Vantrue E1 Pro for testing.

[bhb]

I received the new E1 Pro dashcam from Vantrue for testing. Thanks to Jeff and the team at Vantrue.

Vantrue has expanded the Element 1 series with the new E1 Pro which records in 4K resolution.

- 1 channel front camera with Sony Starvis IMX678 CMOS sensor, maximum resolution 3840x2160P (4K), 30 frames per second
- small: with GPS module maximum 85x50x40mm (HxDxW)
- Platepix technology, for clear license plate recordings
- optional LTE module for connectivity with the dashcam wherever you want
- microSD card storage up to 1TB- voice control- built-in super capacitor

The box and packaging materials are, as always with Vantrue, excellent. This time there is also a paper manual included. Among other things, there are two static stickers that are useful to try first to determine the final position of the dashcam on the windshield.

 

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The camera itself feels solid. The power cable for connecting to the cigarette lighter is long enough for installation in a normal size passenger car. The CPL filter is in a plastic bag, I would have preferred to see it in a plastic box. Unfortunately, the manual does not mention how to attach the CPL filter to the camera and that it should be optimally adjusted. In any case, it can be easily screwed on. To adjust the CPL filter, the outer ring must be turned relative to the inner ring. There are two notches on the outer edge of the filter. After mounting the CPL filter, I positioned the car against the sun so that the reflections from the dashboard were clearly visible in the image of the dashcam (on the display or via live view on the app). Then it is a matter of turning the outer ring until the reflections are no longer visible. In my case, with the correct adjustment, the two notches in the outer ring of the CPL filter were horizontal to each other.

The Vantrue App can be easily and quickly connected to the dashcam (via Wifi 2.4 Ghz or 5 Ghz) and is the same one I use for the E360. I can easily switch between the different cameras. The settings can be easily and quickly set via the App, there is a live view and the recordings can be viewed with the option of transferring them to the smartphone.

The menus on the dashcam are clear and easy to operate using the push buttons at the bottom. The dashcam can be manually put into parking mode with the middle push button, a clever idea. The bottom line of the display shows the functions of the push buttons. Of course, there are many setting options in the menus.

Firmware updates are done wireless via the App using OTA (Over the air) or via the microSD card. The firmware that came with the camera is the first firmware version: E1PRO_VT-EEA071.

 

[bhb]

The manual is easy to read and contains most of the information. For anyone who misses some descriptions when comparing the options to be set on the received dashcam with the first firmware, I found a number of descriptions of options that are in the menus of the dashcam but are not mentioned in the manual (both the paper and the digital version).

- A Shield symbol with an S in it can appear in the display. This is not on the photo "Screen Overview" on page 4 of the manual. This symbol means that Privacy Mode is on.
- On page 5: description at no. 4 "v button": it does not mention that during video recording and standby, long press also quickly exits parking mode

- In Record Setup menu, there is an option Platepix timer, options Off (default) and On. When selecting On, a submenu follows to select times when the platepix function should be active. Not mentioned on page 17 of the manual.
- In Record Setup menu, there is an option Privacy Mode with option On and Off. Selecting On will prompt "Format SD card - All data will be deleted" with the option to cancel or continue. Not mentioned on page 17 of the manual. @Jeff_Vantrue: please let us know what the description is for this mode.
EDIT: Jeff from Vantrue replied as followed: The E1 Pro's privacy mode ensures that only the first two clips and the current recording are saved, totaling three video files in the normal folder. All other videos will be overwritten. However, rest assured that videos in the event folder will not be overwritten.
- In Record Setup menu, there is an option Audio Noise Reduction, options On (default) and Off. Not mentioned on page 17 of the manual.

- In System Setup menu, option Wi-fi, suboption Wi-fi Auto On, there is a third option: Turn off wifi after 10 minutes. Not mentioned on page 19 of the manual.
- In System Setup menu, option Wi-fi, there is an option Wi-fi mode, with option 2.4 or 5 GHz. Not mentioned on page 19 of the manual.

Of course no major shortcomings but I was reading the manual anyway.

 

[bhb]

A comparison off Platepix On and Off.

HDR On
EV -0,3
CPL On

 

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Another comparison daytime Platepix On and Off.

HDR On
EV -0,3
CPL On

 

[bhb]

It looks like the E1 Pro has a to dark image problem. I've compared it with the E360. It seems I'm not the only one noticing this. @Jeff_Vantrue

 

[bhb]

The next videos are with the E1 Pro and the Vantrue E360. Note that the E1 Pro has a IMX678 8MP sensor and the E360 has a IMX675 5MP sensor.
All recordings of the E1 Pro were made with EV -0,3 and CPL On with daytime HDR off and nighttime HDR on. The E360 used EV -0,3 with no CPL (E360 does not have a CPL filter) with daytime HDR off and nighttime HDR on.
Drive record resolution in the videos of the E1 Pro are all 3840x2160P 30fps. Please look at the title of the video if Platepixel was on or off.
Drive record resolutions in the videos from the E360 vary, however at a maximum of 2592x1944 with 30fps or 60fps. Please look at the title of the video which resolution and frames per second were used .

 

[Karagandinez]

It looks like the E1 Pro has a to dark image problem. I've compared it with the E360

To see the difference between these two models, you need to set EV to 0.0 on both and remove the CPL filter from the E1 Pro.

 

[bhb]

To see the difference between these two models, you need to set EV to 0.0 on both and remove the CPL filter from the E1 Pro.

Good idea, I did not think about that. I am going to make drive recordings with these settings. Too bad the E360 has no CPL filter.

 

[bhb]

Also comparison E1 Pro and E360 when in parking mode during daytime. Please look at the title of the video which resolution, frames per second and settings were used.

 

[Karagandinez]

Good idea, I did not think about that. I am going to make drive recordings with these settings.

With the same settings, the image from the E1 Pro does not seem very dark...

Post in thread 'Vantrue E1 Pro / 4K / Novatek NT98528 + SONY STARVIS 2 IMX678 / HDR / Wi-Fi / GPS / PlatePix™ / Voice Control / Support LTE / Video and Screenshots'

Feb 26, 2025

A couple of screenshots from A229 Pro, E1 Pro and A329_Day.







The settings are the same on all models:
3840x2160
EV=0,0
CPL=on

• Karagandinez

• 

 

[bhb]

With the same settings, the image from the E1 Pro does not seem very dark...

Indeed, your screenshots do not seem very dark. When comparing with the screenshots from my post no.6, I notice that my screenshots are taken while the sun was more bright than in your screenshots. Below is the video clip from which I took the screenshot. Next time when testing I set EV on 0,0 and also the horizon a little lower. I hope I then can get similar changing sun brightness conditions. Also may I ask which firmware was used in your pictures?

 

[Karagandinez]

Also may I ask which firmware was used in your pictures?

Daytime screenshots were taken from a video shot on firmware: VT-EEA071
Nighttime screenshots were taken from a video shot on firmware: VT-EEB211

 

[Jeff_Vantrue]

- In Record Setup menu, there is an option Privacy Mode with option On and Off. Selecting On will prompt "Format SD card - All data will be deleted" with the option to cancel or continue. Not mentioned on page 17 of the manual. @Jeff_Vantrue: please let us know what the description is for this mode.

The E1 Pro's privacy mode ensures that only the first two clips and the current recording are saved, totaling three video files in the normal folder. All other videos will be overwritten. However, rest assured that videos in the event folder will not be overwritten.

 

[bhb]

The E1 Pro's privacy mode ensures that only the first two clips and the current recording are saved, totaling three video files in the normal folder. All other videos will be overwritten. However, rest assured that videos in the event folder will not be overwritten.

Thank you Jeff, I add it in my description on post #3.

 

[bhb]

I am getting more good results:

License plate against the sun:
HDR Off - Platepix On - EV 0,0 - CPL On:

License plate from an angel:
HDR Off - Platepix Off - EV -0,3 - CPL On:

 

[bhb]

HDR Off - Platepix Off - EV -0,3 - CPL On:

 

[bhb]

Comparison at night, Platepix on and Platepix off. Please note that my car has a heated windshield, which is why the images show glare from lights.
EV=0,0
CPL=On
HDR=On

 

[bhb]

To see the difference between these two models, you need to set EV to 0.0 on both and remove the CPL filter from the E1 Pro.

Good idea, I did not think about that. I am going to make drive recordings with these settings. Too bad the E360 has no CPL filter.

These are the results, E1 Pro 30fps No CPL, EV=0,0 HDR=Off Platepix=Off and E360 30fps No CPL, EV=0,0 HDR=Off.

 

[bhb]

Another comparison off Platepix On and Off, but unlike in post #4 EV is now 0,0 and driving speed is around 22 km/h. And now the winner is Platepix Off.

HDR On
EV 0,0
CPL On