VIOFO A129 Duo IR USER MANUAL

Product Overview

Standard Items

• Front Camera
• Car Charger Adapter
• 4M Car Charger USB Cable
• USB Data Cable
• Spare mount sticky pads
• Clips
• Trim Removal Tool

Note: The USB data cable is only for connecting the camera with a computer to transfer video files or upgrade firmware, not for charging the camera.

Optional Accessory

• Interior camera
• GPS module
• Interior Camera Cable
• Bluetooth Control
• CPL
• Hardwire Kit

Product Diagram

1) Front Camera

The front camera features:

• Ports: USB Power Port, Mount, Interior Camera USB Port, AV Out, Power In / microSD Card Reader Mode (computer).
• Buttons: Menu / Power On/Off, Recording On/Off / Menu Up, Video Protect / Playback / Menu Confirm, Reset Button.
• Other Features: Memory Card Slot, Microphone.
• Indicators: Recording Status Indicator, Wi-Fi Status Indicator, Microphone Status Indicator.

2) Interior Camera (Optional)

The optional interior camera includes an LED indicator and a Lens. It has a Power In + Video Out port.

3) Bluetooth Remote Control (Optional)

The optional Bluetooth remote control features a Transmit Indicator and a Video Lock Button.

Inserting / Removing the memory card

Inserting the memory card

Push the memory card into the card slot until you hear a click, with the card label facing forward (away from the screen).

Removing the memory card

Ensure the camera is turned off or not recording. Push the edge of the memory card with your fingernail; the card will spring out far enough to be removed.

Note on Micro SD Cards

The Micro SD card is sold separately. It must have a Class-10 or UHS-I rating and a capacity up to 256GB. For 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB cards, formatting with the FAT32 file system (either on a computer or in the camera) is required. VIOFO brand memory cards manufactured with top-tier MLC NAND flash are recommended for durability and reliability.

Formatting the card

Format the card using the 'Format' option in the Dash Camera 'System settings' before first use. Formatting will permanently erase all data on the micro SD card. For optimal performance, format the card periodically after backing up important files.

LED Indicators

Buttons and Icons

Standby Mode (Not Recording)

Recording Mode

Playlist Mode

Setting Menu Mode

Installation

Front camera installation

1. Insert the clips, then slide the mount horizontally into the slot on the back of the camera.
2. Select a location on the windshield rear of the rear-view mirror. This is the best mounting location.
3. Wipe clean the installation surface of the windscreen with a dry cloth; it must be grease-free for the sticky pad to stick firmly.
4. Peel the protection film off the sticky pad and camera lens.
5. Fix the front camera on the selected location.
6. Adjust the lens angle: Look at the live view on the LCD and adjust the angle of the lens up/down if necessary.

Interior camera installation

1. Select an installation location on the windscreen, ensuring it is free from defrost grid wires and allows the camera to record the entire interior view.
2. Wipe clean the installation surface of the windscreen with a dry cloth.
3. Peel the protection film off the sticky pad and camera lens.
4. Fix the interior camera on the selected location.

Cable Connection

1) Connecting to Power

Plug the USB power adapter into your vehicle's 12V / 24V female power socket. Insert the 4M USB cable's male port into the camera's mount USB port.

Note: Both GPS mount and non-GPS mount can be used for power.

2) Connecting with Interior Camera

Use the Interior camera USB Cable (with an L-shaped connector at both ends) to connect the two cameras. Power off the product and connect the interior camera cable to the front camera (main unit). Cable routing should be as shown in the diagrams. Use the cable clips to fix the two cables conveniently and safely.

Installation Tips

• Do not install/mount the camera in a location that interferes with the driver's visibility and safety.
• Install/mount the camera close to the rearview mirror so that both sides of the scene being recorded are equally covered by the camera's FOV (field of view).
• To ensure a clear view on rainy days, the lens should be positioned within the windshield wiper's sweeping range.
• Do not install/mount the camera on or near airbag panels.
• Installation/mounting location should not be affected by sun control film (window tint). There should not be any other electronic equipment close to the camera for optimal performance.

Note: Do not install/mount the camera or cables near an airbag panel or within the airbag's working range. The manufacturer is not liable for any injury or death caused by deployment of the airbag.

Operation

Display Overview

The camera's LCD screen displays various information:

• Recording Mode
• Recording Time (e.g., 00:00:20)
• Video Resolution (e.g., 1080P60)
• Recording Status
• Emergency Lock
• Microphone status
• Wi-Fi status
• SD Card status
• Date and Time (e.g., 2019/01/22 08:26:15)

Power On / Off

1. When the engine starts, the camera turns on and begins recording automatically.
2. When the engine is turned off or the charging cable is unplugged, the camera stops recording and turns off.
3. Long press the [Menu] button to power the camera on or off.

Loop Recording

1. Insert a micro SD card into the camera's card slot; automatic loop recording begins when power is detected.
2. The time frame for each video file can be set to 1, 2, 3, 5, or 10 minutes.
3. When the Micro SD card is full, loop recording automatically overwrites the oldest files.
4. Loop recording files are saved to the SD card in the path: \DCIM\MOVIE folder.

Emergency Recording

1. Automatic emergency recording: When the G-sensor is activated by a collision, the current footage is locked automatically to prevent overwriting by loop recording.
2. Manual emergency recording: Pressing the [Lock] button during recording locks the current file, preventing it from being overwritten by the loop recording feature.

Note: Collision sensing sensitivity can be adjusted in 'System settings' under the 'G-sensor' option. Locked files are saved to SD card: DCIM\Movie\RO.

Playback Videos

1. In standby mode (not recording), press the [Lock] button to enter the playlist.
2. Use the arrow buttons ([REC], [MIC]) to select the desired video and press the [Lock] button to play.
3. Press the [Menu] button to exit.

Note: Separate files are created for front and interior camera recordings. Front camera files are named Year_Date_Time_***F, and interior camera files are named Year_Date_Time_***R. Both front and interior cameras record at 1080P/30fps. After unplugging the interior camera, the front camera resolution switches to 1080P @60fps automatically.

Motion Detection

When enabled, the camera starts recording upon detecting movement within its Field of View (FOV). If no movement is detected for 60 seconds, recording stops, and the camera returns to 'Motion-Detection' mode. Recording resumes when new movement is detected.

Note: Do not enable 'Motion Detection' unless the vehicle is parked. If enabled while driving, the camera may not record continuously.

PC Mode

1. Connect the camera to a computer using the included short Mini USB cable.
2. The camera automatically turns on and displays "microSD Card Reader Mode" on its LCD screen.
3. The computer will detect it as a "removable disk".
4. Two folders will appear under the DCIM folder: Movie (loop recording video files, containing subfolder RO for Protected/Locked video files) and Photo (video snapshot files).
5. Copy the necessary files to your computer.

View on a TV

The camera has an AV out port for connecting to an external display like a monitor or TV. A 3.5mm male to 3 RCA AUX cable is not supplied.

PIP Mode

There are four modes for live preview on the A129 LCD screen and via Wi-Fi when the Interior camera is attached:

Note: Picture-in-Picture (PIP) mode is available only when the Interior camera is attached.

Mute

During a private conversation, pressing the [MIC] button will mute the audio (disable the microphone).

Firmware Upgrade

Follow the instructions on the website to upgrade the firmware: https://support.viofo.com/a/solutions/articles/19000097350

Note:

• Before upgrading firmware using a Micro SD card, formatting the card in the camera is necessary to ensure stable read/write operation.
• Do not unplug or power off the camera during a firmware upgrade, as it may cause the camera to fail to boot subsequently.

System Settings

You can set product features according to your needs and preferences using the camera buttons or the VIOFO app. To enter menu settings, stop recording first.

• Resolution: Sets video resolution. Front camera only: 1920*1080P 60FPS, 1920*1080P 30FPS. Front + Interior Camera: 1920*1080P 30FPS.
• Bitrate: Sets video bitrate. High bitrate improves video quality and smoothness, especially for fast motion or high contrast scenes, but may decrease recording time. Low bitrate saves space and allows for longer recording.
• Live Video Source: Options include Front camera, Interior camera, PIP mode 1, or PIP mode 2.
• Loop Recording: Options are Off, 1, 2, 3, 5, or 10 minutes. Recording starts automatically after powering on with a micro SD card. Each file is up to three minutes long, with old footage being replaced when storage is full.
• WDR (Wide Dynamic Range): Dynamic range ratio of the brightest to darkest image portions. WDR helps deliver video with near-perfect exposure in varying lighting situations.
• Exposure: Adjusts the EV (Exposure Value) for better footage under different light sources, ranging from -2.0 to +2.0. You can adjust EV for front and interior cameras separately. Default is 0.0.
• IR Camera Color: Options are Mono, Auto, or IR Color. 'Mono' means the IR light is always on, showing black and white interior video. 'IR Color' means the IR light is always off.
• Parking Mode: Three options:
  • Auto Event Detection: Records for 1 minute when a moving object is detected while parked, and stops if no new movement occurs.
  • Time Lapse recording: Records video at low frame rates (1/2/3/5/10/15 fps) continuously without audio.
  • Low Bitrate Recording: Records video at a low bitrate (4MB/s) continuously for both front and interior cameras, in a small file size with audio.
  Note: VIOFO HK3 ACC hardwire kit cable is recommended for parking mode recording.
• Time-lapse Recording: Records video from frames captured at specific time intervals to conserve memory and reduce review time. Default is off.
• Motion Detection: When activated, starts recording upon detecting movement. Stops after 60 seconds of no movement and returns to 'Motion Detection' mode. Records again upon detecting new movement.
• GPS: Turns the GPS logger on/off. A GPS module includes location data in recorded videos and synchronizes time/date. Use "Dashcam Viewer" to playback and visualize position/speed. (Requires GPS signal).
• Speed Unit: Selectable between Kilometers per hour (KMH) and Miles per hour (MPH).
• G-Sensor: Measures shock forces and locks the video recorded at the time. Settings from "low to high" determine the force needed to lock a file. Setting it to 'low' is recommended.
• Wi-Fi: Set On/Off. Press the [Wi-Fi] button for 3 or 5 seconds to enable Wi-Fi quickly. 5GHz Wi-Fi mode is recommended.
• Date Stamp: Imprints the time and date on the recorded video.
• GPS Info Stamp: Imprints GPS information on the recorded video.
• Camera Model Stamp: Imprints the camera model on the recorded video.
• Record Audio: Turns the microphone on/off. Can also be changed during recording by pressing the [MIC] button.
• Screen Saver: The screen turns black by default after 3 minutes of recording. This can be adjusted in the menu.
• Boot delay: The camera boots seconds later when powered on. Settings are Off, 5s, or 10s.
• Date / Time: Sets the system date and time.
• Time Zone: Sets the current time zone for GPS time and date calibration. Note: Time zone must be manually adjusted for daylight savings.
• Language: Sets the on-screen display language (e.g., English, Traditional Chinese, French).
• Beep Sound: Turns notification sounds On/Off.
• Frequency: Sets frequency to minimize flickering and banding in recorded video.
• Image Rotation: Turns the screen upside down, suitable for both front and interior cameras.
• Rear Camera Mirror: Mirrors the rear camera image for display and recording. Settings are On/Off.
• Format: Deletes all data on the Micro SD card. Note: Formatting erases all information permanently. Back up necessary files before formatting.
• Format Warning: Sets the number of days between format warnings.
• Default Setting: Restores the device to factory settings.
• Car Number: Imprints the car number on the recorded video.
• Custom Text Stamp: Imprints custom text on the recorded video.
• Firmware Version: Checks the current firmware version of the camera.

Review and Control on Smartphone

The VIOFO app allows remote control of your camera via a smartphone, including full camera control, live preview, playback, and video recording. When Wi-Fi is enabled, the camera can only be controlled by the VIOFO app.

Turn on Wi-Fi in the menu or long press the [Wi-Fi] button. When Wi-Fi is on, a Wi-Fi status icon and password appear on the camera LCD screen.

Connecting the camera to a smartphone

• Open the Google Play Store (Android) or Apple App Store (iOS).
• Download and install the VIOFO APP.
• Run the VIOFO APP.
• Turn on Wi-Fi in the menu or long press the [Wi-Fi] button.
• Follow the app instructions to connect with the camera.

Bluetooth Remote Control

The optional Bluetooth remote control, mounted conveniently on your dashboard, allows you to safely protect important videos from being overwritten without taking your eyes off the road. Pressing the Bluetooth remote locks the current video file and takes a video snapshot.

Pairing with dash camera

• Power on the camera.
• Press and hold the video lock button on the remote control for 3 seconds to pair with the camera.
• If pairing is successful, the LED indicator on the remote turns blue.

Notice

FCC Statement

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Caution

Any changes or modifications to this device not explicitly approved by the manufacturer could void your authority to operate this equipment.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Shenzhen Viofo Technology Co.,Ltd, declares that this Radio Frequency peripheral is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of Directive 1999/5/EC.

Customer Service

Customer Service

• 12-month Limited warranty
• Lifetime technical support
• Email: support@viofo.com
• Website: www.facebook.com/viofo.world
• Phone: +86 755 8526 8909 (CN) Mon-Fri 9am-6pm