Possible Solution For Poor Blackvue Image Issue

[Vulcann]

Like many I have issues with the atrocious footages of my 5-month old BV DR400G-HD II.

The footages were crystal clear initially but now deteriorated untill

There were another problem which was the out-of-sync date and time on the unit but i managed to solve it with the help of our resident cam guru Adrian (read post http://www.mycarforum.com/index.php?s=&...t&p=4771472 onwards)

The poor video image was initially thought to be the defective lens and there was a suggestion to find a replacement lens machiam what I did for my faulty internal battery.

Curious I dismantled the unit for the 1,000th-time and this time I unscrewed the two screws securing the lens to the unit and found out the real cause of the poor image: the internal lens surface was simply covered with dust!!!

So I just took a medical alcohol swap to clean all 3 surfaces: both the external/internal lens plus the tiny rectangular film-like surface on the unit (is this the CMOS thingy?) like shown below:



Once done I assembled the entire unit and tested it out to see if I was right.

[Vulcann]

The following was the footages before and after I have cleaned the lens surfaces:

 

Before

 

 

*****

 

After

 

 

 

 

 

[Adrianli]

Wow, u did a good job!!!

 

Now I know what to do when my two units get foggy.

[Vulcann]

Not sure if this will solve most of the problems we heard about poor video images for BV users even though the unit was new but it did work out for me.

 

For bros who asked why I did not claim the warranty of the 5-month old PI unit, it was simply because the seller did not respond whatsoever after my requests and so I have no choice but to DIY [:(]

 

Disclaimer:

 

The above was just a suggestion and I hope no one will hold me responsible in the event you nullify your warranty while opening up the unit and/or damaged the insides of the unit while trying out my method.

 

For those who are comfortable in DIY works only

 

 

[RadX]

  On 2/19/2013 at 1:29 AM, Vulcann said:

Not sure if this will solve most of the problems we heard about poor video images for BV users even though the unit was new but it did work out for me.

 

For bros who asked why I did not claim the warranty of the 5-month old PI unit, it was simply because the seller did not respond whatsoever after my requests and so I have no choice but to DIY [:(]

 

Disclaimer:

 

The above was just a suggestion and I hope no one will hold me responsible in the event you nullify your warranty while opening up the unit and/or damaged the insides of the unit while trying out my method.

 

For those who are comfortable in DIY works only

 

 

in the light of curent cases, be very careful when u use the DIY term [:p]

[Vulcann]

  On 2/19/2013 at 1:27 AM, Adrianli said:

Wow, u did a good job!!!

 

Now I know what to do when my two units get foggy.

 

Haha my thought was rather to dump the pricey BV totally might as well try to do something about it.

 

30 red notes leh

 

Still cannot figure out the function of the button battery though as I was still unable to put it back. Any idea? Funny thing is the unit is still functioning leh.

 

Anyway thank you bro for the battery replacement suggestion.

 

I have now attached the battery outside the unit by using a double-sided tape to secure it in front. This way to look more "pofesional" with both covers screwed back

 

And of course to let the battery dissipate heat outside rather than inside.

 

 

[Vulcann]

  On 2/19/2013 at 1:30 AM, RadX said:

in the light of curent cases, be very careful when u use the DIY term [:p]

 

[sweatdrop]

 

Hopefully with the acquittal we can all formulate sentences using this term properly henceforth.

 

[laugh]

[Adrianli]

  On 2/19/2013 at 1:39 AM, Vulcann said:

Still cannot figure out the function of the button battery though as I was still unable to put it back. Any idea? Funny thing is the unit is still functioning leh.

 

I also not sure. I tot the button battery should be the one to keep the date and time and the internal battery is to power the cam temporary for writing of the memory card when power is cut off.

 

Looks like the button battery is just a backup or for other uses.

[Raychay]

How did the dust get in? Do you drive a convertible?

[Mkl22]

  On 2/19/2013 at 1:50 AM, Adrianli said:

I also not sure. I tot the button battery should be the one to keep the date and time and the internal battery is to power the cam temporary for writing of the memory card when power is cut off.

 

Looks like the button battery is just a backup or for other uses.

 

 

yup you are right. button batts are usually used to power the backup circuits to keep time. might not be a big issue as the GPS can probably provide the time after it has locked. but it depends on how the Software was written.

[Whitemondeo]

I am facing the same issue with my 9 months old PI BV DR400HD with foggy image. Could you provide a step by step guide to dimantle the unit? Many thanks.

[Vulcann]

  On 2/19/2013 at 1:50 AM, Adrianli said:

I also not sure. I tot the button battery should be the one to keep the date and time and the internal battery is to power the cam temporary for writing of the memory card when power is cut off.

 

Looks like the button battery is just a backup or for other uses.

 

Maybe the button is to activate a self-destructive device machiam like portrayed in Mission Impossible [laugh]

[Vulcann]

  On 2/19/2013 at 1:55 AM, Raychay said:

How did the dust get in? Do you drive a convertible?

 

Good question but frankly I do not have the answer...

 

Guess dust exist everywhere & I believe those of you who closed your house doors & windows for outings will still find dust accumulating on your floors & furniures when you return.

[Vulcann]

  On 2/19/2013 at 2:03 AM, Mkl22 said:

yup you are right. button batts are usually used to power the backup circuits to keep time. might not be a big issue as the GPS can probably provide the time after it has locked. but it depends on how the Software was written.

 

For reasons only known to the manufacturer the button batt was apparently glued to both the terminals for my unit and I had to pried it loose in order to test its current.

 

In the process the lower terminal was snapped off and unable to be re-attached.

 

So my modded unit is without the button batt but it still works.

[Vulcann]

  On 2/19/2013 at 2:12 AM, Whitemondeo said:

I am facing the same issue with my 9 months old PI BV DR400HD with foggy image. Could you provide a step by step guide to dimantle the unit? Many thanks.

 

For the first part you can probably refer to this website's (which is also quite informative of the unit) part on Poor Audio Quality :

 

http://dashcamtalk.com/blackvue-dr400g-hd-ii/

 

Once dismantled, it is easy to remove the lens as it is being screwed in place by two small screws.

 

Just note that all warranties will be nullified once you opened the casing so be aware of what you are doing or about to do.

 

And if you are not a very DIY or hands-on person suggest you do not try this or at least get someone who is good at it.

 

Good luck

[Dscheng]

  On 2/19/2013 at 3:37 AM, Vulcann said:

For the first part you can probably refer to this website's (which is also quite informative of the unit) part on Poor Audio Quality :

 

http://dashcamtalk.com/blackvue-dr400g-hd-ii/

 

Once dismantled, it is easy to remove the lens as it is being screwed in place by two small screws.

 

Just note that all warranties will be nullified once you opened the casing so be aware of what you are doing or about to do.

 

And if you are not a very DIY or hands-on person suggest you do not try this or at least get someone who is good at it.

 

Good luck

Actually DR400-II still can buy??

[Vulcann]

  On 2/19/2013 at 3:43 AM, Dscheng said:

Actually DR400-II still can buy??

 

No.

[Forte3737]

  On 2/19/2013 at 3:43 AM, Dscheng said:

Actually DR400-II still can buy??

 

all blacckvue models better not buy