Reviewing and Testing the Vantrue S1 Pro Max

[EricSan]

I don’t know if PlatePix is exclusive to the front camera, or if it applies to both front and rear cameras. @Jeff_Vantrue, any insights on whether this is a front camera only or all external camera function?

 

[EricSan]

I neglected to post the parking mode start up times that I measured while I was doing my power consumption tests. After allowing the camera to go to sleep during collision detection parking mode, I flicked it with my finger.

In Quick Start Collision Detection mode, the S1 Pro Max seemed to take about 2.3s to wake up and start recording. This seems like it's plenty quick to capture necessary video after a collision. The power consumption in this mode (3.9w) is just a pinch lower than the Low Bit Rate mode (4.2w) that I usually use.

The Power Saving Collision Detection mode, however, required closer to 10 full seconds to wake up and start recording. This potentially is too much time if someone whacks your car and keeps moving in a parking lot. The tradeoff here is MUCH lower power consumption at about 0.1w of power draw. At this rate, my LTO parking battery could probably last for a month or two...

Both of these figures are large improvements over the start up times of the N4S camera that requires 7s for Quick Start mode and more than twice that (16s) to wake up and start recording in Power Saving Collision Detection mode.

 

[TonyM]

In Quick Start Collision Detection mode, the S1 Pro Max seemed to take about 2.3s to wake up and start recording. This seems like it's plenty quick to capture necessary video after a collision. The power consumption in this mode (3.9w) is just a pinch lower than the Low Bit Rate mode (4.2w) that I usually use.

Would you continue using low bitrate mode for the continuous video and audio? The resolution and frame rate drop to 1080p and 15fps in low bitrate mode, but I've found that's usually OK for close movements at low speed.

 

[Jeff_Vantrue]

I don’t know if PlatePix is exclusive to the front camera, or if it applies to both front and rear cameras. @Jeff_Vantrue, any insights on whether this is a front camera only or all external camera function?

PlatePix is exclusive to the front camera.

 

[EricSan]

Would you continue using low bitrate mode for the continuous video and audio? The resolution and frame rate drop to 1080p and 15fps in low bitrate mode, but I've found that's usually OK for close movements at low speed.

I'm thinking I'll continue with LBR for parking for now. I need to go back and reread the manuals. I remember the E1 Pro being specific about the upper operating temperature and beyond that Collision Detection Mode should be used.

 

[jsmith]

I'm thinking I'll continue with LBR for parking for now. I need to go back and reread the manuals. I remember the E1 Pro being specific about the upper operating temperature and beyond that Collision Detection Mode should be used.

I only ever rely upon Low Bitrate recording for parking. Everyone has different requirements, but for me, I find this best.

 

[Hack_man]

Vantrue suggests collision detection for the S1 Pro Max when its extremely hot (as pointed out by @EricSan) but I trust Low Bitrate Recording more than collision detection

 

[EricSan]

I only ever rely upon Low Bitrate recording for parking.

Some time ago, someone here on DCT started a thread about which parking mode people use. Low bite rate was by far the favored mode around here.

@Hack_man - the hottest in-car temp I’ve recorded in my car during the past year is 55c/140F when ambient temps were around 37-38c/98-100F. I think I’m good with relying on low bite rate. Others in hotter climates might need to change tactics…

 

[EricSan]

In an interesting and short comparison, the Collision Detection unit in the S1 Pro Max is a good bit more sensitive than the one used in the N4S camera. With the cameras side by side, the S1PM flagged and locked more videos than the N4S did. Both are clearly adjustable, I was just a bit surprised to see this difference within the same brand and time period (spring 2025 releases) of these cameras. I'm wondering if this indicates that a different sensor was used due to the different physical orientations of these two cameras, or if this difference in sensitivity is due to software/coding differences.

 

[EricSan]

In my last set of images, it was clear that there were some differences in exposure between my three cameras (Post #48 in this thread). Using the Viofo A139 Pro as a fixed point, I adjusted the exposure for the front and rear cameras of the N4S to EV +0.6 and the S1 Pro Max to EV +0.3. HDR is enabled for all three cameras (though I'm not sure that the A139 Pro Rear cameras is capable of HDR). PlatePix is enabled with both Vantrue cameras.

The first three images are from the front cameras. I'm not quite sure what to make of this. The N4S image still looks darker than I was expecting (despite increasing the exposure) and the S1 Pro Max is both darker than expected and has an interesting yellow cast to it.

Viofo A139 Pro, HDR on, EV 0.0 (standard exposure):

Vantrue N4S, HDR & PlatePix on, EV +0.6

And Vantrue S1 Pro Max, HDR & PlatePix on, EV +0.3

And below are the views from the rear cameras from the same point in time (so the lighting is the same). These images turned out more like what I was expecting, the overall exposure levels seem more even across the three cameras now.

Viofo A139 Pro (HDR on, but not sure if this impacts the rear camera or not)

Vantrue N4S Rear, HDR on, EV +0.6

Vantrue S1 Pro Max Rear, HDR on, EV +0.3

 

[jsmith]

In my last set of images, it was clear that there were some differences in exposure between my three cameras (Post #48 in this thread). Using the Viofo A139 Pro as a fixed point, I adjusted the exposure for the front and rear cameras of the N4S to EV +0.6 and the S1 Pro Max to EV +0.3. HDR is enabled for all three cameras (though I'm not sure that the A139 Pro Rear cameras is capable of HDR). PlatePix is enabled with both Vantrue cameras.

The first three images are from the front cameras. I'm not quite sure what to make of this. The N4S image still looks darker than I was expecting (despite increasing the exposure) and the S1 Pro Max is both darker than expected and has an interesting yellow cast to it.

Viofo A139 Pro, HDR on, EV 0.0 (standard exposure):
View attachment 82250

Vantrue N4S, HDR & PlatePix on, EV +0.6View attachment 82251

And Vantrue S1 Pro Max, HDR & PlatePix on, EV +0.3
View attachment 82252

And below are the views from the rear cameras from the same point in time (so the lighting is the same). These images turned out more like what I was expecting, the overall exposure levels seem more even across the three cameras now.

Viofo A139 Pro (HDR on, but not sure if this impacts the rear camera or not)
View attachment 82253

Vantrue N4S Rear, HDR on, EV +0.6
View attachment 82254

Vantrue S1 Pro Max Rear, HDR on, EV +0.3
View attachment 82255

Thanks for testing @Ericscan. Here is the response I got from Vantrue after submitting my footage.

Yes, the difference you're seeing mainly comes from the different image sensors and how the IQ (Image Quality) tuning is optimized for each. Sensors with larger size and higher pixel count, like the ones used in the S1 Pro Max are typically tuned with slightly lower brightness to preserve detail and avoid overexposure, especially in 4K recording.
In contrast, the N4A’s 2K rear cam appears brighter, but this can sometimes cause stronger reflections from the rear window. Also, it's normal for the front camera to be tuned a bit darker than the rear to help with license plate readability under various lighting conditions.

 

[EricSan]

Interesting response you got from Vantrue about exposures. I get the differences in tuning, but it seems that the EV adjustments made little to no difference for the front cameras. This same adjustment does seem to have evened out the exposure differences from the rear cameras, just as I was hoping it would.

I've ordered a pair of Viofo CPL-300 Filters For Rear Camera to try on the rear cameras. I hope they will work equally well across brands, but we'll see. Those rear dash & speaker grille reflections in the rear window are pretty strong.

 

[haiou_f]

In my last set of images, it was clear that there were some differences in exposure between my three cameras (Post #48 in this thread). Using the Viofo A139 Pro as a fixed point, I adjusted the exposure for the front and rear cameras of the N4S to EV +0.6 and the S1 Pro Max to EV +0.3. HDR is enabled for all three cameras (though I'm not sure that the A139 Pro Rear cameras is capable of HDR). PlatePix is enabled with both Vantrue cameras.

The first three images are from the front cameras. I'm not quite sure what to make of this. The N4S image still looks darker than I was expecting (despite increasing the exposure) and the S1 Pro Max is both darker than expected and has an interesting yellow cast to it.

Viofo A139 Pro, HDR on, EV 0.0 (standard exposure):
View attachment 82250

Vantrue N4S, HDR & PlatePix on, EV +0.6View attachment 82251

And Vantrue S1 Pro Max, HDR & PlatePix on, EV +0.3
View attachment 82252

And below are the views from the rear cameras from the same point in time (so the lighting is the same). These images turned out more like what I was expecting, the overall exposure levels seem more even across the three cameras now.

Viofo A139 Pro (HDR on, but not sure if this impacts the rear camera or not)
View attachment 82253

Vantrue N4S Rear, HDR on, EV +0.6
View attachment 82254

Vantrue S1 Pro Max Rear, HDR on, EV +0.3
View attachment 82255

I think it's blackened because the platepix option was turned on

 

[EricSan]

And here are another set of images from approximately the same location, but traveling in the opposite direction (away from the sun instead of into the sun with the set of images above). Same conditions apply: HDR enabled with all cameras, PlatePix on for the Vantrue cameras, and settings of EV +0.6 for the N4S and EV +0.3 for the S1 Pro Max.

Overall, it looks like the exposure adjustments didn't make very much difference with the rear cameras.

First up, the Viofo A 139 Pro:

Vantrue N4S, EV +0.6, HDR on, PlatePix on:

Vantrue S1 Pro Max, EV +0.3, HDR on, PlatePix On

And here is the comparison from the rear cameras at the same place. The exposure of the S1 Pro Max looks a little better, but this adjust seems to have blown the image contrast.

Viofo A139 Pro Rear Camera:

N4S - There seems to have been another glitch with the N4S camera or the Vantrue 64G SD card that came with it, but the previous problem of missing video footage has happened a second time. I've formatted this card multiple times, most recently just before this set of videos was made. I'll get another SD card and see how that behaves.

S1 Pro Max, EV +0.3, HDR on, PlatePix on:

And since there was a passing car to capture with the rear cameras, here is a 200% zoom from CapCut of the rear plate. While there is "something" there to read with the S1 Pro Max rear camera, the Viofo rear renders nothing but gibberish.

It seems like I'm doing something wrong with the image zoom in CapCut. Both are a 200% zoom, but given the differences in resolution, the S1 Pro Max should be four times larger than the clip from the A139 Pro.

A139 Pro Rear Camera, 1920x1080:

S1 Pro Max Rear Camera, 3840x2160:

 

[EricSan]

I think it's blackened because the platepix option was turned on

I was also thinking PlatePix might be interfering with the exposure. It the weather is sunny tomorrow, I'll repeat this comparison with PlatePix turned off and see what happens. Might have to wait for the firmware update that disentangles HDR and PlatePix dependency...

 

[jsmith]

I was also thinking PlatePix might be interfering with the exposure. It the weather is sunny tomorrow, I'll repeat this comparison with PlatePix turned off and see what happens. Might have to wait for the firmware update that disentangles HDR and PlatePix dependency...

I plan to run a few tests and follow up with Vantrue. I just was sick today and got nothing done I wanted to do. Ideally, I'll feel better after sleeping!

I sent them a rear camera view of the N2X and S1 Max. I didn't get a chance to do a front video for them as I merged the two side by side.

I'll try a few under different lighting conditions and send.

Vantrue has been very responsive to my feedback and I'm truly appreciative of it.

 

[Hack_man]

I was also thinking PlatePix might be interfering with the exposure. It the weather is sunny tomorrow, I'll repeat this comparison with PlatePix turned off and see what happens. Might have to wait for the firmware update that disentangles HDR and PlatePix dependency...

The way I understand it, PlatePix depends on HDR being enabled so the dependency will always exist.

@Jeff_Vantrue maybe you can confirm I have this straight but I think these are the anticipated F/W updates:

1. N4S needs to be fixed so that it's not possible to "apparently" enable PlatePix when HDR is not enabled. I say "apparently" because PlatePix is NOT enabled when HDR is OFF, even though there is a PlatePix stamp in the video

2. S1 Pro Max has an additional issue where the timer for PlatePix is not synchronized to the HDR timer. PlatePix should follow's HDR timer but currently you can set PlatePix timer differently than HDR timer.
I'm not sure I understand why the user is even given the option to select settings for the PlatePix timer. It should be grayed out, non adjustable and always follow the HDR timer or maybe eliminated from the menu options.

 

[TonyM]

@EricSan if you park somewhere with constant ambient lighting, you could record a series of short video clips at different EV settings to see what effect it has.

 

[Jeff_Vantrue]

The way I understand it, PlatePix depends on HDR being enabled so the dependency will always exist.

@Jeff_Vantrue maybe you can confirm I have this straight but I think these are the anticipated F/W updates:

1. N4S needs to be fixed so that it's not possible to "apparently" enable PlatePix when HDR is not enabled. I say "apparently" because PlatePix is NOT enabled when HDR is OFF, even though there is a PlatePix stamp in the video

2. S1 Pro Max has an additional issue where the timer for PlatePix is not synchronized to the HDR timer. PlatePix should follow's HDR timer but currently you can set PlatePix timer differently than HDR timer.
I'm not sure I understand why the user is even given the option to select settings for the PlatePix timer. It should be grayed out, non adjustable and always follow the HDR timer or maybe eliminated from the menu options.

Thank you for your feedback!
Please rest assured, the next firmware update will resolve the issue where the PlatePix watermark appears even when HDR is turned off.
We added a separate timer for PlatePix because some users wanted the flexibility to enable HDR but use PlatePix only during specific time periods.
we understand this can be confusing, and we’ll optimize these settings in upcoming updates including adding clearer voice reminders to help reduce misunderstandings.

 

[jsmith]

Thank you for your feedback!
Please rest assured, the next firmware update will resolve the issue where the PlatePix watermark appears even when HDR is turned off.
We added a separate timer for PlatePix because some users wanted the flexibility to enable HDR but use PlatePix only during specific time periods.
we understand this can be confusing, and we’ll optimize these settings in upcoming updates including adding clearer voice reminders to help reduce misunderstandings.

The whole reason we're given these cameras to test and review! Help companies find bugs so consumers get an optimal product without them!

The best part of reviewing in my opinion!