Vantrue E1 Pro Starvis 2 IMX678 PlatePix & HDR / The best 4k single channel camera in 2025?

[Julian23]

The release of the E1 Pro seems to be just around the corner, and some exciting new details have surfaced.

The dashcam will feature the STARVIS 2 IMX678 sensor, though it’s still unclear whether it will support 4K at 60fps.
It comes equipped with PlatePix functionality and HDR, aimed at improving license plate capture.
As with other recent Vantrue models, the E1 Pro will include voice control.
File transfers will be faster thanks to 5GHz Wi-Fi, and the device will support SD cards of up to 1TB capacity.
Additionally, the E1 Pro will be compatible with the LT01 and the E series CPL filter to reduce reflections.
It also offers a wide field of view at 158°.

To my knowledge, it should be the smallest IMX678 dashcam yet. It seems like the E1 Pro will bring some nice improvements. Now we just have to wait for the official release.

 

[TonyM]

I like the look of that. A small, dedicated 1CH 4K STARVIS 2 camera, with a discreet screen.

After years of testing small Mobius 4K cameras that could never quite compete on hardware or features, it's good to see another dashcam manufacturer with a compact 4K camera option.

I'd like to see how it compares to wedge cameras like the A229 Pro. Perhaps Viofo will make a 4K version of the A119 Mini?

 

[Nigel]

Perhaps Viofo will make a 4K version of the A119 Mini?

Viofo VS1 is smaller than either... and doesn't have a big lens sticking out like shown above...

Might have difficulty fitting the bigger 4K sensor and lens in though?

 

[mentadent]

Looks like it has a quick release magnetic mount which would be useful for people who like to hide their dashcam when parking in the ghetto.

 

[Julian23]

I'd like to see how it compares to wedge cameras like the A229 Pro. Perhaps Viofo will make a 4K version of the A119 Mini?

I guess we have to wait and see until it is released.
It will be interesting how the image will compare to the A329. Especially with PlatePix and HDR.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

It will be interesting how the image will compare to the A329. Especially with PlatePix and HDR.

Keep in mind the 40mm Vantrue CPL Filter has an irritating design flaw for night time footage.

Post in thread 'Halo on night videos'

Jan 27, 2023

I have the CPL filter on the E1 but at night usually when I'm close to a car with their tail lights on I get these halos around the video. I rotated the CPL filter to different spots but it doesn't seem to do much. Anyone else get this?

It's not your car's windshield. It's the design of the Vantrue 40mm CPL filter. At night when a "bright" light source is aimed towards the camera having the CPL filter on will cause that "ring of light". I've reported this to Vantrue, but so far their only suggestion is to remove the CPL filter at night.

During the day, I don't see this ring of...

• rcg530

• 

 

[TonyM]

Viofo VS1 is smaller than either... and doesn't have a big lens sticking out like shown above...

Agreed, the E1 could be more discreet without that circular feature around the lens.

 

[TonyM]

Keep in mind the 40mm Vantrue CPL Filter has an irritating design flaw for night time footage.

Post in thread 'Halo on night videos'

Jan 27, 2023

I have the CPL filter on the E1 but at night usually when I'm close to a car with their tail lights on I get these halos around the video. I rotated the CPL filter to different spots but it doesn't seem to do much. Anyone else get this?

It's not your car's windshield. It's the design of the Vantrue 40mm CPL filter. At night when a "bright" light source is aimed towards the camera having the CPL filter on will cause that "ring of light". I've reported this to Vantrue, but so far their only suggestion is to remove the CPL filter at night.

During the day, I don't see this ring of...

• rcg530

• 

I was looking at the size of the E1 and noticed it's square and about the same as a GoPro Session. I suspect GoPro don't let third parties use their mount system for square filters?

 

[Chuck McCoy]

And I hope they fixed the rattling mount, and buttons.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

Agreed, the E1 could be more discreet without that circular feature around the lens. It does look lie a camera though.

Back in September 2022 this is what I said about the E1;

Post in thread 'Vantrue E1 Test & Review PP'

Sep 29, 2022

I originally requested an E1 sample for test & review because on paper the E1 seemed to be a very close competitor to the Viofo A119 Mini based on hardware, and specifications. After comparing both cameras side by side for a few weeks, the E1 feels like a design exercise in “fashion over function”. It’s like the designers wanted to make the cutest “dash cam looking” dash cam, and all functionality took a back seat. In its current form the E1 is one, or two generations behind being a legitimate functional device, and a worthy competitor to the Viofo A119 Mini. I am by no means a...

• Chuck McCoy

• 

 

[Augustus]

I guess we have to wait and see until it is released.
It will be interesting how the image will compare to the A329. Especially with PlatePix and HDR.

Nexus 4 Pro with HDR should be the same results I'm guessing haha

 

[Augustus]

The release of the E1 Pro seems to be just around the corner, and some exciting new details have surfaced.

The dashcam will feature the STARVIS 2 IMX678 sensor, though it’s still unclear whether it will support 4K at 60fps.
It comes equipped with PlatePix functionality and HDR, aimed at improving license plate capture.
As with other recent Vantrue models, the E1 Pro will include voice control.
File transfers will be faster thanks to 5GHz Wi-Fi, and the device will support SD cards of up to 1TB capacity.
Additionally, the E1 Pro will be compatible with the LT01 and the E series CPL filter to reduce reflections.
It also offers a wide field of view at 158°.

To my knowledge, it should be the smallest IMX678 dashcam yet. It seems like the E1 Pro will bring some nice improvements. Now we just have to wait for the official release.

View attachment 77114View attachment 77115

View attachment 77116View attachment 77118

Very nice, I have a thing for cute little cameras like this.

Somehow I doubt that it will do 4K60, the E360 still boots up slow and the E1 Pro has been in the product development pipeline for a while. If it is the same development timeline as the E360 then no way it will have the Novatek NT98530 which is needed for 4k60 (i.e. it's in the Vueroid S1 4K Infinite, Viofo A329, 70mai Omni 4K)....

 

[EricSan]

I’m expecting to receive an E1 Pro from Vantrue shortly. I’m curious to see how it performs…

 

[michael007]

Very nice, I have a thing for cute little cameras like this.

Somehow I doubt that it will do 4K60

I was one of the lucky members to receive a review unit.

The best resolution is 3840X2160P 30FPS. I’ll upload a sample to YouTube shortly and have a full review in the next few days.

I’ve honestly been struggling a bit with motivation lately and playing with this brought back a fun spark just because of how cute it is.

It fits so perfectly beside my rear view mirror that it almost seems like OEM.

Thanks for sharing that comment haha it made my day

 

[michael007]

Sample footage (make sure to change resolution):

Will upload some more once I get some proper testing done

Please feel free to ask any questions if you might have any

 

[Julian23]

Sample footage (make sure to change resolution):

Will upload some more once I get some proper testing done

Please feel free to ask any questions if you might have any

It seems like there are some jumps in the video.
Would you be able to confirm if this is also present in the original file from the camera?

The image at day looks good. Night videos would be interesting.

Did I see correctly that there is no CPL attached?

 

[michael007]

It seems like there are some jumps in the video.
Would you be able to confirm if this is also present in the original file from the camera?

The image at day looks good. Night videos would be interesting.

Did I see correctly that there is no CPL attached?

CPL is sold separately so you saw correct

The jumps remain in the original file and they’re seen in the latest uploads. There’s a firmware update so will see if it makes a difference.

So far, the excitement continues as the night drive made up for these downfalls. It seems to have the ability to easily read license plates from a distance in low light or blurry environments.

I know this is something we all desire so I’m thoroughly impressed.

All I did was zoom in using the iPhone’s video player. Even my dad could do it..

The Platepix feature is off as this is just playing around with the standard settings.

I noticed it picked up a readable plate when parked and there was almost no light around. This will be helpful in parking mode and shows how the IMX678 sensor can stand out if the software is good. I’ve seen some posts on here saying other brands have issues with white balance.

Please excuse the dirty windshield - figured it makes the test environment more authentic..

Screenshot:

Zoomed in:

Screenshot:

Zoomed in:

Sample night footage in medium light (ensure 4k is selected):

Sample night footage in low light or total darkness:

 

[Augustus]

CPL is sold separately so you saw correct

The jumps remain in the original file and they’re seen in the latest uploads. There’s a firmware update so will see if it makes a difference.

So far, the excitement continues as the night drive made up for these downfalls. It seems to have the ability to easily read license plates from a distance in low light or blurry environments.

I know this is something we all desire so I’m thoroughly impressed.

All I did was zoom in using the iPhone’s video player. Even my dad could do it..

The Platepix feature is off as this is just playing around with the standard settings.

I noticed it picked up a readable plate when parked and there was almost no light around. This will be helpful in parking mode and shows how the IMX678 sensor can stand out if the software is good. I’ve seen some posts on here saying other brands have issues with white balance.

Please excuse the dirty windshield - figured it makes the test environment more authentic..

Original:
View attachment 77238

Zoomed in:
View attachment 77239

Original of the BMW behind it:
View attachment 77240

Zoomed in:
View attachment 77242


Sample night footage in medium light (ensure 4k is selected):

Sample night footage in low light or total darkness:

Hopefully the firmware update helps things because the jumps shouldn't be happening at all, with any dashcam, it's a big no no.

Starvis 2 should pick up those plates pretty easily so good to see it's covering the basics well like it should be. PlatePix should help a bit in making these plates clearer, but in my initial assistance in fine tuning this last year for Vantrue, it's more a contrast thing from the outset. It does help but not miles better.

If they can fix the dropped / duplicated frames, then they're onto another solid offering.

 

[EricSan]

The PlatePix feature/algorithm seems to work well in the zoomed in view! I’m most interested to see this myself. Other images and video look great so far. I’m also fond of the small footprint of the camera itself, seems to fit right next to your mirror without being too obtrusive.

 

[michael007]

The PlatePix feature/algorithm seems to work well in the zoomed in view! I’m most interested to see this myself. Other images and video look great so far. I’m also fond of the small footprint of the camera itself, seems to fit right next to your mirror without being too obtrusive.

PlatePix was turned off so no algorithm. There’s some compression when taking a screenshot on my phone which is why the non-zoomed in photos don’t look as good.

-Original files were transferred to my iPhone directly from the SD using an adapter
-Default video player opened it
-Video was paused when noticing the plate was a far distance and a screenshot was taken
-The paused video would be zoomed in (not the screenshot)