VIOFO A229 Ultra 3CH [4K Front, 4K Rear, 1080p Interior] - Testing / Review - RCG

rcg530

rcg530

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2021
Messages
2,718
Reaction score
4,555
Location
California
Country
United States
Dash Cam
70mai, BlackVue, Thinkware, Vantrue, Vueroid, VIOFO
I just received an A229 Ultra 3CH dash camera from VIOFO. I also received a RWE800 4K UHD waterproof rear camera for the A229 Ultra series dash camera.

Here's a few quick pictures from the unboxing...

1754091294589.webp 1754091332329.webp 1754091369069.webp1754091429621.webp 1754091846572.webp

1754092394608.webp 1754092629906.webp
 
New products are constantly emerging, lower than the price of 329, right？
 
haiou_f said:
New products are constantly emerging, lower than the price of 329, right？
Click to expand...
A329S 3CH is $470 USD on the VIOFO website and the A229 Ultra is $370 USD.
 
Is the main unit the same as A229 Pro, or it is a different hardware?
If you have A229 Pro already, can you swipe the rear camera with the new 4K one?
I am wondering if A229 Ultra has the same overheating issue as A229 Pro...

P.S. To me it sounds like a very late flagship product for the previous generation... IMHO maybe it would have make it more sense to make 329 Ultra instead...
 
sky1111 said:
Is the main unit the same as A229 Pro, or it is a different hardware?
If you have A229 Pro already, can you swipe the rear camera with the new 4K one?
I am wondering if A229 Ultra has the same overheating issue as A229 Pro...

P.S. To me it sounds like a very late flagship product for the previous generation... IMHO maybe it would have make it more sense to make 329 Ultra instead...
Click to expand...
i.love 329 ultra
 
sky1111 said:
P.S. To me it sounds like a very late flagship product for the previous generation... IMHO maybe it would have make it more sense to make 329 Ultra instead...
Click to expand...
The A229 series is roughly $100 less than the A329 series, the A129 series is roughly $100 less than the A229 series. It is about cost, not generation. It is about time for an A129 Ultra, or maybe a full update of the A129 series, add some HDR to the cheaper range...
 
sky1111 said:
Is the main unit the same as A229 Pro, or it is a different hardware?
If you have A229 Pro already, can you swipe the rear camera with the new 4K one?
I am wondering if A229 Ultra has the same overheating issue as A229 Pro...

P.S. To me it sounds like a very late flagship product for the previous generation... IMHO maybe it would have make it more sense to make 329 Ultra instead...
Click to expand...
The 4K camera in the rear is very pointless. However people will buy it. Why because they want the best video quality. However when it comes to rear cameras do we really need a 4K camera?
 
rcg530 said:
I also received a RWE800 4K UHD waterproof rear camera for the A229 Ultra series dash camera.
Click to expand...
I do like that Viofo are offering internal and external options so the mount, cable and housing can be optimised for each version. The interior camera allows using a CPL filter.
 
Some additional info I've obtained about the A229 Ultra:
  • Can the rear camera cable from the A229 Pro/Plus series be reused with the A229 Ultra rear camera?
    • Yes, the A229 Ultra rear camera cable is the same one used with the A229 Pro/Plus rear camera
  • Can the interior camera cable from the A229 Pro/Plus series be reused with the A229 Ultra interior camera?
    • Yes, the A229 Ultra interior camera cable is the same one used with the A229 Pro/Plus interior camera
  • Can the A229 Ultra's 1080p IMX662 image sensor based interior camera [RNF210] be used with the older A229 Pro/Plus dash cameras?
    • Yes, the A229 Pro/Plus can use the A229 Ultra's interior camera
  • GPS Mount
    • The A229 Plus/Pro/Ultra dash cameras and A329S/T/WW series use the same GPS mount
  • If you power the A229 Ultra with the new VIOFO HK6 hardwire kit, will there be an additional benefits to using the HK6?
    • The A229 Ultra can display the vehicle/battery pack's voltage level when powered by the VIOFO HK6 hardwire kit
    • 1754204704081.webp
 
SafeDriveSolutions said:
The 4K camera in the rear is very pointless. However people will buy it. Why because they want the best video quality. However when it comes to rear cameras do we really need a 4K camera?
Click to expand...
I think low light capability and good HDR are more important than 4K resolution on the rear, but if you can have all three without detriment to the front channel then why not?

The higher power requirement of the IMX678 might be an issue for some users, with more heat to dissipate and possibly shorter recording time in parking mode.

Let's see what bitrate Viofo can sustain for reliable operation over the long usb-c cable to the rear camera.
 
TonyM said:
I think low light capability and good HDR are more important than 4K resolution on the rear, but if you can have all three without detriment to the front channel then why not?

The higher power requirement of the IMX678 might be an issue for some users, with more heat to dissipate and possibly shorter recording time in parking mode.

Let's see what bitrate Viofo can sustain for reliable operation over the long usb-c cable to the rear camera.
Click to expand...
near35 4k+4k
 
TonyM said:
I think low light capability and good HDR are more important than 4K resolution on the rear, but if you can have all three without detriment to the front channel then why not?

The higher power requirement of the IMX678 might be an issue for some users, with more heat to dissipate and possibly shorter recording time in parking mode.

Let's see what bitrate Viofo can sustain for reliable operation over the long usb-c cable to the rear camera.
Click to expand...
Agreed, doesn't matter what from a technical standpoint might just be fine. It's what the market and technological evolution dictates. No one is going to buy from a company if they have the same one product with the same stagnant specs for like the last three years.

I remember running an action camera at 4K way back in 2017 in my car. Was super happy when 4k made it to cars. Any extra bit of resolution and bitrate that can help with a plate capture, I'm grateful for....
 
rcg530 said:
Can the rear camera cable from the A229 Pro/Plus series be reused with the A229 Ultra rear camera?
  • Yes, the A229 Ultra rear camera cable is the same one used with the A229 Pro/Plus rear camera
Click to expand...
Does the A229 Ultra rear camera have its own processor and firmware?
 
I am the odd man out, then. I like the improved 4K image from my rear window A129 Pro 4K. The only lens missing is the Telephoto Lens, which would be great for its capability to peer into the cabin area of the car behind me and catch the driver not paying attention, with their head turned, or texting.

Different strokes for different folks. 🙂
 
Each person is individual and has their own requests and views.
No need to adapt to anyone.
Voice your wishes and perhaps the manufacturer will listen to them and implement them.
 
Karagandinez said:
Does the A229 Ultra rear camera have its own processor and firmware?
Click to expand...
Yes, the A229 Ultra 4K rear camera has its own processor and firmware. The A229 Ultra that I received has v1.0_250708 front firmware and 4K_V1.0_250620 rear firmware.
 
rcg530 said:
Yes, the A229 Ultra 4K rear camera has its own processor and firmware. The A229 Ultra that I received has v1.0_250708 front firmware and 4K_V1.0_250620 rear firmware.
Click to expand...
So there is a chance that the rear camera from the A229 Pro/Plus will work with the A229 Ultra
(possibly after a firmware update) and users will be able to choose which camera to use, 4K or 2K, with the A229 Ultra.

Vantrue has a choice of cameras on the S1Pro Max.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top