VIOFO A129 DUO IR ( June 2018 ) is one of the best dashcams that you can find on the market because:
- You are buying one device but you are receiving 2 cameras (one in front + one that can you use for behind, middle front, inside front, etc..)
- Both cameras ( Front and Rear camera ) are able to recorder in 1080p @ 60fps but is better for quality to use @30fps
- New sleek professional design & solid build quality with improved stable four clip quick-release mount and heavy-duty power contacts for greatly improved stability and reliability
- WiFi control @2.4 & 5GHz
- Superior low light vision by the IR system in 3 modes (normal, auto,ir color)
- 2″ LCD + G-sensor
- New F1.6 anti-reflection coated Lens + Extra you can buy the available CPL Filter (just calibrate like here)
- 140°(front) & 160°(bottom) degree FOV Lens with Sony Starvis Night Vision Sensor on both cameras
- SuperCapacitor powered + works from 5 volt power bank of direct input (~0.75A consumption for both cameras ~0.48A only front camera)
- Enhanced Parking Mode using 3-wire Hardwire Kit or 2-wire Hardwire kit
- Supports 256GB cards (See bellow the cards recommended↓), mandatory to format in windows as FAT32 and after this to format in the camera software
- Using special modes you can boost Bitrate and adjust Sharpness & Color
Suggested SETUP INSTALLATION methods
The interior of vehicles in full summer Sun can reach damaging temperatures for any device. In extreme temperatures avoid using WiFi or 60fps settings since each generates more heat than MODs. Higher Bitrate MODs improve image detail and increase MP4 video clip size.
Most effective ways to reduce A129 Dash Cam heat is:
- disable WiFi
- disable Bluetooth
- avoid 60fps and use 30fps
- don’t use Parking Mode in full sun for hours
- always insert & remove microSD card while Dashcam is off.
1. EXTERIOR STYLE – This is the most effective way to install the dashcam because you are covering all the front and rear car parts and roads. This is good for safety and is helping you in some accidents.
2. POV STYLE – This can be used for the vloggers and YouTubers that want to mix the images and have a POV content on their channel.
3. TAXI STYLE – This is very good to take the inside frond car interior images, especially when you are ubering or common taxi services. This also can be used for vloggers or YouTubers.
4. INTERIOR STYLE – This is the same as Exterior style but the difference is coming from the rear camera which is capturing the inside of the car passanger but also with the behind passengers.
Supported memory cards (tested) include:
32GB VIOFO HC MLC C10 U3
64GB VIOFO XC MLC C10 U3
128GB VIOFO XC MLC C10 U3
64GB Samsung EVO Plus C10 (MB-MC64GA)
128GB Samsung EVO Plus C10 (MB-MC128GA) [mandatory to format in windows as FAT32 and after this to format in the camera software]
128GB SanDisk Ultra A1
128GB SanDisk Extreme microSDXC C10 A2 UHS-I [mandatory to format in windows as FAT32 and after this to format in the camera software]
64GB SanDisk Extreme microSDXC C10 A2 UHS-I
64GB SanDisk Ultra A1 XC I
64GB SanDisk High Endurance Video Monitoring
64GB Kingston microSDXC I C10 (SDC10G2/64GB)
128GB Hama microSDXC U3 [mandatory to format in windows as FAT32 and after this to format in the camera software]
64GB Lexar High Endurance
BEST choices are HIGHLITED
Suggested A129 DUO IR Menu Settings
Resolution = 1920x1080P 60fps
Bitrate = High <== select High for best detail
Live Video Source = Rear Overlaid
Loop Recording = 2 min <== select 2 min Loop for reduced MP4 file size
Video Format = MP4 <== select TS for crash surviveability or if supercapacitors failed
WDR = Off <== enable for brighter grainy night video
Exposure = EVFront 0 / EVRear 0
Parking Mode = Off / Auto Event Detection / Time Lapse 1/2/3/5/10fps / Low Bitrate Recording
( if needed select Low Bitrate Recording for continuous video with sound )
Parking G-sensor = High Sensitivity
Parking Motion Detection = Middle Sensitivity <== select Off for impact only detection
Time-Lapse Recording = Off <== never use when Parking Mode is enabled
Motion Detection = Off <== never use when Parking Mode is enabled or driving
GPS = On
Speed Unit = KPH
G-Sensor = Low
Wi-Fi = Off <== Off for less heat and better image quality
Date Stamp = On
GPS Info Stamp = none
Camera Model Stamp = On
Record Audio = Off
Screen Saver = 1 minute
Boot Delay = 5 sec <== select 10 sec for Diesel or Electric vehicles
LED = On
Date/Time = mm/dd/yy
Time Zone = -8 or (-7/w dst) <== match your region
Language = English
Beep Sound = On
Frequency = 60Mhz <== match your region
Image Rotation = Off
Rear Camera Mirror = Off
Format <== always Format new memory cards twice then every 2 months
Format Warning = Off
Default Setting <== always Reset to Default after updates
Car Number = blank
Custom Text Stamp = blank
Best Firmware Version
You can choose between original v1.02 viofo or some other ultra sharp and light software version from BC Hobbyist .
How to update
- Download the software that you want from bellow sites
- Unarchive the software in order to get the file like FWA129.bin
- Rename A129 MOD file eg. FWA129_MOD-27W+DCTeam.bin to FWA129.bin
- Use a memory card (recommend 16GB-128GB memory card) formatted by camera or on the computer as FAT32
- Insert the card in the camera and connect it to the computer using a USB cable
- Copy the FWA129.bin on the root of the card
- After FWA129.bin is copied to the card disconnect the camera from the computer by Safely Remove/Eject/Unmount
- Reconnect the camera to your power supply 5V and wait a few seconds until the camera restart. If the LEDs are blinking it means that is applying the software update. Wait until ends.
- The firmware will be automatically deleted from Micro SD card after upgrade completed.
- Stop recording, enter MENU, select DEFAULT Setting, wait for Dash Cam to restart.
- Set Date, Time Zone, Resolution, Bitrate, Loop Recording, Sharpness…
Note: Pay close attention when Renaming the firmware file. Do not change the last 3 letter file extension. Some computers show .bin others hide file extensions, don’t add .bin since its already there just hidden from view. Avoid incorrectly renaming firmware example: FWA129.bin.bins or FWA119S(1).bin
If any update fails it’s very easy to recover using official stock firmware copied to microSD card then Power-On wait until it restarts (1 min).
Parking Mode
Parking Mode = Off / Auto Event Detection / Time Lapse 1/2/3/5/10fps / Low Bitrate Recording
The Parking Mode 7 options function differently after 5 minute activation delay. All modes work with 3-wire Hardwire Kit and possibly power bank.
Buffered Auto Event Detection option now records 12 seconds prior to visual motion or impact trigger event in 45 second MP4 clips with sound. If no events are detected for 45 seconds camera enters low power Standby Mode and stops recording to memory card until next event detection.
Low Bitrate Recording doesn’t rely on 3-wire ignition signals so works perfectly with Power Banks and MODs since its basically normal video recording at lower 4 Mb/s Bitrate. It records continuous MP4 video with sound all night filling memory card and draining battery without entering low power Standby Mode.
Time Lapse 1fps / 2fps / 3fps / 5fps / 10fps records continuous no sound video in selected time-lapse setting without entering low power Standby Mode, this requires Viofo proprietary 3-wire Hardwire Kit, but power banks may also work.
Hardwire Kit must be connected to camera side USB port to support Parking Mode – never enable the other Menu options Time-Lapse Recording & Motion Detection, leave them OFF. If concerned about Hardwire kit draining battery set the voltage cutoff switch to 12.2 volts, or select 12.0 to extend Parking protection duration. There are risks using Power Banks especially in extreme temperatures for a long duration. There are risks using the Hardwire kit connected to the wrong circuit which can void a new car warranty.
For more detailed tutorials you can visit the: BC Hobbyist blog.
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