Quick Personal Review of ITB-100SPW and Comparison against ITB-100 HD SP:
Whats good:
1. Itronics Slim and Sleek Design - similar look and feel as the original 100HD, 100HD SP. The logo now shows a FHD.
2. The White Flashing LED seems brighter and more aggressive than the 100HD SP model - be warned.. but can be turned off
3. It supports lazy people like me - After the 1st format of SD Card on PC Player, you will literally DO NOT NEED to take out the SD Card again.
4. The new SPW has a smaller per-min record file size (about 45MB) for 1080p 30fps- compared to SP (about 90MB) - This means that you can store more video on the SD Card without getting overwritten.
5. Similar recording feature as SP
6. May be able reuse your previously invested power saver, on/off switch if you are upgrading - for me, I simply swap the camera from SP to SPW.
7. Supports Class-10 64GB SDCard (finally!) - Recommended: Sandisk Ultra Class-10 64GB SD Card (can get around S$58-59)
8. Although it is not a webcam or IP CCTV, you can use the 'preview' mode on your mobile device about 10-15m away from your car to 'spy' - However, do not expect good 30fps frame rate.
9. The official support distance between the SPW device and mobile device = 10m (in manual) - This is similar to normal Wireless Device (without any booster antenna). I personally tested the signal in B2 Sim Lim Square Car Park (near the management office). You can still get the signal despite being blocked by full car park and Van/Lorry about 10-15 lots away.
10. Can run on iPhone, iPAD (no ipad app yet), Android devices.
11. Singapore Climate use - Hopefully we can see another heat test video in Jurong Island.
12. The English Lady Voice seems more matured in SPW (good for executive people) as compared to the more 'kawaii' voice in SP model.
Some point to take note:
1. Itronics has reduced the file size per min for a .mp4 file - meaning tradeoff somewhere for 1080p 30fps recording. This sacrifice/tradeoff as compared to SP model is the poorer 24kbps 8Mhz mono audio recording (SP model is 128kbps 16Mhz). Yes it sounds mono and softer if you enable audio recording. But then again... why do u need a good audio recording? Many people disable audio recording anyway.. for privacy reasons
2. 6Mbps Bit rate = same as all Itronics model
3. SPW cannot support iPhone in hotspot mode (documented in manual) - You can only use client mode if you are apple fan. Client mode = connect wifi then launch the client.
4. It is NOT a webcam, please do not use it as one - The wifi is mainly for you to use a wireless connection into the device to view recordings, change settings, and yes, mobile format the SD card.
5. Please remember to secured your SPW wifi password
6. Do note that once you connect your mobile device via Wifi to the SPW in client mode, your mobile device will not be able to access 3G/4G signals. This means that all your internet access is cut. This is similar to a hotspot wifi without internet connection. (Note: I believe for Android users in hotspot mode, you can still have mobile internet)
7. Activation from power up for SPW slightly longer than SP model - I think it need to start the additional Wifi services, which is acceptable.
8. Device SSID is fixed and cannot be changed via PC Player or mobile App. (Documented in manual)
9. Do not connect via Wifi to preview live recording while you driving. This will split the frame rate between live recording and wifi preview - eg: live recording reduced to 15fps. (confirmed by Itronics)
10. GPS start up is longer as compared to SP model.. This observation is based on the same travel route from my home carpark to work.
Field Test:
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Test Method: Park at an open carpark without any car in vicinity, ie No obstructions to Wifi signal. ITB-100SPW is mounted on front windscreen. Reverse Parking into the lot.
Test Date: 18th Apr 2014 9.30am to 10.30am
Test Venue: Carpark G, Singapore Expo
Results:
1. Forward Wifi Strength: about 80-100m (signal will be stronger if there are ways to bounce/reflect it)
2. Backward Wifi Strength: about 15-20m (backward means at the back of car.)
Max Recording Time before content overwritten @45MB per min file
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- 8GB Card (with 1080p 30fps continuous non-stop 1min recording) = estimate 3hrs
- 16GB Card (with 1080p 30fps continuous non-stop 1min recording) = estimate 6hrs
- 32Gb Card (with 1080p 30fps continuous non-stop 1min recording) = estimate 12hrs
- 64GB Card (with 1080p 30fps continuous non-stop 1min recording) = estimate 24hrs
*Note: If you do not set overly aggressive recording, you can get more mileage out of the card before contents start overwriting.
In Summary:
ITB-100 SPW is the most advanced ITB-100 series. It is a necessary upgrade for older ITB-100 users. Understand how the product work and also understanding its capabilities and limitations is important. Android users may get better experience than iOS users.
Firmware used: ITB-100 SPW v1.0
PC Player used: iPass Black v1.3.7
OS System: Windows 8.1 Pro
Disclaimer: I am reviewing this on personal basis without prejudice. Please do not approach me for any files, software or firmware. These can be obtained via the official channel.
** I will edit this as and when I find further details on the SPW unit **
Yeah, forumers can judge. Oh btw, don't keep editing your post to make yourself sound nice.
