Setting Up and Using the New VIOFO A329 Dashcam | 4K 60fps

[@shadybacon3451]

The A329 supports external SSD up to 4tb of storage for recording. For anyone thinking about storage space.

[@philipsmith9688]

Peel this first, even I can work that out… and then you don’t, I’ve so been there😂

[@smilerbob]

“I’m not hard wiring the camera as it is a hire car…and I won’t be using the rear camera” Disappointed Ashley, hire cars are perfect for finding out how the trim is removed and what lugs are used so you don’t damage your own vehicle should you end up purchasing one 😁

[@ibs5080]

@@smilerbob After I read your entire comment, I realised it was written in humour!

[@smilerbob]

@@ibs5080100% all in good humour

[@ashley_neal]

I used to find out how fast they could go over speed bumps. Not now I'm a grown up!

[@smilerbob]

@@ashley_neal That used to give me a headache 🤣

[@fletchsrv]

Thanks to your recommendations and discount I've just bought an A229 Duo for my daughter's first car. Great quality piece of kit.

[@WayneTulip-zm9gw]

I hope you have a good day Ashley mate, keep up the good work. 👍

[@ibs5080]

My dash cam comes with an app that can give all kinds of extra information. For example, the G forces for acceleration, braking and cornering. Useful information for analysing the smoothness of my driving. And using its GPS coordinates, it can display a map in the app to show your location and progress along your route. And it even has a menu option to post to KZbin, plus a whole host of editing options.

[@Tibialstone7]

What dash cam is that?

[@busog97641]

​@@Tibialstone7the dash camera brand must be a secret.🤔😉

[@asimplecheeseburgerwfries469]

Just bought one a few days ago based on the amazing looking footage. Can't wait for it to arrive!

[@smilerbob]

Not to get too technical, you will never use all the space on an SD card due to file system constraints. A 256Gb card probably has around 230Gb usuable space and assuming there is no camera software overhead for protected file or reserved space for system use, then my calculations are ~313 minutes for 4K 60fps -460 minutes for 4K 30fps HDR But the analysis remains…60fps will give you less footage for the entire card 👍

[@nigels.6051]

Don't forget that on the Viofo dashcams, you can configure the bitrate, so if you want longer recording times, it is easy to get them, at reduced image quality. The bitrate used for the 60fps is probably a bit excessive, you don't need that much extra for the extra frames, it was probably chosen to try and make the 60fps look better quality than the 30fps, not just smoother.

[@54356776]

The good news is that with prices as they are a 512gb isn't much more than 256gb. So it makes sense to just get the bigger card.

[@TheWobblyFace]

I hope your rocket launch is a success Ashley, I was lucky to see one and at night. It lit the entire state up it was that bright, then we watched until it slowly faded then everyone quietly left. Not sure about the 60 fps over the 30, very little difference or improvement.

[@phanter344]

Is there anyway to turn down the sharpness? I've noticed on my A229 its oversharpened.

[@WayneTulip-zm9gw]

I hope both you and Liz are having a good time together in the USA.

[@jonpowell9011]

Do you have a recommendation for a dashcam that one can swap between vehicles on a daily (or more) basis?

[@nigels.6051]

If they are your own vehicles, Viofo sell extra mounting bases for their dashcams (the bit that sticks to the windscreen), so you put a base in both cars, then you can slide the camera off one and slide it onto the next. Ash struggled a little to slide his on in the video, but with a little practice, it only takes a second.

[@metromadness2016]

I switched from dashcams to GoPros because their mounts are easy to install, and it's very convenient to switch cameras if your other vehicles have the same mounts.

[@sillybait1329]

I have bought one but there weren’t any of those clear film base pieces of plastic Did you buy them separately or were they in the box?

[@JohnnyMotel99]

this could work for getting it straight, turn the unit on first and check alignment on the screen.

[@ibs5080]

I have a preference for a dash cam of small size and profile, including a small screen. Also, I've set mine to display GPS speed (just to the right of my mirror) rather than the actual footage its filming, though it does show the latter for a few seconds on startup. My unit also comes with a rear camera but as I have an aftermarket rear sunblind, I've not as yet found a way to mount the rear camera. Another feature I look for is a suction cup mount rather than adhesive pad. Interestingly, it seems that almost all rear cameras are via adhesive mount, as indeed are some front cameras.

[@R4STABAN]

Do Viofos destroy the DAB reception like Nextbases do?

[@chrisl1797]

2:25 You just know that if you lent Ashley a CD or DVD it **isn't** going to come back looking like he took a brillo pad to it, as invariable happens when one foolishly lends a shiny disc to someone

[@highpath4776]

can these connect to cloud storage so you can view footage without being dependent on the unit recording being in place?

[@goodyeoman4534]

I can't read most of those number plates. Is it clearer on the original video? Thanks.

[@panther9450]

Hi everyone, I would like to get a dash cam but the only thing that is putting me off is the storage of the recordings. SD cards are quite expensive, so I wondered why can't you when its full just erase the memory so that you can continue using it, but Google says no? Sorry stupid question 😅

[@ashley_neal]

Dash Cams naturally overwrite old footage unless it has been saved.

[@panther9450]

@ashley_neal oh so I don't need to worry about stock pilling sd cards then?

[@phillwainewright4221]

I had the same 32Gb SD card in a dashcam for seven years. it just overwrites the oldest file when it gets full.

[@panther9450]

@@phillwainewright4221 oh that's brilliant thank you 😊

[@smilerbob]

The only thing I would recommend is regular formatting of the SD card just to keep it working well. Without getting too technical, there is a special area responsible for locating the files on the SD card and that just needs a small clean occasionally Most modern cameras will do this from the menu functions so you don’t need a computer for it As others have said, as long as the camera is configured to, and all will do out of the box, the oldest file will get overwritten. Just be careful of “event” files where data is protected either by manual save or automated G-Force detection as some cameras will never overwrite those files, even if it means the card fills. But a format / erase will clear those off and they aren’t stored forever, just the camera might not automatically delete them These setting should be in the destruction booklet that comes with the cameras. Happy filming when you do get one 👍

[@Trebor2024]

Volvo often warn about dashcams interfering with Volvo technology. Not really sure what they mean, it might be the closeness of the dashcam to the range of sensors in the surrounding atmosphere the top of the windscreen. Ashley, did you have any issues with this on the Volvo S60? I ask, as I have a Volvo S60 (I’m in the UK) and am interested in getting a VIOFO dashcam. Thanks

[@nigels.6051]

Some dashcams can block the wireless signals from tire pressure sensors, used to be quite a common issue, but the newer tire sensors seem to have got better, as have Viofo dashcams. There can also be issues with DAB radio interference, if dashcam cables are laid next to antenna cables. So the warning is correct, but it is not something to worry about, and Viofo cameras are less likely to have issues than most, they are popular, so well tested and they do sort any issues, not all dashcam manufactures do.

[@SGz_Eliminated]

Do these dashcam modules not have a battery life, older/cheaper cars might not have the functionality to have them plugged in all the time.

[@smilerbob]

There will always be a circuit somewhere that is permanently live for operation when the vehicle is parked. Radio memory backup for example 👍

[@ibs5080]

Ash, I notice in your video samples, no extra info is displayed on screen. For example, date and time, GPS speed etc. I'm assuming these can be set by the user? GPS coordinates are also useful, though of course I fully understand not wanting to display those on KZbin.

[@nigels.6051]

Yes, those are all optional on Viofo dashcams, although I guess Ash had them turned on, but chopped the status line off in the edit.

[@ibs5080]

@@nigels.6051 Thank You. I did wonder if all that info was indeed just chopped off in the video.

[@shankly1985]

Ashley I did the same thing with my A139 pro 😂 I did find that I also mounted it so the camera lens was pointing out of the clear label. So my picture wasn't great opps. I removed and used another clear label and placed the camera at the bottom so it was seeing directly through the window and not that clear label. Hope that makes sense 😂😂

[@chrisl1797]

16:49 my bog standard HD camera is about 500Mb for a 3 min clip. Plenty big enough for my purposes.

[@Being_Jeff]

So if the rear camera is in use how does that effect the recording time capacity will it halved?

[@nigels.6051]

Rear camera is 2K, about 50% extra space required, not 100%.

[@chrisl1797]

15:42. No difference? There is a glaring difference to the 30fps footage. The car on the drive way opposite is completely invisible. What good is the footage if it doesn't show other vehicles?

[@smilerbob]

The car is still there, it is just camouflaged as dustbins 👍

[@KevReillyUK]

I think you've persuaded me that my next dashcam is going to be a Viofo. I do like my Nextbase (with its _built-in_ polarising filter 😛) but there's no denying the quality of that Viofo footage. I'm not yet convinced that the static sheets are a substitute for a good suction cup mount, which is not available first-party for the heavier Viofos, but I guess I'll find that out in due course. Most of the online mentions are very positive.

[@3112122113]

Would people recommend hardwiring if it is your own car? Never had a dashcam before and looking to get one, but I'm worried of messing something up if I hardwire it. Hyundai i10 if anyone's curious

[@smilerbob]

I have always hard wired mine without any issues. Make sure you get a good hard wiring kit and not a cheap one from discount shops / websites. Always make sure the kit has its own fuse. If you do hard wire then make sure the kit has a low voltwge detection so it doesn’t drain the battery too far if you leave the camera running all the time, or wire then make sure camera to a circuit that only comes on with the ignition (the radio for example). I know some people that simply run the standard plug cable through the trim and plug into the accessory socket directly rather than a hard wire kit. The cables are still tidy and behind the trim but less of the tapping into existing wires and circuits 👍 There are options depending upon your need and availability of the hard wire kits. I had to use a generic kit with an adapter for one of my cameras, but I was confident in cutting and crimping the cables securely. Good luck and I am sure people here will be able to offer more help and advice if needed

[@nigels.6051]

You will want to hardwire it if you want to record while parked, otherwise it is not necessary, other than to make a neat install and not occupy the power socket. If using a Viofo dashcam, do use the matching Viofo hardwire kit, not all hardwire kits are compatible.

[@markplenty2631]

I just bought the A229, but thanks for sharing..

[@ibs5080]

I know in some US states it's illegal to have any device mounted on the windscreen. I'm assuming perfectly legal in Florida?

[@TheVicar]

I love the people in the UK who have a satnav/phone mounted directly in front of their face on their windscreen, and clearly drive by looking at that screen What could go wrong

[@nigels.6051]

I believe that in Florida, any device mounted on the windshield must be out of sight of the driver, normally behind the mirror. I think Ash did OK! If you have a Florida rental car, you can use Florida rules in the other states, so no worries there.

[@ibs5080]

@@nigels.6051 Yes it's interesting how you can take a car outside it's home US state and yet the home state's rules still apply. Another good example is states with the "no front licence plate required" rule. In which case, you take such a car to a state where local vehicles require a front plate...and yet the out of state vehicle is exempt. It's the same in Canada.

[@metromadness2016]

The laws apply to cell phones and cell phone mounts, not to dashcams.

[@ibs5080]

@metromadness2016 I'd have to check if it also applies to GPS units aka sat navs.

[@chrisl1797]

15:57 my feeling is for educational videos it is better if the number plate is blurred. Keeps a level of anonomity to the people being filmed (essentially without consent to be uploaded to the internet). If someone is close enough to crash into you then the resolution/fps would have to be pretty rubbish not to get the number plate. If someone is going to be reported to Operation Snap then the number plate needs to be clear enough to work out the letters to get a tax/mot check to confirm make and colour are correct. The letters don't need to be pin sharl for that either.

[@flickthenick]

Nextbase front & rear dashcam, nice and compact and very unobtrusive

[@L-8]

To anyone who is wondering if 60fps is necessary, I would say it's definitely not. It doesn't provide any practical benefits such as better resolution of objects or number plates. If you buy 60fps over 30fps, you're buying it for smoother-looking footage.

[@nigels.6051]

There is an exception: when you take your car on a race track, the extra frames of 60fps can actually be useful. On the road, 30fps should always be plenty, in fact 24 fps is enough, but is not so nice to watch. If you are making a road movie then the smoothness of 60fps is nice, but the 30fps HDR has better colour and clouds, so best to use the HDR, and maybe convert it to 60fps for watching, with the extra frames interpolated by the video editor. The A329 image quality is noticeably better than the previous A229 Pro, the chances of reading plates are significantly higher, especially when using HDR at night, and it has the ability to use 4TB external storage drives, 60fps maybe the headline, but it is not the reason for choosing this dashcam.

[@chilleddriving1455]

I would rather have less fps and less compression. Compression is what kills it for me.

[@chrisl1797]

HDR might take three frames, one right, one under exposed and one over exposed.

[@nigels.6051]

Only two frames on the Viofo A329, one correct exposure for the dark areas and one correct exposure for the bright areas (clouds, headlamps, reflective number plates), then combines them into one video frame, works very well, especially for reading number plates at night.

[@mamba_no_5]

Guessed it was an s60 haha. Can you tell I like Volvos 🤣🤣

[@WayneTulip-zm9gw]

Did you have fun at NASA Ashley?

[@ashley_neal]

We missed the launch as it was postponed, but it was good

[@WayneTulip-zm9gw]

It’s a shame that the launch was postponed but I’m glad that it was good.

[@Keithbarber]

*FIRST*

[@ibs5080]

Well done Keith

[@ibs5080]

When I saw you sitting in the right hand seat but no steering wheel, at first I thought you'd reversed the polarity of the camera. Then you mentioned Florida, plus I recognised the Volvo dashboard from your full US video the other day.

[@keithdenton8386]

5% off is pathetic. There are deals out there with 15% off. Check around for the best deals. It would be silly to not compare the deals.

[@fletchsrv]

From some dodgy Chinese website when I looked myself. Got a decent discount direct from viofo UK plus Ashley's discount on top, that'll do me.

[@ashley_neal]

That's 5% extra! But not at the moment due to Black Friday discounts. Everyone else gets it, Keith why do you struggle?

[@keithdenton8386]

@@ashley_neal Accumulate discount codes? I don't think it works that way.