dash cam question

[pirmers]

Indeed, a dedicated dash cam connector in the mirror area would save a lot of trouble. One point though, I am not clear how the constant supply for the parking mode works. Certainly on the Viofo control unit, the constant supply goes via the USB C connector. Is this a specified configuration that is the same for all makes of dashcam? The Wikipedia description of USB C is well beyond my limited power of comprehension.

[emp]

I put my cam on the window. Was just playing with Wifi. I connected the app on my Android phone and that works fine. Then I wanted to display the image on my car's infotainment screen and apparently that is not possible.

Saying: "The Viofo A229 Pro does not natively support displaying its live feed directly on a car's infotainment screen via Android Auto. The Viofo app connects directly to the dashcam's own local Wi-Fi hotspot to transfer data, which conflict with the Android Auto connection."

I have an Android phone. Apparently there are workarounds. Anyone got that working?

In my old Suzuki SX4 I built in an aftermarket Android Auto unit and bought a 20€ dashcam (I think at AliExpress) and that just worked immediately on the screen of my Android Auto unit. Now a 30K€ car, 300€ cam and that does not work    I just hate to work from the phone because it is all so small, can't see it properly.

[Kremmen]

I never needed to view the dashcam on the headunit

I just knew from the red light that it was recording, then after each journey I'd lift the A119V3 off the mount, bring it indoors and offload the footage to my PC using the whole dashcam as a card reader, then put the dashcam back

Don't ask too much as they are tiny units

Personally I stuck with a single channel as I've read numerous stories from a lot of different makes that connecting a second unit which also writes to the single SDCard can cause issues

A lot on Dashcamtalk just fit a second unit with its own card at the rear

[emp]

ok thank you. In my old car I could watch the dashcam recordings on my infotainment Android head unit and also operate the dashcam from that. Oh well, will look into possible workarounds later but definitely not possible to operate the dashcam from the infotainment system, just from the phone app. Bummer

[Lord Voltermore]

The downside of a constant supply independent of the ignition ,allowing the use of parking mode is that the camera may become a constant drain on battery. The draw of power may be very small but can accumulate and become  significant if its happening 24/7. This is a particular problem with hybrids such as the mk4 which have quite a small 12v battery. 
Even if the camera goes into standby mode with a lower power consumption  its not unusual for them to activate and start recording   due to innocent  passers by, foliage moving in the wind,  birds ,visits from nocturnal creatures etc.

One possible solution would be to plug the camera into a portable 5 volt  power bank when using parking mode.   You can buy  ones that can also supply 12volts for a very short time with enough amps to start a car in an emergency.   I always carry one of these in the car anyway ( since 2021 )but have never needed to use it  . 

I think another contributor to this forum, who has particular knowledge of dashcams, and dashcam forums , has previously said that  while parking mode might record an incident  its not often that it shows registration number or enough detail to identify who was responsible.

[emp]

yes I seen them do that, using a power bank, there are some videos on youtube about it.

I ran the cables. I pulled the A-pillar trim open. In hindsight it is not necessary. Because I could not take the trim of. It seems stuck at the other piece of plastic, see at the yellow arrow (pic1). Maybe I need to pull harder. But when you take out the rubber weather stripping you can put a piece of wire BEHIND the airbag and pull the cable through. I did not do that unfortunately. So now I can not push the trim back into place because of this clip. I will look at that later, the car will still work  My cables are behind the airbag so will not interfere.

If anyone knows in this 2026 Mk4 the pieces of plastic at the trim stuck together or can be taken apart let me know.

I just placed the power cable in the cigarette socket (pic2). The cable is behind the glove box. Still need to tie-wrap this in place. I ran the rear camera cable to the back but still need to figure out how to get it up to the window. Little break now 

Bummer I could not get the A-pillar trim off.

The camera placement looks low but this is on the passenger side and in my case I can not see the camera when I am behind the wheel because the rearview mirror blocks the view.

[pirmers]

The Viofo supply module that enables parking mode stops the supply to the camera when the +12V falls below a specific voltage. There are four settings, lowest about 11.8V, below which supply is disconnected to protect battery charge. There are selectable low repetition rate modes to reduce consumption.

Having bought parking mode “in case”, afraid I have not been sufficiently interested to explore how well it works.

[Lord Voltermore]

Bummer I could not get the A-pillar trim off.

The camera placement looks low but this is on the passenger side and in my case I can not see the camera when I am behind the wheel because the rearview mirror blocks the view.

This was why I never tried. 
I found the best positioning for the camera the most challenging part of the whole fitting process.   Finding a compromise that allowed the dashcam a view uninterrupted by the edge of the binnacle or windscreen shading dots etc, whilst minimising how much it intrudes into the driver or front passengers line of sight.  Also complicated by the fact that what is out of sight for me may still be visible to the shorter Mrs LV when she drives.   I did experiments  before permanently sticking the mount in place.   But I can still  just see the camera when driving and I thought the  red 'working ' light might be a distraction, especially at night.  I had plans to mask the light in some way but found it wasnt necessary .   

[Kremmen]

Having been a member at Dashcamtalk for many years and scanning most 'new posts' I've picked a few hints

For the MK4 Jazz the best place is exactly where the Honda Drive Recorder goes. But, before sticking, check it's not to close to the central housing. Too close and a wide angle dashcam will show the housing edge ( been there got the t-shirt)

As far as dashcams are concerned Viofo single channel cams are the most reliable from member posts. My A119V3 was used for 7 years without a single issue, it recorded everything with no breaks

The one important thing, as reported by numerous owners, is to avoid those dashcams that are on a stalk. They vibrate and in an accident they move on the ball joint, nearly always end up pointing upwards after they hit the windscreen

The best design are the wedge dashcams

[emp]

I managed to click the trim back in. A firm push just above the clip did the trick.

I ran de rear camera cable all the way to the back but it is basically impossible to get it nicely to the window. Bummer. Poor planning. In the videos they usually work it through the rubber Hatch Wiring Grommet. But in my case this is not possible. Will have to think about how to mount it.

Pic1 shows where my cable is at. You do not see it because I put it away for now tucked below the liner.
Pic2 shows the grommet through which they normally lead that cable. But even if I somehow manage to get it though there then I still can't reach the window because there is no space between the metal frame and the window.
Pic3 shows the rear windshield wiper fluid hose. If I put the cable through that hole (next to the fluid hose) I will have to damage the rubber seal.

Bummer

[emp]

my car is similar except that I do not have these 2 holes in the hatch frame

[ADCO]

For anyone struggling with the A pillar trim removal it is the complete part outlined in pink. Also when the trim is out the red breakaway clip at the top can be removed from the square hole in the metal frame by squeezing the small tabs on it's side, then reset by pushing  in the small tie 'till it clicks. Slide all clips back into the A pillar trim and offer up to the frame and push back into place. Hope this helps, I've done this several times with no issues.

[Toptek]

I have a Mk3 and fitted the cable as many have done, by inserting behind the door seal and pillar. Now I know about the airbag deployment area I'm going to try and simply route above the dash to the windscreen.
Would it be possible to push it behind the pillar or will it need to be fixed with adhesive clips as I don't want to remove the pillar?
If it can't be done, I'm going to remove the dash cam and inform my insurer.

[emp]

For anyone struggling with the A pillar trim removal it is the complete part outlined in pink. Also when the trim is out the red breakaway clip at the top can be removed from the square hole in the metal frame by squeezing the small tabs on it's side, then reset by pushing  in the small tie 'till it clicks. Slide all clips back into the A pillar trim and offer up to the frame and push back into place. Hope this helps, I've done this several times with no issues.

thanks ADCO. Somehow I managed just to push the clip back in. But good to know it is 1 piece. They have different colors and also it seems they are supposed to come apart but they would not come apart. Good to know they are 1 piece.

[emp]

it is easy to take the Viofo A229 Pro of the GPS mount (attached to the window) and then put in the data cable and plug it in the desktop (data cable is USC-C to USB-A). Then you can play the recordings using software like the VLC media player (which opens on default on my system). So that is working great.

Question remains how to mount the rear camera. I show the situation in the picture 1 below. The end of my rear dash cable is currently at point A (tugged under the liner). According to the video posted in reply #55 (the last link to a video I posted) it is possible to move the cable from A to B and then from B to C. But how to get it to D?

Just got a reply on youtube. The guy says: "No I didn’t have the two grommets either. I do however have a high level brake light unit mounted at the top centre of the rear screen. I removed it and found its rectangular wiring hole which I was able to use, then routing the cable through the unit itself and out to one side. It was at this point I was down to my last 10cm or so of cable, just enough in my case. Mine was an older 2012 hybrid model by the way".

I also have this rear break light plastic cover (picture 2, inside the yellow circle). I guess we can just click this off as well?