VIOFO A229 Pro / Telephoto Camera / Video and Screenshots

[Nigel]

I wonder if anyone can compare the telephoto camera with FHD resolution and QHD resolution?

The main purpose of a telephoto camera is to get extra resolution on the license plates? So why would you install the telephoto then turn down the resolution?

I could understand using FHD on the main camera with QHD on the telephoto, because then the telephoto will read all the plates with great clarity, and so the high resolution of the main camera is not really needed. Rescaling a 4K sensor to FHD gives a really good image quality, a nice scaling factor of 2:1 (4:1 by area), while with 4K to QHD you need to slice the pixels up, which doesn't work well and is a bit pointless. This would have the same data amount as your suggestion of "QHD+FHD" but with much better licence plate reading.

Adding QHD+FHD resolutions to the Plus model

I guess you could have the option of HD+QHD if you really want to save data, that would be a reduction of 8xHD to 5xHD pixels, so a little over half the data, but with excellent plate reading on the telephoto.

 

[ogzogz]

The telephoto camera hasn't arrived yet.
I wonder if anyone can compare the telephoto camera with FHD resolution and QHD resolution?

@viofo @VIOFO-Support
If FHD will be sufficient, resolution options; UHD+FHD / QHD+FHD for professional model
Adding QHD+FHD resolutions to the Plus model
It can save both data, energy and heat.

The main purpose of a telephoto camera is to get extra resolution on the license plates? So why would you install the telephoto then turn down the resolution?

I could understand using FHD on the main camera with QHD on the telephoto, because then the telephoto will read all the plates with great clarity, and so the high resolution of the main camera is not really needed. Rescaling a 4K sensor to FHD gives a really good image quality, a nice scaling factor of 2:1 (4:1 by area), while with 4K to QHD you need to slice the pixels up, which doesn't work well and is a bit pointless. This would have the same data amount as your suggestion of "QHD+FHD" but with much better licence plate reading.


I guess you could have the option of HD+QHD if you really want to save data, that would be a reduction of 8xHD to 5xHD pixels, so a little over half the data, but with excellent plate reading on the telephoto.

Thank you for your interest.

The question is simple and clear.
Comparison of QHD and FHD performance of telephoto camera. Of course, there will definitely be a difference technically and practically. It's not hard to guess this. I just want to see its acceptability.

Sometimes it is necessary to respect suggestions. You cannot make a different suggestion by changing the same suggestion. It is presented with this change.
Therefore, it is important to follow the recommendations.
Your suggestion will be taken into consideration.

We are all familiar with technical data. Seeing what results it gives in practice and intervening is a reality of this business.

 

[Dashmellow]

The telephoto camera hasn't arrived yet.
I wonder if anyone can compare the telephoto camera with FHD resolution and QHD resolution?

@viofo @VIOFO-Support
If FHD will be sufficient, resolution options; UHD+FHD / QHD+FHD for professional model
Adding QHD+FHD resolutions to the Plus model
It can save both data, energy and heat.

I think I would opt for QHD these days, but FHD certainly has its merits and shouldn't thrown out with the bathwater just because we now have higher resolutions available to us. Well executed 1080p using good quality optics can be eminently
viable.

I posted this FHD 1080p telephoto image (from 6 years ago) recently in a different thread.

Of course, shooting FHD on a QHD sensor may not look quite like this.

 

[Mtz]

I posted somewhere here the differences between FHD and 2K telephoto camera of Viofo A229 Pro, but I think that thread was deleted. Not sure, I don't want to search for it.
I can assure you that it is a BIG difference between telephoto FHD and 2K telephoto. Nigel saw a lot of testing samples and he knows from real experience and unofficial tests, before the telephoto camera was released by Viofo.
Nigel was the first person who said that zooming on the 4K image of A229 Pro will result the same thing as a FHD telephoto camera recording of A229 Pro.
So, why to release a secondary camera which will do the same thing as the main camera? FHD telephoto camera will bring more details only on poor dashcams with inferior main CMOS than Sony IMX678.

I know that some people are disappointed because Viofo didn't used the FHD camera for the telephoto version but it was a good decision from them. Great job, Viofo! Who wants a poor telephoto camera to buy another brand. I hope Viofo will never release a FHD telephoto camera on any future model.

 

[Nigel]

I can assure you that it is a BIG difference between telephoto FHD and 2K telephoto. Nigel saw a lot of testing samples and he knows from real experience and unofficial tests, before the telephoto camera was released by Viofo.

Yes, the 2K telephoto has twice the pixels of the FHD telephoto, so essentially has twice the license plate detail of the FHD telephoto.

There is always a compromise to be made between amount of zoom and width of field of view, so it doesn't have to be exactly twice the detail, and an FHD telephoto doesn't have to give the same detail as a 4K main camera when zoomed in, you can have more zoom and less field of view, but with only FHD resolution against 4K resolution which has 4x more detail, you need 4x zoom just to match the detail of the 4K, and if you go to 8x zoom so that you have a small improvement in detail, then the telephoto only covers 1/8th the field of view, which is not really enough, especially given the distance at which the HDR is able to read plates.

The 2K telephoto works well, with both EU and USA size plates, the FHD telephoto is disappointing when used with a 4K main camera, which is what most people will use it with. The FHD telephoto would work OK with a 2K main camera, but the 2K telephoto still has twice the detail of the FHD telephoto, it is the better camera whichever main camera you have.

For most people, an FHD rear camera is acceptable, until we get a main camera that can support 2K telephoto + 2K rear. The only problem is for people who have already bought a 2K rear and want to add a 2K telephoto.

 

[Mtz]

the FHD telephoto is disappointing when used with a 4K main camera

I don't agree. Right now this is true only when the 4K main camera is IMX678. With a smaller 4K CMOS sensor it is possible the FHD to be better than the main 4K which is not IMX678. The biggest advantage of IMX678 is because it is a big sensor for a dashcam, usually the manufacturers are not using so big CMOS because it is more expensive. They just throw the smallest and cheapest CMOS into the camera just to be able to print on the case the 4K logo.

 

[joe384]

I was thinking of swapping my A139 for an A139 Pro, but the pro would probably make my mobius telephoto redundant most of the time.

I think I need to do a bit more research possibly. I could get a mobius 1s - but by that point I may be better just to go with an A229 Pro + telephoto so I get starvis 2 on the telephoto as well!

 

[Karagandinez]

Screenshots from the main camera of the A229 Pro and the additional camera with a telephoto lens_Early Morning

A229 Pro = MOD4 from Dex_
Camera with telephoto lens = V1.3_240605
2CH
Resolution: 21:9
Bitrate = max
CPL = on
EV = -0.3

 

[Mtz]

Here are some GIF comparisons between RTC300, Viofo A329 and Viofo A229 Pro. You will know which is the screenshot from the telephoto camera.
Right now, no dashcam in the world can offer better license legibility than RTC300. I hope someday @Vortex Radar will post his results about RTC300 because I consider this is the most wanted dashcam for USA market.

In the comparisons were used the best frames from the dashcams.

 

[ogzogz]

I compared the telephoto camera with the a229 pro main camera in timelapse at sunset.

 

[Karagandinez]

Screenshots from the main camera A229 Pro_Night

A229 Pro = MOD4 from Dex_
Resolution: 21:9
Bitrate = max
CPL = on
EV = -0,3











You can compare it with screenshots from the A329 here:

Thread 'VIOFO A329 / Telephoto Camera / Video and Screenshots'

Nov 7, 2024

Screenshots from the main camera A329_Night

FWA329_V1.0_241009
Resolution: 21:9 / 3840х1600
Bitrate = max
CPL = on
EV = -0,3







You can compare it with screenshots from the A229 Pro and from the additional camera with a telephoto lens here:

• Karagandinez
• Replies: 22
• Forum: A329

• 

 

[Karagandinez]

Screenshots from the additional camera with a telephoto lens_Night

Camera with telephoto lens = V1.3_240605
Resolution: 21:9
Bitrate = max
CPL = on
EV = -0.3







You can compare it with screenshots from the A329 here:

Thread 'VIOFO A329 / Telephoto Camera / Video and Screenshots'

Nov 7, 2024

Screenshots from the main camera A329_Night

FWA329_V1.0_241009
Resolution: 21:9 / 3840х1600
Bitrate = max
CPL = on
EV = -0,3







You can compare it with screenshots from the A229 Pro and from the additional camera with a telephoto lens here:

• Karagandinez
• Replies: 22
• Forum: A329

• 

 

[hx999]

Screenshots from the front camera of A229 Pro and Mini 2 of the second revision.

A229 Pro
V1.0_231009
3840х2160 30fps
CPL=on
EV=-0.3

Mini_2:
V1.0_20230912
2560x1080 30fps
CPL=on
EV=-0.3

Is there a specific reason why you're running the EV at -0.3? Have you found that to be better for overall image quality? Also, I noticed you mentioned HDR shouldn't be turned on during the day... can you elaborate as to why that is a better setting? Genuinely curious as I'm new to dashcams and just trying to figure out the best setting for this unit.

 

[Karagandinez]

Is there a specific reason why you're running the EV at -0.3? Have you found that to be better for overall image quality?

I like it better this way. You can change the settings at your discretion and choose those that suit you best.

Also, I noticed you mentioned HDR shouldn't be turned on during the day... can you elaborate as to why that is a better setting?

HDR turned on during the day makes it harder to read license plates of oncoming cars in my region.
If you are not interested in reading license plates, you can leave HDR on forever.
Drive around with different settings, compare the footage, and choose the settings you like best.

 

[Mtz]

Is there a specific reason why you're running the EV at -0.3? Have you found that to be better for overall image quality?

Darker image setting is better for car license plates legibility when using HDR.
More than that, Viofo is making the image a little too bright in their firmwares. This is done because they don't want to lose comparisons against other dashcams by declaring that the Viofo dashcam image is too dark. Lowering a little the EV by the user can compensate this thing.

 

[lufa6977]

Received my telephoto camera today and not please that some clown in VIOFO land did not make the cable with two 90 degree angles. To some degree, my fault for not noticing before the purchase. Had I paid attention I would not have bought the telephoto. The USB cable goes up into the headliner, then down to the camera. Cable should have 2, 90 degree ends. Now I need to order another cable. Not pleased. This lack of attention to detail, and multiple connector ends across the VIOFO line means my next dash cam is a VUEROID.

@viofo ... will a USB 2 work on this or does it need to be a 3 for some reason.

 

[Mtz]

You need a cable made by Viofo.
I don't know if they are making it angled at both ends for this camera version at least in limited quantity. I always asked Viofo to make angled cables at both ends. But they are on the safe path if it is straight at one end. At some moment, after many requests they created an angled cable for the A129 series which was available by request. Viofo are listening to advices and requests, but unfortunately some advices from trusted people, installers, engineers, are not so good compared to some average Joe from Dashcamtalk.
Try on their Support. But is your fault you didn't checked the cable, it is clearly in the pictures from viofo.com that is angled at only one end.

 

[lufa6977]

You need a cable made by Viofo.
I don't know if they are making it angled at both ends for this camera version at least in limited quantity. I always asked Viofo to make angled cables at both ends. But they are on the safe path if it is straight at one end. At some moment, after many requests they created an angled cable for the A129 series which was available by request. Viofo are listening to advices and requests, but unfortunately some advices from trusted people, installers, engineers, are not so good compared to some average Joe from Dashcamtalk.
Try on their Support. But is your fault you didn't checked the cable, it is clearly in the pictures from viofo.com that is angled at only one end.

Yep, I agree it is my fault. I did not notice the ends for some reason, usually I pay attention to these things. I like the VIOFO dash cams for the most, but this damn mix of cable types needs to come to an end. Settle on USB-C and leave the HDMI, jacks, and everything else alone. If someone wants to watch a 4k video on their TV they can bloody well copy the recording to their PC.

 

[VIOFO-Support]

Received my telephoto camera today and not please that some clown in VIOFO land did not make the cable with two 90 degree angles. To some degree, my fault for not noticing before the purchase. Had I paid attention I would not have bought the telephoto. The USB cable goes up into the headliner, then down to the camera. Cable should have 2, 90 degree ends. Now I need to order another cable. Not pleased. This lack of attention to detail, and multiple connector ends across the VIOFO line means my next dash cam is a VUEROID.

@viofo ... will a USB 2 work on this or does it need to be a 3 for some reason.

We have rear cables with two 90 degree angles in our warehouse. We can send you one.

 

[lufa6977]

Been playing with the new telephoto lens for the A229 Pro. I like it, but I have noticed that videos seem to show the travel speed and movement slightly slower and more sluggish than what is seen with the front lens. Feels like there is some form of compression and video is slightly in slo-mo. Making a slight sharp turn and the image is completely blurred for those few seconds. Still I like the lens.

@VIOFO-Support -- does the above sound normal for this lens? I am using the IR interior camera as well.