Sony STARVIS 3 is upon us.....

Augustus

Augustus

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I recall a year or so back, I predicted that Starvis 3 would be due soon and here it is.

A rundown article here explains the new changes coming to Starvis 3: https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/...ts-about-to-revolutionize-the-dash-cam-market

While they mention the IMX908, the 9-series has never come to dashcams before. Hopefully we will see the 6-series of IMX sensors announced fairly soon.

Exciting times as Starvis 2 was already a very solid sensor (though there have been some doozies in execution from some brands), but I'm very much looking forward to having hands-on in the nearish future.
 
The IMX908 sounds like a good option for dashcams, offering 4K resolution on a 1/2.8" sensor. If the marketing blurb is accurate, it appears the new LOFIC technology has the potential with Clear HDR3 to provide the same dynamic range we see in current STARVIS 2 cameras with 2-frame HDR, but from just a single exposure thereby eliminating the blur or ghosting we see in current HDR applications.

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The product is equipped with Clear HDR3 technology, which generates a 4K high-dynamic-range (HDR) image by instantaneously synthesizing multiple frames within the sensor in real time. This removes the need for complex external synthesizing processes while enabling low-latency and high-precision HDR image output. Furthermore, it features a new design circuit that achieves 30 fps for single-shot-exposure HDR imaging. This makes it possible to achieve both a high dynamic range of up to 96 dB and fast image output. Its ability to achieve smooth and natural imaging, even with a target in motion or in a dynamic scene, is ideal for the highly accurate, instantaneous recognition required in applications such as security cameras and dashcams.

https://www.sony-semicon.com/en/products/is/security/security/IMX908.html
 
Augustus said:
I recall a year or so back, I predicted that Starvis 3 would be due soon and here it is.

A rundown article here explains the new changes coming to Starvis 3: https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/...ts-about-to-revolutionize-the-dash-cam-market

While they mention the IMX908, the 9-series has never come to dashcams before. Hopefully we will see the 6-series of IMX sensors announced fairly soon.

Exciting times as Starvis 2 was already a very solid sensor (though there have been some doozies in execution from some brands), but I'm very much looking forward to having hands-on in the nearish future.
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Excellent news, Augustus. I knew Sony was working on this beast, but I had not kept up with it. Glad to see you post about this, good article.

Cheers
 
lufa6977 said:
Excellent news, Augustus. I knew Sony was working on this beast, but I had not kept up with it. Glad to see you post about this, good article.

Cheers
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Also excellent news because I feel like manufacturers have hit the ceiling as to what they can achieve with Starvis 2.

I mean we got the new chipset from novatek that gave us 4k60, WiFi 6, and ability to run 4k at the rear as well as the front. But as for the core video quality and optimization, the needle wasn't moving.

Hopefully we will see dashcams later this year that will move the needle yet again 🙂
 
Single exposure sounds like a game-changer, and probably save power/heat compared with the extra processing currently.
 
mentadent said:
Single exposure sounds like a game-changer, and probably save power/heat compared with the extra processing currently.
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Hope so, maybe not the leap that Starvis 2 was - but I'll take any improvements, especially with processing efficiency / heat / accompanying chipset etc
 
Well this is exciting news! I hope Blackvue doesn't drag its feet on this sensor like they did Starvis 2. Can't wait to see the improvements, it seems like progress has been slow with dashcam video quality progression even though (IMO) there is a huge market for it.
 
Triggerfish said:
Well this is exciting news! I hope Blackvue doesn't drag its feet on this sensor like they did Starvis 2. Can't wait to see the improvements, it seems like progress has been slow with dashcam video quality progression even though (IMO) there is a huge market for it.
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The quality is actually there with STARVIS 2, and STARVIS 3 will improve on that. However, design factors such as multiple channels, camera body size, wide-angle lens, max bit rates, heat, and the controller used all lead to increases in any of those factors that put the dashcam out of financial reach for most customers.

The demanding customer base wants it all, but is unwilling to pay more or go to a larger body style for better cooling. Still, even with a bit rate of 90 Mb/s, there still remain environmental conditions where the dashcam simply will not give the superior image that this demanding public wants.
 
Heat management would be my concern. Presumably, more processing power generates more heat.
 
lufa6977 said:
The quality is actually there with STARVIS 2, and STARVIS 3 will improve on that. However, design factors such as multiple channels, camera body size, wide-angle lens, max bit rates, heat, and the controller used all lead to increases in any of those factors that put the dashcam out of financial reach for most customers.

The demanding customer base wants it all, but is unwilling to pay more or go to a larger body style for better cooling. Still, even with a bit rate of 90 Mb/s, there still remain environmental conditions where the dashcam simply will not give the superior image that this demanding public wants.
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I should probably clarify, I feel that the Starvis 2 adaptation WAS slow overall, but especially with Blackvue. No doubt it's well represented now.
 
I would be happy with a single channel Starvis 3 camera available in wide angle, and telephoto. I don't want cellular connectivity, and I don't need WIFI capability. uSD, and/or USB storage would be sufficient.
 
I've got my fingers crossed for this one. Starvis 2 ClearHDR didn't really pan out due to noise issues, and I'm hopeful that the overflow capacitor with Starvis 3 allows us to effectively achieve HDR results without the dual exposure ghosting of DOL HDR.
 
mentadent said:
Shame no on-chip AI
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Surprised there was no mention of AI at all , but that makes it refreshing. Tired of hearing AI and everyone dropping their pants at the slightest mention of the term. It's permeated to even the most rubbish low end components, but if you throw the word into it, it's instantly made better.
 
Augustus said:
Surprised there was no mention of AI at all , but that makes it refreshing. Tired of hearing AI and everyone dropping their pants at the slightest mention of the term. It's permeated to even the most rubbish low end components, but if you throw the word into it, it's instantly made better.
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Vueroid has used AI to help with plate recognition, but I believe their tech relies on post processing software? AI is definitely the latest buzzword.
 
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