Thinkware MB-100 Multiplexer for Thinkware Dash Cameras - Review / Testing

[@RetroCarGuy530]

This video is focused on the functionality of the Thinkware MB-100 Multiplexer product. This is not intended as a review of the Thinkware F200 PRO dash camera, but that product was involved in the testing of the MB-100 Multiplexer. If you're interested in a particular section of the video, I have video chapter definitions in the video's description section and you should see the chapter markers as you view the video. Don't forget to check out the description section for my BlackboxMyCar affiliate discount code to save you some money on the purchase of this or any other product on the BlackboxMyCar website.

[@jeremiahk364]

This is crazy detailed. I appreciate all the information and effort you put into this video.

[@edrumsense]

That power consumpion chart is amazingly useful

[@androidemulator6952]

Thank you the more technical review- particular the power consumption specs. Thank you for taking the time to do that. :)

[@xsmitherz]

What an awesome setup this would be! Gonna look into this for sure

[@PanzerPlatform]

Geez alou Robert, What a fantastic test & demo. I didn't know you could only use 2, or 3 of the additional camera feeds in the combined "rear" video file. Great job, great work. -Chuck

[@HeadBassVTEC]

awesome review, the power usage measurements are much appreciated the compatibility with just the low-end models and the power consumption makes this pretty much useless imo...would need another car battery in the trunk to make this usable in the real world

[@RetroCarGuy530]

It does consume a large amount of power in parking mode which does limit the amount of time a vehicle battery or a dash camera battery pack can power the full 5 camera (1 front + 4 multiplexer) configuration. If the power consumption of the individual cameras connected to the multiplexer was reduced to allow the total power consumption to be in the 400 mA (5 Watt) range while in parking mode, then it would be a more viable solution for a larger number of users.

[@andreipopescu1]

thinkware T700 uses 165 mah in parking timelapse 1ch and 245 mah in timelapse with 2ch with rear camera provided in package. it uses 70 mah in energy saving mode with impact. .easurements made using 12v hardwire provided and an inline generic ampmeter

[@moushgas3146]

Very much detailed video. Great !!! Please, can you tell me powe consumption for f790 only? Thank you.

[@RetroCarGuy530]

I don't have a F790 to gather power consumption data. I just checked the Thinkware website and the F790 user manual and I don't see any power consumption data there either. Sorry, but I can't answer your question.

[@andreipopescu1]

thanks a lot

[@RetroCarGuy530]

You are most welcome

[@JohnnyAu-qp4uk]

during parking mode (time lapse ), will all 4 cameras record video in the same time? thanks

[@RetroCarGuy530]

Yes, all of the connected cameras will be recorded during time lapse parking mode. The front camera doesn't know that it's a MB-100 connected to it. The front camera simply records the video provided to it from the MB-100 as if it were a rear camera.

[@goodfoot7926]

Do the external cameras detect motion when in parking mode motion setting ?

[@RetroCarGuy530]

All of the cameras connected to the multiplexer are powered during any of the parking modes. Since the front camera sees the feed from the multiplexer simply as a feed from a rear camera, yes any motion in any of the cameras connected to the multiplexer will trigger a motion event.

[@Kal-el23]

Can you set the multiplexer to not downgrade the footage quality for the front camera if you opt for an x800?

[@RetroCarGuy530]

There is no multiplexer setting to change the recording quality of the front camera it's connected to. The front camera sees the multiplexer simply as a "rear camera". The recording quality of the front camera video is the same as if a typical rear camera was connected to the front camera.

[@Kal-el23]

@@RetroCarGuy530 I wasnt referring to a quality setting. According to your video there’s a setting for how the footage is combined, and depending on which one it seems it downgraded the footage to 1080p if all feeds are combined. So is there a way to maintain the 2k resolution for that camera or does the multiplexer still make it 1080p?

[@RetroCarGuy530]

The multiplexer outputs a 1080p video signal to the front camera. There's no way to pass through a higher resolution single from the multiplexer to the front camera. You select how many (input) cameras are connected to the multiplexer and it combines them into a 1920x1080p 30 fps signal to the front camera.

[@Kal-el23]

@@RetroCarGuy530 Oh that's interesting. Thinkware said that the front camera footage would remain at 2k and unaffected.

[@RetroCarGuy530]

I'm saying that too. The use of the multiplexer doesn't change the front camera unless having a rear camera connected (non-multiplexer) changes it. Some dash cameras will adjust the bitrate of the recorded video based on how many channels (front, rear, interior) are connected to the front camera unit. If the X800 does not change the bitrate when a rear camera is connected to it, then the same will be true for when the multiplexer is connected to the X800. All the front camera knows is that a camera is connected to it be it a rear or multiplexer feed for the rear camera. The multiplexer is accepting two to four input camera feeds and combining that into a single 1080p feed that is sent to the front camera.

[@securetech1966]

Compatible with U1000 ??

[@RetroCarGuy530]

No it is not compatible with the U1000. At 3:28 in the video, I list the dash cameras that the MB-100 multiplexer is compatible with: F200 Pro, F790, X700 and X800.