How to choose a DVR for the car
With the help of such a device, you can record everything that happens on the road while driving or around the car while parked. You can also record what is happening inside the vehicle. The capabilities of the registrar are not limited to this. Typically, such devices have additional features that can be useful in a given situation - a GPS receiver, speedcam, polarization filter (CPL), G-sensor, Wi-Fi, and others.
The main purpose of a car DVR is to record the moment of an accident or other incidents, such as fraudulent activities. A video recording from the registrar can help resolve a dispute, prove your innocence, and ultimately save your nerves, money, and even freedom.
When purchasing a video recorder, pay attention to whether the selected model has a UkrSEPRO certificate. Otherwise, the court may not accept the video as evidence when considering the dispute. But this is exactly the situation for which such a device is bought.
The right approach to choosing a video recorder
A competent choice will allow you to purchase a high-quality registrar that will meet your real needs and will not let you down at the most inopportune moment.
Those who buy such a device for the first time often make a choice based on the bright, juicy picture that the DVR produces on the recording. Yes, the quality of the recording matters, but you are not going to shoot beautiful views.
You should not chase ultra-high resolution, in most cases Full HD is enough. Moreover, unscrupulous manufacturers achieve increased resolution through interpolation, that is, programmatic stretching of the picture, and the matrix is used to be cheap. In fact, this not only does not improve, but, on the contrary, worsens the quality of the video recording.
Many are pushed to buy by the use of a powerful processor or a high-quality matrix in the device, which the manufacturer writes about in large print on the packaging. But often this is just a tricky move that allows you to promote this model or increase its value. Even the coolest “iron” assembled in one case will not in itself give a decent product in the end. Because the components need to be properly selected and configured, and this requires competent engineers and high-quality software. Only in this case, you can count on the creation of a worthy device.
Do not be tempted by ultra-low prices, even if the manufacturer promises super functionality. Many prefer to save money by buying gadgets on one of the Chinese Internet sites. Surprisingly, these devices often work. But it is impossible to predict how long they will remain so. Those who have opened Chinese devices know what build quality can be found inside. No one can guarantee that something in such a gadget will not fall off at the moment of impact during an accident, and then the record confirming your innocence may be damaged.
All this brings us to the conclusion that when choosing a DVR, you must first take into account not the declared parameters, but the reliability of the device. In this case, you can focus on the products of well-known specialized brands, as well as expert opinions and reasoned user ratings. It is only necessary to filter out explicit or veiled “orders”, which can be very difficult.
Do not rush to new items, even if they look promising. In fact, it may turn out to be a crude product with software not brought to mind. It is better to choose among the models of recent years that have proven themselves and are in stable demand.
You can look at YouTube for examples of recordings made by different DVRs. Even taking into account the fact that the video on this resource is compressed, certain conclusions can be drawn when viewed on a sufficiently large monitor.
Criterias of choice
The main parameters and functionality described below will help you decide which DVR you need specifically.
Recording quality
The quality of the video recording is determined by several parameters.
1. Matrix resolution.
Almost all noteworthy DVRs support Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels) in hardware. Support for SuperHD (2304 x 1296p) and WideHD (2560 x 1080p) recording is available on some advanced models. But there may be a clue hidden here. Well, if such a resolution is supported at the hardware level. Then the recording will be clearer. But some manufacturers do not shy away from deception, passing off software interpolation as high resolution. You can clarify this issue by checking whether the processor and matrix installed in the device support the declared resolution. If not, then it is an explicit interpolation. It is better to refuse the purchase of such a registrar.
But even honest SuperHD resolution has its drawbacks. First, in low light, video quality is somewhat worse than Full HD. Secondly, as the resolution increases, the space that the file occupies on the memory card increases significantly. Thirdly, the choice of memory cards will have to be approached more strictly, since not all cards are capable of recording at high speed without distortion and loss.
2. Shooting speed (frames per second).
In most cases, DVRs shoot at 30 frames per second (fps). Some models use 60 fps, which slightly improves the visibility of objects at night. During the day, the difference in quality compared to 30 fps becomes noticeable only at speeds over 150 km/h.
In addition to resolution and shooting speed, the quality of video recording is significantly affected by camera optics and viewing angle.
Optics - glass or plastic
The DVR camera lens usually has 5…7 lenses. In principle, more lenses should improve the quality of shooting in low light. But special attention should not be paid to this. Much more important is the material from which the lenses are made. In a decent camera, coated glass optics are installed. Plastic lenses are a sign of a cheap device. Plastic becomes cloudy over time and can crack due to temperature changes. Such optics are best avoided.
Viewing angle
It would seem that the more the better. But with an increase in the viewing angle, the distortion on the sides increases (the effect of the fish eye). This is especially noticeable when driving at high speed, when the image on the right and left is blurred. In some devices, this effect is partially compensated by software. But in general, a normal viewing angle is usually 140 ... 160 degrees, and for high-speed driving, 120 will be enough. By the way, the smaller the viewing angle, the better the visibility of the numbers of cars driving ahead at some distance.
Bracket attachment
The main methods of attaching the bracket to the windshield are vacuum suction cups and double-sided tape.
On the one hand, the suction cup is clearly more convenient - degreased the surface, pressed it and you're done. Easily repositioned or removed to take home. But with strong shaking, the suction cup may not withstand, especially with a significant weight and dimensions of the device. Then the registrar will be on the floor, and it's good if it does without damage.
Double-sided tape holds securely, but rearranging the device is not so easy anymore. Some manufacturers complete their devices with both types of mounts. By experimenting with the suction cup, you can find the best place and then use the tape.
Swivel device
The ability to turn the camera sideways or backwards is definitely a useful feature. You can, for example, capture an event that is not happening directly on the course, or record a conversation with a policeman.
Connecting the power cable through the bracket or directly to the recorder
In some models, power is supplied directly to the body of the recorder, bypassing the bracket. To remove the device, you have to disconnect the connector.
Pass-through power supply to the recorder through the bracket allows you to remove the device without disconnecting the power cable. It is much easier, and the connector does not wear out.
Magnetic fastening of the recorder to the bracket
An extremely convenient solution that allows you to remove the recorder from the bracket with a light movement of two fingers in order to take it with you and not tempt citizens prone to theft. It's just as easy to put it back on.
Polarizing filter (CPL)
Such a filter is installed on the lens to remove sun glare. In sunny weather, CPL is very useful and allows you to eliminate image flare. But when installing it, a little rotational adjustment is required.
But at night, a polarizing filter can cause a significant darkening of the image.
Display availability
The display does not affect the operation of the recorder in any way, but the ability to quickly view the video without having to download it can be very useful. For example, you can quickly convince a traffic police officer of your innocence and thereby save time, nerves and money.
Shock sensor (G-sensor) and emergency button
All DVRs produced in our time are equipped with a shock sensor, so it makes no sense to specifically focus on this when choosing a device. When it is triggered, the file being written at that moment receives protection from overwriting. You just need to remember that the G-sensor requires a sensitivity setting so that it does not work on every well, otherwise the memory card can quickly fill up with protected files, and normal recording will stop.
And the emergency button allows you to instantly mark the file being recorded at that moment as protected. This is useful if some unexpected incident occurs and the recording needs to be protected from a circular overwrite that starts when the memory card is full.
Supercapacitor or battery
The lithium battery allows you to shoot offline for some time. However, the car can experience quite dramatic temperature changes, especially in winter, which can lead to a quick battery failure if the device is left in the car all the time. As a result, when the power is turned off from the on-board network, you can lose the user settings of the recorder, and in the worst case, lose the last record.
The supercapacitor does not allow autonomous operation. Its charge is only enough for the correct completion of the current recording. But he is not afraid of either heat or frost. And for offline video shooting, you can use your smartphone.
Memory cards
If the DVR uses high resolution, high bit rate recording, you will need a memory card that is capable of high speed recording. Otherwise, the resulting video will be choppy and have artifacts that make it unusable as evidence that you're right. The task of choosing the right card is complicated by the fact that the market is flooded with low-quality and counterfeit products.
If the device has a slot for a second card, then this makes it possible to quickly make a copy of the recording, for example, for a protocol.
GPS and SpeedCam
The presence of a GPS module in the configuration of the DVR makes it possible to determine the current coordinates of the car and the direction of movement, and sometimes create a movement map.
SpeedCam, which works in conjunction with GPS, has in its updated database data on stationary police radars and cameras and warns of approaching them with an audible signal. In fact, this is a radar detector, which, however, will not save you from mobile devices.
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