Smallest Ambarella Car DVR a.k.a. Mini 0801

[vitali_vg]

Re: Smallest Ambarella Car DVR

I've read the Procam announcement that they will be creating new firmware version soon, including improvement of video quality.
It will be interesting if this will be applicable to this dvr...

And thanks for the review! Looks like right now DVR is shifting to red and not as sharp as I would like it to be

 

[miji2]

Re: Smallest Ambarella Car DVR

Unless they can do some magic with focus, I don't think a firmware upgrade can help this puppy much. As in, I hope they don't do software sharpening to compensate for bad optics. I also hope others convince me that this is not a hw issues ... but so far it seems a mis-aligned or mis-matched lens is the biggest problem. That being said, firmware update would solve the second biggest issue with the power-off, as well as third-priority quirks (colour being so so, weak contrast, and funky exposure control) so I would definitely welcome it.

 

[ciuvak]

Re: Smallest Ambarella Car DVR

So here's my quick review.

When did you order and what seller?
Sharpness could be fixed with a bit of surgery and manual adjusting like on other dvrs. But, if the lens are crap, then no adjustment is going to help. Have you tried the parking mode on this camera?

 

[miji2]

Re: Smallest Ambarella Car DVR

When did you order and what seller?

Same as in OP. Ordered about 3 weeks ago.

Have you tried the parking mode on this camera?

Parking mode? I see no mention of that anywhere. Please enlighten me.

 

[sudo]

Re: Smallest Ambarella Car DVR

When did you order and what seller?

Same as in OP. Ordered about 3 weeks ago.

Have you tried the parking mode on this camera?

Parking mode? I see no mention of that anywhere. Please enlighten me.

It says "motion detect" in the first posts link... same as parking mode?

 

[ciuvak]

Re: Smallest Ambarella Car DVR

Parking mode? I see no mention of that anywhere. Please enlighten me.

Well, it's got motion detection, so my guess is if it's hardwired or plugged into an "always on" plug, it should record automatically when it detects motion. I a newbie when it comes to these cameras, this will be my first one, so I can't tell you any more useful info. Maybe someone else can explain how it works.
Also can someone explain why the manufacturer says to not have the motion detect ON, when the car is moving? Does that mean that the user has to turn the feature ON/OFF everytime they park the car? Can someone please explain how to properly use the motion detect feature on these Chinese cams?

 

[miji2]

Re: Smallest Ambarella Car DVR

Well, it's got motion detection, so my guess is if it's hardwired or plugged into an "always on" plug, it should record automatically when it detects motion. I a newbie when it comes to these cameras, this will be my first one, so I can't tell you any more useful info. Maybe someone else can explain how it works.
Also can someone explain why the manufacturer says to not have the motion detect ON, when the car is moving? Does that mean that the user has to turn the feature ON/OFF everytime they park the car? Can someone please explain how to properly use the motion detect feature on these Chinese cams?

Oh, I see what you mean now. Parking mode, as in "to be used _while_ parked" and not "to be used _to_ park" as I understood it.
I have not tried motion detection yet, but that's what I was going to use to stop this thing from recording empty walls since the dvr does not want to power off currently.

 

[ciuvak]

Re: Smallest Ambarella Car DVR

Oh, I see what you mean now. Parking mode, as in "to be used _while_ parked" and not "to be used _to_ park" as I understood it.
I have not tried motion detection yet, but that's what I was going to use to stop this thing from recording empty walls since the dvr does not want to power off currently.

Yeah, so from what I've read on other models, when the car is parked the cam goes into standby and only records when there is motion in front of it, but also the g sensor is supposed to be able to sense any bumps towards the car and start recording when that happens.
I'm not sure how well implemented are all these features in this model. Did you get a user manual?
I read the russian manual for Procam CX4, there isn't any information on the motion detection or g sensor. The only sentence there is, just says: Motion Sensor: ON/OFF (Do not use while driving).
Can someone explain this?
Edit: Actually there is a blurb about the g-sensor: Impact sensor is used to record heavy braking or impact.

 

[miji2]

Re: Smallest Ambarella Car DVR

Did you get a user manual?

Scanned it for you. Attached. Sorry about the 90 degree rotation.

 

[V8Rocks]

Re: Smallest Ambarella Car DVR

Based on first feedback on aliexpress, I found this interesting:
"Works well. Default language on DVR is Russian"

I am going to pick up mine from post office in an hour.

BTW, aliexpress have it for $110+ available again (original link posted)

 

[sudo]

Re: Smallest Ambarella Car DVR

Based on first feedback on aliexpress, I found this interesting:
"Works well. Default language on DVR is Russian"

I am going to pick up mine from post office in an hour.

Please post your experience when you get to know it

 

[ciuvak]

Re: Smallest Ambarella Car DVR

So is there a difference between first and second sellers? Are they re-selling the same product?

 

[V8Rocks]

Re: Smallest Ambarella Car DVR

Based on first feedback on aliexpress, I found this interesting:
"Works well. Default language on DVR is Russian"

I am going to pick up mine from post office in an hour.

Please post your experience when you get to know it

Looks like GPS sensor is not functional, but video quality is very decent indoor and outdoor. Video is sharp and in focus... It records .Mov H.264 files as advertised.

There is a tiny "darker" area in left lower corner -possibly result of spec of dust, but it is not something to worry about as it is almost imperceptible.

 

[vitali_vg]

Re: Smallest Ambarella Car DVR

I have not tried motion detection yet, but that's what I was going to use to stop this thing from recording empty walls since the dvr does not want to power off currently.

On Procam site I found they are saying the motion detection must be off, otherwise it will continue working untill the battery last

 

[miji2]

Re: Smallest Ambarella Car DVR

Looks like GPS sensor is not functional, but video quality is very decent indoor and outdoor. Video is sharp and in focus... It records .Mov H.264 files as advertised.

Does your unit shut down automatically?

 

[V8Rocks]

Re: Smallest Ambarella Car DVR

Looks like GPS sensor is not functional, but video quality is very decent indoor and outdoor. Video is sharp and in focus... It records .Mov H.264 files as advertised.

Does your unit shut down automatically?

Yes, it shuts down in about 10 secs after power is disconnected. Motion Sensor = Off. It also powers off if left idle in play mode in about a minute.

 

[miji2]

Re: Smallest Ambarella Car DVR

Yes, it shuts down in about 10 secs after power is disconnected. Motion Sensor = Off

That's good to hear. What's the firmware version?

 

[V8Rocks]

Re: Smallest Ambarella Car DVR

Yes, it shuts down in about 10 secs after power is disconnected. Motion Sensor = Off

That's good to hear. What's the firmware version?

20130110

 

[V8Rocks]

Re: Smallest Ambarella Car DVR

Any one knows what GPS setting means: Open/Close?

 

[V8Rocks]

Re: Smallest Ambarella Car DVR

sample snapshots Smallest 1080p vs. Smallest 720P