Vantrue N5S - 4x STARVIS 2 - 4 Channel dashcam - Unboxing & First Impressions Europe

[Julian23]

I was recently sent Vantrue’s new Nexus 5S (N5 S) 4-channel dashcam to check out.

Specs:

• 4-channel Recording
• 4x STARVIS 2 Image Sensor
• Compatible with LTE Module (LT01)
• 5GHz WiFi
• Smart Voice Control
• 24/7 Parking Mode
• Built-in Dual-Sys. GPS Logger
• 1TB microSD Card support

Recording Resolutions:

• Front Facing Camera: Sony Starvis 2 IMX675 WDR, 2592x1944P 30fps - 158°
• Front Cabin Camera: Sony Starvis 2 IMX662 WDR, 1920x1080P 30fps (with Automatic IR LEDs) - 160°
• Rear Cabin Camera: Sony Starvis 2 IMS662 HDR, 1920x1080P 30fps (with Automatic IR LEDs) - 160°
• Rear Facing Camera: Sony Starvis 2 IMX675 HDR, 2592x1440PP 30fps - 165°

Given these specs, I expect the N5S to be a smaller evolution over the N5 that has been around for some time. The rear camera does get a new sensor and 1440p instead of 1080p. It now also supports cloud features.
The N5S supports microSD cards up to 1 TB and is also compatible with Vantrue’s optional LTE module, LT01, for cloud features (live view, alerts, etc.).
Like other Vantrue cams, the Nexus 5S uses a supercapacitor (not a battery), so it can safely survive heat and provides a few seconds of runtime after power is cut. Similar units like the N4 Pro have been very reliable with heat.

Unboxing

The Nexus 5S packaging is similar to the packaging we saw in the last few years. We see much cardboard instead of plastic. Everything inside, the cameras, cables, and mounts are snugly held in place. The box includes the main dashcam unit (with built-in interior camera), the rear camera module that also houses the rear cabin camera, the power supply, mounting brackets with 3M adhesive pads, and quick-start guides.

There is a piece of paper around the rear camera to show the correct orientation.

Stickers, static stickers, microfiber cloth, and primer pads.

Everything that is included:

The rear camera cable is on the thicker side to handle all the data from both rear cameras.

Front and rear camera:

Front camera with the optional CPL filter:

More in the next post!

 

[Julian23]

More pics of the front unit:

The different resolution settings:

4 different views at once:

Included sticky mount vs optional suction cup mount:

The suction cup is slightly slimmer and closer to the windhield. It also allows for a bit more adjustmens.


Overall, my first impressions of the Nexus 5S are positive: decent video specs for a four channel unit, sturdy build as expected from Vantrue, and thoughtful features (smart voice, LTE-ready, buffered parking, etc.). I’ll be testing it further soon, but from the unboxing to initial setup, it seems to be a nice 4-channel unit. However, there are some issues that will need to be addressed in the next posts.
It is definitely aimed towards ride share drivers.

 

[Julian23]

One of the big issues with the current design has to do with the rear camera.
It does not allow enough up/down movement to mount it on the headliner or any other horizontal surface that isn't angled like a rear window.

The rear camera can't be aimed further down. Only up.
The rear cabin camera can't be aimed any further up if mounted on a horizontal surface.
Both cameras are set to the furthest adjustment.

Just for clarification, the camera will work just fine if it's mounted to the rear window.
This issues will likely only occur to a handful of people. But even then it's worth to report.

 

[Julian23]

Here is some day and nightime performance from the front camera:

The WDR does a great job during the day.

Oncoming cars be be identified just fine.
In front of course too:

With too little light, the plat will get blurry. However, any other camera would most likely struggle in this situation with the exception of a few.

 

[Julian23]

And here are nightime performance shots the front camera:
(WDR on, no CPL)

Full size, no crop or edit. Plate can't be read:

Crop:

The WDR does a great job during the day. But in the night it has its limits.
Slow moving cars will be caught in good quality. Everthing else is visible in the video, but plates can't be read.
These seem to be the limitations of 4 channel units for now.

 

[Julian23]

Here are some more pictures during the day:

Not much to complain during the daytime.

The interior camera did however surprise me.
It is one of the sharpest 1080p interior cameras I have ever seen!
Will share day and night images soon.

 

[jsmith]

Here are some more pictures during the day:

View attachment 86512View attachment 86513

View attachment 86514View attachment 86515


Not much to complain during the daytime.

The interior camera did however surprise me.
It is one of the sharpest 1080p interior cameras I have ever seen!
Will share day and night images soon.

WDR is hardware based and HDR is software based. HDR of course takes 3 images, overlays them upon one another, in hopes of making a plate readable. I wonder if @Jeff_Vantrue can add HDR via firmware to the N5S?

 

[EricSan]

I was wondering when someone else was going to show up with an N5S camera 🙂. It looks like there are three of us now. You might want to mark or tag the USB cable for the rear camera. It seems that each cable is specifically constructed for the camera that it comes with. According to Wendy, the primary difference is in the amount of shielding that is built into each cable, resulting in various diameters for different model cameras. The S1PM measures the thickest, with the N5S a bit thinner, and the cables for N4S, N4 Pro S, and E360 are thinnest. I only have a single USB-C breakout board, so I haven't yet measured each cable to see how many pairs of signal-carrying wires exist, or if multiple rear channels are multiplexed through a single pair of data cables.

HDR of course takes 3 images, overlays them upon one another,

This is correct for Digital SLR photography (one underexposure, one normal exposure, one overexposure), but it is not correct for dashcams. The IMX675 sensor is only capable of 60 fps with 12-bit color depth (same for the IMX687, see attached datasheet screen shots), so the HDR/WDR function is only capable of combining two exposures, not three. I confirmed this with Wendy a few weeks ago because I come from the DSLR world of HDR photography that uses 3 exposures. For dashcams, I presume HDR results from the combination is one slightly under exposed image that is combined with one slightly over exposed image.

I wonder if @Jeff_Vantrue can add HDR via firmware to the N5S?

I'm guessing that with four cameras, the processor in the N5S is already at its limit of data throughput. The rear camera has HDR and the front camera has WDR. I've done a bunch of reading online to attempt to discern the difference between the two, but all that I can find is that WDR is "hardware based" and HDR is "software based." I haven't found anything that offers a more detailed explanation so that I can understand the actual difference between the two. If anyone finds a link that uses more words than "hardware/software" for the distinction, I would certainly appreciate if you share.

 

[jsmith]

I was wondering when someone else was going to show up with an N5S camera 🙂. It looks like there are three of us now. You might want to mark or tag the USB cable for the rear camera. It seems that each cable is specifically constructed for the camera that it comes with. According to Wendy, the primary difference is in the amount of shielding that is built into each cable, resulting in various diameters for different model cameras. The S1PM measures the thickest, with the N5S a bit thinner, and the cables for N4S, N4 Pro S, and E360 are thinnest. I only have a single USB-C breakout board, so I haven't yet measured each cable to see how many pairs of signal-carrying wires exist, or if multiple rear channels are multiplexed through a single pair of data cables.


This is correct for Digital SLR photography (one underexposure, one normal exposure, one overexposure), but it is not correct for dashcams. The IMX675 sensor is only capable of 60 fps with 12-bit color depth (same for the IMX687, see attached datasheet screen shots), so the HDR/WDR function is only capable of combining two exposures, not three. I confirmed this with Wendy a few weeks ago because I come from the DSLR world of HDR photography that uses 3 exposures. For dashcams, I presume HDR results from the combination is one slightly under exposed image that is combined with one slightly over exposed image.


I'm guessing that with four cameras, the processor in the N5S is already at its limit of data throughput. The rear camera has HDR and the front camera has WDR. I've done a bunch of reading online to attempt to discern the difference between the two, but all that I can find is that WDR is "hardware based" and HDR is "software based." I haven't found anything that offers a more detailed explanation so that I can understand the actual difference between the two. If anyone finds a link that uses more words than "hardware/software" for the distinction, I would certainly appreciate if you share.

The rear camera supports HDR, so why can't the HDR be set on the front instead of rear, or both front and rear?

 

[TonyM]

For dashcams, I presume HDR results from the combination is one slightly under exposed image that is combined with one slightly over exposed image.

Dashcam HDR combines a normally-exposed frame for the scene, plus a fast under-exposed frame for highlights such as light sources and reflections, including licence plates.

 

[EricSan]

Dashcam HDR combines a normally-exposed frame for the scene, plus a fast under-exposed frame for highlights such as light sources and reflections, including licence plates.

Ah, hence the blurry streak of a plate at night with a superimposed readable plate number. I guess I should have been able to figure that one out from the resulting evidence… Much appreciated!

 

[Julian23]

I was wondering when someone else was going to show up with an N5S camera 🙂. It looks like there are three of us now. You might want to mark or tag the USB cable for the rear camera.

It took me some time to cover everything else. Did not want to rush things.
I always take great care not to mix these cables up. But thanks for the reminder!

I'm guessing that with four cameras, the processor in the N5S is already at its limit of data throughput.

Seems like it. Otherwise they would have used HDR for every channel.

 

[Julian23]

The rear camera supports HDR, so why can't the HDR be set on the front instead of rear, or both front and rear?

@Jeff_Vantrue could you shed some light on this?

 

[Julian23]

Here is a picture from the front interior camera.
Extremely sharp image for a 1080p camera.

 

[jsmith]

Here are some more pictures during the day:

View attachment 86512View attachment 86513

View attachment 86514View attachment 86515


Not much to complain during the daytime.

The interior camera did however surprise me.
It is one of the sharpest 1080p interior cameras I have ever seen!
Will share day and night images soon.

Could you please do a night comparison of WDR on and WDR off with and without CPL? Thanks

 

[jsmith]

@Jeff_Vantrue could you shed some light on this?

Reasonably, the HDR is useless on the rear camera often due to the limited amount of light. HDR would be ideal for front camera, because headlights provide illumination. So given the choice between Front and Rear for HDR, I would think front would make more sense. Hence, if HDR is only available on one camera due to hardware limitations, then the front camera seems to be ideal choice.

Also, how come there is no timer on the N5S for HDR / WDR like other Vantrue Model dashcams?

@Jeff_Vantrue

 

[Julian23]

Could you please do a night comparison of WDR on and WDR off with and without CPL? Thanks

Sure thing.
That was already planned.

 

[Jeff_Vantrue]

Reasonably, the HDR is useless on the rear camera often due to the limited amount of light. HDR would be ideal for front camera, because headlights provide illumination. So given the choice between Front and Rear for HDR, I would think front would make more sense. Hence, if HDR is only available on one camera due to hardware limitations, then the front camera seems to be ideal choice.

Also, how come there is no timer on the N5S for HDR / WDR like other Vantrue Model dashcams?

@Jeff_Vantrue

The N5S’s main chipset doesn’t have enough processing resources to enable HDR on the front camera, the total data bandwidth is limited. That’s why we implemented WDR for the front camera and HDR for the rear.
Currently, there are no plans to add an HDR/WDR timer feature on the N5S. We recommend keeping HDR always on for the rear camera, as it helps balance brightness in various lighting conditions.
We’ll continue optimizing the N5S’s performance and features in future updates.

 

[jsmith]

The N5S’s main chipset doesn’t have enough processing resources to enable HDR on the front camera, the total data bandwidth is limited. That’s why we implemented WDR for the front camera and HDR for the rear.
Currently, there are no plans to add an HDR/WDR timer feature on the N5S. We recommend keeping HDR always on for the rear camera, as it helps balance brightness in various lighting conditions.
We’ll continue optimizing the N5S’s performance and features in future updates.

Thanks for providing that answer. @Jeff_Vantrue are there future plans for an N5S Pro with upgraded chipset capable of handling HDR on Front and Rear Camera??

 

[EricSan]

We recommend keeping HDR always on for the rear camera, as it helps balance brightness in various lighting conditions.

After a few months of exploring a number of cameras in depth and spending many hours examining the footage (frame by frame in many cases) with HDR on/off, PlatePix on/off, I'm starting the reach the conclusion that all of these features should be enabled all of the time.