VIOFO A129 non-IR 1080p Modified Firmware MODs Archive

[TonyM]

Well, that's why I tested it - to see if it works, then report back here. Although I suppose I should post in the other thread too

 

[aramej]

which video is better?



A129 Duo V1.5 official Firmware

A129 Duo firmware MOD-4Uh

RAW: https://drive.google.com/open?id=11L4YKf9_tmRW3SEW1X22s4abc6PKzZhI

 

[BCHobbyist]

which video is better?

View attachment 43426

A129 Duo V1.5 official Firmware

A129 Duo firmware MOD-4Uh

RAW: https://drive.google.com/open?id=11L4YKf9_tmRW3SEW1X22s4abc6PKzZhI

interesting IQ Test facility, suggest Loop=1min @30fps, indoor testing never works well, objects too close, IQ looks identical slight difference in color, sharpness looks very close FW1.50 has slight hint of halo effect around bars. On the road higher Bitrate of 4Uh will be noticeably better, plan to increase it to 25 or 26Mbps soon.

 

[DarthMaul]

So far, comparing the clips filmed using different firmwares, I think, in my case, the best image quality was with 4Uf.

 

[TonyM]

So far, comparing the clips filmed using different firmwares, I think, in my case, the best image quality was with 4Uf.

I've been happy with 4Uf, and now 4Uh which should be identical in terms of image quality.

 

[murdoc]

Hi, i installed firmware 4Uh, works fine. But viofo android application does not work now - phone normally connects to wifi, application is trying to connect to A129 device and crashes immediately. Whats wrong? With official firmware (1.5) works without problems....

 

[BCHobbyist]

Hi, i installed firmware 4Uh, works fine. But viofo android application does not work now - phone normally connects to wifi, application is trying to connect to A129 device and crashes immediately. Whats wrong? With official firmware (1.5) works without problems....

No changes were made to Wifi or link to APP coding. The APP was recently updated can check that and try the newest 4Uj firmware.

 

[BCHobbyist]

Created new A129Duo - STABLE version 4Uj with same acceptable IQ from 4Uf. See post #1 of this thread for details and ChangeLog.
This MOD is based on newest official VIOFO FW v1.50 with the following changes:
Single Camera Mode now supports 24Mbs at 60fps + 30fps + Wifi to APP !!!! < special thanks for offset location to @vvs49 and @gse
Dual Camera Mode now supports Front=24Mbs + Rear=20Mbs without Wifi (enable Wifi drops to 8+7Mbs these values still need work)
Suggest using Wifi 2.4Ghz for better stability, but always disable before driving to reduce heating.
Higher Bitrate MODs improve image detail and increase MP4 video clip size.

                               Firmware v1.50                  Modified FW 4Uj
                          1080@60fps     1080@30fps         60fps+30fps     1080@30fps
Menu                      Single Cam      Dual Cam          Single Cam      Dual Cam
Settings                    Front       Front    Rear         Front       Front     Rear
Bit Rate Low               20.1Mbps     10.2     10.1        24.6Mbps      24.5     20.1
Bit Rate High                20.1       16.3     16.2          24.6        24.4     20.3
BR Low Wifi 2.4Ghz           20.1        8.0      7.0          24.5         8.3      6.9
BR High Wifi 2.4GHz + APP    20.1        8.1      6.9          24.5         8.1      6.9

FWA129_MOD-4Uj_v1.50+24F+20RMbs+Sharp123+Edge132+DCTeam.bin
Download 4Uj > https://drive.google.com/open?id=1vaWw127YmcPzLU7VJBLwqeD77TxfOUQn
---
DCTeam - CEO/CEH/CDO/DRD/DSP/IQE/PDU/SFC/LLS
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/BCHobbyist

 

[DarthMaul]

The increase in bitrate for dual cam setup is amazing news! I hope the Samsung EVO card can handle the increased bitrate (L.E. - The SpeedOut application measured 88 MB/sec read and 84 MB/sec write so it should be fine).
Just one question - according to the specs for 4Uj Dual cam, Bit Rate High is lower than Bit Rate Low for front cam. Is that a typo?

 

[DarthMaul]

Meanwhile, some footage taken using 4Uh this morning. At the end of the clip I took a wrong turn and found myself in some sort of dead end

 

[BCHobbyist]

Discussion is needed before further adjustments are made, inviting all A129Duo owners to chime in with comments.

The modified 4Uj firmware is based on VIOFO non-Beta v1.50 released Nov.29, 2018. For stability decided to download new copy from VIOFO website just in case they added a Parking Mode Hardwire control adjustment moving from v1.50 Beta Nov.15 to current official release.
My Bitrate Chart below for FW v1.50 4Uj reveals drop in Bitrate to 8/7Mbs when Wifi APP is connected, the older FW v1.42 supports Bitrate 16/16Mbs with Wifi APP by changing the APP Bitrate Menu to High. I'd like independent confirmation this happens for everyone and not just my newer A129Duo hardware version. The secret to boosting Bitrate with Wifi App is hidden between v1.42 <> v1.50 more work is needed, enjoy what I've already created.

For A129 owners not using Wifi APP this new 4Uj offers a needed boost to image quality on Front and Rear cameras, which was my target group for this MOD. We all realize the advanced features of A129Duo place heavy loads on hardware components especially the chipset. I've expected the Rear camera to use lower data rate resulting in less image quality. I now have the ability to change Bitrates for Front and Rear cameras independently which this MOD proves. My question is how far can we push these critical limits before stressing the hardware and reducing its lifespan? MOD-4Uj set Front=24Mbs + Rear=18Mbs . . . . . . . . consider Front=25Mbs + Rear=16Mbs . . . . . . . . or Front=26Mbs + Rear=14Mbs

Higher Bitrate MODs improve image detail and increase MP4 video clip size.

                               Firmware v1.50                  Modified FW 4Uj
                          1080@60fps     1080@30fps         60fps+30fps     1080@30fps
Menu                      Single Cam      Dual Cam          Single Cam      Dual Cam
Settings                    Front       Front    Rear         Front       Front     Rear
Bit Rate Low               20.1Mbps     10.2     10.1        24.6Mbps      24.5     18.3
Bit Rate High                20.1       16.3     16.2          24.6        24.4     18.4
BR Low Wifi 2.4Ghz           20.1        8.0      7.0          24.5         8.3      6.9
BR High Wifi 2.4GHz + APP    20.1        8.1      6.9          24.5         8.1      6.9

                               Firmware v1.42B                  Modified FW 4Ue
                          1080@60fps     1080@30fps         1080@60fps     1080@30fps
Menu                      Single Cam      Dual Cam          Single Cam      Dual Cam
Settings                    Front       Front    Rear         Front       Front     Rear
Bit Rate Low               20.1Mbps     10.1     10.1        24.6Mbps      10.2     10.2
Bit Rate High                20.1       16.3     16.3          24.6        16.4     16.4
BR Low Wifi 2.4Ghz           20.1        8.1      7.0          20.1         8.2      7.0
BR High Wifi 2.4GHz + APP    20.1       16.3     16.3          20.1        16.4     16.2

 

[zs77706]

I dont see difference in 4Uh and 4Uj, both are very good.

 

[TvCristi]

I also don't see any difference

 

[zs77706]

Only people with hawkeyes can see the difference

 

[BCHobbyist]

There should be a noticeable difference in image quality from 16Mbs Front to 24Mbs driving in Nature Park setting, verify the MP4 video file properties.
Comparison video showing Low vs High Bitrate is almost ready. Its most noticeable when viewing footage taken with lower bit rate driving beside trees or bushes or greatly textured brick walls, roads, sidewalks. Complex patterned objects or surface will appear mushy, almost blurry between 6-15Mbs. Increasing the lower limit beyond 16Mbs inflates video file size even if the camera doesn't require the extra rate. These small A129 increases will only improve clouds, leaves, roads, brick patterns. Bitrates above 26Mbs improve fine detail and very noticeable, not recommended for A129 unless in single camera mode without Wifi, Alpha testing the extreme limits now with small group.

 

[barahir]

Hi.
why should I load custom firmware, what is different from the orjinal? Thank you.

 

[TonyM]

MOD-4Uj has a noticeable reduction in video compression at high 24.6Mbps, which is welcome. However the level of resolved detail is limited by the amount of motion blur.

This morning at approx 1hr after sunrise I was still getting significant motion blur driving at 30mph (with CPL on).

A129 MOD-4Uj
1080p+1080p / High bitrate 24.6Mbps / CPL on

It's now the middle of the day so I can go for another test drive in bright sunlight.

 

[TonyM]

Winter daylight testing of MOD-4Uj on country lanes. Bright, but low, sunlight casts long shadows over the road. With earlier FW on standard bitrate this would have been a mess, but the higher 24.6Mbps delivers a cleaner result with much less visible effects of compression. Even in better light the exposure duration allowed noticeable blur. I'll remove the CPL and hope for some more good testing weather later in the week.

A129 MOD-4Uj
1080p+1080p / High bitrate 24.6Mbps / CPL on

 

[TonyM]

Something's not right with the parking mode on MOD-4Uj. I left the camera running off a powerbank when parked. It recorded at 30fps for 5 minutes, then just stopped, even though I had set 2fps timelapse parking. I've used this powerbank before without such issues and it still had plenty of charge left in it.

I also had an issue earlier today when the A129 did not start at all. I have 5sec boot delay set which has usually been enough, and this wasn't even a cold start.

 

[DarthMaul]

Here's some footage from this morning using 4Uj. Links to original files are provided in Youtube video descriptions.