VIOFO A119 V1 V2 Modified Firmware MODs Archive

[Kremmen]

Many thanks for the time to produce this updated firmware.

Direct comparison, just for anyone interested:

Viofo Stock 4.01 CPL 1440:

Viofo Stock 401 CPL 1440.MP4

drive.google.com

6Ro CPL 1440:

DCTeam 6Ro 1440.MP4

drive.google.com

I'm happy 😀


Edit, extremely happy, just had chance to view the stock 4.01 against 6Ro and what a difference. Sharper and number plates far easier to see.

 

[Tractor]

Another clip of BCHobbyist's MOD 6Ro for the A119. This time much more greenery and colourful countryside scenery. !440p rendered 4K as usual 1080p by YouTube sucks but 4K version great. Distance shots very grey due to misty day. The 4K version truly shows what this Dash Cam can do and would done even better if more bitrate was available.

 

[Kremmen]

I don't want to overdo it but I've got a direct comparison of stock 4.01 v 6Ro down a town road, same section, similar weather but different days. Stock looks slightly fuzzy/motion blur when compared to 6Ro which is pin sharp.

I'll post both sets of RAW files if asked.

 

[Tractor]

Well aware of the improvements made by BCHobbist's Mods. The fuzzy/motion blur etc. was the reason for the drive to improve the firmware. Unfortunately YouTube samples are not at their best when down graded to 1080p and sometimes re-introduce the artefacts that he has stridden to get rid off. The only way to keep the quality is to render in 4K for YouTube for 4K viewing or post raw files to Google Drive (smaller audience) or similar for downloading preferably 1 minute long due to file size.

 

[mad]

Always useful to compare recorded videos with WDR On/Off and CPL On/Off when deciding what is best for your dash camera. This video demonstrates perfectly the WDR On difference from previous WDR Off sample. WDR does brighten A119 night footage but also introduces graininess from CPL filter. If you drive mostly at night leave WDR On but avoid using it during the Day.
If possible can you repeat Night test with CPL Off and WDR On ?

Sorry for the late reply.
Here you go.

BTb WDR-ON_NOCPL.MP4

drive.google.com

BTb WDR-OFF_NOCPL.MP4

drive.google.com

Thanks.

 

[BCHobbyist]

Sorry for the late reply.
Here you go.

BTb WDR-ON_NOCPL.MP4

drive.google.com

BTb WDR-OFF_NOCPL.MP4

drive.google.com

Thanks.

Thanks for the Beta Tint test footage, they both look good with WDR-On slightly brighter. I prefer the boosted MOD-BTb with WDR-Off for night brightness.
If windshield is tinted try new MOD-TTc it works well for both day and night brightening to compensate for tint, you can decide if also enabling WDR-On is helpful, probably yes.
The A119 V2 with OmniVision 4 Mega Pixel OV4689 Image Sensor doesn't handle low light very well, it just needs a boost. WDR can help brighten at night but does increase graininess which is acceptable. Changing the sensor for improved low light sensitivity would be a welcomed upgrade on next model.

 

[mad]

Thanks for the Beta Tint test footage, they both look good with WDR-On slightly brighter. I prefer the boosted MOD-BTb with WDR-Off for night brightness.
If windshield is tinted try new MOD-TTc it works well for both day and night brightening to compensate for tint, you can decide if also enabling WDR-On is helpful, probably yes.
The A119 V2 with OmniVision 4 Mega Pixel OV4689 Image Sensor doesn't handle low light very well, it just needs a boost. WDR can help brighten at night but does increase graininess which is acceptable. Changing the sensor for improved low light sensitivity would be a welcomed upgrade on next model.

Okay. I will try MOD TTc.
There is one issue without CPL. The reflection is really bad during hot sunny day.
I have question. Do you think, the camera focus is right? What I saw, left is sharper then right. What do you think.
Thanks.

 

[BCHobbyist]

Okay. I will try MOD TTc.
There is one issue without CPL. The reflection is really bad during hot sunny day.
I have question. Do you think, the camera focus is right? What I saw, left is sharper then right. What do you think.
Thanks.

Easier to assess Lens focus with daytime footage, night footage has too much motion blur.

 

[mad]

Easier to assess Lens focus with daytime footage, night footage has too much motion blur.

Here you go. Looks this firmware is better than BTb. Thanks.

TTc - CPL+WDR-ON.MP4

drive.google.com

 

[Tractor]

It's the firmware I recommend for anyone. Especially without a tinted screen.

 

[Skeezix]

Many thanks for the time to produce this updated firmware.

Direct comparison, just for anyone interested:

Stock 4.01:

I'm curious - what's wrong with A119 DCTeam 6Ro? Please see the dropouts in the green circles... I looked at the Stock.MP4 and did not see anything like I see in the 6Ro movie. (The image was made at about the 1 minute point.)

 

[Tractor]

Not seen the "drop outs" you indicated. If it is only lamp posts, no worry. All footage I have taken trialling this MOD as not shown anything similar. Is your screen spotless ( no water droplets, dirt, or bird droppings)? Would need to see more that one frame to clarify.
Against a bright sky it is possible the image sensor can get swamped by the light and bleaches out some similar coloured items. This is an hardware problem and can occur with any auto-exposure cameras especially the lower expense ones. The difference from stock and MOD firmware is the vibrancies of the colours and no blocking of detail of greenery at roadside. Which may cause a bit more bleaching in certain situations. Its up to the individual to decide which picture they prefer. The choice is yours and yours alone there is no pressure on which to use. You could try raising the Dashcam up a bit so less of the dashboard is seen this may help the image sensor in brighter situations.
A question for you. Why is your country AMERICA but picture is UK and a UK car?

 

[Kremmen]

That sample picture is a copy of my donated comparison footage, stock v mod.

The footage comparison was the same road but driving towards the sun. I do have another 2 clips that are driving north/south and would probably produce a better comparison. A job for my next PC visit.

I can't raise the cam any more as the windscreen black dot section is just above where I have it pointed. The GPS mount is stuck on the black dots with the lens just poking out below, I can't go any higher up the screen.

 

[BCHobbyist]

Here you go. Looks this firmware is better than BTb. Thanks.

TTc - CPL+WDR-ON.MP4

drive.google.com

MOD-TTc uses higher Brightness values for tinted windshields and is noticeably brighter at night than MOD-6Ro for non-tinted windshields.
Send me short daytime clip for Focus assessment.

 

[BCHobbyist]

I'm curious - what's wrong with A119 DCTeam 6Ro? Please see the dropouts in the green circles... I looked at the Stock.MP4 and did not see anything like I see in the 6Ro movie. (The image was made at about the 1 minute point.)

View attachment 46234

The blow out sky will cause that effect for anyone with stock firmware or MOD when you aim the Lens too low. It is a normal brightness & exposure automatic adjustment especially on cloudy days. Your expectations from a $100 camera is much too high, these are not $600 GoPro cameras.
In my quest for the most realistic video image quality I meet two groups - those that are only interested in license plate readability - and those that want perfectly realistic video. My modified firmware is somewhere in the middle.

 

[BCHobbyist]

The A119 V2 at 1440p resolution has never produced better colour and brightness until I released MOD-6RO + 6RM + BTC in March/April 2019.
It took too long to discover those hidden image controls in the firmware. The next stage is to unlock the 26 Mb/s bitrate limit to improve the 1440p resolution detail. Based on my recent success with A119 Pro unlocked 24,25,26,27,28,29,32 Mb/s the most noticeable improvement to complex pattern detail occurs at 28 Mb/s or higher.
Many more improvements on the way.

 

[Kremmen]

Over the years I've had 3 Nextbase cams with varying quality. The best quality was their 412 QuadHD cam but that suffered from camera shake as it was on a pseudo pendulum mount that ruined the footage over less than perfect roads.

The V2 with mod firmware is just as good as the 412 was but without the vibration due to the better solid mount design.

I've replaced the previous footage with different clips that are north/south so the sun isn't as bright. Here's the replacement clips:

Viofo 4.01:

Viofo Stock 401 CPL 1440.MP4

drive.google.com

DCTeam 6Ro:

DCTeam 6Ro 1440.MP4

drive.google.com

 

[Tractor]

Here is another sample of mod 6Ro on a bright day. Notice that minimal bonnet (hood) is visible for the best exposure. It is also render to 1080p this time.

Can you spot the airplane near the end of the video.

 

[Kremmen]

Can't complain at that footage.

As an aside, I tried to also tag my footage with 'GPS-CPL 1440' but it maxed out at 11 chars, must try again.

 

[Tractor]

There are two areas you can input your info in to. you can enter what ever details you want not only number plates etc.