Thinkware ARC 900 - UHD Front & QHD Rear - Testing/Review - RCG

[rcg530]

Thinkware recently sent me an ARC 900 2-channel dash camera for testing/review purposes - free of charge. The package included a 64 GB Thinkware memory card. I used that memory card for my power consumption tests, but I have since replaced it with a 512 GB memory card to allow for more video file storage.

Thinkware LTE

The ARC 900 is now compatible with the Thinkware LTE module. The USB-C port on the front camera can be used to connect the ARC 900 with a smartphone to access the videos on the memory card or it can be used to connect to the Thinkware LTE module. The "Settings > System Settings > USB-C" setting determines how that USB-C port is to be used for your installation. Unfortunately, the latest ARC 900 user manual documents this setting incorrectly [it appears to be copied from the U3000 Pro manual]. The two valid options for the USB-C setting are "Smartphone Connection" and "LTE Modem".

High Dynamic Range [HDR] Support:

The ARC 900 does have HDR support, but it's only available for continuous [driving] mode recordings and only when the front camera is configured for 4K UHD resolution [not the available 2K QHD resolution setting for the front camera].

CPL Filter:

Currently, there is no front camera CPL filter available for the ARC 900. I found that it would be beneficial to have a CPL filter for the front camera based on how much daytime front windshield glare and reflections are captured by the ARC 900 front camera.

Front Camera Screen:

The ARC 900 front unit has a 3.5" IPS panel touch screen. Most interactions with the ARC 900 [at the front camera unit] require the use of the touch screen. There is a power button on the side of the unit that can be used to turn the ARC 900 on/off and quick presses [while on] will turn the screen on/off.

Continuous [Driving] Recording Mode:

• Using the provided 64 GB memory card, the ARC 900 will start recording within 2-seconds of being powered up
• File Container Type: MP4
• Video Codec: H.264/AVC
• Front Video: 4K UHD 60-second videos @ 30 fps / 31.95 Mbps
• Rear Video: 2K QHD 60-second videos @ 30 fps / 15.98 Mbps

Parking Modes:

• Motion Detection
  • This parking mode will monitor for motion and impact events
  • 20-second 15 fps videos will be created
  • Motion Event
    • Buffered 10 seconds before / 10 seconds after | "motion_rec" directory / "MOT" filename prefix
  • Impact Event
    • Buffered 10 seconds before / 10 seconds after | "parking_rec" directory / "PAK" filename prefix
• Time-Lapse
  • Recording / Monitoring for impact event
    • Recorded @ 2 fps / 10 fps Playback Speed [5 wall clock seconds] / 60 Second Files
    • 300 Seconds [5-minutes] wall clock time | "motion_rec" directory / "TIM" filename prefix
  • Impact Event Video
    • Recorded @ 2 fps / 10 fps Playback Speed [5 wall clock seconds] / 20 Second Files
    • 100 Seconds [1-min, 40 secs] wall clock time | "parking_rec" directory / "PAK" filename prefix
• Energy Saving
  • Goes into a low power consumption state monitoring only for impact events
  • Within 2 seconds of an impact event, 20-second 15 fps unbuffered videos are created | "parking_rec" directory / "PAK" filename prefix
  • For an additional 60-seconds after the unbuffered videos are finished, the dash camera monitors for additional impact events
    • If another impact is detected during this time period, 20-second buffered videos are created [10 seconds before / 10 seconds after]
• Off

Power Consumption Test Results:

I have provided my power consumption test results to Thinkware for their review. After they have completed their review process, I will post those results in this thread.

Here are my unboxing pictures for the ARC 900:

Box Outside / Contents:


4K UHD - Sony STARVIS 2 IMX678 - Front Camera:


QHD - Sony STARVIS 2 IMX675 - Rear Camera:

 

[Onetenner]

I hope your experience with it is better than mine, despite support agreeing to a warranty exchange, that was rescinded - reason unknown and they have not responded to me in over two months.
I have used three Thinkware dashcams previously with only one requiring warranty support (dealt with quickly) frankly, I'm happy to throw the camera and metaphorically, Thinkware in the bin, I've found Vueroid a much better investment.

 

[rcg530]

In @Onetenner's review thread, it was already mentioned that the Thinkware "Dash Cam Link" [DCL] app does not have a "Live View" option for the ARC 900. I also found this to be the case and it's very annoying trying to adjust the rear camera view angle [up/down] when you can't see the rear camera in the DCL app. Most Thinkware dash cameras have the "Live View" feature available, but not their most recent model[?]. I placed a red box in the area from the ARC 900 screenshot from the DCL app where it would have the "Live View" button if the feature was available.

Another Wi-Fi related annoyance, is that you must scan a QR code on the ARC 900 screen every time you want to connect it over Wi-Fi via the DCL app. This makes it necessary to mount the ARC 900 on the windshield in a location that the QR code can be scanned.

Heat related issue:

I drove my vehicle with the ARC 900 [firmware v1.01.03] on my weekly shopping trip route which has four parking mode sessions. Twice during last week's drive and once during this week's drive the ARC 900 made an announcement that it was activating self-protection mode: "Self-protection mode activated due to the high temperature"

I checked the videos from the six other dash cameras to make sure it was the ARC 900 making the announcement. Based on the "voice" making the announcement and that the announcement is very loud only in the ARC 900 audio recording, I believe the ARC 900 is the dash camera making this announcement.

The announcement was made after the ARC 900 had resumed continuous [driving] recording mode for a few minutes after exiting time-lapse parking mode. I expected the ARC 900 to shut itself off or take some other action to protect itself. The ARC 900 did not appear to do anything special/different. The ARC 900 continued to record in continuous [driving] recording mode. No video files were missing/truncated. The vehicle's air conditioning had been on/cooling for over 2-minutes as well as the front door windows were rolled down as I started to drive my vehicle and that's when the announcement was made by the ARC 900.

I have a digital thermometer that shows the min/max/current temperature located just below the front headliner and just behind the center review mirror. I reset the max/min values at the start of each parking mode session.

• The most recent occurrence on Friday
  • After a 40-minute time-lapse parking mode recording session
  • Current Temp At End: 124.7F / 51.5C
  • Max Temp: 124.8F / 51.6C
  • Min: 87.8F / 31.0C
• Outside temp: 78F / 25.5C
• Sun Exposure
  • Sun was shining on the right rear corner of the vehicle
  • The ARC 900 mount still had some sunlight exposure based on the front windshield glass angle
  • The ARC 900 front unit was mostly in the shade expect for the base / mount area

I've submitted this info to Thinkware last week and I followed up with more info from Friday's occurrence. I'm waiting to hear back from Thinkware.

 

[Onetenner]

If I remember correctly, there is a password option rather than using the QR scan - I had the same issue as the screen was obscured by the rear view mirror...
In the time I had it installed, there were no temperature issues - but it was January....
How is the GPS lock? that was the biggest issue for me.

 

[rcg530]

If I remember correctly, there is a password option rather than using the QR scan - I had the same issue as the screen was obscured by the rear view mirror...
In the time I had it installed, there were no temperature issues - but it was January....
How is the GPS lock? that was the biggest issue for me.

You are correct, there is a manual method of connecting to the ARC 900's Wi-Fi. The first time [or before you install it in the vehicle] you need to see the Wi-Fi password that is shown on the screen so you can setup the Wi-Fi connection on your phone.

The ARC 900 has been able to acquire a GPS signal lock within 1-to-2 miles of my home [within the first 5-minutes of being powered on]. That's not the fastest time nor the shortest distance for the dash cameras I've tested, but it's not horrible. I'll get a better idea of the average GPS signal acquisition time as I drive that car more with the ARC 900 installed. Even if the ARC 900 has a GPS signal lock and the vehicle is not moving [0 MPH], the speed portion of the front camera video status line is removed until the vehicle starts moving again.

 

[Thinkware Dash Cam]

In @Onetenner's review thread, it was already mentioned that the Thinkware "Dash Cam Link" [DCL] app does not have a "Live View" option for the ARC 900. I also found this to be the case and it's very annoying trying to adjust the rear camera view angle [up/down] when you can't see the rear camera in the DCL app. Most Thinkware dash cameras have the "Live View" feature available, but not their most recent model[?]. I placed a red box in the area from the ARC 900 screenshot from the DCL app where it would have the "Live View" button if the feature was available.

Another Wi-Fi related annoyance, is that you must scan a QR code on the ARC 900 screen every time you want to connect it over Wi-Fi via the DCL app. This makes it necessary to mount the ARC 900 on the windshield in a location that the QR code can be scanned.

View attachment 91613

Heat related issue:

I drove my vehicle with the ARC 900 [firmware v1.01.03] on my weekly shopping trip route which has four parking mode sessions. Twice during last week's drive and once during this week's drive the ARC 900 made an announcement that it was activating self-protection mode: "Self-protection mode activated due to the high temperature"

I checked the videos from the six other dash cameras to make sure it was the ARC 900 making the announcement. Based on the "voice" making the announcement and that the announcement is very loud only in the ARC 900 audio recording, I believe the ARC 900 is the dash camera making this announcement.

The announcement was made after the ARC 900 had resumed continuous [driving] recording mode for a few minutes after exiting time-lapse parking mode. I expected the ARC 900 to shut itself off or take some other action to protect itself. The ARC 900 did not appear to do anything special/different. The ARC 900 continued to record in continuous [driving] recording mode. No video files were missing/truncated. The vehicle's air conditioning had been on/cooling for over 2-minutes as well as the front door windows were rolled down as I started to drive my vehicle and that's when the announcement was made by the ARC 900.

I have a digital thermometer that shows the min/max/current temperature located just below the front headliner and just behind the center review mirror. I reset the max/min values at the start of each parking mode session.

• The most recent occurrence on Friday
  • After a 40-minute time-lapse parking mode recording session
  • Current Temp At End: 124.7F / 51.5C
  • Max Temp: 124.8F / 51.6C
  • Min: 87.8F / 31.0C
• Outside temp: 78F / 25.5C
• Sun Exposure
  • Sun was shining on the right rear corner of the vehicle
  • The ARC 900 mount still had some sunlight exposure based on the front windshield glass angle
  • The ARC 900 front unit was mostly in the shade expect for the base / mount area

I've submitted this info to Thinkware last week and I followed up with more info from Friday's occurrence. I'm waiting to hear back from Thinkware.

Hi @rcg530

Thinkware Dash Cams with LCD screen don't support live view using the app, as you can use their LCD screen for adjusting the field of view of the dash cam for both front and rear.

Here's how to use its screen as live view for installation

 

[rcg530]

Hi @rcg530

Thinkware Dash Cams with LCD screen don't support live view using the app, as you can use their LCD screen for adjusting the field of view of the dash cam for both front and rear.

Here's how to use its screen as live view for installation

I understand the front camera screen can be used for adjusting the aim of the front and rear cameras [which is true for any make/model dash camera with a screen], it's just not as convenient as being able to see the live view in the Dash Cam Link app like you can for other Thinkware models when adjusting the rear camera. Since the camera aiming process is a one-time thing, the fact that you can't see the live view of the cameras in the Dash Cam Link app is only a minor inconvenience.

 

[rcg530]

Here are daytime frame grabs from the ARC 900 HDR [front No CPL] and a VIOFO A329S HDR [front CPL]. It would benefit the ARC 900 [in my vehicle] to have a CPL filter available for the ARC 900 front camera lens.

It appears the ARC 900 front camera lens is a bit out of focus. This is 10-minutes into a drive so the dash cameras have not been exposed to a lot of heat [yet].

The ARC 900 QHD rear camera lens seems to be slightly out of focus as well.

 

[rcg530]

Heat related issue:

I drove my vehicle with the ARC 900 [firmware v1.01.03] on my weekly shopping trip route which has four parking mode sessions. Twice during last week's drive and once during this week's drive the ARC 900 made an announcement that it was activating self-protection mode: "Self-protection mode activated due to the high temperature"

I checked the videos from the six other dash cameras to make sure it was the ARC 900 making the announcement. Based on the "voice" making the announcement and that the announcement is very loud only in the ARC 900 audio recording, I believe the ARC 900 is the dash camera making this announcement.

The announcement was made after the ARC 900 had resumed continuous [driving] recording mode for a few minutes after exiting time-lapse parking mode. I expected the ARC 900 to shut itself off or take some other action to protect itself. The ARC 900 did not appear to do anything special/different. The ARC 900 continued to record in continuous [driving] recording mode. No video files were missing/truncated. The vehicle's air conditioning had been on/cooling for over 2-minutes as well as the front door windows were rolled down as I started to drive my vehicle and that's when the announcement was made by the ARC 900.

I've been driving with the ARC 900 in my vehicle over the past couple of months. The weather has been warming up as well. The "Self-protection mode activated" message I mentioned in a previous post has continued.

When the ARC 900 "temperature" reaches certain levels, the ARC 900 will attempt to protect itself.

• Step 1 / Temp threshold 1: LCD and speaker turn off while recording continues. It announces the "Self-protection mode activated" message
• Step 2 / Temp threshold 2: The unit powers off to protect itself.

I have not been given a clear definition of the temperature threshold values for each step, so I have left them out of this post. They do not look like SoC temperatures, but more like internal dash camera temperatures. I'll provide more info if I get additional info.

The Step 1 announcement is a bit confusing. Thinkware has agreed to change the step 1 announcement to make it more clear what is actually taking place. They will also document this behavior in an upcoming revision to the ARC 900 user manual.

 

[rcg530]

Here are two nighttime plate capture attempts with four 4K UHD cameras.

• Thinkware ARC 900 2CH HDR No CPL
• VIOFO A329S 3CH HDR No CPL
• Thinkware U3000 Pro 2CH HDR CPL [attached with adhesive]
• BlackVue Elite 9 2CH HDR No CPL

The first plate capture is with both vehicles stationary.

The second plate capture attempt is with the same two vehicles on a freeway on ramp. The speed difference is about 5 MPH.