Viofo A119 V3 1600p 1440p Review

The Viofo A119 V3 was introduced in June 2019. The V3 hardware has been upgraded with Sony 5 MegaPixel IMX335 Exmor R Starvis Image Sensor for improved night vision and advanced Novatek NT96670 chipset. It uses the same camera body but the V3 GPS Mount has been re-wired for advanced Parking Mode support and still requires EVA foam pad to improve stability and reliability. The F1.6 Aperture 135-140 degree Field of View Lens with 2560x1440P resolution is a good combination. The V3 supports 2560x1600p resolution but isn't 16:9 and taller than 2560x1440p capturing more sky, recommend using 1440p. Viofo has now created a solid base for what could be the next generation of Dashcam with all the best features from A119 V3 + A129 Duo = A129 Pro Duo 4K Dual-Channel WiFi Dash Camera... coming soon.

If you want a budget priced narrow field of view 1440P (2K) Buffered Parking Mode capable Dashcam the A119 V3 is your best choice. The narrower angle Lens eliminates fisheye effect and reduces distortions on small car windshields. This will soon find a permanent position on my windshield as my other daily driver.

How to view videos or photos Playlist on A119 V3 Dashcam LCD screen:
1) press REC to stop recording
2) press middle-red-triangle Emergency snapshot button (aka.Triangle)
3) use REC or MIC to select Video or Photo files
4) press Triangle to view Playlist
5) select clip with REC or MIC then press Triangle to confirm OK
6) clip controls are REC=Erase // Triangle=PLAY // MIC=Lock/unLock // MENU=back
7) press MENU to go back and Exit

PROs		CONs
- Price - excellent 1440p resolution - fantastic 30 Mb/s High Bitrate - brighter Sony 5MP sensor - narrow angle FOV F1.6 Lens - buffered Parking Mode - available CPL Filter - supports 256GB cards - GPS mount option - standard MP4 format - works from 5 volt power bank - easy to disassemble		- internal vent blocking again - unstable single clip mounting bracket - mount stabilizing EVA foam pad wears out - weak RTC rechargeable battery (8-18 days) - microSD card in socket protrudes too far - audio volume very low on recorded clips

Viofo A119 V3 Specifications

Viofo A119 V3 Dash Cam Specifications
- 2560x1600 30fps , 2560x1440P 30fps , 1920x1080P 60fps & 30fps
- recommend 2K - 2560x1440P resolution at 30fps with H.264 codec
- supports 2K - 2560x1440P resolution at 30fps with hidden H.265 compression
- supports 4K - 3840x2160P interpolated resolution at 24fps with hidden H.265 compression
- Novatek NT96670 chipset
- Sony 5-MegaPixel IMX335 Exmor R Starvis Image Sensor
- F1.6 Aperture 7 Glass Element Lens in metal holder
- 135-140 degree Field of View
- Buffered Parking Mode
- G-sensor & Motion Detection
- 2.0 inch LCD Display
- SuperCapacitor powered
- Quick release mount
- Support MicroSD Card Class 10 up to 256 GB
- MP4 video format with H.264 AVC codec or hidden H.265 HEVC codec
- High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) compression
- GPS logger (optional)
- CPL Circular Polarizing Lens filter (optional)

Viofo A119 V3 Setup Tips

The narrow field of view A119 V3 Lens actually pulls objects closer making them appear larger than wide angle Lens. This also reduces side distortion and eliminates fisheye effect producing more realistic video. The F1.6 Aperture Lens and larger 1440p 5-MegaPixel sensor is best angled slightly down on hood to capture less sky and brighten ground.

For superior detail and clarity select 2560x1440p resolution.  Most 1080P SmartTVs can't display 2K video footage, but all computers resize video to fit screen size, some browsers may not support 1440p or higher resolutions.

The A119 V3 firmware contains hidden High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) H.265 compression codec.  The difference between standard H.264 and H.265 is the reduced video file size and increased detail using HEVC codec. Depending on the lighting and scene composition H.264 uses 16x16 macro blocks to compress areas with no details such as sky or road but H.265 uses 64x64 variable blocks to further compress low detail areas. Along with other improvements H.265 also provides bitrate reduction as much as 50% compared to H.264 while maintaining the same image quality with slightly increased detail and brightness.

HEVC H.265 compression requires more A119 V3 system resources to record clips generating more heat and not recommended for HOT seasons. H.265 also requires more processing power to view than H.264 MP4 video, its also very difficult to preview while video editing or even viewable with most GPS / G-sensor MP4 players. H.265 does have a huge benefit for reducing large 4K video files in other 'Pro' models. I prefer the compatible MP4 video format H.264 AVC codec with larger file size its easier to view, edit and share.

The HEVC H.265 compression feature will remain hidden from MENU even on new A129 Pro 4K model dashcam, think of it as a "Pro" feature for experienced owners. The hidden H.265 HEVC codec is enabled by stopping Recording, then long press MIC button for 3 seconds, then enter the MENU, select the Resolution settings, they are all now H.265. I suggest only using 1440p since the 2160p is interpolated. To disabled H.265 compression repeat the MIC long press sequence.

As part of regular Maintenance owners should :
- format Memory card every 3 months.
- after each Firmware Update reset Default Settings.
- clean GPS module contact plate after hot summer months.
- always insert and eject microSD card while Dash Camera is Off.

Best YouTube video play back Setting :
Viewing 2K or 4K high resolution videos on YouTube can overwhelm browsers and video processors with stutter or not supported depending on Operating System and device. Change YouTube's play back Quality Setting to highest 1080p or 1440p or 2160p when available for best viewing experience.

YouTube's highest Bitrate quality uses VP9 video codec, verify codec with right-click on video, select "Stats for nerds".

Google Chrome: VP9 video codec is enabled on all OS.
Linux: VP9 is enabled in Firefox,
Mac: VP9 is disabled in Firefox, thus only H.264 with 1080p will get played.
Windows: VP9 with 2K or 4K depends on the machine

Enable VP9 in Firefox by setting media.mediasource.webm.enabled to true in about:config

Viofo A119 V3 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.

When Hardwire Kit is connected to V3 GPS mount or camera side USB port with Parking Mode enabled - never use the other Menu options Time-Lapse Recording & Motion Detection, leave them OFF. If worried about Hardwire kit draining battery set the voltage 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 long duration. There are risks using Hardwire kit connected to wrong circuit which can void new car warranty.

A119 V3 Video Tutorials and Test Footage

My YouTube Videos open in new Tabs
A119 V3 30 Mb/s FW1.02 Audio WDR Test
A119 V3 vs A129 Audio Comparison
A119 V3 Menu Settings Firmware v1.00
A119 V3 vs A129 Comparison
A119 V3 26 Mb/s FW1.00 WDR-off Night Footage
A119 V3 26 Mb/s FW1.00 H.264 AVC Day Footage
A119 V3 26 Mb/s FW1.00 H.265 HEVC Day Footage
A119 V3 unBoxing

Dashcam Setup Tips #2
Dashcam Setup Tips #1
How to use Parking Mode with Power Bank
How to install GPS Mount to windshield
How to align original CPL Filter
How to Format 64/256GB Memory Cards
How to Disassemble Viofo Dashcams
How to Update Official Viofo Firmware
How to Apply EVA Stabilizing Pad
How to Clean GPS Mount Contacts
Should I enable WDR Comparison

A119 V3 Suggested Menu Settings

    Resolution = 2560x1440p 30fps <== always use 1440p for best video quality
    Bitrate = High <== select High for best video detail
    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

    Exposure = EVFront 0 / EVRear 0
    WDR = Off <== enable for brighter grainy night video
    Parking Mode = Off / Buffered 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
    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 = KMH
    G-Sensor = Low
    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 = 60 Hz <== match your region 50 Hz for Europe
    Image Rotation = 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

    Firmware Version

A119 V3 Feedback

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