This is one video in a series of videos for the VIOFO A229 Duo dash camera. Check out the video's description section for a link to my video playlist for the VIOFO A229 Duo dash camera.
It can be helpful to format the microSD card on a periodic basis to make sure the file system is in good order. The dash camera and its microSD card are operated in harsh environmental conditions (heat). Things can go wrong and you may not even know it. Most people format the memory card, insert it into the dash camera and they forget about it until they try to retrieve a video of some event. Then they find out that it wasn't recording or some other file system corruption may have taken place. It's best to pull the memory card and check its contents on a regular basis. Backup any video files necessary from it and then reformat the memory card for use with the dash camera.
Great Info. A question i have after owning for 3 weeks is that it switches from 2 channel recording to 1 channel recording without any reason as im driving. Just randomly switches as if it cant decide. This doesn't seem normal Do you think the unit is defective? Thanks!
It should not switch between 2-channel and 1-channel mode randomly. Either the coax cable is not fully inserted into the front camera socket or rear camera socket, the cable is defective or the rear camera could be defective. Make sure the cable is fully inserted into the front and rear cameras would be the first step. If it continues, I would then contact the seller and arrange for a warranty exchange.
my a229 pro is not allowing me to install the update. I have tried multiple times and still have the old firmware. I have done everything correctly but still not allowing me to update. It did update the rear camera but not the front. I'm not sure what to do anymore
There are couple of potential issues that can cause the firmware for the front camera not to get updated. The first being the filename of the firmware file may not be named as expected. Sometimes copying a files on Windows/Mac might alter the filename by adding a " (1)" or similar filename suffix. Make sure the A229 Pro front camera firmware filename is named "FWA229P.bin" with no extra spaces or characters. You've written your question in the comment section for the older A229 Duo dash camera which has a totally different firmware and firmware filename. Make sure you have the correct firmware file for the dash camera being updated. The second potential reason is the memory card's file system type must be FAT32 for the firmware dash camera's boot loader to properly detect and access the firmware file while booting. If you use the "Format" function in the camera it will likely have changed the file system type to exFAT and not FAT32. The exFAT file system works when the camera is fully booted and operating, but the boot loader process cannot see the firmware file with an exFAT file system on the memory card. I would suggest looking at this VIOFO web page on how to format a memory card on a Mac with the native tools on a Mac or using a third party utility on a Windows machine. viofo.com/blog/how-to-format-the-micro-sd-card-b102.html Some will suggest keeping the storage capacity of the memory card used to update the firmware of the dash camera limited to 32 GB. I've never had a problem using cards up to 256 GB in capacity when formatted as FAT32. You may want to have a small memory card as a dedicated memory card just for the purpose of updating the firmware so you can leave the regular memory card alone and use it solely for writing videos.
I have a 256gb viofo memory card so I'm not sure the issue, I'm going to try with doing the format to the fat32 on my Mac and retry the install @@RetroCarGuy530
Hi, when the dashcam on parking mode is the camera always on, or be on when there amotion, one told VIOFO always on and this Car battery drain, Unlike Vantrue it works after motions
Both VIOFO and Vantrue dash cameras that are configured for motion detection parking mode (Auto Event Detection for VIOFO) are "on" monitoring for motion, but only writing video files when motion (or an impact) has been detected. Both require the use of a hardwire kit from that company to power the dash camera in parking mode. The hardwire kit has a low voltage cutoff feature to turn off power to the dash camera when the input voltage (from the car) drops below a user selected voltage value. Vantrue dash cameras do offer a "collision detection" parking mode which will cause the dash camera to go into a very low power consumption mode while it monitors for impact (not motion) events. VIOFO does not offer a "collision detection" only parking mode. The Vantrue collision detection parking modes are very slow to respond to the impact event. It can take over 12 seconds to start recording if in the "Power Saving" version of collision detection parking mode is selected and that time is slightly reduced when you configure a second setting to make the collision detection parking mode operate in "Quick Start Mode". Enabling the "Quick Start Mode" option to reduce the amount of time it takes to start recording after an impact event will cause the Vantrue camera to consume far more power than the original/standard collision detection parking mode.
I’ve had mine for a few days and it was working fine until yesterday. As I am driving the recording keeps stopping and I am constantly having to resume recording every 1-5 minutes. Any ideas?
First off make sure it's running the latest available firmware for the A229. The latest firmware (as of 04-Nov-2022 is V1.0_0801. viofo.com/content/61-a229-duo-support/ On that same website page, you can expand the FAQ "What is the maximum card the camera supports?" to see a list of microSD cards the VIOFO recommends. The most likely cause for the behavior you're reporting is likely to do with the microSD memory card.
The main feature of this unit is that front and rear can record in 1440p video resolution. VIOFO may have limited the fps options to makes sure it doesn't overtax the processor and generate too much heat. The higher the fps usually more heat is generated.
Hi thanks for the video with details When I drive I left this camera 10 min loop recording. For parking I’m using blackvue battery. But when I turn off my car the camera keeps recording with 10 min loop and doesn’t start parking recording(I left auto detection) Camera doesn’t know that is in parking. Maby the problem is the battery?
VIOFO recommends the use of the VIOFO HK4 3-wire hardwire kit to support full parking mode operations of the A229. The HK4 3-wire hardwire kit would be connected to the dash camera output power connection port on the BlackVue battery pack. When charging power is switched off to the battery pack, the ACC+ wire connected to the 3-wire hardwire kit will lose power and that should trigger the A229 to enter parking mode. When charging power is restored to the battery pack (ignition on), the ACC+ wire connection to the HK4 3-wire hardwire kit will get power again and that will cause the HK4 to send the ACC signal to the A229 which will make it come out of parking mode and resume normal recording mode.
At 1:45 you show an example of the date stamp. How do you get the time to change from 24hr default time to AM/PM as observed in the video (unless that belongs to a different camera and you just used it for footage)
I scanned the entire video and I cannot find one example of an AM/PM version of a timestamp vs a 24 hour version of timestamp being displayed. There is no setting in the A229 Duo firmware that allows you to change the time between 12-hour and 24-hour formats. The example at 1:45 is a date/time value from video footage recorded the morning of "2022-05-31 09:44:34". That is a 24-hour formatted date/time value. The three dash camera examples at the end of the video all have their date/time values displayed in a 24-hour format as well.
I just little disappointment with this camera after use for a few day the camera stop recording after a minute to star the car , but the parking mode working fine, I contact Viofo customer support and they recommended tur off the " Motion Detection" , I look over the entire settings and I can't founded, any solution?. Thank you
Is the A229 turning off or does it stop recording a few minutes after starting the vehicle? Those are two different things. Motion detection is not a feature that governs anything while the A229 records in "normal recording" mode. If the A229 turns off after a few minutes of starting the vehicle, then it's possibly related to constant battery power source you have selected. If the A229 stays on after starting the vehicle, but it stops recording after a few minutes in normal recording mode, that could suggest an issue with the microSD memory card.
@@RetroCarGuy530 thank you,I think that the problem was the SD card,I read the recommendations and I see that my SD car was not compatible, I order a proper one and now is working fine.
Great video thanks for sharing, for the life of me i cant work out how to update firmware though! Format 128gb SD card to Fat32, copy latest firmware which is a .bin file onto the SD card, reinsert SD to dash cam, power up dash cam and it just asks me to reformat SD card?
The steps you've listed are the correct steps, but either the manner in which you've formatted the microSD card is not as stated, there's something wrong with the microSD card or the dash camera. I might suggest using the "Format" command within the A229's firmware menu screen. That should format the microSD card with a FAT32 file system as well. You could then place the updated FWA229A.bin file at the root of the microSD card's file system (same level as the DCIM - if present). Make sure you dismount/eject the microSD card gracefully from your computer to assure the FWA229A.bin file is fully written to the microSD card and the file system is updated correctly. Then insert the microSD card into the A229 and power it up. The "PWR" LED will flash quickly as it is reading and updating the firmware from the FWA229A.bin file and then it will reboot with the updated firmware installed. You could also download the guiformat utility (for Windows) from the VIOFO website and use that to format the microSD card as well. I select the correct drive letter for the microSD card and I usually adjust the unit size to 65536 and then click "Start". Then copy the firmware file and proceed as before. A somewhat older example of this process is on the VIOFO website in this support post: support.viofo.com/support/solutions/articles/19000046583-why-should-i-format-the-card-and-how-to-format
nice video, i updated the firmware on my A129 plus duo to 1.8 version, but the rear camera didn't update to newer version, am i doing something wrong? or is possible that there is no update for rear, confused...
I don't have the A129 Plus Duo dash camera, but based on what is being discussed on the DashCamTalk website, it looks like the A129 Plus Duo rear camera can have its firmware updated. The rear camera firmware can be updated by placing the RearcamA129FW.update (text file) and RearcamA129FW.bin files on the microSD card at the top of the file system (same level as the DCIM directory). Place the microSD card in the camera and bootup the camera. After it boots up, stop recording by pressing the button and the REC LED will start flashing. Press the button and the screen will show a message about it now sending the firmware to the rear camera. It can take 45 seconds to 1 minute to send the firmware to the rear camera. When the firmware is done being sent to the rear camera, either the A129 Plus will reboot or simply start recording again. This process is similar/identical to the process to update a Zenfox U1 rear camera (another one made by VIOFO under the Zenfox brand name). Here's a thread on DashCamTalk that discusses the A129 Plus rear camera firmware update steps. dashcamtalk.com/forum/threads/a129-plus-duo-how-to-update-rear-camera.43379/
I looked at the thread people are asking the same question about not finding a separate rear cam update, is it possible its all included in the one file? My camera shows the update on the front to version 1.8, but rear still shows old build of 1.5?
@@RetroCarGuy530 I'm trying to update the firmware on my recently-purchased Viofo A129 Plus Duo (non-EMMC version). According to this page on the Viofo site, I "need to upgrade the front camera and rear camera firmware separately." That is consistent with what I've read elsewhere. My understanding is that I need to download three separate files onto the SD card - something like FWA129S.bin, RearcamA129FW.update and RearcamA129FW.bin However, only FWA129S.bin is available for download on that support page. The EMMC version of my cam does have additional files on its support page... but I don't have that model. FWIW, I was able to update the front camera to firmware version 1.4 just fine, but when I go to the firmware info screen it says the rear camera is still on firmware version 1.0. Am I misunderstanding something, or are the necessary files missing from Viofo's site? EDIT: I wrote to Viofo support and they replied with "Normally no necessary to upgrade the firmware for the rear cam now, so we removed the firmware for the rear cam to avoid causing a new firmware upgrading issue. We also have updated the page.
The A229 Duo front camera of the two cameras is the only one with a processor. If the rear camera had its own processor (like the T130 rear camera does), then the front camera processor could probably support a video resolution of 2K 60fps. A higher fps value is a large contributor in the amount of heat being generated, so the additional heat generated with 60fps would need to be addressed as well in the front camera.
Most VIOFO dash cameras will automatically reset all of the firmware settings to factory defaults when the firmware is upgraded. The recently released A139 Pro dash camera is the first VIOFO dash camera that will leave the previous settings in place after a firmware update.
@@RetroCarGuy530 Thank you for your reply! Is the firmware update automatic? Because I don't remember installing or updating anything the last time I connected the dashcam to my phone's app (I just downloaded some clips). Then, when I opened my car earlier, the dashcam voice notification is on (I turned this feature on), hence learning that it was reset.
Updating firmware does not take place without placing a FWA229A.bin firmware file on the microSD card's file system in the top level directory (same level as the DCIM directory). I don't see any button press combination that would have changed that setting either. I cannot explain the behavior you've stated.
Thank you for your video it’s much appreciated for some reason I can not watch live video on my phone i phone 13. Does anyone it’s experiencing the same issue ?
I just tried using the iOS VIOFO app on my iPhone 6S Plus (yes it's really old) running iOS 15.7.2 and it worked. I was able to connect and the live view worked. If the only issue is the live view is not working (but you can establish a Wi-Fi connection), then there might be something specific to video streaming going on.
This is one video in a series of videos for the VIOFO A229 Duo dash camera. Check out the video's description section for a link to my video playlist for the VIOFO A229 Duo dash camera.
Puzzled why one would need reminding about formatting every 15 30 60 days? Thanks for the video, very helpful!
It can be helpful to format the microSD card on a periodic basis to make sure the file system is in good order. The dash camera and its microSD card are operated in harsh environmental conditions (heat). Things can go wrong and you may not even know it. Most people format the memory card, insert it into the dash camera and they forget about it until they try to retrieve a video of some event. Then they find out that it wasn't recording or some other file system corruption may have taken place. It's best to pull the memory card and check its contents on a regular basis. Backup any video files necessary from it and then reformat the memory card for use with the dash camera.
Great Info. A question i have after owning for 3 weeks is that it switches from 2 channel recording to 1 channel recording without any reason as im driving.
Just randomly switches as if it cant decide. This doesn't seem normal
Do you think the unit is defective?
Thanks!
It should not switch between 2-channel and 1-channel mode randomly. Either the coax cable is not fully inserted into the front camera socket or rear camera socket, the cable is defective or the rear camera could be defective. Make sure the cable is fully inserted into the front and rear cameras would be the first step. If it continues, I would then contact the seller and arrange for a warranty exchange.
my a229 pro is not allowing me to install the update. I have tried multiple times and still have the old firmware. I have done everything correctly but still not allowing me to update. It did update the rear camera but not the front. I'm not sure what to do anymore
There are couple of potential issues that can cause the firmware for the front camera not to get updated. The first being the filename of the firmware file may not be named as expected. Sometimes copying a files on Windows/Mac might alter the filename by adding a " (1)" or similar filename suffix. Make sure the A229 Pro front camera firmware filename is named "FWA229P.bin" with no extra spaces or characters. You've written your question in the comment section for the older A229 Duo dash camera which has a totally different firmware and firmware filename. Make sure you have the correct firmware file for the dash camera being updated.
The second potential reason is the memory card's file system type must be FAT32 for the firmware dash camera's boot loader to properly detect and access the firmware file while booting. If you use the "Format" function in the camera it will likely have changed the file system type to exFAT and not FAT32. The exFAT file system works when the camera is fully booted and operating, but the boot loader process cannot see the firmware file with an exFAT file system on the memory card. I would suggest looking at this VIOFO web page on how to format a memory card on a Mac with the native tools on a Mac or using a third party utility on a Windows machine. viofo.com/blog/how-to-format-the-micro-sd-card-b102.html
Some will suggest keeping the storage capacity of the memory card used to update the firmware of the dash camera limited to 32 GB. I've never had a problem using cards up to 256 GB in capacity when formatted as FAT32. You may want to have a small memory card as a dedicated memory card just for the purpose of updating the firmware so you can leave the regular memory card alone and use it solely for writing videos.
I have a 256gb viofo memory card so I'm not sure the issue, I'm going to try with doing the format to the fat32 on my Mac and retry the install @@RetroCarGuy530
Hi, when the dashcam on parking mode is the camera always on, or be on when there amotion, one told VIOFO always on and this Car battery drain, Unlike Vantrue it works after motions
Both VIOFO and Vantrue dash cameras that are configured for motion detection parking mode (Auto Event Detection for VIOFO) are "on" monitoring for motion, but only writing video files when motion (or an impact) has been detected. Both require the use of a hardwire kit from that company to power the dash camera in parking mode. The hardwire kit has a low voltage cutoff feature to turn off power to the dash camera when the input voltage (from the car) drops below a user selected voltage value.
Vantrue dash cameras do offer a "collision detection" parking mode which will cause the dash camera to go into a very low power consumption mode while it monitors for impact (not motion) events. VIOFO does not offer a "collision detection" only parking mode. The Vantrue collision detection parking modes are very slow to respond to the impact event. It can take over 12 seconds to start recording if in the "Power Saving" version of collision detection parking mode is selected and that time is slightly reduced when you configure a second setting to make the collision detection parking mode operate in "Quick Start Mode". Enabling the "Quick Start Mode" option to reduce the amount of time it takes to start recording after an impact event will cause the Vantrue camera to consume far more power than the original/standard collision detection parking mode.
@@RetroCarGuy530 Thank you
5:16 My A229 came with KM/H as the default instead of MPH.
I’ve had mine for a few days and it was working fine until yesterday. As I am driving the recording keeps stopping and I am constantly having to resume recording every 1-5 minutes. Any ideas?
First off make sure it's running the latest available firmware for the A229. The latest firmware (as of 04-Nov-2022 is V1.0_0801. viofo.com/content/61-a229-duo-support/
On that same website page, you can expand the FAQ "What is the maximum card the camera supports?" to see a list of microSD cards the VIOFO recommends. The most likely cause for the behavior you're reporting is likely to do with the microSD memory card.
Why would it have so few video resolution settings? No 60 fps??? I wouldn't touch this camera
The main feature of this unit is that front and rear can record in 1440p video resolution. VIOFO may have limited the fps options to makes sure it doesn't overtax the processor and generate too much heat. The higher the fps usually more heat is generated.
think same,
Hi thanks for the video with details
When I drive I left this camera 10 min loop recording. For parking I’m using blackvue battery. But when I turn off my car the camera keeps recording with 10 min loop and doesn’t start parking recording(I left auto detection)
Camera doesn’t know that is in parking. Maby the problem is the battery?
VIOFO recommends the use of the VIOFO HK4 3-wire hardwire kit to support full parking mode operations of the A229. The HK4 3-wire hardwire kit would be connected to the dash camera output power connection port on the BlackVue battery pack. When charging power is switched off to the battery pack, the ACC+ wire connected to the 3-wire hardwire kit will lose power and that should trigger the A229 to enter parking mode. When charging power is restored to the battery pack (ignition on), the ACC+ wire connection to the HK4 3-wire hardwire kit will get power again and that will cause the HK4 to send the ACC signal to the A229 which will make it come out of parking mode and resume normal recording mode.
@@RetroCarGuy530 okay thank you so much !! 🙏🏻
Is there a way to delete all the videos in the micro SD card in one shot. I know it over writes but curious to know. Perhaps with out reformatting.
Only a reformat option is available to wipe all files.
At 1:45 you show an example of the date stamp. How do you get the time to change from 24hr default time to AM/PM as observed in the video (unless that belongs to a different camera and you just used it for footage)
I scanned the entire video and I cannot find one example of an AM/PM version of a timestamp vs a 24 hour version of timestamp being displayed. There is no setting in the A229 Duo firmware that allows you to change the time between 12-hour and 24-hour formats. The example at 1:45 is a date/time value from video footage recorded the morning of "2022-05-31 09:44:34". That is a 24-hour formatted date/time value. The three dash camera examples at the end of the video all have their date/time values displayed in a 24-hour format as well.
@@RetroCarGuy530 makes sense now. Thanks for the prompt response!
I just little disappointment with this camera after use for a few day the camera stop recording after a minute to star the car , but the parking mode working fine, I contact Viofo customer support and they recommended tur off the " Motion Detection" , I look over the entire settings and I can't founded, any solution?. Thank you
Is the A229 turning off or does it stop recording a few minutes after starting the vehicle? Those are two different things. Motion detection is not a feature that governs anything while the A229 records in "normal recording" mode. If the A229 turns off after a few minutes of starting the vehicle, then it's possibly related to constant battery power source you have selected. If the A229 stays on after starting the vehicle, but it stops recording after a few minutes in normal recording mode, that could suggest an issue with the microSD memory card.
@@RetroCarGuy530 thank you,I think that the problem was the SD card,I read the recommendations and I see that my SD car was not compatible, I order a proper one and now is working fine.
Great video thanks for sharing, for the life of me i cant work out how to update firmware though!
Format 128gb SD card to Fat32, copy latest firmware which is a .bin file onto the SD card, reinsert SD to dash cam, power up dash cam and it just asks me to reformat SD card?
The steps you've listed are the correct steps, but either the manner in which you've formatted the microSD card is not as stated, there's something wrong with the microSD card or the dash camera.
I might suggest using the "Format" command within the A229's firmware menu screen. That should format the microSD card with a FAT32 file system as well. You could then place the updated FWA229A.bin file at the root of the microSD card's file system (same level as the DCIM - if present). Make sure you dismount/eject the microSD card gracefully from your computer to assure the FWA229A.bin file is fully written to the microSD card and the file system is updated correctly. Then insert the microSD card into the A229 and power it up. The "PWR" LED will flash quickly as it is reading and updating the firmware from the FWA229A.bin file and then it will reboot with the updated firmware installed.
You could also download the guiformat utility (for Windows) from the VIOFO website and use that to format the microSD card as well. I select the correct drive letter for the microSD card and I usually adjust the unit size to 65536 and then click "Start". Then copy the firmware file and proceed as before.
A somewhat older example of this process is on the VIOFO website in this support post: support.viofo.com/support/solutions/articles/19000046583-why-should-i-format-the-card-and-how-to-format
@@RetroCarGuy530 Thank you, formatting the SD card in the A229 seemed to do the trick!
I'm glad it worked out for you!
nice video, i updated the firmware on my A129 plus duo to 1.8 version, but the rear camera didn't update to newer version, am i doing something wrong? or is possible that there is no update for rear, confused...
I don't have the A129 Plus Duo dash camera, but based on what is being discussed on the DashCamTalk website, it looks like the A129 Plus Duo rear camera can have its firmware updated.
The rear camera firmware can be updated by placing the RearcamA129FW.update (text file) and RearcamA129FW.bin files on the microSD card at the top of the file system (same level as the DCIM directory). Place the microSD card in the camera and bootup the camera. After it boots up, stop recording by pressing the button and the REC LED will start flashing. Press the button and the screen will show a message about it now sending the firmware to the rear camera. It can take 45 seconds to 1 minute to send the firmware to the rear camera. When the firmware is done being sent to the rear camera, either the A129 Plus will reboot or simply start recording again.
This process is similar/identical to the process to update a Zenfox U1 rear camera (another one made by VIOFO under the Zenfox brand name).
Here's a thread on DashCamTalk that discusses the A129 Plus rear camera firmware update steps. dashcamtalk.com/forum/threads/a129-plus-duo-how-to-update-rear-camera.43379/
@@RetroCarGuy530 thanks very much for your reply, but where I get the firmware files there is no file with the name rear camera, thats my confusion.
@@RetroCarGuy530 I will check out the thread, thanks again
I looked at the thread people are asking the same question about not finding a separate rear cam update, is it possible its all included in the one file?
My camera shows the update on the front to version 1.8, but rear still shows old build of 1.5?
@@RetroCarGuy530 I'm trying to update the firmware on my recently-purchased Viofo A129 Plus Duo (non-EMMC version). According to this page on the Viofo site, I "need to upgrade the front camera and rear camera firmware separately." That is consistent with what I've read elsewhere. My understanding is that I need to download three separate files onto the SD card - something like FWA129S.bin, RearcamA129FW.update and RearcamA129FW.bin
However, only FWA129S.bin is available for download on that support page. The EMMC version of my cam does have additional files on its support page... but I don't have that model.
FWIW, I was able to update the front camera to firmware version 1.4 just fine, but when I go to the firmware info screen it says the rear camera is still on firmware version 1.0.
Am I misunderstanding something, or are the necessary files missing from Viofo's site?
EDIT: I wrote to Viofo support and they replied with "Normally no necessary to upgrade the firmware for the rear cam now, so we removed the firmware for the rear cam to avoid causing a new firmware upgrading issue. We also have updated the page.
new cam, but one step FW one back , front cam have to be 1440/60p back cam is ok with 1440/30p🙄
The A229 Duo front camera of the two cameras is the only one with a processor. If the rear camera had its own processor (like the T130 rear camera does), then the front camera processor could probably support a video resolution of 2K 60fps. A higher fps value is a large contributor in the amount of heat being generated, so the additional heat generated with 60fps would need to be addressed as well in the front camera.
Viofo just randomly set my settings to factory default! This is annoying.
Most VIOFO dash cameras will automatically reset all of the firmware settings to factory defaults when the firmware is upgraded. The recently released A139 Pro dash camera is the first VIOFO dash camera that will leave the previous settings in place after a firmware update.
@@RetroCarGuy530 Thank you for your reply! Is the firmware update automatic? Because I don't remember installing or updating anything the last time I connected the dashcam to my phone's app (I just downloaded some clips). Then, when I opened my car earlier, the dashcam voice notification is on (I turned this feature on), hence learning that it was reset.
Updating firmware does not take place without placing a FWA229A.bin firmware file on the microSD card's file system in the top level directory (same level as the DCIM directory). I don't see any button press combination that would have changed that setting either. I cannot explain the behavior you've stated.
Thank you for your video it’s much appreciated for some reason I can not watch live video on my phone i phone 13. Does anyone it’s experiencing the same issue ?
I just tried using the iOS VIOFO app on my iPhone 6S Plus (yes it's really old) running iOS 15.7.2 and it worked. I was able to connect and the live view worked. If the only issue is the live view is not working (but you can establish a Wi-Fi connection), then there might be something specific to video streaming going on.