Best Dash Cam Settings
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Best Dash Cam Settings
Looking for the best-value 2K QHD camera? The VIOFO A119 Mini 2 is here. With new features including Sony STARVIS 2 sensors, Super Night Vision 2.0, HDR, dual-band Wi-Fi, Parking Mode, and new Voice Controls, this dash cam sets a new level of standard for budget-friendly dash cams.
Priced at only $119.99 USD, the A119 Mini 2 definitely gives maximum value for money. Now, let’s jump into the settings of this camera, to help you take full advantage of what this innovative piece of tech is capable of.
Resolution: 2592P x 1944P @ 30fps
For the video resolution, our recommended setting is 2592P x 1944P @ 30fps, the highest resolution option. Lower resolutions or 60 frames per second significantly reduce detail, although if you wish to have a higher frame rate, our recommendation is 2560 x 1440P @ 60fps. The 60FPS options will not appear with HDR enabled, HDR will need to be disabled and they will appear.
Bitrate: Medium
A high bitrate will increase video quality and smoothness, particularly when recording fast motion or high-contrast scenes. The amount of recording time available on your memory card may be reduced if you use high bitrate mode. Using a low bitrate saves space and allows you to record for longer periods of time.
Loop Recording: 3 Minutes
This is the length of the recording files on the camera, segmenting the constant recording of the camera according to the length set here. For us, three minutes strikes a good balance between finding the desired moment and having to scroll through a large number of files. Note that longer footage is more difficult to compress, and will result in less space on the card overall. Other brands only stick to 1:30 minute for a short clip size.
Exposure: 0
With the A119 Mini 2, you can adjust the EV (Exposure Value) to get better recording results under different lighting conditions. Increasing and decreasing the exposure will brighten the entire video, or darken it respectively. The range is -2.0 to +2.0, and our recommended value is 0.0.
HDR (High Dynamic Range): ON
The HDR feature enables the A119 Mini 2 to deliver video with near-perfect exposure in varying lighting situations. In short, HDR assists in overall night vision, and contrasts bright lights and dark shadows in the same video, providing clear visibility on both. It can enhance video quality, especially when it comes to the issue of the front license plate being overexposed at night, with bright headlights. We recommend this setting be turned on, although you must note that this cannot be enabled when the higher 60 fps frame rate is chosen.
Advanced Parking Mode: Auto Event Detection
We recommend using Auto Event Detection, as it is the most energy-efficient parking mode when few events are detected. This should only be done if wired for parking mode.
Under parking mode, you have three options:
*Note: We recommend the VIOFO HK4-C hardwire kit cable for parking mode recording.
Enter Parking Mode Timer: OFF
This sets the timer for entering parking mode. "OFF" means the camera will enter parking mode right away when the engine is off. "90s" means the camera will enter parking mode 90 seconds after the engine is off.
Parking Recording Timer: OFF
When turned off, this means the camera will keep recording until the hardwire kits cut the power supply. Meanwhile, “1 hour" means the camera will shut down after it has been in parking mode for 1 hour.
G-sensor: LOW
The force required to prevent the file from being overwritten by loop-recording is determined by this setting, which sensor ranges from 'Low' to 'High'. Setting the G-sensor to low will prevent small bumps in the road from triggering it, such as speed bumps or small potholes.
Parking G-sensor: HIGH
When the G-sensor detects significant or sudden movement (such as an impact or collision), an event recording is initiated. In parking mode recording, we recommend setting it to High sensitivity.
Parking Motion Detection: MID
This adjusts the detection sensitivity so that minor motion caused by wind or rain does not trigger a recording. Increasing this sensitivity will also increase the range of motion detection.
Time Lapse Recording: OFF
This feature converts standard recording into time-lapse footage instead, turning a 30-minute drive into a single 5-minute clip, with images taken once every second.
Motion Detection: OFF
When this feature is activated, a recording will begin if there is movement in front of the camera. Once the camera does not detect movement for 60 seconds, the recording will be stopped and the device will switch to detect mode. The device will record again if it detects a new movement in front of the camera.
GPS: ON
If this option is disabled, the A119 Mini 2 will no longer measure your speed and position, nor will it synchronize the time/date with the atomic clock. Note that it is only available when connected to a GPS signal.
Speed Unit: Your Preference
Sets the speed unit, either in kilometres per hour (KPH) or miles per hour (MPH).
Wi-Fi: ON | 5GHz
This activates your Wi-Fi Connectivity. While 2.4GHz is also available in the A119 Mini 2, we recommend choosing the 5GHz Wi-Fi mode for a faster connection, and faster video streaming.
Date Stamp: ON
Imprints the time and date on your recorded video.
GPS Info Stamp: Your Preference
Imprints the GPS information on the recorded video.
Camera Model Stamp: Your Preference
Imprints the camera model on the recorded video.
Custom Text Stamp: Your Preference
Imprints the customized text on the recorded video
Record Audio: ON
This activates or deactivates the microphone. This can also be changed during recording by pressing the [mic ] button.
Screen Saver: ON
This turns the screen OFF after a set time.
LED: ON
This turns the LED light ON / OFF. This refers to the LED status lights on the front camera.
Date Format: Your Preference
You can choose the date format of the camera in this setting.
Boot Delay: Off
This will set a delay for the startup of the dash cam, with options of 5/10 seconds. This is mainly useful for start/stop engines.
Time Zone: Your Preference
The current time zone is set for GPS time and date calibration. Keep in mind that the time zone must be manually adjusted for daylight savings.
Language: Your Preference
This displays your preferred language setting in the A119 Mini 2. You can choose from the English, Chinese, Russian, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Thai languages.
Voice Notification: ON
This feature provides a clear and concise voice notification based on your dash cam’s status. You can choose to turn on / off the voice notification. You can also change the language setting through the voice notification language option.
Voice Control: ON
This is a new feature on the VIOFO A119 Mini 2. When Voice Control is turned on, you can control the A119 Mini 2 with spoken commands to perform simple operations.
However, do note that the dash cam’s Voice command language should be consistent with its system language. Additionally, Voice Controls are available for the following languages: English, Chinese, Russian, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Thai.
Voice Command: ON
Through this setting, you can issue different voice commands to remote control the camera, including the following:
Beep sounds: ON
This setting turns on or off all notification sounds.
Frequency: 60 HZ for USA and Canada
This is the setting for frequency adjustment to reduce flickering and banding in recorded video.
Image Mirror: OFF
This reverses the image from left to right.
Image Rotation: OFF
This turns the recording upside down.
Format MicroSD Card: Once a month
All data on the MicroSD card will be erased during the procedure. Once the Micro SD card is formatted, all information on it is lost and cannot be recovered, so make a backup of all important files. Formatting an SD card once a month will help with the life-span and longevity of the card, cleaning things up.
Reset Camera Setting: 30 Days
This restores camera settings to factory defaults after 30 days of inactivity.
Car Number: Your Preference
This is useful for adding license plates or other identifying features.
Firmware Version
Displays current firmware version.
There's so much to love about this VIOFO - Sony STARVIS 2, Super Night Vision 2.0, HDR, dual-band Wi-Fi, Voice Controls, and best of all? Mega value for money. Shop your VIOFO A119 Mini 2 now, only here at BlackboxMyCar!