VIOFO A329S - Testing/Review - RCG

[Dan-UK1415]

I have Reolink CCTV cameras that can be viewed remotely (over WiFi & LTE).
That has on-screen quality selection, so you can choose low/medium/high quality remote view which is good if you need to check up on something but have a bad signal, just choose low quality, but most of the time 4K high bitrate works fine over LTE which shows around 8500kbps. Also allows pinch to zoom in on any areas of the screen for better up close footage.

My point being is that there is potential for those with the right software on a Viofo dashcam. The limit isn't the connection or the possibility, it's just software.



(Sorry but I think this is all off-topic to RCG's thread for his review of the dashcam. This would be good in a separate thread).

 

[Greenkeeper]

it is not possible to simply switch from "fish eye" to "telephoto". Even if you add such an item to the menu.

I'm pretty sure that's a design choice, though. So the real question is: Is it truly necessary to have different firmwares - or could it be done in a more convenient way?

It would be good if the remote cameras identified themselves, and passed their parameters to the main camera, so that a single firmware can work for all, but Viofo doesn't seem to have achieved that yet... Some of those things will be done within the remote cameras, but I'm not sure how smart these cameras are.

That would probably be the best solution. But even without automatic identification, I still think a “switch between modes” option could be implemented - maybe kind of hidden or tucked away behind a “Do you really want to do this?” confirmation screen, if there's concern that casual users might mess things up.

I can't tells about A329S but previous models use 640х360 resolution for RTSP. And did not transfer audio stream (why not? I did not know, I changed this on my FW mods).
So if silence mode with so low resolution is okay for live streams for someone, I can't say that it is ideal for my use. @Greenkeeper may agree or disagree.

No audio would still be acceptable for me, due to external solutions - but honestly, the resolution would be quite disappointing. Also, the framerate really shouldn't be below 30 fps; ideally, it should be closer to 60 fps.

Maybe on the next version, when people want front and rear exterior cameras on the 5 channel dashcam?

I actually think this:
You can't release a 3-channel dashcam model, offer 4 (or even more) different camera configurations and not expect people to want all of them in an all-in-one product solution (at some point) - or atleast the option to easily switch between them by simply plugging/unplugging the modules and changing the mode in the settings - not by flashing a different firmware.

For me, the 3-channel model is fine, but the lack of HDMI and the fact that RTSP might not come close to those standards is honestly a bit of a letdown. That’s why I’d really like to see what the device is capable of before I buy it and potentially end up regretting it. Especially since I don’t have any hands-on experience with RTSP, just what I’ve read and seen so far. It might work for me, but I'm not too sure about that yet.

But I suppose that current hardware allows Viofo improve RTSP stream to FullHD and add audio data.

That would be quite nice. If @viofo could confirm this and would be committed to do so by firmware upgrade, I'm in!

 

[donhoe100]

Parking Mode - Video Storage

The A329S/A329T dash cameras allow the user to select where [MicroSD Card, External SSD] the video files are stored during normal recording mode and parking mode.

If you intend to use the new "Low Power Impact Detection" [LPID] parking mode by explicitly selecting LPID parking mode or use one of the three Hybrid Parking Modes [HPM] which end up switching to LPID parking mode, you must select the "MicroSD Card" video storage option for parking mode video files. The normal mode recording files can be stored on the external SSD, but the LPID files must be stored on the microSD card.

View attachment 80618 View attachment 80619

If you attempt to select the "External SSD" option for the "Parking Files Storage" setting with LPID parking mode being the selected parking mode, this message appears:

View attachment 80616

If you attempt to select the "External SSD" option for the "Parking Files Storage" setting with one of the three hybrid parking modes being the selected parking mode, this message appears:

View attachment 80617

Parking Mode is when I would WANT to use the SSD? If someone steals your dash cam the SSD would most likely remain in your vehicle?

 

[Finnegan]

Parking Mode is when I would WANT to use the SSD? If someone steals your dash cam the SSD would most likely remain in your vehicle?

Many folks put the SSD in the glove box and hide the cable, however, once someone breaks into
a vehicle isn't it likely they will look in some of the likely places, console, glovebox, etc.?

Most, if not all SSD, are compact enough to be hidden in unlikely places, as long as you can easily get
to it when you need it.

 

[EricSan]

This is an interesting set of considerations for which files go on the SD card and which ones would go on the external SSD...

 

[LeeShadow]

I started with SSD for everything, but currently use my SSD for driving and the SD card for parking mode simply due to the lower power usage. My SSD is hidden under the passenger side dash, which also helps with heat exposure. I do agree there's greater risk with a person breaking into a vehicle taking the dashcam with the card inside, but in my usage scenario my car is 95% of the time garage kept overnight and when it isn't, I'm almost always parked somewhere (true also during the day) where my vehicle is at lower risk of being broken in or stolen just due to the amount of foot traffic, security people/police and other cameras around. I am also meticulous about never leaving anything of value in my vehicle in plain sight or not. Well, other than the dashcam....😊

Didn't someone here suggest a future function where an automatic backup of the SD card to the SSD could be scheduled? That would be ideal, but I think someone then brought up the potential complication of that occurring during parking mode and what that might entail (the camera going back into normal recording and the potential battery impact, etc).

 

[GPak]

About six months ago, I installed the A329 in my son's car, with a remotely mounted SD card.
All components were third-party, including the cable, card reader (linked here), and an old SanDisk Ultra SD card.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/B0BNBXVLZS
https://www.amazon.com/gp/B0D1V76CYB
This offers all the benefits of remote installation, such as reduced heat (the card slot is usually the hottest spot on a dashcam), secure footage, plus a lower power consumption for parking, and the convenience of using existing SD cards many of us olready have.
Also, nowdays SD cards are available in capacities up to 2 TB.
So far, it's worked great, no issues.

 

[EricSan]

I suppose getting the SD card out of the hot card reader is the largest benefit that allows a wider variety of cards to work well. Good to know!

 

[GPak]

I suppose getting the SD card out of the hot card reader is the largest benefit that allows a wider variety of cards to work well. Good to know!

Exactly!

Viofo first confirmed the functionality of the remotely installed SD card, and then Chuck tested this configuration in detail:
With the remotely installed SD card, the temperature of the original A329 was up to 7°C lower compared to the baseline, when the SD card was inserted into the camera.
Most importantly, the temperature of the remotely installed SD card was about 20°C lower than the baseline value, which certainly minimizes the likelihood of failures due to SD card overheating.

More details here and in subsequent publications:
https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/threads/a329-test-review-pp.51932/post-628909

 

[SC@AU]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/B0D1V76CYBThis offers all the benefits of remote installation, such as reduced heat (the card slot is usually the hottest spot on a dashcam), secure footage, plus a lower power consumption for parking, and the convenience of using existing SD cards many of us olready have.
Also, nowdays SD cards are available in capacities up to 2 TB.
So far, it's worked great, no issues.

I don’t know if there’s been posts re comparisons, but just how much of an energy saving is there between an external SD card set up Vs a decent SSD..?
Except this aspect (admittedly a key one) I don’t know what real advantage there is in choosing external SD over the straight SSD setup…?
I’m presuming that LPID mode isn’t available when using an external SD set up due to the use of the USB port intended for SSD…?

I guess there’s a discussion to be had on which setup would be more reliable, which is probably priority number one….On the one hand there’s Viofo’s SSD implementation, which by all accounts is ‘fussy’ and has seen some issues…Or a external SD rig (Extension Cable>Connection>Car Reader>SD Card) with more elements at play and a storage setup which isn’t ‘officially’ supported as far as I’m aware…?

EDIT: You posted above just before I did..! I shall read more on the linked thread…👍

 

[Mtz]

Didn't someone here suggest a future function where an automatic backup of the SD card to the SSD could be scheduled?

It is very possible in a firmware update to have automatic backup of LPID saved video from the SD card to the SSD after the video file was saved on the card. This automatically backup to be as option in the A329S menu. The default will be automatic backup.

This offers all the benefits of remote installation, such as reduced heat (the card slot is usually the hottest spot on a dashcam), secure footage, plus a lower power consumption for parking, and the convenience of using existing SD cards many of us olready have.

If the Hybrid parking mode will allow usage of SSD during the first period (until LPID mode) this means the card will be not so stressed during parking mode because of heat. During LPID will be no heat problems because the camera is not powered or recoding and only the sun will not affect the card.

I’m presuming that LPID mode isn’t available when using an external SD set up due to the use of the USB port intended for SSD…?

Read above, there are big chances to have Hybrid parking mode on SSD and to not be forced to use the card in this mode.

 

[GPak]

Parking safety is very important to me, so I can't rely on collision-activated or motion-detected parking mode.
Therefore, I only use LBR parking mode, the most reliable and informative.
If I need more parking time, I prefer to install a larger parking battery.

I don't use the starter battery for the dash cam while parking.
The starter battery carries its share of parasitic loads from the car itself, such as from the car's security systems, electronic door locks, remote start, computer memory, etc.

I think most permanent members of this forum also prefer LBR parking mode (i think there was a thread on DCT with a survey a couple of years ago).
With the advent of hybrid parking mode, this may change, but in hybrid mode, the LPID essentially acts as a backup, in case the battery runs low.
With a healthy battery, the LPID may not activate at all.
If I need really long term parking protection, like at an airport for a week or so, I would use a pure LPID from the start for the longest possible parking time.

 

[Mtz]

I consider the biggest advantage of Hybrid Parking Mode is the possibility to have the LPID mode as an extreme feature in parking mode and the dashcams users should always use the normal parking mode, according to their battery health. If you will lower your battery voltage at 11.8V daily or at least 2-3 days, because of parking mode, your car battery will not last too much, be happy to last 2 years.
Personally I afford to replace the car battery each 2 years (this is also the official warranty in EU) also because today the car batteries are made to last much less than 20 years ago, for example. So I expect to change my car battery after 2 years even I use or not the Parking mode.

Maybe you forgot that you have a time-out which is up to 48 hours so the LPID mode will be not started by a too low voltage, it can be started also by the time-out.
Because of their life style, many people are setting the time-out at 1 hour and with feature as Geofencing, it can stop the parking mode when arrived at your home private parking, work private parking and maybe some other safe location. But even in those locations I would like to have the LPID mode active,

From my experience the best parking setup is a power bank with 3 extensions.

Also for your peace of mind regarding the parking of your car anywhere, you can see an idea from my signature. You can combine it with LPID to get instant notification,