Viofo A229 Pro (unboxing & first impressions) (Novatek NT96529, Sony IMX678/IMX675/IMX307, HDR³, GPS⁴, 5Ghz WiFi, 4k front + 2k rear + 1080p cabin)

[Karagandinez]

likely will reduce the file size on SD

The file size does not change.

 

[TheSpanishInq]

Which makes sense as the bitrate doesn't change? And therefor the increase in image quality increases.

Complicated beast to understand, a (dash) cam 🤓

 

[Nigel]

I get your point, the compression algorithm doesn't have to waste bits on dash reflection or irrelevant (for road evidence) cloud movement.
Bit odd then that Viofo advertises it as an 'option suitable for users with specific preferences or needs.' and not just mention that it improves the image quality?!

Sounds like the person writing that did not understand why anyone would want it, and thought that if anyone did want it, then they would know why they wanted it!

Just wondered, how do you know the content is cropped before compression? Do you have a tool for that?
(I only have a basic understanding of how digital image processing works...)

It would be very difficult to crop after compression with H264, impossible with H265 because H265 block size would span the edges of the cut, so it would need to be decompressed and recompressed a second time, which just wouldn't make sense.

Maybe the more interesting question is if the auto-exposure works before or after the crop, if there is something very bright, such as the sun, off the top of the cropped image, but on the full image, does that affect the exposure of the cropped image?

Which makes sense as the bitrate doesn't change? And therefor the increase in image quality increases.

Complicated beast to understand, a (dash) cam 🤓

Correct 😎

 

[TheSpanishInq]

Sounds like the person writing that did not understand why anyone would want it, and thought that if anyone did want it, then they would know why they wanted it!

😀

Maybe the more interesting question is if the auto-exposure works before or after the crop, if there is something very bright, such as the sun, off the top of the cropped image, but on the full image, does that affect the exposure of the cropped image?

Good question, can't help you there I'm afraid. Don't have my cam in the car yet.

 

[GPak]

The file size does not change.

This is encouraging, let's see if testers confirm the image improvement

 

[Augustus]

Thanks @viofo and @VIOFO-Support for the long-awaited v1.3 update which adds a ton of features to this already great dashcam 🙂

manual

VIOFO specializes in professional-grade dash cameras featuring Sony STARVIS 2 IMX sensors, 4K ultra-high-definition recording, and advanced multi-channel systems from 1CH to 4CH. Known for superior license plate capture — including dedicated telephoto dash cams for long-range identification.

viofo.com

Viofo A229 Pro Firmware Update (front)

• Release date: 2024-06-12
• Version: V1.3_240612
• Filename: FWA229P.bin
• File size: 63.13M

Changelog:

• Optimised: Footage file name
• Added: 1. Bluetooth Button function settings 2. Rear Camera HDR settings 3. 21:9 resolution 4. Parking HDR settings 5. Daylight Savings settings
• Fixed: some bugs

Viofo A229 Pro Firmware Update (rear)

• Release date: 2024-06-05
• Version: V1.3_240605
• Filename: EthamTxFw.bin
• File size: 4.44M

Changelog:

• Added: HDR settings
• Fixed: other bugs

 

[Augustus]

Quick sample of the new 4K 21:9 recording resolution option now available with the Viofo A229 Pro, in the latest v1.3 firmware. Bitrate of the video while recording in 3-CH mode remains the same at 36MBps, but of course the resolution drops down from 3840x2160 to 3840x1600. Still a nice-looking option in case one does not require extra video information at the top and bottom of the frame.

@viofo @VIOFO-Support

 

[Augustus]

Just a few photos of the retail boxing experience for the new Viofo Telephoto Camera for the A229 Pro / A229 Plus series, the RTC300. A pretty barebones experience, but that is all that is required for this camera, which contains a USB-C cable and the RTC300 camera itself. On the camera itself, there is a white LED itself which I wish was a little shorter in length. @viofo @VIOFO-Support

Will share some video samples soon.

 

[Augustus]

Some thoughts and video samples from the new Viofo RTC300 Telephoto camera. Overall, I'm quite satisfied with the camera itself, and it comes in at a reasonable price point. Although there is always room for improvement, I believe it serves it's intended purpose well and provides an auxiliary experience to the main camera unit itself.

Hopefully in future we see perhaps a four-camera solution where we are not having to sacrifice the existing rear camera for the A229 series, in order to accommodate the RTC300. Or a two-lens solution in the same front-camera unit, but due to thermal constraints/chipset, this may be a ways off.

@viofo @VIOFO-Support



Day Footage (sample one): 2.5K max bitrate, HDR off:

Day Footage (sample two): 2.5K max bitrate, HDR off:

Night Footage (sample one): 2.5K max bitrate, HDR on:

Night Footage (sample two): 2.5K max bitrate, HDR on:

 

[Augustus]

Full review of the Viofo RTC300 now posted by Wideorejestratory24.pl on YouTube here:

 

[Augustus]

Added some 2K 21:9 footage from the Viofo RTC300, to show off that particular resolution in use.

@viofo @VIOFO-Support



Day Footage: 2K 21:9 max bitrate, HDR off:

Night Footage: 2K 21:9 max bitrate, HDR on:

 

[vvs49]

Day Footage: 2K 21:9 max bitrate, HDR off:

The video is terrible, the exposure jumps, overexposure!!

 

[Augustus]

The video is terrible, the exposure jumps, overexposure!!

It's on +0.0 in the EV settings, no CPL filter attached and late afternoon sun factoring into the footage.

 

[Augustus]

Viofo's Android app received another update to version 3.2.18 in the Google Play Store:

VIOFO - Apps on Google Play

VIOFO Car Dash Camera APP

play.google.com

Changelog:

* Support A329 dashcam
* Other bugs fixed

 

[Augustus]

Kudos to @viofo @VIOFO-Support for keeping the A229 Pro updated, and bringing some of the new features from the A329 back to the A229 Pro 🙂

firmware

VIOFO specializes in professional-grade dash cameras featuring Sony STARVIS 2 IMX sensors, 4K ultra-high-definition recording, and advanced multi-channel systems from 1CH to 4CH. Known for superior license plate capture — including dedicated telephoto dash cams for long-range identification.

www.viofo.com

Viofo A229 Pro Firmware Update (front)
Release date: 2024-10-24
Version: V1.3.1_241024
Filename: FWA229P.bin
File size: 65.8M

Changelog:
Added: Super Night Vision
Added: stamp colour option
Added: privacy mode




Viofo A229 Pro Firmware Update (rear)

Release date: 2024-10-22
Version: V1.3_241022
Filename: EthamTxFw.bin
File size: 4.47M

Changelog:
Added: Super Night Vision
Added: stamp colour option
Fixed: other bugs

 

[Paul Iddon]

I'll add this too, you never know, it might sort out the files too. Mine starts at 01.01.2002 every start up until the 2nd file begins once the GPS has locked with the correct date and time...

 

[Augustus]

I'll add this too, you never know, it might sort out the files too. Mine starts at 01.01.2002 every start up until the 2nd file begins once the GPS has locke with the correct date and time...

Fingers crossed it fixes the bugs for you mate

 

[lufa6977]

I generally try not to beta new firmware releases 😉 , but I had to give this one a try to see about the new text colours. The SNV is this a hard-coded feature or something you turn on? I did not notice it when using the dash cam LCD screen.

 

[lufa6977]

Fingers crossed it fixes the bugs for you mate

I have not had any of the reported file bugs, so I have wondered if there are hardware changes between production runs or just 'skippy' hardware for the odd camera.

 

[vvs49]

They won't save the Wi-Fi mode, but in firmware V1.3.1_240816FWA229P_Wi-Fi works fine, the pause between HDR on/off remains!!