Author's Note: The original review is found at jwtech, please head to the site to show us your support as well. Click here to view all my product reviews.

Thanks to Bill from Viofo for the pre-release unit of the soon to be launch A129 Pro.



Do note that this is a pre-release unit. So there is no retail box, accessories or manual. The retail unit might be different from what I have below. Expected to launch very soon in August or September 2019.


Technical Specs:
• Processor: Novatek 96685
• Sensor: Sony Exmor R IMX317
• Lens: 130° FOV, all-glass lens
• Aperture: F1.8
• Resolution: front cam only: 3840x2160 30fps, 2560x1440 30/60fps, 2304x1296 30fps, 1920x1080 30/60/120fps ; front & rear cam: 3840x2160 30fps & 1920x1080 30fps, 1440p 30fps & 1080 30fps, 1920x1080 60fps & 1920x1080 30fps
• 2″ High-resolution TFT
• Support up to 256GB microSD card
• Built-in 802.11n 2.4GHz / 802.11ac 5GHz Dual-band Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth remote (optional)
• GPS mount (optional)
• CPL filter (optional)
• Built-in supercapacitor
• Parking mode (requires Viofo HK3 hardwire kit)


A129 Pro Duo





New settings


There are now 4 Bitrate modes: Low, Medium, High & Maximum

Below is the bitrate and 1-min video filesize for 3840x2160 30fps:
Low - Overall bit rate of 15.3 Mb/s with 109MB 1-min video file
Medium - Overall bit rate of 30.3 Mb/s with 216MB 1-min video file
High - Overall bit rate of 42.4 Mb/s with 303MB 1-min video file
Maximum - Overall bit rate of 60.3 Mb/s with 431MB 1-min video file


Initial firmware out of the box



Test setup

Will be using the 128GB Transcend High Endurance microSD for the recordings. And using the GPS mount from the A129 Duo IR.


Rear cams


Tested both rear cams from both A129 Duo & Duo IR and the A129 Pro can automatically detect both without issues. The A129 Pro doesn't have the IR cam color modes settings like on the A129 Duo IR. A129 Pro is using the IR Auto mode. A129 Pro connected with the rear cam, there are only 3 resolutions settings.


A129 Pro Duo & A129 Duo/Duo IR comparisons

A129 Duo/Duo IR on the left and A129 Pro on the right. Basically, everything is the same except the chipset, image sensor, and the lens. Plus the A129 Pro is slightly heavier than the A129 Duo/Duo IR.


Videos
Below is recorded in 3840x2160 30fps in High Bitrate mode with an overall bit rate of 42.4 Mb/s with WDR enabled and without the CPL filter.

















Don't forget to watch the above in 4K by clicking on the gear icon and change the resolution.


Final thoughts
The A129 Pro is a true 4K dashcam. The first Chinese brand dashcam that is true 4K. Not those fake 4K that manipulates lower resolutions to 4K dashcams.

The A129 Pro is crystal clear. An improved A129 Duo/Duo IR.

You can fully see all the details using a 4K monitor or TV.

Will be doing more tests with the A129 Pro like front and rear cam recordings, etc.

Also, you'll need to consider a bigger capacity micro SD for this A129 Pro if you plan to use High or Maximum bitrate mode as the filesize is big for a 1-minute video file.

This post has been edited by blurjoey: Aug 23 2019, 01:30 PM

assume the encoding is done in H.264, would you be able to share H.265 file size?

Do you know the expected price and is there any way to get it before launch?

parking for a great trusted cam brand

Yeah. Default is using H.264.

Let me get back to you for the H.265.

I predict the retail price to be around rm900-1k+-

Still waiting for launch as we testers are still testing out the A129 Pro.

RM1k+- is for the front camera only?

My prediction that it might be RM1.4k+- for the 2 channel.

I predict about rm1k-1.2k for the A129 Pro Duo set.

Hope will be launched soon.

I would love to see the duo set to be within RM1k to RM1.2k range, just hope that this dashcam will survive Malaysia heat.

A few days ago, my test unit auto-shutdown due to overheating.

H.265 file size for 2 minutes is 743MB vs H.264 File size for 2 minutes is 855MB

I thought H.265 would be better in terms of sizing, looking at this, diff is about 50MB per minute.
Please H.265 should be HEVC coding right? normal laptop may not be able to play smoothly.

Yes HEVC. Need quite a good specs pc to play h.265. Just imagine you got in an accident and the video cannot play on the police's computer.

Best to stick with h.264.

This post has been edited by blurjoey: Aug 27 2019, 03:06 PM

Any news on this?

Last I heard that it is releasing in a week or 2.

Got the news that the A129 Pro Duo will be open for pre-orders on the 15th of September.

Pre-order from Lazada?

I think should be from Viofo website. Lazada has to be careful as might not be authorized store by Viofo. Unless is Sicurez as they are authorized Viofo distributor for Malaysia.

Heard the A129 Pro Duo price will be around rm1099.

This post has been edited by blurjoey: Sep 10 2019, 03:46 PM

Viofo website means no local warranty right?
RM1099 is quite steep a price, consider price in Lazada with local warranty is about RM700.

I will KIV this, as i have just bought a 70mai review mirror DVR, main purpose for reverse camera function. thank you.

A129 Pro Duo is 4K resolution. RM700 is A129 Duo which is 1080p.

The pre-order is only through Viofo first.

Maybe later Sicurez will bring in later.

Looking for a new cam, paling here first

Can pre-order from 15/9 onwards on Viofo website

Local price about rm1099 if not mistaken...

not budget friendly hahahaha

A119 v3 lor... Can get less than rm500 during sales...

hmm, still dont see it. Do you think its wise to order from website straight or wait for the sicurez to get them here

Checking with Viofo and see.

With Sicurez you got local warranty if anything happens.

Presales from Viofo website for us$249.90 (rm1040+-)

https://www.viofo.com/en/home/149-presale-v...ash-camera.html



This post has been edited by blurjoey: Sep 23 2019, 11:46 AM

Thanks man

Just got news that Sicurez's Viofo A129 Pro Duo stock is arriving next week.

Will be selling the 1st 10 units for RM1059 with installations in their Lazada store on 1st Oct 2019. Micro SD card & HK3 hardwire kit not included.

Only 1 unit per customer.

HI , blurjoey.
why my 4k video blur not clear at all?
what setting do you set? please teach me. thanks

Did you remove the protection film from the lens? But the protection film is black on mine.

Can you show me your 4K video?

I prefer Medium or High bitrate mode. My WDR is enabled but to some, the WDR is a personal preference.

This post has been edited by blurjoey: Nov 25 2019, 09:41 AM

Yes, the protection film is removed. how to show my 4k video? upload to youtube, ok?
my setting is 4k,high bitrate, wdr, 50hz(this important?).

Here,s the sample i recorded
https://youtu.be/-VTwuEGU2u0
https://youtu.be/0lbh_7AYoM4
https://youtu.be/L9jkThf8L7g

Looking good at 1080p resolution on my phone. Your Mazda dashboard kind of whitteish reflection. You can try add cpl filter to remove the reflection. Otherwise you can try adjust the lens to 1 click down and compare again.

I'm using Samsung Evo Plus microsd card 128gb. It is possible sdcard problem?
and ya, will buy cpl filter after this.
still the video quality not same as what blurjoey/jayce ooi posted on youtube.

Nothing related to SD card. As long your sd card is certified 4K will do.
Did you view on 4k resolution on TV or phone with 4k display? It's look good on my phone YouTube 1080p.

It looks a bit grainy in 2 of the videos except the 1st video. What firmware are you on?

Also, the black seats in the MPV got lots of noise.

Any night videos?

It should not be the Evo Plus issue. Maybe firmware. Can you check what firmware version your A129 Pro is using?

Can you try reset back to factory default and see?

Also, lower the lens a bit as it is recording too much of the sky. Something like what you see in my video.



This post has been edited by blurjoey: Nov 25 2019, 08:31 PM

here's
my setting resolution 4k,
bitrate high
Loop recording - 2mins
WDR - on
EV front/back - 0
Frequency - 50hz
tv mode - NTSC
Filmware- A129Pro:V1.1
build20191015

Should not have any issue with v1.1. Could you try resetting to factory default and set again?

But mine I set the frequency at 60Hz and 1 min loop recording. That's the only difference.

Also, lower the camera angle if you can, so can see the bonnet a bit more.

bros, i viewed your video on my pc. your camera center focus is out. where did you bought it? Please liaise with seller for exchange. do you mind to share the original video clip file? put in on dropbox or google share drive, i will download it.

https://youtu.be/_0FmhfXqcXI

https://youtu.be/w3qaS-QbGq4

This post has been edited by schuessler: Nov 26 2019, 09:48 PM

https://youtu.be/w3qaS-QbGq4

https://youtu.be/_0FmhfXqcXI

heres my google drive folder. try to view
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Kqr...05A?usp=sharing

You can liaise with the seller for replacement. Len focusing alignment issue. If you have issue with the seller, let me know.

After lower the angle 1 click down, the dashboard reflection is even worst.

This post has been edited by KIntos: Nov 26 2019, 10:31 PM

Looks like 2 clicks down instead of 1 click down from previous videos.

Like what KIntos said contact the seller you bought the A129 Pro from and get a replacement unit for lens out of focus issues.

Ok, i found that i didnt enable h.265. Is it this problem cos video blur? just curious and double confirm with u.
whats your setting or can show me ur setting i try again.

Ok, i found that i didnt enable h.265. Is it this problem cos video blur? just curious and double confirm with u first before contact seller.
i bought from sicurez tech.

H.265 is just the video encoding. Nothing to do with the blur videos.

H.265 will use less space compared to H.264 but with the same video quality for both.

Below from my A129 Pro Duo review: https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=4853331

Bitrate settings

There are 4 bitrate settings that you can set on the A129 Pro. Below is the information for H.264 & H.265 encoding for the 4 bitrate settings.

H.264 Low bit rate
Front cam: 3840×2160 30fps – Overall bit rate: 15.3 Mb/s. 110MB per 1min file.
Rear cam: 1920×1080 30fps – Overall bit rate: 10.3 Mb/s. 73.9MB per 1min file.

H.264 Medium bit rate
Front cam: 3840×2160 30fps – Overall bit rate: 30.3 Mb/s. 217MB per 1min file.
Rear cam: 1920×1080 30fps – Overall bit rate: 12.4 Mb/s. 88.8MB per 1min file.

H.264 High bitrate
Front cam: 3840×2160 30fps – Overall bit rate: 42.4 Mb/s. 303MB per 1min file.
Rear cam: 1920×1080 30fps – Overall bit rate: 14.3 Mb/s. 102MB per 1min file.

H.264 Maximum bit rate
Front cam: 3840×2160 30fps – Overall bit rate: 60.3 Mb/s. 431MB per 1min file.
Rear cam: 1920×1080 30fps – Overall bit rate: 16.2 Mb/s. 116MB per 1min file.

H.265 Low bit rate
Front cam: 3840×2160 30fps – Overall bit rate: 13.7 Mb/s. 97.7MB per 1min file.
Rear cam: 1920×1080 30fps – Overall bit rate: 8,665 kb/s. 62MB per 1min file.

H.265 Medium bit rate
Front cam: 3840×2160 30fps – Overall bit rate: 22.4 Mb/s. 160MB per 1min file.
Rear cam: 1920×1080 30fps – Overall bit rate: 10.3 Mb/s. 73.9MB per 1min file.

H.265 High bitrate
Front cam: 3840×2160 30fps – Overall bit rate: 34.5 Mb/s. 247MB per 1min file.
Rear cam: 1920×1080 30fps – Overall bit rate: 12.4 Mb/s. 88.8MB per 1min file.

H.265 Maximum bit rate
Front cam: 3840×2160 30fps – Overall bit rate: 52.4 Mb/s. 375MB per 1min file.
Rear cam: 1920×1080 30fps – Overall bit rate: 14.5 Mb/s. 104MB per 1min file.

Just contact Sicurez and they will exchange the unit as it is under their 1 year 1 on 1 exchange warranty.

This post has been edited by blurjoey: Nov 26 2019, 11:48 PM

OK, thanks a lot u guys reply!

Noticed the night videos are recorded in 1440p 60fps? Not 4K 30fps?

Anyway just bring back the A129 Pro to Sicurez...

i trying both 4k and 2k resolution.

Did you try resetting back to factory default and test with Medium or High bitrate with 1 min loop with the rest as default?

The videos in your google drive looks very clear.

Anyway, tomorrow contact Sicurez and see what they say.

This post has been edited by blurjoey: Nov 27 2019, 12:08 AM

i tried on day 1 with high bitrate, quality about same as now
tried factory reset too.

I uploading more night video now to my google drive, help me check is it the problem still same.

Hi, is the A129 Pro Duo worth the extra $$$ for 4K resolution ?

I've view your youtube for A129 Duo - front + rear, the video quality OK wor.

It depends on the individual. Some want the clear video of the 4K while some can live with 1080p only.

Anyway, Viofo A129 Pro is 1 of the 3 dashcams with true 4K. The other 2 is from Thinkware and Blackvue.

Ok. Just stick with 1 min file at 4K at High bitrate and see how 1st. Try not too much variations.

To me nothing can be done on setting. It's clearly Len focusing issue. In your night mode, look at the light flare from traffic light and tail lamp. It's so blur/bokeh on the light flare.

No worry, it's just need to replace the front camera. Your rear camera is working fine.

But light flares can also be caused by windscreen tint

Anyway, think schuessler has contacted Sicurez about the issue.

If you understand bokeh, you will notice the bokehness on the light flare. It's defocusing on light flare. So meaning the lens focusing is on narrow depth of field.

Not familiar with bokeh as not into photography

Went to install this unit at Sicurez earlier this week. Appreciate the professionalism by Sam & the team. I added the optional CPL filter for front dashcam. Prior, they warned me about the rainbow effect produced by the CPL filter. It works great but the rainbow effect can be seen during afternoon/strong sunlight. It didn’t bother me much but just curious whether is there any adjustment can be done to eliminate the rainbow effect? If any.

Afraid that's the downside of CPL filter to remove the glare. Same as polarized sunglasses.

Ok noted. I think it's fine then. Will continue observing for other things

hi, good morning,
I'm planning to install this camera in my car and use cigarette port as power supply.
1) do I need to connect it every time if I want to use my car & disconnect it after park my car?
2) If I left it connect, is it will drain my car battery?
tqvm

1) No need...

2) No it won't as the ciggie port doesn't have power when the engine is off...