Aperture
The aperture ratio of the lens installed in the video recorder.
This parameter determines how much the optics weaken the transmitted light flux. The aperture ratio is indicated by a fraction - for example, f/1.8. The smaller the number in the denominator, the more light the lens can transmit. A conventional model with an f/2.2 lens will theoretically produce a darker image than a recorder with a high-aperture optics of f/1.5.
High aperture ratio is important, first of all, when shooting in low ambient light conditions: it allows you to capture images in the twilight and dark hours of the day without creating additional artifacts in the form of noise. At the same time, when shooting with high-aperture optics, the blurring effect of moving objects in the frame is reduced. On the other hand, the actual quality of the recorder camera depends on many other factors - in particular, the type of matrix, the image processor used, etc. Therefore, the aperture ratio specified in the characteristics is not the ultimate truth - it is rather for reference.
Quad HD
The maximum resolution and frame rate of video recorded by the recorder in the Quad HD standard.
In terms of detail, the
Quad HD standard sits between Super HD and Ultra HD. It does not have a specific standard resolution, but most often in video recorders there is shooting with a frame size of 2560x1440. However, even such models are relatively few; and more specific values like 2688x1440 are used even less often. There are also quite unusual options — for example, a square frame 1440x1440.
As for the frame rate, the higher it is, the smoother and less blurry the video will be, the better the details on moving objects will be visible, and also the more space the footage will take up. However, in the case of Quad HD, a frequency of 24 fps or 30 fps is usually used, and the difference between these speeds is generally unimportant.
Ultra HD (4K)
The maximum resolution and frame rate of video recorded by the recorder in the
Ultra HD 4K standard.
The UHD 4K standard mainly includes video formats with a frame size of about 4K pixels horizontally — in particular, 3840x2160. However, in DVRs, this category includes some other resolutions with a frame size of 2160 vertical pixels — in particular, 2888x2160 (4:3 aspect ratio). For DVRs, this is a very advanced standard that provides the highest detail, but requires large matrices and powerful computing. As a result, its support is typical only for some top-level models.
As for the frame rate, the higher it is, the smoother and less blurry the video will be, the better the details on moving objects will be visible, and also the more space the footage will take up. However, when shooting in UHD, this figure rarely exceeds 24 fps due to the mentioned demands on the hardware “hardware”.
External camera
One or more remote cameras in the standard equipment of the registrar, used for video recording of the traffic situation behind the car. In the vast majority of cases, the remote camera is attached to the DVR in
one copy. It covers the rear "stern" of the car and is simultaneously used as an assistant when reversing parking — the picture from the camera can be displayed on the DVR screen in real time. There can be
several remote cameras, which provides a wider coverage of the DVR's field of view.
Video resolution
The maximum video resolution supported by the optional DVR camera. Depending on the design and configuration, we can talk about both a remote camera and a camera for filming the interior (see above for both); this nuance should be clarified separately.
The higher the resolution, the more detailed the image from the camera will be, the more small details will be normally visible on it. On the other hand, high detailing affects the volume of materials to be filmed and the requirements for the “hardware” of the registrar (and, accordingly, affects the cost).
In general, additional cameras of modern recorders can be divided into the following categories:
— SD. "Standard" resolution (as opposed to HD — "high resolution"). A rather modest frame size, which at the same time allows you to significantly save memory for video recording and is suitable even for low-cost recorders. Specific resolution options include, but are not limited to, 628x582, 640x480, and 720x480.
— HD 720p. The traditional, most popular resolution for this video recording standard is 1280x720. In addition to it, registrars also found 960x720 (aspect ratio 4:3) and reduced in height 1280x480. HD is the most modest of today's high-definition standards, but still provides pretty decent detail.
— Full HD 1080p. The "classic of the genre" for this standard is the resolution of 1920x1080, however, there are other values in registrars, including very speci...fic ones — such as 1440x1080 (4:3 aspect ratio) and 1920x540 (halved vertical resolution). This is a fairly solid indicator even for the main camera of the registrar, and there is no need to talk about additional ones.
— Super HD. Not a particularly popular standard in video technology, which, nevertheless, has found application in video recorders. Most often provides a resolution of 2304x1296, which provides even more
Frame frequency
Maximum video frame rate supported by the optional DVR camera. Depending on the design and configuration, we can talk about both a remote camera and a camera for filming the interior (see above for both); this nuance should be clarified separately. Anyway, it is with this frequency that the shooting is carried out by default.
The higher the frame rate, the clearer the moving objects will be on the video, the less they will be blurred and the less “jerky” the video itself will be. It is believed that the most comfortable for the human eye is a speed of 24 to 60 frames per second; a lower frequency is already perceived as a “slideshow”, and a higher one only increases the amount of material being shot, without giving a visible increase in quality. At the same time, registrar cameras can also provide higher filming speeds than 60 fps — this provides good visibility of individual moving parts in slow motion or frame-by-frame playback.
Screen size
The diagonal of the display installed in the DVR.
A large display, on the one hand, provides additional convenience, on the other hand, it affects the dimensions and price of the entire device. Therefore, manufacturers choose a diagonal in such a way that the device can be used normally and at the same time it is not too expensive and bulky. So, for a classic registrar that does not have additional functions, a small display is enough —
2 – 2.5",
1.5 – 2", or even
less : it completely allows you to manage the settings and control what exactly gets into the frame, and to fully view the footage, you still need a computer, TV or other large screen. A size of
2.5 – 3 " by the standards of such devices can already be called average, and screens of
3" or more are typical mainly for fairly advanced models, often with an abundance of additional functions.
Also note that there are models that
do not have a display at all. To control the operation parameters and check the position of the frame, such a recorder is connected to an external device — for example, to a smartphone via Wi-Fi.
Screen resolution
Resolution of the display installed in the recorder.
The higher the resolution (with the same diagonal) — the clearer the image is, but the more expensive the screen itself. At the same time, high resolutions are not needed to set the camera in the desired position and to work with the basic settings of the device. So you should pay attention to this parameter only if you plan to use additional functions that require a high-quality “picture” — for example, a GPS navigator (see “Functions”) or a remote camera that plays the role of a reversing camera.