BlackVue DR770X-2CH Full HD Cloud Dash Cam In-Depth Review

2023 was a blast for BlackVue. Kicking off the year, the South Korean dash cam manufacturer launched its highly-innovative dash cam line equipped with new CPUs and image software technology to enhance their already-impressive video resolutions.

Along with the 4K UHD DR970X series - the upgraded version of the DR900X Plus, BlackVue also released a fresher version of its Full HD lineup with the DR770X. In this article, we will dive into the features, specs, and highlights of its dual-channel model, the BlackVue DR770X-2CH.

Reasons to get the BlackVue DR770X-2CH

✅ 1080P Full HD @ 60 frames per second

✅ Dual-channel configuration

✅ New SigmaStar CPU with ISP tuning

✅ Intelligent Parking Mode with Built-in Voltage Monitor

✅ Normal to Extreme Recording Modes

✅ Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS

✅ BlackVue Cloud Connectivity

✅ Compatible with CM100G LTE Module

What’s inside the box of the BlackVue DR770X-2CH?

Front camera
Rear camera + Rear camera cable
12V power cable
3-wire hardwiring cable
A 64GB microSD card (the DR770X will take up to 256GB) ← yes, BlackVue has upgraded the stock microSD card from a 32GB to a 64GB!
A USB card reader ←so you can simply insert the microSD card and plug the whole thing into your computer or hub
Pry tool
Cable clips and adhesives to mount your dash cam

BlackVue DR770X-2CH Design

With an all-black tube shape and adhesive mount, the BlackVue DR770X keeps its overall award-winning design simple and stealthy, allowing you to hide it right up behind your rear-view mirror. It is built with more heat emission holes to keep your dash cam cooler and more efficient in heat dissipation.

Like the new BlackVue DR970X, there’s also a format button on the DR770X-2CH, which LTE models do not have. This unit also automatically formats the microSD card if it is the wrong type. What this means is that for previous models, they only took SD cards that were formatted in FAT32, and if it wasn’t, you’d have to format it on a computer. Now with the BlackVue DR770X, they’re automatically formatted when placed into the unit. No button press needed. Moreover, the Wi-Fi button is also removed from the DR770X, and they made the Wi-Fi for the DR770X perpetually on.

While the DR750X Plus has a proximity motion sensor, the new DR770X has also been updated with a touch sensor. This means you no longer have to worry about unintentional motion triggers like dangling air fresheners or rays of lights coming into your car. No more hard taps or frantic waving- a light tap is enough! Previously, this was used for turning audio recording on/off, and now it’s been updated to be used for manual recording instead.

The DR770X comes in a 1-Channel, 2-Channel front and rear, 2-channel front and interior, and a 2-Channel with built-in LTE variant. And along this series also comes the new DR770X Box 3-Channel variant which will be out in BlackboxMyCar in a few weeks!

BlackVue DR770X-2CH Installation

The simplest and quickest option to install the DR770X-2CH is to use the 12V power cable and the cigarette lighter socket in your car. Aside from the plug-and-play installation, it’s also convenient and cost-free as the cable is already included with the DR770X.

If you have a BlackVue X or X-Plus series like the BlackVue DR750X-2CH Plus, you can actually reuse the old power cables of your dash cam. More than just your 12V power cable, you can also reuse the mount, and the other cables included in your previous BlackVue X or X-Plus dash cams - with the exception of the DR590 rear cable and the previous X series LTE models.

If you want to make the most of the DR770X's features, we recommend a hardwire installation or a dash cam battery pack like a BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 or a BlackVue Power Magic Ultra B-130X Battery. Might require more effort in installing, but this can bring out the DR770X’s full range of features - including advanced parking mode. Every package of the BlackVue DR770X includes a hardwiring kit, so you don’t have to worry about purchasing one separately.

To set up parking mode, you must connect the DR770X to your car's fuse box, connect the ACC+ cable to a fuse that turns on only when the engine is running, and connect the BATT+ cable to a fuse that stays powered even after the engine is off. Again, having a dedicated dash cam battery pack is another option, if you don't want to hardwire the dash cam to your car's fuse panel.

BlackVue DR770X-2CH Image Quality and Recording Capabilities

Similar to the DR750X Plus, the new DR770X-2CH uses the camera lens and 2MP Sony STARVIS image sensor for both front and rear in a 139-degree field of view. However, we notice a distinction between the DR770X and the DR750X Plus, particularly improvements in white balance, dynamic range, and contrast in the daytime video.

Like its predecessors DR750X Plus and DR750X, the DR770X’s front camera records at Full HD at 60FPS. With twice the frame rate, the DR770X captures smoother videos even at high speeds, significantly reducing motion blur in your footage.

And as far as bitrate choices go, there are four:

Highest/Extreme
Highest
High
Normal

Previous X Plus series restricts you to the Extreme mode and does not allow you to change it. Further examination of the raw video footage shows that the DR770X in extreme mode has a recording bitrate of 25.24 Mb/s, which is very similar to the 24.66 Mb/s from the DR750X Plus in the same extreme mode.

Even with headlights shining on them, the DR770X appears to do a better job of capturing details on the road at night. Aside from its capacity to record at Full HD at 60 frames per second, you can easily tell that the DR770X has less motion blur and better highlight detail than the DR750X Plus - even in high-speed situations.

Moving to the rear, the DR770X-2CH uses the same rear camera as the DR750X and DR750X Plus. However, the DR770X rear camera footage looks clearer and sharper - and this is where the new upgrade comes on the BlackVue DR770X: A new SigmaStar CPU and Image Software Processing or ISP tuning.

If you want to enhance the video quality, the BlackVue DR770X also has the option for a CPL filter which can help in reducing glares and reflections on the front dash cam, which works best when paired with the BlackboxMyCar Aqua Shield - highly recommended for keeping your dash cam guarded from rain, dust, and other harsh environmental elements.

Moreover, like the DR750X-2CH Plus, the DR770X-2CH only supports the H.264 codec. While we appreciated the additional compression provided by H.265, we recognize the compatibility issues that it raises.

For instance, you will need Android™ 5.0+ and iOS™ 11 on your phone, or Windows® 10 and MacOS® High Sierra on your computers to properly play an H.265-encoded file - not as convenient, and otherwise, the footage is not as fluid when streamed.

BlackVue DR770X-2CH Parking Mode

The BlackVue DR770X-2CH can be hardwired to your vehicle’s fuse panel for Parking Mode, without requiring optional accessories. Again, inside the box is a BlackVue hardwiring cable. If you have a BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 or B-130X battery pack, the DR770X is compatible with all of them as well.

Once the dash cam is hardwired or hooked up to a battery pack, it will switch to parking mode automatically when the car’s ignition is turned off. The DR770X-2CH comes with a built-in voltage monitor to protect your vehicle battery, and voltage cutoff and timer can be set in the BlackVue app.

The BlackVue DR770X has standard BlackVue parking mode features, including built-in motion and impact detection. It also has Time Lapse mode.

Now, how long can a dash cam last in parking mode? For the DR770X-2CH, it uses about 300mA/12V of power during parking mode. If you’re using just the front camera, the DR770X-1CH uses about 190mA/12V of power. And if you’re hardwiring the dash cam directly to your car’s fuse panel, parking mode runtime also depends on the health of your car battery and the voltage cutoff settings.

In terms of operating temperature, it is also similar to the DR750X Plus - ranging from -20 °C to 80°C or -4°F to 176°F. So, whether you’re living in a warm or cold region, the BlackVue DR770X is built to conquer the weather.

BlackVue DR770X-2CH Cloud Connectivity

If you are looking to upgrade to the DR770X from the DR750X Plus from an older BlackVue model, here’s what you need to know in terms of cables and accessories compatibility:

DR750X/X-Plus Power cables - compatible with the DR770X, so if you already have them all set up you can simply leave them in place and just swap out the dash cams.
DR750X/X-Plus Rear/Coaxial cables - compatible with the DR770X. Again, you can use what you already have set up and just swap out the dash cams.
DR750X-Plus Rear camera - yes, the DR770X uses the same rear camera as the DR750X Plus, so if your old rear camera is stuck on your windshield, you could leave it there and just connect it to the new DR770X. Note that if you’re using the DR750X, the rear camera is actually not compatible with the DR770X. So, if you’re upgrading from the DR750X, you will need to replace the rear camera as well.
Battery pack - yes, the DR770X is compatible with the BlackVue B-124X and B-130X, as well as the BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8.
DR750X/X-Plus Interior IR camera - say, you’re currently using the DR900X-2CH IR Plus, you could keep the IR camera and hook it up to the DR770X using the “Rear Cam” port on the dash cam.
DR750X/X-Plus CPL Filter - the DR770X is compatible with the latest BlackVue CPL filter
DR750X/X-PlusTamper-proof mount - the DR770X is compatible with the latest DR750X/X-Plus tamper-proof mount
DR750X/X-Plus Base mount - the DR770X is compatible with the latest DR750X/X-Plus base mount too!
CM100G LTE Module - compatible with the DR770X so if you already have one, just connect it to the new dash cam.

Here’s a helpful graph for this as well:

BlackVue DR770X-2CH Accessory Compatibility

While the BlackVue DR770X may appear similar to its predecessors, its upgraded features and compatibility with existing setups make it an excellent choice for anyone looking for the finest Full HD dash cam. Honestly, upgrading from the DR750X or DR750X Plus is as simple as swapping out the cameras as everything else, cables and accessories, is compatible and can be reused.

Specs	BlackVue DR770X-2CH
Video Resolution	1080p Full HD @60FPS \| 1080p Full HD @30FPS
Image Sensor	2MP Sony STARVIS Sensors
Field of View	139° \| 137°
GPS	Built-in
Parking Mode	Yes
G-Sensor	Yes
Operating Temperature	-20°C - 80°C (-4°F - 176°F)
Loop Recording	Yes
Max SD Card	256GB
LCD Screen	None
Wi-Fi	Yes
Cloud Connectivity	Yes
Microphone	Built-in
Speaker	Built-in
Country of Origin	South Korea
Manufacturer Warranty	1-Year Manufacturer Warranty