IconBIT DVR QX PRO review: a curious recorder with 1080p 60 FPS shooting
Frankly, I did not suspect the existence of iconBIT registrars before meeting the hero of the review - and, as it turned out, completely in vain. The brand’s arsenal is rapidly approaching the second ten models, not counting the “archival” devices. What is particularly impressive is not the next assortment of “typical registrars”, but how to select mostly uninteresting models. I remember recently in the comments they asked about a registrar with a separate screen and "external" cameras - I advise you to take a closer look at the iconBIT DVR QX DUO, there are two miniature "eyes" under the control of the latest Ambarella processor - A7LA70D. Actually, the same “heart” is installed in the single-channel iconBIT DVR QX PRO, which will be discussed. The model is noteworthy for at least one point - shooting Full HD at a frequency of 60 FPS,
There is an inscription “Professional” on the recorder box. This can be treated in two ways, on the one hand - according to the optical “stuffing” in front of us is really one of the most advanced registrars at the moment. On the other hand, specifically in the transport of traffic police, faculty, ambulance and public transport systems with slightly different features are installed. We agree that in the case of the iconBIT registrar, the model belongs to the top “household” models. If only because in a similar way other brands often sign their most advanced models.
The device is delivered in a large oblong box - I don’t remember when I last saw the recorder packing from such a dense cardboard. Typically, brands prefer to dispense with much finer material, the packaging observed in the iconBIT DVR QX PRO is more likely to be characteristic of some large tablet.
In the multilingual manual, the main points on the model's work are outlined briefly and intelligibly, this is a plus. Useful for Russian people descriptions - 8 sheets in 64, this is a minus. The fact that there is not a word about LDWS in the registrar’s manual plunged me into a stupor. At least from the position of setup - if you have not calibrated this system in other recorders before, then you definitely will not be able to rebuild in the iconBIT DVR QX PRO. Moreover, I could not find any other instructions (in the sense - none at all) on the iconBIT website. Strange information support is perhaps the only tangible minus of the model.
The rest of the kit includes two mounts (we’ll talk about them in more detail), 3M spare sticks, miniUSB and HDMI cables, as well as cigarette lighter charging. Separately, I note the presence of an HDMI cable, usually brands are greedy and even in flagship registrars they do not always use it. Or give a penny archaic AV-lace. Be prepared to pay an extra couple of hundred rubles per memory card, taking into account the high shooting bitrate - at least the sixth grade. Specifically, in my case, a microSD card with a capacity of 16 GB of class 6 was used. Keep in mind that 1 minute of Full HD 60 FPS is 140 Mb, 1 minute of Super Full HD 30 FPS is 160 Mb. In the manual there is a detailed plate of how many records which card will contain, depending on the resolution of the video.
As I said, complete mounts are two. A sound approach, since each option has its opponents and supporters. For example, suction cup brackets are charged with “grip” on frosty winters. But the holders with 3M do not like for the inability to quickly remove / install, and the stick you need to use a new one each time you rearrange. There are two options for 3M sites, but I still do not understand how and where to put the one that is higher and wider. If under the same connecting element as for the "little brother", it is not possible to make a rigid fixation.
Both holders have the same adjustment mechanism. Clamping and loosening the screw, we change the slope of the recorder case. To rotate the camera around the axis - in fact, take and rotate. There are no limiters, the hard move was initially set up in moderation. I liked this more than the registrars, in which for a similar action in a circle serifs-clamps were installed every 3-4 mm.
The appearance of the iconBIT DVR QX PRO is almost outstanding - in the literal sense of the word, I have never seen such a massive lens. The authority of the model will add that the lens is completely made of metal. I suppose that this is necessary, not least for the heat removal of a heated processor, but at the same time to avoid negative impact on the quality of shooting and the durability of the model due to changes in temperature and frost / heat in the merciless Russian climate.
The case is made of relatively thick plastic, which should positively affect the safety of the recorder in case of possible drops and shocks. The surface is closer in glossy type - it’s slightly shiny, but it is not very willing to collect fingerprints. And the elements of the hull are organized in such a way as to avoid large flat areas with noticeable signs of operation. As you can see, there are embossed “bulges” on both sides of the lens - it’s convenient to take on them and no prints can be seen.
The assembly is solid, the only thing that makes sounds is the creaking rubber buttons, which are unable to keep silent due to the peculiarities of the performance material. It can be seen that the connectors are very tightly seated in the housing sockets, there are no gaps.
On the front side there are no noteworthy moments, except for the lens. That is, IR illumination is not provided. And the latest models of the middle and upper price range strengthen me in the idea that manufacturers see less and less sense in using this component. In my opinion, everything is logical - you still need to always activate the backlight manually, and motorists are often too lazy to even look at the instructions once to find out how to do it. I suspect many people are not aware of the presence of backlight in their models, not to mention the ways to launch it.
Слева и справа торцы пусты – только прорези для лучшего «проветривания корпуса». Вообще, перфорация для охлаждения присутствует на всех сторонах, за исключением таковой с экраном. Температурному режиму в модели уделяется особое внимание, в настройках даже можно задать предельную температуру, при которой регистратор начнет сигнализировать о перегреве. Более того, для объектива и процессора используется система активного охлаждения.
The location of the slots and connectors is far from being familiar to me - a microSD card needs to be inserted from below, and an HDMI cable should be connected from above. But the location of miniUSB at the top does not cause any questions and is only welcome - the power cable immediately goes up and clearly stimulates a civilized laying of wires under the casing. I was amused by the opinion of one iconBIT DVR QX PRO browser, who stated the following: “But the really uncomfortable moment is the location of the power connector at the top, where it constantly interferes with the screen.” That is, the comrade sincerely considered the standard hanging cable directly from the body to the cigarette lighter. Interestingly, it would be said about models with a power connector at the very top of the bracket.
I have already forgotten that far from all registrars, two or three buttons are “hung” on each button. Just iconBIT DVR QX PRO is the case when the user did not begin to complicate their lives and make them remember what mode each key is capable of doing. The reverse side of the coin - there is no way to quickly control the screen, microphone, etc. The purpose of the keys is obvious and corresponds to the icons: moving through the menu, calling up the settings, choosing a mode (photo, video, viewing files), manual start / stop shooting.
Keys surround a 2.7-inch screen, an extremely common diagonal among current recorders. Image quality is not bad, horizontal viewing angles are large - there is no inversion.
I am constantly annoyed by the Ambarella A7LA50D based registrars, in which brands prefer to leave the stock settings structure unchanged. As a result, the user has to wander among a continuous list of two to three dozen items. I don’t dare to judge how much in my case the merit of the original firmware A7LA70D is great, and where iconBIT did the improvements. But the iconBIT DVR QX PRO options menu is definitely one of the most thought-out button recorders among the recorders.
Settings are conditionally divided into four tabs: video, photo, “others” and something with a watercolor icon. A slight flaw - the display does not show how many “screens” are in the current tab and which of them is currently open. The registrar is not overloaded with options, which is rather a plus, except for the stamp of the license plate of the car. The points are quite typical: turning on WDR, adjusting the video duration, G-sensor sensitivity, language selection, etc. From the unusual - the above-mentioned choice of the maximum temperature for overheating alarm, a range of 60-80 degrees Celsius in increments of five degrees.
The iconBIT DVR QX PRO does not have a GPS receiver, and accordingly, the related functionality is not implemented: time synchronization by satellites, coordinate stamp, recording of a movement track, warning about speed cameras. For the price of the iconBIT DVR QX PRO, this is more than a normal situation, models with similar characteristics and GPS cost about 1.5-2.5 thousand rubles more (~ $ 42-71). Of the additional features, I note the accelerometer, which works as it should and is supposed to - reacts to overloads typical of an accident such as sudden braking or turning. A signal has arrived - on the memory card, the current video will be marked as emergency and excluded from loop recording. Thus, an important file will be protected from accidental erasure.
Of course, one of the main "chips" of the model is the LDWS system, designed to control the position of the car in the current lane. As soon as the exit to another lane begins, the motorist receives a loud audible warning - they say, do not sleep at the wheel. So it is assumed that the driver dozed off or was distracted on a long road and begins to drive to the side of the road or even to the oncoming lane. It’s easy to imagine the potential outcome of such a scenario. At least for lovers of long journeys, LDWS is practically a must have. In iconBIT DVR QX PRO, the system functioned in the same way as in other registrars with LDWS, with which I had already worked. The main conditions for the correct behavior of the option are good lighting and high-quality road markings. Half-erased markup or complete absence thereof the coming night or a dense wall of rain - in this case, the 100% response of LDWS should not be counted. But if the sun floods the asphalt (a little cloudiness will come off), everything will be in perfect order.
Before using, the LDWS option must be a) activated in the settings b) calibrate. In the latter case, two horizontal stripes appear on the screen. They must be installed so that the upper line is aligned with the horizon, and the lower line with the edge of the road above the hood. Let me remind you that I could not find clarifications on this issue from iconBIT.
The most interesting point in the review, as the iconBIT DVR QX PRO has something to boast about. Let's start with a lens consisting of six glass lenses, the viewing angle is the maximum for a single-channel recorder of 170 degrees. The model uses DEWARP technology, which allows you to programmatically correct the picture and reduce the effect of the "fish eye" - that is, distortion of objects around the edges. If you don’t quibble, the image comes out "very much", for such an angle the video really "deforms" minimally. By and large, bending is noticeable only on objects at the edges at the full height of the frame.
Next up is the Aptina AR0330 CMOS sensor, a mega-popular solution found in registrars from the budget to the top price range. Along with OmniVision OV2710, this matrix is very popular in professional video surveillance systems, and for some time is installed in registrars and even ordinary video cameras. Aptina AR0330 - 3.15 megapixel matrix, which hardware supports Super Full HD shooting (2304 x 1296 pixels) and 1080p recording at 60 fps. High photosensitivity and low noise of the matrix is the key to a large physical size of 1/3 "pixels. Just in case, let me remind you that for the formation of Full HD video you need only 2.1 MP (1920 multiplied by 1080), for Super Full HD - 3 MP. Competent comrades specify that the "extra" pixels are necessary to compensate for frame vibration.
Completes the set of "cherry" in the form of the most current processor Ambarella A7LA70D, which hardware provides the same Super Full HD and 1080p 60 FPS. At the same time, WDR is supported - exposure alignment when driving towards the sun or in the absence of roadside lighting. By the way, the availability of LDWS is also entirely the merit of the processor. And even the aforementioned DEWARP. Smart AE technology is used to help the optical system, it regulates and sets normal illumination throughout the field of the frame to improve the quality of recording at night - this reduces the illumination of license plates.
Below are examples of shooting in Full HD 60 FPS and Super Full HD modes. If someone is not in the know, the frequency increased to 60 fps allows you to ultimately reduce the actions missed by the registrar in the frame. For example, at a speed of 120 km / h every second, a car drives about 33.3 meters. At a video frequency of 30 fps, frames are formed every 111 centimeters of the path, and at 60 fps, frames are formed every 55.5 cm, thus the details of what is happening in the video are halved. In practice, the benefit of this is expressed at least in the fact that the probability of considering the numbers of oncoming cars is seriously increased. If we talk about aesthetics - the video very noticeably adds to the smoothness, which is noticeable to the naked eye. If desired, with the iconBIT DVR QX PRO, it’s easy to compose beautiful “slo-mo” 1080p videos.
1080p, 60 FPS, day.
Download the original file.
1080p, 60 FPS, night.
Download the original file.
Super Full HD, 30 FPS, day.
Download the original file.
Super Full HD, 30 FPS, day.
Download the original file.
Super Full HD, 30 FPS, night.
Download the original file.
The quality is high, almost without complaints - high definition, lack of “soap”, good color rendering. The only thing is that in the afternoon, the white balance jams in places, straying between yellow and blue.
A few words about the other aspects of the video - there is a motion detector, so that the registrar left in the parked car is able to automatically start recording when there is some activity in the frame, and stop it in its absence. The capacity of the built-in battery is 300 mAh, which is enough for about 20 minutes of shooting.
The recommended price of iconBIT DVR QX PRO is 6 990 rubles ($ 200). In my opinion, for the support of Super Full HD and 1080p 60 FPS, LDWS, and even with such a filling, the price is more than justified - there are many comparable competitor models on sale for one and a half thousand rubles more. I did not find any fundamental disadvantages in the model, except for a strange situation with an explanation of the existence and features of LDWS. I liked the impressive lens, solid hardware specifications, convenient and not cluttered menu. I have been waiting for Full HD video at 60 fps for a long time, I consider this a logical and useful step in the evolution of registrars. The considered iconBIT DVR QX PRO is the case when you can choose a recorder with high-quality shooting for reasonable money and get a very "advanced" model with a couple of interesting points.
There is an inscription “Professional” on the recorder box. This can be treated in two ways, on the one hand - according to the optical “stuffing” in front of us is really one of the most advanced registrars at the moment. On the other hand, specifically in the transport of traffic police, faculty, ambulance and public transport systems with slightly different features are installed. We agree that in the case of the iconBIT registrar, the model belongs to the top “household” models. If only because in a similar way other brands often sign their most advanced models.
Equipment
The device is delivered in a large oblong box - I don’t remember when I last saw the recorder packing from such a dense cardboard. Typically, brands prefer to dispense with much finer material, the packaging observed in the iconBIT DVR QX PRO is more likely to be characteristic of some large tablet.
In the multilingual manual, the main points on the model's work are outlined briefly and intelligibly, this is a plus. Useful for Russian people descriptions - 8 sheets in 64, this is a minus. The fact that there is not a word about LDWS in the registrar’s manual plunged me into a stupor. At least from the position of setup - if you have not calibrated this system in other recorders before, then you definitely will not be able to rebuild in the iconBIT DVR QX PRO. Moreover, I could not find any other instructions (in the sense - none at all) on the iconBIT website. Strange information support is perhaps the only tangible minus of the model.
The rest of the kit includes two mounts (we’ll talk about them in more detail), 3M spare sticks, miniUSB and HDMI cables, as well as cigarette lighter charging. Separately, I note the presence of an HDMI cable, usually brands are greedy and even in flagship registrars they do not always use it. Or give a penny archaic AV-lace. Be prepared to pay an extra couple of hundred rubles per memory card, taking into account the high shooting bitrate - at least the sixth grade. Specifically, in my case, a microSD card with a capacity of 16 GB of class 6 was used. Keep in mind that 1 minute of Full HD 60 FPS is 140 Mb, 1 minute of Super Full HD 30 FPS is 160 Mb. In the manual there is a detailed plate of how many records which card will contain, depending on the resolution of the video.
Installation
As I said, complete mounts are two. A sound approach, since each option has its opponents and supporters. For example, suction cup brackets are charged with “grip” on frosty winters. But the holders with 3M do not like for the inability to quickly remove / install, and the stick you need to use a new one each time you rearrange. There are two options for 3M sites, but I still do not understand how and where to put the one that is higher and wider. If under the same connecting element as for the "little brother", it is not possible to make a rigid fixation.
Both holders have the same adjustment mechanism. Clamping and loosening the screw, we change the slope of the recorder case. To rotate the camera around the axis - in fact, take and rotate. There are no limiters, the hard move was initially set up in moderation. I liked this more than the registrars, in which for a similar action in a circle serifs-clamps were installed every 3-4 mm.
Housing, controls
The appearance of the iconBIT DVR QX PRO is almost outstanding - in the literal sense of the word, I have never seen such a massive lens. The authority of the model will add that the lens is completely made of metal. I suppose that this is necessary, not least for the heat removal of a heated processor, but at the same time to avoid negative impact on the quality of shooting and the durability of the model due to changes in temperature and frost / heat in the merciless Russian climate.
The case is made of relatively thick plastic, which should positively affect the safety of the recorder in case of possible drops and shocks. The surface is closer in glossy type - it’s slightly shiny, but it is not very willing to collect fingerprints. And the elements of the hull are organized in such a way as to avoid large flat areas with noticeable signs of operation. As you can see, there are embossed “bulges” on both sides of the lens - it’s convenient to take on them and no prints can be seen.
The assembly is solid, the only thing that makes sounds is the creaking rubber buttons, which are unable to keep silent due to the peculiarities of the performance material. It can be seen that the connectors are very tightly seated in the housing sockets, there are no gaps.
On the front side there are no noteworthy moments, except for the lens. That is, IR illumination is not provided. And the latest models of the middle and upper price range strengthen me in the idea that manufacturers see less and less sense in using this component. In my opinion, everything is logical - you still need to always activate the backlight manually, and motorists are often too lazy to even look at the instructions once to find out how to do it. I suspect many people are not aware of the presence of backlight in their models, not to mention the ways to launch it.
Слева и справа торцы пусты – только прорези для лучшего «проветривания корпуса». Вообще, перфорация для охлаждения присутствует на всех сторонах, за исключением таковой с экраном. Температурному режиму в модели уделяется особое внимание, в настройках даже можно задать предельную температуру, при которой регистратор начнет сигнализировать о перегреве. Более того, для объектива и процессора используется система активного охлаждения.
The location of the slots and connectors is far from being familiar to me - a microSD card needs to be inserted from below, and an HDMI cable should be connected from above. But the location of miniUSB at the top does not cause any questions and is only welcome - the power cable immediately goes up and clearly stimulates a civilized laying of wires under the casing. I was amused by the opinion of one iconBIT DVR QX PRO browser, who stated the following: “But the really uncomfortable moment is the location of the power connector at the top, where it constantly interferes with the screen.” That is, the comrade sincerely considered the standard hanging cable directly from the body to the cigarette lighter. Interestingly, it would be said about models with a power connector at the very top of the bracket.
I have already forgotten that far from all registrars, two or three buttons are “hung” on each button. Just iconBIT DVR QX PRO is the case when the user did not begin to complicate their lives and make them remember what mode each key is capable of doing. The reverse side of the coin - there is no way to quickly control the screen, microphone, etc. The purpose of the keys is obvious and corresponds to the icons: moving through the menu, calling up the settings, choosing a mode (photo, video, viewing files), manual start / stop shooting.
Keys surround a 2.7-inch screen, an extremely common diagonal among current recorders. Image quality is not bad, horizontal viewing angles are large - there is no inversion.
Settings and advanced features
I am constantly annoyed by the Ambarella A7LA50D based registrars, in which brands prefer to leave the stock settings structure unchanged. As a result, the user has to wander among a continuous list of two to three dozen items. I don’t dare to judge how much in my case the merit of the original firmware A7LA70D is great, and where iconBIT did the improvements. But the iconBIT DVR QX PRO options menu is definitely one of the most thought-out button recorders among the recorders.
Settings are conditionally divided into four tabs: video, photo, “others” and something with a watercolor icon. A slight flaw - the display does not show how many “screens” are in the current tab and which of them is currently open. The registrar is not overloaded with options, which is rather a plus, except for the stamp of the license plate of the car. The points are quite typical: turning on WDR, adjusting the video duration, G-sensor sensitivity, language selection, etc. From the unusual - the above-mentioned choice of the maximum temperature for overheating alarm, a range of 60-80 degrees Celsius in increments of five degrees.
The iconBIT DVR QX PRO does not have a GPS receiver, and accordingly, the related functionality is not implemented: time synchronization by satellites, coordinate stamp, recording of a movement track, warning about speed cameras. For the price of the iconBIT DVR QX PRO, this is more than a normal situation, models with similar characteristics and GPS cost about 1.5-2.5 thousand rubles more (~ $ 42-71). Of the additional features, I note the accelerometer, which works as it should and is supposed to - reacts to overloads typical of an accident such as sudden braking or turning. A signal has arrived - on the memory card, the current video will be marked as emergency and excluded from loop recording. Thus, an important file will be protected from accidental erasure.
Of course, one of the main "chips" of the model is the LDWS system, designed to control the position of the car in the current lane. As soon as the exit to another lane begins, the motorist receives a loud audible warning - they say, do not sleep at the wheel. So it is assumed that the driver dozed off or was distracted on a long road and begins to drive to the side of the road or even to the oncoming lane. It’s easy to imagine the potential outcome of such a scenario. At least for lovers of long journeys, LDWS is practically a must have. In iconBIT DVR QX PRO, the system functioned in the same way as in other registrars with LDWS, with which I had already worked. The main conditions for the correct behavior of the option are good lighting and high-quality road markings. Half-erased markup or complete absence thereof the coming night or a dense wall of rain - in this case, the 100% response of LDWS should not be counted. But if the sun floods the asphalt (a little cloudiness will come off), everything will be in perfect order.
Before using, the LDWS option must be a) activated in the settings b) calibrate. In the latter case, two horizontal stripes appear on the screen. They must be installed so that the upper line is aligned with the horizon, and the lower line with the edge of the road above the hood. Let me remind you that I could not find clarifications on this issue from iconBIT.
Video
The most interesting point in the review, as the iconBIT DVR QX PRO has something to boast about. Let's start with a lens consisting of six glass lenses, the viewing angle is the maximum for a single-channel recorder of 170 degrees. The model uses DEWARP technology, which allows you to programmatically correct the picture and reduce the effect of the "fish eye" - that is, distortion of objects around the edges. If you don’t quibble, the image comes out "very much", for such an angle the video really "deforms" minimally. By and large, bending is noticeable only on objects at the edges at the full height of the frame.
Next up is the Aptina AR0330 CMOS sensor, a mega-popular solution found in registrars from the budget to the top price range. Along with OmniVision OV2710, this matrix is very popular in professional video surveillance systems, and for some time is installed in registrars and even ordinary video cameras. Aptina AR0330 - 3.15 megapixel matrix, which hardware supports Super Full HD shooting (2304 x 1296 pixels) and 1080p recording at 60 fps. High photosensitivity and low noise of the matrix is the key to a large physical size of 1/3 "pixels. Just in case, let me remind you that for the formation of Full HD video you need only 2.1 MP (1920 multiplied by 1080), for Super Full HD - 3 MP. Competent comrades specify that the "extra" pixels are necessary to compensate for frame vibration.
Completes the set of "cherry" in the form of the most current processor Ambarella A7LA70D, which hardware provides the same Super Full HD and 1080p 60 FPS. At the same time, WDR is supported - exposure alignment when driving towards the sun or in the absence of roadside lighting. By the way, the availability of LDWS is also entirely the merit of the processor. And even the aforementioned DEWARP. Smart AE technology is used to help the optical system, it regulates and sets normal illumination throughout the field of the frame to improve the quality of recording at night - this reduces the illumination of license plates.
Below are examples of shooting in Full HD 60 FPS and Super Full HD modes. If someone is not in the know, the frequency increased to 60 fps allows you to ultimately reduce the actions missed by the registrar in the frame. For example, at a speed of 120 km / h every second, a car drives about 33.3 meters. At a video frequency of 30 fps, frames are formed every 111 centimeters of the path, and at 60 fps, frames are formed every 55.5 cm, thus the details of what is happening in the video are halved. In practice, the benefit of this is expressed at least in the fact that the probability of considering the numbers of oncoming cars is seriously increased. If we talk about aesthetics - the video very noticeably adds to the smoothness, which is noticeable to the naked eye. If desired, with the iconBIT DVR QX PRO, it’s easy to compose beautiful “slo-mo” 1080p videos.
1080p, 60 FPS, day.
Download the original file.
1080p, 60 FPS, night.
Download the original file.
Super Full HD, 30 FPS, day.
Download the original file.
Super Full HD, 30 FPS, day.
Download the original file.
Super Full HD, 30 FPS, night.
Download the original file.
The quality is high, almost without complaints - high definition, lack of “soap”, good color rendering. The only thing is that in the afternoon, the white balance jams in places, straying between yellow and blue.
A few words about the other aspects of the video - there is a motion detector, so that the registrar left in the parked car is able to automatically start recording when there is some activity in the frame, and stop it in its absence. The capacity of the built-in battery is 300 mAh, which is enough for about 20 minutes of shooting.
Conclusion
The recommended price of iconBIT DVR QX PRO is 6 990 rubles ($ 200). In my opinion, for the support of Super Full HD and 1080p 60 FPS, LDWS, and even with such a filling, the price is more than justified - there are many comparable competitor models on sale for one and a half thousand rubles more. I did not find any fundamental disadvantages in the model, except for a strange situation with an explanation of the existence and features of LDWS. I liked the impressive lens, solid hardware specifications, convenient and not cluttered menu. I have been waiting for Full HD video at 60 fps for a long time, I consider this a logical and useful step in the evolution of registrars. The considered iconBIT DVR QX PRO is the case when you can choose a recorder with high-quality shooting for reasonable money and get a very "advanced" model with a couple of interesting points.