BlackVue DR770X Box 3-Channel Dash Cam vs. Thinkware MB-100 Multiplexer Box

Let us differentiate these two products first. The BlackVue DR770X Box is a triple-channel dash cam that comes as a full package. On the other hand, the MB-100 is an optional product for select Thinkware dash cam models like the F200 Pro.

Thanks to the modular design of the MB-100 Multiplexer, you can add a combination of side, interior, exterior, and rear views to the main forward-facing dash cam. It converts the dash camera's rear Full HD 1080p video @30fps resolution channel into one – enabling you to capture two to four video feeds in a single rear video file. However, take note that the Multiplexer is not a camera and cannot be used to record driving footage by itself. The package includes the MB-100 Multiplexer module, a video out cable, and a custom wiring harness. The wiring harness contains 4 video input connectors labeled Cam1 through Cam4 for up to four cameras, a video out connector, two power wires for constant battery power, and a ground connection. The Multiplexer will require an additional camera to perform, specifically the Thinkware F200 Pro 2-CH is the only model that we currently offer that can behave as such for the Multiplexer.

On the other hand, the DR770X Box 3-Channel dash cam is a full package from BlackVue. For the first time, BlackVue designed the DR770X Box to be a separate unit from the cameras, carrying the BlackVue dash cam's processor, WiFi source, and memory card.

Here, we found that the DR770X Box has three cameras - one each for the front, rear, and interior. The DR770X cameras are linked via coaxial video cable to the Box, which serves as the recording unit that can be safely stored in the glovebox or under the seat. Unlike other cameras, the DR770X Box cannot be easily slid off the mount since the mount is firmly secured and locked to the unit with a specific Allen key that comes with the unit. Beyond that, the power cable and SD card slot are both protected by their own tamper-proof locking cover. Even besides the Box, each camera unit presents its own difficulty to break into, as all three of them come with their own tamper proof casing. This casing prevents the cabling from being unplugged, and the cameras taken off the mount.

In our opinion, this is BlackVue’s most secure dash cam entry. We found out that aside from these additional, physical protections, the BlackVue DR770X Box has innovated security with an alarm. Once the head unit itself has been disconnected from the Box unit, the Box itself will enter into an emergency mode, blaring loud and proud like a true car alarm. There’s also a coin battery-powered, remote Bluetooth button that can be used to trigger Event recordings manually, as a way to easily bookmark important files.

Now, let’s check out the video recording capabilities of these two. If the Thinkware front dash camera is connected to the MB-100 Multiplexer and recording video, all of the cameras connected to the MB-100 will record video as well. However, because the MB-100 combines around 2-4 1080p@30fps video feeds into one video feed, the video quality may be reduced but it does keep things optimally sized.

Best paired to the MB-100, the F200 Pro is capable of providing you with full HD footage with 2.0 megapixel, 1/2.7" SOI Image Sensor, and video enhancing technologies such as WDR, Automatic Exposure and Super Night Vision. Its front camera covers 140-degrees while the rear camera captures up to 160-degrees. Additionally, the optional low-profile full-HD exterior side cameras can fit neatly on the side of your vehicle while covering a 129-degree field of view. You can also add an interior camera that records a 160-degree view range.

Let’s take a look at the BlackVue DR770X Box’s footage. Using 2MP Sony STARVIS image sensors, the new DR770X Box is capable of capturing the front in full HD @ 60 frames per second, and full HD @ 30 frames per second for the interior and rear cameras. The front field of view is 139°, the rear is 116° while the interior covers 180° - the wider in its class. Like the standard DR770X-2CH, the DR770X Box is also equipped with a new SigmaStar CPU and ISP Tuning software which are responsible for the improvements in white balance, dynamic range, and contrast in daytime videos.

We also noticed that as far as bitrate choices go, there are four: Highest/Extreme, Highest, High, Normal. While it is expected to capture clear full HD, the front camera also needs an accessory that can prevent rain droplets, dust, and other environmental elements from ruining the footage - that’s why we highly recommend you to get a BlackboxMyCar Aqua Shield - which is also compatible with Thinkware dash cams.

We also checked the parking mode capabilities of these two dash cams. Extending parking mode monitoring, Thinkware boasts its Energy Saving mode. This reduces power consumption by half, giving you 2x longer video recording than normal parking mode. It will go to sleep in Energy Saving mode and will wake up to start recording once an impact is detected.

Similar to Thinkware, the DR770X Box offers standard Loop Recording, Intelligent Parking Mode, Impact and Motion Detection, and Time Lapse Recording. Once the dash cam is hardwired or hooked up to a battery pack, it will switch to parking mode automatically when the car’s ignition is turned off. They both come with a built-in voltage monitor to protect your vehicle battery, and a voltage cutoff timer can be set in the BlackVue app.

In the Thinkware Multiplexer’s case, it merges recordings from the additional cameras into one feed, allowing the F200 Pro to operate as a full DVR system that would traditionally cost a fortune. However, all additional cameras record in 1080p Full HD and then reduced to 960p x 540p to be combined into one video. Choose whether you want to watch it on your Android phone, iOS phone, Windows or Mac. With its built-in Wi-Fi, you can simply connect the F200 Pro to your mobile device through the Thinkware Dash Cam LINK to view and manage your videos.

In our opinion, the DR770X Box is a standout in this field. Not only does it have the same wifi setup as Thinkware, while allowing the Wi-Fi to be perpetually on, but it comes with advanced connectivity options as well. The DR770X can also be connected to the BlackVue CM100G LTE module, or any hotspot/Wi-Fi connection in the vehicle, allowing the camera to connect to the BlackVue Cloud. Using the newly redesigned BlackVue App on your smartphone or tablet or the BlackVue Web Viewer, you can see in real-time where your vehicle is located and detailed tracking of the vehicle’s route, plus other Cloud features like Remote Live View, Live Auto Upload, GPS Tracking, Two-Way Voice Communication, and Event Map.