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Review Viofo A129 Pro - Pre-Release Version, First true 4K dashcam from China

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TSblurjoey
post Aug 23 2019, 10:44 AM, updated 6y ago

Sumo Hammy!
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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.

Attached Image

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
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New settings
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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
Attached Image


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


Rear cams
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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
Attached Image
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
TSblurjoey
post Aug 23 2019, 11:30 AM

Sumo Hammy!
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QUOTE(yanjinowa @ Aug 23 2019, 11:11 AM)
assume the encoding is done in H.264, would you be able to share H.265 file size?
*
Yeah. Default is using H.264.

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

QUOTE(Olibur @ Aug 23 2019, 11:14 AM)
Do you know the expected price and is there any way to get it before launch?
*
I predict the retail price to be around rm900-1k+-

Still waiting for launch as we testers are still testing out the A129 Pro.
TSblurjoey
post Aug 26 2019, 07:20 PM

Sumo Hammy!
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QUOTE(alexander3133 @ Aug 26 2019, 07:09 PM)
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.
TSblurjoey
post Aug 26 2019, 09:26 PM

Sumo Hammy!
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QUOTE(alexander3133 @ Aug 26 2019, 08:07 PM)
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. sweat.gif sweat.gif sweat.gif
TSblurjoey
post Aug 26 2019, 09:30 PM

Sumo Hammy!
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QUOTE(yanjinowa @ Aug 23 2019, 11:11 AM)
assume the encoding is done in H.264, would you be able to share H.265 file size?
*
H.265 file size for 2 minutes is 743MB vs H.264 File size for 2 minutes is 855MB
TSblurjoey
post Aug 27 2019, 03:06 PM

Sumo Hammy!
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QUOTE(yanjinowa @ Aug 27 2019, 03:04 PM)
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. blink.gif
*
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
TSblurjoey
post Sep 4 2019, 04:17 PM

Sumo Hammy!
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QUOTE(Olibur @ Sep 4 2019, 04:08 PM)
Any news on this?
*
Last I heard that it is releasing in a week or 2.
TSblurjoey
post Sep 5 2019, 03:41 PM

Sumo Hammy!
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QUOTE(Olibur @ Sep 4 2019, 04:08 PM)
Any news on this?
*
Got the news that the A129 Pro Duo will be open for pre-orders on the 15th of September.
TSblurjoey
post Sep 10 2019, 03:08 PM

Sumo Hammy!
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QUOTE(yanjinowa @ Sep 10 2019, 02:56 PM)
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
TSblurjoey
post Sep 10 2019, 04:17 PM

Sumo Hammy!
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QUOTE(yanjinowa @ Sep 10 2019, 04:05 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.
TSblurjoey
post Sep 14 2019, 03:46 PM

Sumo Hammy!
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QUOTE(katsumoto2011 @ Sep 14 2019, 01:03 PM)
Looking for a new cam, paling here first
*
Can pre-order from 15/9 onwards on Viofo website laugh.gif laugh.gif laugh.gif

Local price about rm1099 if not mistaken...
TSblurjoey
post Sep 15 2019, 08:40 PM

Sumo Hammy!
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QUOTE(katsumoto2011 @ Sep 15 2019, 06:08 PM)
not budget friendly hahahaha
*
A119 v3 lor... Can get less than rm500 during sales...
TSblurjoey
post Sep 18 2019, 06:58 PM

Sumo Hammy!
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QUOTE(Olibur @ Sep 18 2019, 04:34 PM)
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.
TSblurjoey
post Sep 23 2019, 11:45 AM

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

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

Attached Image

This post has been edited by blurjoey: Sep 23 2019, 11:46 AM
TSblurjoey
post Sep 29 2019, 10:59 PM

Sumo Hammy!
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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.
TSblurjoey
post Nov 25 2019, 09:39 AM

Sumo Hammy!
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QUOTE(schuessler @ Nov 25 2019, 03:19 AM)
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
TSblurjoey
post Nov 25 2019, 08:24 PM

Sumo Hammy!
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QUOTE(schuessler @ Nov 25 2019, 06:18 PM)
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.

Attached Image
TSblurjoey
post Nov 25 2019, 08:26 PM

Sumo Hammy!
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QUOTE(schuessler @ Nov 25 2019, 07:02 PM)
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.
*
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
TSblurjoey
post Nov 25 2019, 10:45 PM

Sumo Hammy!
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QUOTE(schuessler @ Nov 25 2019, 09:58 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.
TSblurjoey
post Nov 26 2019, 11:23 PM

Sumo Hammy!
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QUOTE(KIntos @ Nov 26 2019, 10:12 PM)
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.
*
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.

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