DVRs: the main differences between modern devices
Many people see radar detectors and DVRs as twin brothers. Both useful car accessories are now in trend, presented on the market in a large assortment. True, there is one fundamental point. Many radar detectors accuse their use of encouraging violation of the Rules of the Road (SDA). Hence the ambiguous attitude towards them. As for the DVRs, it is unlikely that anyone will deny their usefulness. And today we want to tell you what characteristics of DVRs you should pay attention to.
But first, a paragraph of history (scroll down if not interested). The first recordings of the situation in front of the vehicle on film have been fantastically for many years. The first such fact that we were able to find dates back to 1906. The chaos of traffic in San Francisco was recorded through the eyes of a tram driver. And twenty years later in the USA, one of the New York fire brigades recorded her departure for a call.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGSRMqxL2p0
Massive car videos began to appear less than ten years ago. In the second half of the 2000s, video recorders replenished storefronts selling already-promoted goods for the same target audience - radio tape recorders, alarms, parking sensors, radar detectors.
In Russia, DVRs are quite popular, and today it is not uncommon when the same accident can be removed from 2-3 angles. Records from DVRs serve as a source of material for dozens of Youtube channels and several television programs. And the oldest Russian automobile magazine “Driving” even displays their own accident statistics on their basis.
Someone will be surprised, but there are countries sharply negatively related to the use of DVRs. In Austria, the fine for installing a gadget only starts with - don't fall! - 10,000 euros. Authorities considered the covert video recording to be an interference in their personal lives, as they get license plates of cars and people's faces. You can go to court in other countries where registrars are not banned, but publishing the records from them on the Internet is also regarded as an attempt on the secret of the privacy of other people.
The first "Vidic" could be seen on the then popular markets - "Gorbushka" and "Mitino". Network retailers were initially wary of the new product, so DVRs began appearing on federal networks two or three years later.
It is interesting that even today, when DVRs have become ultra-demanded, global digital brands practically do not release them. Names in this segment are mostly “local”. Therefore, the person who buys such a device for the first time needs to first figure out which models are considered the standard, who is a high-quality middling, and who is completely unworthy of attention.
Thus, today you can buy a DVR in a retail network, in auto products, in an online store, and also order from AliExpress or a similar service. The latter option will be the most affordable, but you can not count on support, software updates and quality service in Russia. For example, you can completely forget about the built-in base of coordinates of cameras for fixing violations.
Officially working Russian brands regularly prepare firmware files for the local market, constantly update the database of police radars. And in the absence of both the base itself and the need to adapt it, you should not count on the presence of any actual firmware for the device.
The flow of gadgets from China is difficult to evaluate, but as for the “white” DVRs, according to our assessment, buyers have recently begun to prefer cheaper models, because DVRs with decent quality and without extra bells and whistles today cost from 3,500-4,000 rubles.
At least, the Russian climate must be taken into account in the operation of the DVR. Even if the owner, leaving the car, constantly takes the device with him, he will still be subject to significant temperature extremes. Most devices allow you to display the license plate of the car for video recording with a stamp in the corner of the screen. It needs to be adapted to the Russian format of registration marks.
There are many such nuances. That's why, as is the case with radar detectors, these gadgets require full development. Produce DVRs in China, South Korea or other countries. Unfortunately, there are no domestic capacities and components and is not yet expected. But the technical task is being formed by the Russian side. Engineers test several options for pre-production devices in real conditions in Russia, go to address issues directly to partners.
The most important parameter of the DVR is the quality of the video. It is evaluated both subjectively, by an expert, but nevertheless by a human eye, and with the help of special tools. Based on the test results, the IMATEST program issues its verdict on white balance, color reproduction, video noise level, and frequency-contrast characteristic of the image.
The second aspect is the recording mode. Car DVRs record video in short fragments lasting from one to five minutes. Older models took time to save the spent movie, and at the same time they could not write the next one. Breaks reached three to five seconds! That is, the entire dangerous traffic situation could remain 100% off-screen if the registrar at that moment saved the previous file. Therefore, an important feature of the device is the support of "seamless" recording technology.
It is also important to consider which processor the gadget runs on. About five years ago, the American chipset Ambarella came to the fore. He was rated for high performance, inaccessible to competitors. So, a full-fledged combo device (a hybrid of a radar detector and a video recorder with a traffic police camera base) with a Full HD 1920 video resolution of 1080 pixels at one time could only be built on an Ambarella A7 processor, which provided it with outstanding popularity.
Today, the glory of Ambarella is fading. Korean and even Chinese competitors pulled themselves up. Therefore, in the description of registrar characteristics, one can increasingly see Taiwanese brands Novatek and AIT, as well as MStar. The first leads the story since 1997, the second appeared five years later. These chipsets no longer lose to the American Ambarella in anything, on their base they build very worthy models. So, the automotive magazine “Behind the Wheel” in its tests noted the excellent characteristics of the Playme Uni models with a gut from Novatek and the two-chamber Playme Zeta based on MStar.
The next important element is the camera matrix. The vast majority of high-quality devices use OmniVision and Sony EXMOR products. Both companies provide a clear picture in the afternoon, in the dark, in static and in motion. And this is a very decent level, because, unlike smartphone cameras and professional cameras, a car registrar is obliged to shoot as well as possible with one set of settings. The essence of the gadget is that there is no one to adjust it in the direction of travel: it is inconvenient and extremely unsafe. So, everything is at the mercy of automation. One of the most popular matrices on the Russian market of high-quality DVRs today is Sony IMX323.
A good matrix also needs a quality lens. At the dawn of its history, the Vidic was equipped with plastic optics. Short-lived by themselves, they also suffered greatly from the scorching sun, reinforced by the "lens" of the windshield. Now a good dashcam can only have a glass lens of five to six lenses. And this does not mean that you have to buy a device of the upper price category. On average, and even partially in the budget segments, glass has also become the norm.
WDR (Wide Dynamic Range) technology enables simultaneous shooting with different exposures. Then the “light” and “dark” frames are superimposed on each other, giving together a picture of ideal quality for specific conditions. This allows the gadget to work out areas with sharp changes in illumination, for example, when driving in tunnels and under overpasses.
Parking mode is also useful. The camera remains in sleep mode until the shock or motion sensor built into it works. This will mean that someone has appeared near the “sponsored” car: it's time to turn on the recording. A potential offender or thief will appear in the frame, and he can be identified. However, the device left on the windshield by itself can attract marginalized people. It would be foolish to come out - to photograph your own abduction. If you plan to use the device in this mode, select the appropriate model. For example, in the form of a rear-view mirror or ultra compact (in our lineup - Playme Tio or Playme Uni), because they can hardly be seen from the outside.
Secondly, the utility level directly depends on the capacity of the battery built into the recorder. It is usually small. In winter, there is every chance that the appliance will have enough energy for just one alarm. Therefore, leaving the Vidic in parking mode in a crowded place is a futile exercise. However, in the warm season, even the standard battery for gadgets at 420 mA * h is enough for several starts with a signal from the sensors.
Another important feature is the availability of a more durable and reliable battery. The battery provides an emergency shutdown of the device, in other words, saving the last video fragment after the external power has ceased to be supplied. The latter can happen in a serious accident, and then you will find yourself without much-needed video evidence.
The GPS-module eliminates the need to check every time whether the date and time are lost due to a dead battery. Data synchronization occurs automatically as soon as the device finds satellites after switching on. If you have a GPS player, you can view the vehicle’s trajectory, and the built-in GPS informer can inform you when stationary police radars are approaching. And here again, the localized firmware is important. In Russia, for example, there is still a fantastically loyal attitude to speeding - the non-fined "+20 km / h". This means that if there is a database of cameras for recording violations, it is necessary to provide for the absence of alerts, taking into account this error. It is planned that the registrar’s records will help in registering accidents on the Euro Protocol, without calling traffic inspectors, but insurance companies are in no hurry to accept them as absolute evidence. However, this should change in the foreseeable future.
Wi-Fi in the registrar is another useful thing. Owners of devices with a GPS informer have to periodically update the firmware and radar database. With wireless communication, this can be done directly in the car using your smartphone: I remembered - and immediately upgraded.
The minimum video resolution is Full HD 1920 by 1080 pixels. Alas, this inscription on the package alone does not guarantee anything. As well as a list of famous companies: Ambarella, Novatek, Sony, OmniVision ... The result depends on the engineering work of the registrar, on how its creators made friends and configured all the components. It is best to find on the Internet examples of real recordings from an attracting registrar. In the case when the brand is little-known - this is not even a recommendation, but a must if you do not want to throw money away. Promoted brands can be "take a word."
Increasingly, even among the available models featured video resolution Super HD 2304 at 1296 points. Unfortunately, this is usually just a marketing ploy. According to the results of comparative tests of the magazine “Behind the Wheel”, Full HD and Super HD models demonstrate approximately the same maximum range of license plate readability: 10-11 m in the afternoon and 8-9 m in the dark. In statics and in ideal conditions, of course. So do not chase steeper characteristics, until you make sure that they are confirmed by practice.
Shooting quality is a key parameter of a car DVR. If it does not suit you, do not persuade yourself to buy this particular device, sorting out its secondary advantages in your mind. Yes, there can be a lot of them, but you need to buy such a gadget, first of all, for confidence on the road. And she will not be with problems with the video.
The form factor and type of attachment may be different. However, it is worth considering that the suction cup is quite bulky and looks archaic, but it allows you to remove and wear the device many times. With double tape, the opposite is true. An ideal articulation of the bracket and the recorder itself is a magnet. Put-remove the gadget is obtained in a second and not at the expense of durability. Previously, such a decision was from the world of premium registrars, but now it has “gone to the people”. The Playme Uni and Tio already mentioned here are proof of this.
If you do not plan to constantly remove the device, a wide range of mirror recorders or just very compact models that can even be hidden with a regular salon mirror can help you. There are originals that stick to the glass in the area of the mirror bracket and mask under the rain sensor. They are almost perfect for hidden use. True, if you want a device with a database of cameras for fixing violations, you will have to choose from the "video cards" with the screen. Moreover, it is desirable to take a larger diagonal.
Often a second camera is included in the package. It is placed at the rear of the car, usually near the license plate light. To record the situation from behind, you need to aim its lens horizontally and do not forget to constantly wipe it. If parking assist is more important for you, tilt the camera lower: the range will be lower, but you will be able to see the edge of the bumper. In this case, it is best to additionally throw a wire on the reverse lamp. Then, when the reverse gear is engaged, power is supplied to it, which at the same time activates the lens.
As a dual-channel recorder, choose the one with the Full HD resolution claimed for the rear camera. The second lens with VGA resolution is helpless at night, and it does not shine during the day. Optimum is an HD camera.
Other functions are the same for the vast majority of DVRs. Like - customize for yourself and use. Consider useless - deactivate. The main thing is that the device is convenient and the resolution of the main camera is at least Full HD.
Good luck choosing!
DVRs for over 100 years
But first, a paragraph of history (scroll down if not interested). The first recordings of the situation in front of the vehicle on film have been fantastically for many years. The first such fact that we were able to find dates back to 1906. The chaos of traffic in San Francisco was recorded through the eyes of a tram driver. And twenty years later in the USA, one of the New York fire brigades recorded her departure for a call.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGSRMqxL2p0
Massive car videos began to appear less than ten years ago. In the second half of the 2000s, video recorders replenished storefronts selling already-promoted goods for the same target audience - radio tape recorders, alarms, parking sensors, radar detectors.
DVRs in Russia and abroad
In Russia, DVRs are quite popular, and today it is not uncommon when the same accident can be removed from 2-3 angles. Records from DVRs serve as a source of material for dozens of Youtube channels and several television programs. And the oldest Russian automobile magazine “Driving” even displays their own accident statistics on their basis.
Someone will be surprised, but there are countries sharply negatively related to the use of DVRs. In Austria, the fine for installing a gadget only starts with - don't fall! - 10,000 euros. Authorities considered the covert video recording to be an interference in their personal lives, as they get license plates of cars and people's faces. You can go to court in other countries where registrars are not banned, but publishing the records from them on the Internet is also regarded as an attempt on the secret of the privacy of other people.
Where to buy a gadget?
The first "Vidic" could be seen on the then popular markets - "Gorbushka" and "Mitino". Network retailers were initially wary of the new product, so DVRs began appearing on federal networks two or three years later.
It is interesting that even today, when DVRs have become ultra-demanded, global digital brands practically do not release them. Names in this segment are mostly “local”. Therefore, the person who buys such a device for the first time needs to first figure out which models are considered the standard, who is a high-quality middling, and who is completely unworthy of attention.
Thus, today you can buy a DVR in a retail network, in auto products, in an online store, and also order from AliExpress or a similar service. The latter option will be the most affordable, but you can not count on support, software updates and quality service in Russia. For example, you can completely forget about the built-in base of coordinates of cameras for fixing violations.
Officially working Russian brands regularly prepare firmware files for the local market, constantly update the database of police radars. And in the absence of both the base itself and the need to adapt it, you should not count on the presence of any actual firmware for the device.
The flow of gadgets from China is difficult to evaluate, but as for the “white” DVRs, according to our assessment, buyers have recently begun to prefer cheaper models, because DVRs with decent quality and without extra bells and whistles today cost from 3,500-4,000 rubles.
What is important in the dashcam?
At least, the Russian climate must be taken into account in the operation of the DVR. Even if the owner, leaving the car, constantly takes the device with him, he will still be subject to significant temperature extremes. Most devices allow you to display the license plate of the car for video recording with a stamp in the corner of the screen. It needs to be adapted to the Russian format of registration marks.
There are many such nuances. That's why, as is the case with radar detectors, these gadgets require full development. Produce DVRs in China, South Korea or other countries. Unfortunately, there are no domestic capacities and components and is not yet expected. But the technical task is being formed by the Russian side. Engineers test several options for pre-production devices in real conditions in Russia, go to address issues directly to partners.
The most important parameter of the DVR is the quality of the video. It is evaluated both subjectively, by an expert, but nevertheless by a human eye, and with the help of special tools. Based on the test results, the IMATEST program issues its verdict on white balance, color reproduction, video noise level, and frequency-contrast characteristic of the image.
The second aspect is the recording mode. Car DVRs record video in short fragments lasting from one to five minutes. Older models took time to save the spent movie, and at the same time they could not write the next one. Breaks reached three to five seconds! That is, the entire dangerous traffic situation could remain 100% off-screen if the registrar at that moment saved the previous file. Therefore, an important feature of the device is the support of "seamless" recording technology.
It is also important to consider which processor the gadget runs on. About five years ago, the American chipset Ambarella came to the fore. He was rated for high performance, inaccessible to competitors. So, a full-fledged combo device (a hybrid of a radar detector and a video recorder with a traffic police camera base) with a Full HD 1920 video resolution of 1080 pixels at one time could only be built on an Ambarella A7 processor, which provided it with outstanding popularity.
Today, the glory of Ambarella is fading. Korean and even Chinese competitors pulled themselves up. Therefore, in the description of registrar characteristics, one can increasingly see Taiwanese brands Novatek and AIT, as well as MStar. The first leads the story since 1997, the second appeared five years later. These chipsets no longer lose to the American Ambarella in anything, on their base they build very worthy models. So, the automotive magazine “Behind the Wheel” in its tests noted the excellent characteristics of the Playme Uni models with a gut from Novatek and the two-chamber Playme Zeta based on MStar.
The next important element is the camera matrix. The vast majority of high-quality devices use OmniVision and Sony EXMOR products. Both companies provide a clear picture in the afternoon, in the dark, in static and in motion. And this is a very decent level, because, unlike smartphone cameras and professional cameras, a car registrar is obliged to shoot as well as possible with one set of settings. The essence of the gadget is that there is no one to adjust it in the direction of travel: it is inconvenient and extremely unsafe. So, everything is at the mercy of automation. One of the most popular matrices on the Russian market of high-quality DVRs today is Sony IMX323.
A good matrix also needs a quality lens. At the dawn of its history, the Vidic was equipped with plastic optics. Short-lived by themselves, they also suffered greatly from the scorching sun, reinforced by the "lens" of the windshield. Now a good dashcam can only have a glass lens of five to six lenses. And this does not mean that you have to buy a device of the upper price category. On average, and even partially in the budget segments, glass has also become the norm.
Useful features
WDR (Wide Dynamic Range) technology enables simultaneous shooting with different exposures. Then the “light” and “dark” frames are superimposed on each other, giving together a picture of ideal quality for specific conditions. This allows the gadget to work out areas with sharp changes in illumination, for example, when driving in tunnels and under overpasses.
Parking mode is also useful. The camera remains in sleep mode until the shock or motion sensor built into it works. This will mean that someone has appeared near the “sponsored” car: it's time to turn on the recording. A potential offender or thief will appear in the frame, and he can be identified. However, the device left on the windshield by itself can attract marginalized people. It would be foolish to come out - to photograph your own abduction. If you plan to use the device in this mode, select the appropriate model. For example, in the form of a rear-view mirror or ultra compact (in our lineup - Playme Tio or Playme Uni), because they can hardly be seen from the outside.
Secondly, the utility level directly depends on the capacity of the battery built into the recorder. It is usually small. In winter, there is every chance that the appliance will have enough energy for just one alarm. Therefore, leaving the Vidic in parking mode in a crowded place is a futile exercise. However, in the warm season, even the standard battery for gadgets at 420 mA * h is enough for several starts with a signal from the sensors.
Another important feature is the availability of a more durable and reliable battery. The battery provides an emergency shutdown of the device, in other words, saving the last video fragment after the external power has ceased to be supplied. The latter can happen in a serious accident, and then you will find yourself without much-needed video evidence.
The GPS-module eliminates the need to check every time whether the date and time are lost due to a dead battery. Data synchronization occurs automatically as soon as the device finds satellites after switching on. If you have a GPS player, you can view the vehicle’s trajectory, and the built-in GPS informer can inform you when stationary police radars are approaching. And here again, the localized firmware is important. In Russia, for example, there is still a fantastically loyal attitude to speeding - the non-fined "+20 km / h". This means that if there is a database of cameras for recording violations, it is necessary to provide for the absence of alerts, taking into account this error. It is planned that the registrar’s records will help in registering accidents on the Euro Protocol, without calling traffic inspectors, but insurance companies are in no hurry to accept them as absolute evidence. However, this should change in the foreseeable future.
Wi-Fi in the registrar is another useful thing. Owners of devices with a GPS informer have to periodically update the firmware and radar database. With wireless communication, this can be done directly in the car using your smartphone: I remembered - and immediately upgraded.
Important when choosing
The minimum video resolution is Full HD 1920 by 1080 pixels. Alas, this inscription on the package alone does not guarantee anything. As well as a list of famous companies: Ambarella, Novatek, Sony, OmniVision ... The result depends on the engineering work of the registrar, on how its creators made friends and configured all the components. It is best to find on the Internet examples of real recordings from an attracting registrar. In the case when the brand is little-known - this is not even a recommendation, but a must if you do not want to throw money away. Promoted brands can be "take a word."
Increasingly, even among the available models featured video resolution Super HD 2304 at 1296 points. Unfortunately, this is usually just a marketing ploy. According to the results of comparative tests of the magazine “Behind the Wheel”, Full HD and Super HD models demonstrate approximately the same maximum range of license plate readability: 10-11 m in the afternoon and 8-9 m in the dark. In statics and in ideal conditions, of course. So do not chase steeper characteristics, until you make sure that they are confirmed by practice.
Shooting quality is a key parameter of a car DVR. If it does not suit you, do not persuade yourself to buy this particular device, sorting out its secondary advantages in your mind. Yes, there can be a lot of them, but you need to buy such a gadget, first of all, for confidence on the road. And she will not be with problems with the video.
The form factor and type of attachment may be different. However, it is worth considering that the suction cup is quite bulky and looks archaic, but it allows you to remove and wear the device many times. With double tape, the opposite is true. An ideal articulation of the bracket and the recorder itself is a magnet. Put-remove the gadget is obtained in a second and not at the expense of durability. Previously, such a decision was from the world of premium registrars, but now it has “gone to the people”. The Playme Uni and Tio already mentioned here are proof of this.
If you do not plan to constantly remove the device, a wide range of mirror recorders or just very compact models that can even be hidden with a regular salon mirror can help you. There are originals that stick to the glass in the area of the mirror bracket and mask under the rain sensor. They are almost perfect for hidden use. True, if you want a device with a database of cameras for fixing violations, you will have to choose from the "video cards" with the screen. Moreover, it is desirable to take a larger diagonal.
Often a second camera is included in the package. It is placed at the rear of the car, usually near the license plate light. To record the situation from behind, you need to aim its lens horizontally and do not forget to constantly wipe it. If parking assist is more important for you, tilt the camera lower: the range will be lower, but you will be able to see the edge of the bumper. In this case, it is best to additionally throw a wire on the reverse lamp. Then, when the reverse gear is engaged, power is supplied to it, which at the same time activates the lens.
As a dual-channel recorder, choose the one with the Full HD resolution claimed for the rear camera. The second lens with VGA resolution is helpless at night, and it does not shine during the day. Optimum is an HD camera.
Other functions are the same for the vast majority of DVRs. Like - customize for yourself and use. Consider useless - deactivate. The main thing is that the device is convenient and the resolution of the main camera is at least Full HD.
Good luck choosing!
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