlatePix off, Polarizer in place:
View attachment 81624

Again, the Viofo produces the brightest image as well as the image with the greatest amount of detail in the two illuminated signs that are on the left hand side of the road attached to the buildings. The image with the next greatest level of detail looks like the N4S with HDR off and PlatePix On, You can also see the varying levels to which the small house on the right side of the road is visible or not with various settings.

Viofo can read the "For Rent" with HDR while you cannot read the same sign on the Vantrue. The Vantrue overexposes incandescent whites.

 

[EricSan]

@EricSan

PlatePix and HDR are separate features. One does not need enabled for the other to work.

This is kind of my starting assumption because there are two separate controls in the menu/app. The video evidence seems to bear this out as well. There are subtle, yet clear differences in the set of images with various settings.

 

[jsmith]

This is kind of my starting assumption because there are two separate controls in the menu/app. The video evidence seems to bear this out as well. There are subtle, yet clear differences in the set of images with various settings.

PlatePix can be enabled with HDR on and OFF. I'm not sure how much of a difference the video quality is when toggling between HDR on and OFF but that's something to test.

 

[haiou_f]

It seems 139Pro is clearer，There are comparative reviews of n4s and viofo 229plus on YouTube, with n4s being clearer

 

[Hack_man]

@EricSan

PlatePix and HDR are separate features. One does not need enabled for the other to work.

Why does my N4S PlatePix timer always change to what the HDR timer is set to if these are separate features? I set a different time for PlatePix than HDR and it changes to whatever I set for HDR . This happens after I confirm my PlatePix timer settings, and then exit and re-enter the PlatePix timer menu. The PlatePix ON/OFF times gets reset to HDR timer ON/OFF values.
I asked Vantrue this question and the answer was "PlatePix only works when HDR is enabled, so its timer follows the HDR timer setting"
I am a bit confused.

 

[jsmith]

Why does my N4S PlatePix timer always change to what the HDR timer is set to if these are separate features? I set a different time for PlatePix than HDR and it changes to whatever I set for HDR . This happens after I confirm my PlatePix timer settings, and then exit and re-enter the PlatePix timer menu. The PlatePix ON/OFF times gets reset to HDR timer ON/OFF values.
I asked Vantrue this question and the answer was "PlatePix only works when HDR is enabled, so its timer follows the HDR timer setting"
I am a bit confused.

I'm not sure. I went ahead and looked at the N4S and N2X and noticed same thing. HDR can be On or Off. Even Auto HDR can be off. But PlatePix always uses timer listed on HDR, even if you set manual timer on PlatePix to different time!

I am going to email Vantrue with that question!

 

[Nigel]

A139Pro Rear camera, HDR on (though I'm not sure if this impacts the rear camera or not):

The A139 Pro only has HDR on the front camera.

I recall @Nigel did some testing of the E1 Pro with HDR on/off and PlatePix on/off and came to a similar conclusion.

My conclusion is that PlatePix is HDR, it just gives different HDR exposure settings with PlatePix On/Off, and sometimes adds some extra digital sharpening and tone mapping, depending on exposure. If HDR is turned off then PlatePix is also Off.

 

[Hack_man]

If HDR is turned off then PlatePix is also Off.

This is exactly what Vantrue told me.
Why is there a separate timer settings menu for PlatePix if no matter what you set it to, it gets changed to the ON/OFF values set for HDR?
There should just be an ON/OFF setting for PlatePix but the HDR timer has to be set for it to work.

My conclusion is that PlatePix is HDR, it just gives different HDR exposure settings with PlatePix On/Off, and sometimes adds some extra digital sharpening and tone mapping, depending on exposure.

Your statement is consistent with what Vantrue says about PlatePix:

How PlatePix™ Technology Works​

The core of PlatePix™ technology is to achieve efficient license plate recognition through the close integration of hardware and software. In terms of hardware, it uses a high dynamic range (HDR) sensor that can automatically adjust the exposure in strong light, backlight, or low light environments to ensure that the details of the license plate are visible. The wide-angle lens design further expands the shooting range and reduces blind spots, while low-light enhancement technology makes it possible to recognize license plates in dim environments such as night or tunnels.

In terms of software, PlatePix™ relies on image processing algorithms based on artificial intelligence (AI). These algorithms can analyze video streams in real time to automatically detect and optimize the image quality of the license plate area. For example, when the vehicle is driving at high speed, the algorithm will dynamically adjust the frame rate and resolution to avoid blurring of the license plate; in rainy, snowy, or foggy weather, AI can also improve the recognition of the license plate through denoising and sharpening technology.

In addition, PlatePix™ also works in conjunction with other advanced technologies. For example, 4K resolution provides higher pixel density, making license plate details clearer; HDR technology balances the contrast between light and dark to avoid overexposure or darkness; and the night vision function uses infrared fill light to ensure the readability of license plates at night. This fusion of multiple technologies enables PlatePix™ to maintain excellent license plate recognition performance in various complex environments.

 

[EricSan]

All of this makes a lot of sense to me: PlatePix and HRD utilize similar kinds of algorithms, but with varying parameters concerning the relative strength of contrast, noise removal, and sharpening settings. I'll have to see if I find a better spot at night where I can sit for a few minutes without moving and cycle through all of the settings and do some additional image and video captures.

 

[Hack_man]

All of this makes a lot of sense to me: PlatePix and HRD utilize similar kinds of algorithms, but with varying parameters concerning the relative strength of contrast, noise removal, and sharpening settings. I'll have to see if I find a better spot at night where I can sit for a few minutes without moving and cycle through all of the settings and do some additional image and video captures.

That's a good idea to cycle thru all of the settings for HDR and PlatePix without moving. It seems like PlatePix is an advanced version of HDR and should be rolled into one menu.

 

[Nigel]

That's a good idea to cycle thru all of the settings for HDR and PlatePix without moving. It seems like PlatePix is an advanced version of HDR and should be rolled into one menu.

 

[Hack_man]

Good find Nigel! Maybe @EricSan will confirm these results with his planned testing.
It's interesting he says PlatePix appears to do NOTHING when turned ON if HDR is OFF. This agrees with what Vantrue told me except they should not be stamping the Video "PlatePix" when HDR is turned OFF.
The take away from this video is "under most conditions, just leave HDR and PlatePix on.
There have been posts suggesting HDR degrades image quality during daytime

Reference Post #106 by @Chuck McCoy suggesting HDR degrades image quality during daytime but this was not considering PlatePix

 

[Nigel]

Reference Post #106 by @Chuck McCoy suggesting HDR degrades image quality during daytime but this was not considering PlatePix

With the Viofo A139 Pro and A229 Pro, turning HDR off during daylight is definitely better for reading plates unless you have unusually bright lighting conditions, Dr McCoy is correct.

On the Vantrue E1 Pro, I struggle to show that turning turning HDR off during daylight is better, sometimes it will be, but on average, I think it is better On all day. HDR on the E1 Pro is terrible without PlatePix also On though. With PlatePix On, it can be a bit too dark, which is good for reading plates, but if you find it too dark then increasing the EV setting by one or two steps will correct that.

I don't know about the N4S.