Prido i5. An alternative to expensive DVRs?

The Prido brand isn't as well known to the average Kowalski, but with interesting, beautifully designed, and well-designed devices, it can change quickly.

Prido i5 is a budget, small car DVR. It convinces with a beautifully designed and made body, not the worst parameters and an attractive price.

We took a closer look at it.

Prido i5. Components and Options

The device uses a Sony Exmor IMX323 sensor, which is very popular in various types of DVRs. This is a cheaper version of the IMX322 sensor shown a few years ago, which, however, has similar performance parameters to its predecessor (the sensor itself is successfully used in cheap, popular DVRs and cameras used for surveillance or monitoring). It is expected to perform particularly well in difficult lighting conditions (such as at night).

The CMOS sensor is 1/2,9" diagonal (6,23mm) and 2,19 megapixels (effective size 1985(H) x 1105(V)).

The sensor works with the NT96658 processor from the South Korean company Novatek. Like the sensor, this processor is also successfully used in most popular DVRs.

The DVR has Full HD resolution at 30 frames per second.

Optics consists of 6 glass lenses. Interestingly, the lens has a very wide field of view of 150 degrees. Unfortunately, this comes with some distortions. Prido i5 is also equipped with a 2-inch color display for previewing recorded material.

Prido i5. Installation

The camera is attached to the windshield with a traditional suction cup. What you should pay attention to is how the vacuum is created in the suction part. Usually we are dealing with a plastic lever, which, by changing its position, creates a vacuum. This has its advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is that the suction cup is mounted and immobilized quite quickly. Disadvantages - the possibility of accidental engagement of the lever, due to which the handle may fall off.

In the case of the Prido i5, negative pressure is generated by turning the plastic knob on the handle. A very convenient solution, tested by us for the first time.

The registrar is fixed in the suction cup with a special groove. In my opinion, this solution, although effective, can be inconvenient. Sometimes it's easier to remove the entire camera by disassembling it with a suction cup than to remove it from the holder.

Usually at this point I scold manufacturers who, out of economy, sometimes offer too short power cords. However, this is not the case. The cable is 360 cm long, relatively thick (which, at least in theory, should protect it from abrasion and damage) and flexible, and just enough to run discreetly inside a car. This is a huge advantage.

It is very convenient to supply the power cord with a 12-24V / 5V adapter with two USB sockets. Powered by both 12V and 24V installations means that the recorder can operate both in cars with a 12V installation and in trucks - 24V without additional transformers. Two USB connectors allow you to power not only the camera, but also such as navigation or phone charging. In general, the adapter is a very handy accessory that does not need to be purchased separately.  

Literally a moment after connecting the device to the voltage, the DVR starts recording.

Prido i5. Provision of services

The device is controlled using four microswitch-type control buttons located on the bottom wall of the DVR, as well as a switch and a Reset button located on the side of the device. The control buttons are divided into two groups - buttons for changing (up / down) and confirming “OK” and calling the list “Menu”.

Programming and operation of the device is intuitive, and familiarity with the functions of the DVR and their settings will not take much time.   

Prido i5. On practice

The small dimensions of the recorder and a sufficiently long power cord allow you to install the device almost permanently. The body is also almost invisible, which in this case is an advantage.

The recorder works great in good lighting. The image is clear, crisp, colors are well transmitted. At night and when the scoreboard is illuminated by lights, it can be difficult to read the numbers. However, it must be remembered that DVRs, even consisting of higher-end components, rarely cope well with such conditions. It is important that when recording at night, the image does not quickly change color depending on the ambient light or simply become unreadable.

In our opinion, Prido i5 is a very good choice in its price category, and the recording quality can surprise even more expensive competitors.

The recommended retail price of the DVR is PLN 319.

Pros:

• the price of money;
• intuitive control;
• power cord length.

Cons:

• Problems with distinguishing details when recording at night with high contrast.

Prido i5. Test videorejector