Viofo A329W (Waterproof rear camera) - contents & sample images

Dan-UK1415

Dan-UK1415

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Dash Cam
BlackVue Elite 8/9 & Viofo A329T
Here is a new Viofo RWC400 waterproof rear camera for the A329S/T/W


The model number is RWC400, against the RC420 and RTC420 model numbers of the standard rear and telephoto cameras.
I would have assumed they'd have named it RWC420, but oh well...

Here are some photos of the box contents and the size comparisons next to the other available camera options.

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Here is some sample footage using - the main A329S/T front camera, the standard Rear camera and the Waterproof rear camera.

Good news for the average user, the cameras are basically plug and play - it's not necessary to update or amend the firmware to a different model for them to work.

I have the A329T model (telephoto), and have added the rear waterproof camera (W), and it works without any issues by just plugging in.
I have not needed to update or amend the firmware.
Obviously there will be benefits to that - such as updates/possible additional settings etc - but from the concerns about basic users from other threads and their IT skills on updating firmware etc, this is good news.

The rear cameras (both) can also be put in ANY of the ports on the main camera unit and they work.
Currently the telephoto and interior cameras only work on the 'interior port' - but Viofo say a future update will allow them to go on any port, to allow people who want multiple telephoto or multiple interior cameras connected.


The sample images are in car park, with all 3 camera lined up next to each other facing the same direction for image quality comparison.

Main Camera (with CPL filter - HDR on)
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Standard Rear Camera (no filter - HDR on)
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Waterproof Rear Camera (no filter - HDR on)
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I would have assumed that the video/image quality would have been the same on both rear cameras, with just a different shell/case covering them - but the images do look different.


It may have been the slight difference in angles/lighting but the waterproof rear camera does look brighter and more colourful, with the standard rear camera having more muted colours.

The front camera is shown for reference, but that does have a CPL filter on, and the 2 rear cameras being bare.


I'll have a better play around with it when I get chance over the next few days - but I wanted to get something posted for you in the meantime.
 
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The only reason someone would maybe want/need to convert the A329S or A329T front camera firmware to the A329WW firmware would be when they are running two of the weatherproof rear cameras. The WW firmware uses different video filename suffixes of "_1R" and "_2R" to identify which waterproof rear camera was used to generate the video file. It seems like a better solution than continuing to use the filename suffixes for the telephoto "T" or interior "I" when storing the video for the the waterproof rear camera connected to the "Int" port on the side of the front camera. VIOFO decided to not make the "WW" loader file available on their website since that should be a very unlikely firmware conversion path for the typical VIOFO A329x user.

The waterproof rear camera is sold as part of the bundle offerings from VIOFO for the A329S [A329SW 2CH/3CH] and A329T [A329TW 3CH] dash cameras. I'm not aware of any firmware settings specific to the waterproof rear cameras, but I have not had a waterproof rear camera to plug into a front camera running the "S" or "T" firmware.
 
rcg530 said:
The only reason someone would maybe want/need to convert the A329S or A329T front camera firmware to the A329WW firmware would be when they are running two of the weatherproof rear cameras. The WW firmware uses different video filename suffixes of "_1R" and "_2R" to identify which waterproof rear camera was used to generate the video file. It seems like a better solution than continuing to use the filename suffixes for the telephoto "T" or interior "I" when storing the video for the the waterproof rear camera connected to the "Int" port on the side of the front camera. VIOFO decided to not make the "WW" loader file available on their website since that should be a very unlikely firmware conversion path for the typical VIOFO A329x user.

The waterproof rear camera is sold as part of the bundle offerings from VIOFO for the A329S [A329SW 2CH/3CH] and A329T [A329TW 3CH] dash cameras. I'm not aware of any firmware settings specific to the waterproof rear cameras, but I have not had a waterproof rear camera to plug into a front camera running the "S" or "T" firmware.
Click to expand...

Not having an A329x family in hand, I think you are saying that unless one has a A329xW or A329WW camera, they will not have a video file that is labeled with the "_1R" or "_2R" nomenclature?

As is standard with VIOFO they managed to botch the naming scheme ( IMHO ) of this entire series. Why they did not use _1W and _2W eludes me, there is no assurance one or both water proof cameras will be positioned at the rear of the vehicle. My premise is the camera/lens function should be identified, not where it is placed.
 
lufa6977 said:
Not having an A329x family in hand, I think you are saying that unless one has a A329xW or A329WW camera, they will not have a video file that is labeled with the "_1R" or "_2R" nomenclature?
Click to expand...
No, I'm saying only the A329x front camera running the "WW" firmware will have "_1R" and "_2R" filename suffixes.
  • S Firmware
    • Rear = "R" suffix [RC420 or RWC400 Waterproof Rear]
    • Int = "I" suffix [RCC360 Fisheye Interior Camera]
  • T Firmware
    • Rear = "R" suffix [RC420 or RWC400 Waterproof Rear]
    • Int = "T" suffix [RTC420 Telephoto Camera]
  • WW Firmware
    • Rear = "_1R" suffix [RWC400 Waterproof Rear]
    • Int = "_2R" suffix [RWC400 Waterproof Rear]
As a test, I loaded the "WW" firmware into one of my A329S front cameras. Since I don't have a RWC400 waterproof camera, I connected a RC420 rear camera to the "Rear" port and it was recognized and video was recorded with the "_1R" video filename suffix.
 
I'd been waiting to see how this looks to see how the wiring was handled.

Also looks like the waterproof camera has a slightly smaller horizontal FOV as well

Would be interesting to see how they work a side cameras (I'm sure someone on here will eventually try that)
 
danlat1415 said:
The sample images are in car park, with all 3 camera lined up next to each other facing the same direction for image quality comparison.
Click to expand...
danlat1415 said:
I would have assumed that the video/image quality would have been the same on both rear cameras, with just a different shell/case covering them - but the images do look different.


It may have been the slight difference in angles/lighting but the waterproof rear camera does look brighter and more colourful, with the standard rear camera having more muted colours.
Click to expand...
The waterproof camera may have a different white balance setting, assuming it would be mounted outside the vehicle rather than looking through the vehicle's windows?
 
TonyM said:
The waterproof camera may have a different white balance setting, assuming it would be mounted outside the vehicle rather than looking through the vehicle's windows?
Click to expand...
I got that impression too.
(All 3 cameras were outside of the vehicle in the images above)

The image seems similar colour as the front camera that has a CPL filter on.
Obviously the rear waterproof won't be able to have a CPL filter with it being outside so they may have adjusted the colour balance or have a different lens/filter to account for that.
 
rcg530 said:
The only reason someone would maybe want/need to convert the A329S or A329T front camera firmware to the A329WW firmware would be when they are running two of the weatherproof rear cameras.
Click to expand...
This may be useful for someone who wants to install 2 normal rear cameras inside the car to film what is happening to the left and right of the car.
 
@viofo , is it compatible with A329 (not A329x versions)?
 
Dex_ said:
@viofo , is it compatible with A329 (not A329x versions)?
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The rear cameras on the A329 and A329S are interchangeable, so the waterproof one will work on the A329.
I think I tested the RWC400 with an A329, but there is no confirmation/video.

In any case, the telephoto lens that works instead of the rear camera on the A329S also works on the A329.
 
Karagandinez said:
The rear cameras on the A329 and A329S are interchangeable, so the waterproof one will work on the A329.
I think I tested the RWC400 with an A329, but there is no confirmation/video.

In any case, the telephoto lens that works instead of the rear camera on the A329S also works on the A329.
Click to expand...
Yep, I knew about cabin/telephoto cams, thank's. Question was about rear, because in RWC400 box wrote "Compatible Models: A329S series" only.
 
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Dex_ said:
Yep, I knew about cabin/telephoto cams, thank's. Question was about rear, because in RWC400 case wrote "Compatible Models: A329S series" only.
Click to expand...
There are 2 types of telephoto for the A329S. One type works instead of the cabin camera, the other type works instead of the rear camera. I wrote about the second type above.
 
Dex_ said:
Question was about rear, because in RWC400 box wrote "Compatible Models: A329S series" only.
Click to expand...
Do you want me to confirm / verify compatibility?
 
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@Chuck McCoy Yes, please. I would very much appreciate it.
I do not have any other dashcams now that can be used with waterproof camera but I planning to a try this type of rear cam.
 
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