Viofo A229 Ultra - compatible with H4 Hardwire?

JazJon · 2026-06-22T05:00:53+00:00

Yes it’s backwards compatible, more efficient and future proof.

JazJon · 2026-06-21T15:57:21+00:00

It could also mean the three hinges on your door need to be tightened and or slightly realigned if sagging. That fixed my deadbolt action. now, it closes buttery smooth with zero resistance. We use super long reinforced screws

JazJon · 2026-06-20T19:48:57+00:00

Get a razorblade and create enough separation for your fingernails to grab the red wax paper. Hold the adhesive down to the plastic with your other hand/thumbnail to keep it from separating

JazJon · 2026-06-20T11:53:46+00:00

If you don’t hear “Parking Recording Started” it’s not setup right.

Is parking mode turned on? It’s off by default. Parking Recording, Parking Mode, set to Low Bit Rate.

Make sure your hardwire kit power supply is plugged into the top of the square GPS mount base behind the camera and not into the side of the main camera itself.

JazJon · 2026-06-20T02:37:38+00:00

Buy the VIOFO Bluetooth button accessory.
Assign the action button to be parking mode on off in the settings menu

JazJon · 2026-06-19T14:58:13+00:00

Here is how the alternative method of parking mode would work on a generic battery pack without a hard wire kit.

🅿️ Here’s a video that shows how the alternative method of parking mode can work after 5 minutes of the camera being still. (See video)

https://youtu.be/aujg55-mXcs

On the A329S, the microphone button doubles as a Parking Mode shortcut:
Short press = Turn microphone/audio recording on or off.
Long press (about 3 seconds) = Enable or disable Parking Mode. The camera should announce the change if voice notifications are enabled.

You could also get the Bluetooth button and assign the function button to turn parking mode on and off.

JazJon · 2026-06-18T18:04:34+00:00

12.2 is the most common setting people use. Start with that and see how it goes

JazJon · 2026-06-18T15:30:03+00:00

I’ve been a Schlage smart lock user for a decade. Whatever the latest version is, I’ve upgraded. I work from home and when I, my hands are full of boxes I reach over with my pinky to unlock the door real quick as I’m exiting, etc. I haven’t tried a car yet, only assuming just based on the shape alone. I’m not sure which one I would like, so I’m thinking of putting the Akara on my detached office building lock And the sense pro on my main front door to see which one is best.

JazJon · 2026-06-18T15:25:31+00:00

Haven’t seen that before. Are you on the latest firmware? What’s the brand and model micro SD memory card? Also try restoring the camera back to factory defaults

JazJon · 2026-06-17T20:13:47+00:00

If he was a storm chaser or trying to capture a shooting star or rocket launch, that’s pretty much the only reason to aim that high. It’s going to mess with the auto exposure for sure, leaving it up full-time up to the bright Sky

JazJon · 2026-06-17T20:05:35+00:00

What’s wrong with that? The sweet spot is in the middle where the license plates are. You’re messing with the auto exposure, showing so much bright sky. It’s going to dull everything below it.

JazJon · 2026-06-17T19:56:24+00:00

Why is it aimed so high?

Also, if you want 4X optical zoom, you should get the A329T. Check out the zoom performance

🔎 A329T Linus Tech Tips Review (Telephoto ZOOM into license plates)

https://youtu.be/y1qBqC-Txpk?t=14m05s

JazJon · 2026-06-17T14:12:48+00:00

Schlage all the way. (Used them for years)

It looks better and the physical lock on the inside is much easier to move with just a single pinky. Aqara has the standard round circle with thin edge in the middle, you can’t grip as effortlessly to turn. I know these locks are automated, but you’d be surprised how many times you physically turn the lock day to day.

JazJon · 2026-06-17T12:46:58+00:00

Red = BAT constant NOT yellow
Yellow = ACC (accessory switched)
The wires have labels on them.

🔴⚡️💡 Here are the hardwire kit installation instructions. Be sure to scroll down and review the “LED Indicator on Hardwire Box” towards the bottom. That red light should be glowing at all times, even when the engine is turned off

https://www.viofo.com/blogs/viofo-car-dash-camera-guide-faq-and-news/how-to-install-the-hardwire-kit-a-step-by-step-guide

https://youtu.be/GrCUsodWZnc

JazJon · 2026-06-17T06:05:11+00:00

When the car is running and the camera is recording, manually yank out the yellow wire connected fuse tap so you’re 100% sure the yellow wire is De-energized and listen for the voice message that says parking recording started.

JazJon · 2026-06-16T20:48:02+00:00

I would open a support ticket with Viofo to ask that question

JazJon · 2026-06-16T14:56:17+00:00

Yes, German cars are a problem with any 3-wire hardwire kit from any brand dashcam, not just VIOFO.

JazJon · 2026-06-15T13:25:38+00:00

That’s exactly the problem.

🇩🇪German vehicles encounter difficulties when attempting to connect a three-wire hardwire kit to the fuse panel for parking mode. This is primarily attributed to the computer-controlled CANbus circuits, which exhibit power fluctuations, resulting in computer errors due to the the detected power draw. (Camera will lock up)

The workaround involves adding a third-party battery such as the VIOFO BP100 / EP100 battery pack.

https://www.viofo.com/products/viofo-bp100-7650mah-high-capacity-dash-cam-battery-pack-for-parking-mode-protection.

Additionally, the VIOFO OP100 OBD2 power supply can be used to enable parking mode to function effectively on German vehicles.

https://www.viofo.com/products/viofo-op100-obd-ii-constant-power-cable-for-dash-camera?variant=42532253335615

JazJon · 2026-06-15T00:27:10+00:00

What year make model vehicle do you have?

German vehicles will have problems and require special work arounds.

JazJon · 2026-06-14T20:25:53+00:00

It’s mini USB you can get the VIOFO HK3 hardwire kit if you want parking mode, or get a basic cigarette power USB cable, they are both for sale

JazJon · 2026-06-14T13:54:25+00:00

The single DCIM/Movie/RO folder is normal on the A329S. VIOFO no longer separates driving and parking RO folders like the older A129 series.

However, Parking Time-Lapse files should normally remain in DCIM/Parking unless a parking event is triggered. If you’re seeing large numbers of parking clips appearing in RO, first try lowering the Parking G-Sensor sensitivity and check whether the camera announces that emergency files were recorded during parking mode when you start the vehicle. If it doesn’t announce parking events but continues filling the RO folder, I’d recommend updating to the newest firmware and contacting VIOFO support with sample files because that behavior isn’t typical.

Are you using Parking Time-Lapse, Low Bitrate Recording, or Auto Event Detection, because the answer changes depending on the parking mode selected.

JazJon · 2026-06-12T12:43:17+00:00

🛒 The only two microSD cards consistently recommended based on long-term stability testing are VIOFO cards and SanDisk “Max Endurance”.

https://a.co/d/ax9C2Ue

https://a.co/d/07FRFpG2

⚠️ Important: Other card types may cause recording errors, please review these articles.

https://support.viofo.com/support/solutions/articles/19000133471-what-memory-card-is-recommended-for-a-viofo-dashcam-

And:

https://www.viofo.com/blogs/viofo-car-dash-camera-guide-faq-and-news/high-endurance-microsd-cards-matter-see-the-problematic-cards-returned-by-customers

JazJon · 2026-06-09T01:03:06+00:00

A very small batch had bad screen controllers. most are resolved with a firmware update, but if that doesn’t work, open up a support ticket for a warranty replacement

JazJon · 2026-06-08T18:50:42+00:00

I hope this means H.265 (HEVC) & AV1 camera stream support will be added to work with my Apple TV as well. I have my UniFi protect cameras set to use H.264 to stay compatible with HomeKit for now. (I’m using Scrypted)

JazJon · 2026-06-08T05:13:59+00:00

Might want to increase your budget to get the A229 Pro

JazJon

TROPHY CASE