Viofo A329T (unboxing & first impressions) (Sony Starvis 2 IMX678, Wi-Fi 6/GPS, HDR, Novatek NT98530, 4K front + 2.5K telephoto + 2.5K rear, HDR all)

[ogzogz]

@Mtz I see you updated your dashcam info already 👍

View attachment 80026



Do you have stock headlights on your car, or have they been modified? I believe the headlight pattern and intensity affects the performance of the dashcam for capturing number plates. I say this because I remember that I bought an A139 Pro after seeing your pre-release screenshots of impressive plate captures at night, then I realised that my car's headlights were nowhere near as good as yours for illuminating oncoming cars. Eventually I upgraded my headlights which improved the dashcam performance, although it was still not as good as yours.

I have since changed my car and it has stock LED lights, but the upper edge cutoff seems lower than yours so I may not see the same results as you with the A329 Telephoto.

There will definitely be a difference depending on the type of headlight.
I haven't tried this a329 yet, but I can say that there is a difference in the tests I have done on the a229 series and many previous models. I have previously conveyed this, but it was not taken seriously. I am adding the subject below.

Thread 'Suggestions for improving video performance when driving at night'

Jun 29, 2024

@viofo @VIOFO-Support

I would like to reiterate here the suggestion that I have been talking about for a long time, which I think will improve video quality performance during night driving.

The effect of headlight type on image quality varies when driving at night.
I think that the warm yellow tone used in halogen headlights varies with the performance of an LED used in projector headlights.
The white LED tone adds coldness to the video, and since its lumen value is high, the contrast difference between the dark and illuminated areas is significantly different compared to...

• ogzogz
• Replies: 3
• Forum: VIOFO Other

If the license plates are below the headlight cut-off line on LED headlights, they can be read. However, if they are above it, it is difficult.

Also, a setting should definitely be added to the camera. The headlight type selection should be possible. Because the lumen values are different for LED and halogen. The temperature is different. Thus, more efficient results will be obtained. Tests should be done on every headlight type.

 

[Mtz]

I don't think the difference is because of the color of the headlights, but the way how the light is spread from the head lights which can be better from LED compared to halogen. The white balance will take care about the light color. Just stay with the car parked under some orange lights and you will see the image is orange. After a car with LED light is passing on, the overall image becomes much more white than orange. And I like this white balance behavior, the image is much more nice with a white light instead of a yellow or orange light.

That is a nice mounting location you have for the cabin camera.

I think the lens should be pointed a little more down because on the top sides the image is not OK because it is adding too much brightness. Also I see no reason to film the car roof.

I think it's not full 360° but always depending on where you mount the interieur.

You are lucky with your car. With many other cars the rear side windows will be covered by the front seat head rests. Many people dont realize this aspect from the beginning, but will realize later.

Do you have stock headlights on your car, or have they been modified?

My LED lights are stock, not modified and also it is not enabled some adaptive function which is adding more lights on the sides. They are 2 years old.

 

[ogzogz]

Here is a multiplexed video from A329T using a beta firmware

At the video description you have the download link for the original video so you can check it frame by frame or zooming into it.

My speed was legal, a little under 50km/h but the others I expect to have a little more than 50km/h. So the total speed was something like 80-95 km/h.

Because I am interested about the car registration plates legibility, here are some zoomed screenshots (not snapshots) from my MPC-BE player:
First is front, second is rear and the others are telephoto

Optionally, this multi-recording option looks good.
@viofo @VIOFO-Support
It would be better if the main camera image was below. Thus, the informational texts at the bottom provide a view that has not deviated from the usual. In addition, it would be better if the back and telephoto image were above.

 

[Mtz]

I expect the only change to be rear image at bottom right.

 

[jsmith]

I don't think the difference is because of the color of the headlights, but the way how the light is spread from the head lights which can be better from LED compared to halogen. The white balance will take care about the light color. Just stay with the car parked under some orange lights and you will see the image is orange. After a car with LED light is passing on, the overall image becomes much more white than orange. And I like this white balance behavior, the image is much more nice with a white light instead of a yellow or orange light.

I think the lens should be pointed a little more down because on the top sides the image is not OK because it is adding too much brightness. Also I see no reason to film the car roof.


You are lucky with your car. With many other cars the rear side windows will be covered by the front seat head rests. Many people dont realize this aspect from the beginning, but will realize later.


My LED lights are stock, not modified and also it is not enabled some adaptive function which is adding more lights on the sides. They are 2 years old.

I wonder how Active Bending Lights do versus Halogen. I still regret not getting the ABL lights on my vehicle and no plans to replace my car anytime soon.

Halogen definitely don't penetrate anywhere near LED's nor do they illuminate around corners well either.

 

[SMAD]

Was advised by VIOFO Australia today that we should see the A329SW in Australia by Early June 2025

 

[Dan-UK1415]

Viofo have confirmed it will be released within next 2 weeks

Post in thread 'Rtsp stream, Wifi, download, etc.'

May 6, 2025

When VIOFO, when? Lol

We will start to sell A329S after 2 weeks.

• viofo

• 
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[joe384]

I think you need a wider front lens on if you want full 360°, which would make some sense for the Telephoto version where the Telephoto does the high resolution work, but is probably undesirable for the standard version, and since the Telephoto is an alternative to the Cabin camera, I guess Viofo won't have full 360° until they get a 4 channel 4K dashcam! It is currently quite close to 360° though, I don't think that missing out a bit of A-Pillar is a big problem.

😀 Haha yeah the telephoto seems really good but the interior is also great for getting an all round view when parked, so yeah we need a viofo 4 channel now lol

 

[Super6ix]

Sounds like a @viofo 5ch Box Series that covers the front dash 170°, rear 170°, interior , front left fender 170° , front right fender 170°, all with Starvis 2 sensors.

 

[Super6ix]

Or they can continue the way they're going but offer an optional 2 ch exterior addon like multiplex, that covers the exterior sides.

 

[Augustus]

Or they can continue the way they're going but offer an optional 2 ch exterior addon like multiplex, that covers the exterior sides.

Don't get me wrong I'll lust for that just as much as you, but sales and market requirements will always win out 🙁

 

[TonyM]

S-model is just front, rear, interior camera. T is front, rear, telephoto.

What if I have front, interior and telephoto?

Or front, front telephoto and rear telephoto!

Maybe we should stick with A329S 1CH, 2CH and 3CH

 

[Augustus]

What if I have front, interior and telephoto?

Or front, front telephoto and rear telephoto!

Maybe we should stick with A329S 1CH, 2CH and 3CH

Probably the better naming scheme hahaha, but it could turn out that way haha

 

[TonyM]

I'm looking forward to trying a Viofo telephoto camera. After years of developing my own DIY efforts it will be refreshing to have one ready-made in the box.

I'm not sure whether to add a third channel, and if so, what type. I suppose the standard rear camera makes most sense.

I'll wait so see some reviews before deciding which way to go.

 

[Augustus]

I'm looking forward to trying a Viofo telephoto camera. After years of developing my own DIY efforts it will be refreshing to have one ready-made in the box.

I'm not sure whether to add a third channel, and if so, what type. I suppose the standard rear camera makes most sense.

I'll wait so see some reviews before deciding which way to go.

I definitely think the Telephoto is useful, I still have my RTC300 in my vehicle paired with the A229 Pro. I find it compliments the front sensor already, as I've paired it up that way. You'll like it a lot

A third channel is always nice, but whether it holds a lot of utility is up to the consumer and their preferences. I don't mind it, but also adds another layer of complexity

 

[Nigel]

What if I have front, interior and telephoto?

Or front, front telephoto and rear telephoto!

You will need to be careful what you order if you want it to work, the pre-packaged combinations of S, T and W make ordering simple!

 

[TonyM]

I definitely think the Telephoto is useful, I still have my RTC300 in my vehicle paired with the A229 Pro. I find it compliments the front sensor already, as I've paired it up that way.

Do you use a CPL on the front, telephoto or both?

 

[Nigel]

Do you use a CPL on the front, telephoto or both?

The CPL is not normally needed on the telephoto for dash reflections from your own car, but it does mean that you can see through more windscreens to record mobile phone use. The Telephoto seems to record plates anyway.

 

[lufa6977]

I'm looking forward to trying a Viofo telephoto camera. After years of developing my own DIY efforts it will be refreshing to have one ready-made in the box.

I'm not sure whether to add a third channel, and if so, what type. I suppose the standard rear camera makes most sense.

I'll wait so see some reviews before deciding which way to go.

I followed that thread of yours and found it interesting. I can tell you that I am very pleased with the Telephoto on my A229 Pro, it pulls in some detail the standard lens will not. That of course may be an issue for EU countries and the UK, not sure, but in the U.S. no issue if I have an image of the drive of the car approaching me, using their cell phone. I can't even fathom the number of times I have been rear-ended at a traffic stop because the driver was on their cell, texting or talking. The Telephoto picks that up quite nicely.

 

[lufa6977]

The CPL is not normally needed for dash reflections from your own car, but it does mean that you can see through more windscreens to record mobile phone use. The Telephoto seems to record plates anyway.

Oh please, it does a great job at mitigating reflections on the windscreen.