Installation
Installation methods, nominally provided for by the design and configuration of the registrar.
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On the windscreen. Fastening from the inside to the upper part of the windscreen using a suction cup or a sticker (see "Mounting to the glass"). The most popular way to install DVRs in cars: the location gives a good overview, and the mount itself can be made universal, suitable for almost any windscreen. However, there are also regular registrars (see "Type") with this installation method — they are designed for glass geometry in certain car models.
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On the rearview mirror. Installation directly on a standard rear-view mirror (in the cabin) or even instead of it. At the same time, such recorders themselves have a reflective surface that replaces a removed or closed mirror. Part of this surface is usually occupied by the screen, but this does not create inconvenience — especially since some models even provide the connection of a rear-view camera, which is even more convenient than a conventional mirror.
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On the helmet. Mounting on a motorcycle or other similar helmet — most often with the help of a characteristic platform, curved to fit the shape of the helmet shell. These recorders are thought to be primarily intended for motorcyclists, but other helmet-wearing users, such as professional race car drivers, skiers/snowboarders and other extreme sports
...enthusiasts, may find them useful as well. A device with such a mount can be a good alternative to an action camera, especially since the lens constantly follows the user's head. On the other hand, action cameras are usually better protected from dirt, moisture and other adverse factors.
— On the steering wheel (moto). Mounting on the handlebars of a motorcycle, bicycle or other similar vehicle (such as a snowmobile). Such a mount is usually based on a clamp ring that is put on the steering wheel tube and tightly fixed on it. Often such a device is supplied in one kit with a helmet mount (see above).
Note that the above list is not exhaustive — modern DVRs may provide other ways of fastening, for example, on a sun visor or on clothes / equipment using a special clip.Glass mount
Glass mount provided in the model with the corresponding type of installation (see above).
Note that in many models, not the recorder itself is attached to the glass, but the bracket, on which, in turn, the device is installed. To learn how to fix the recorder on the bracket, see "Mounting the recorder". And the options for attaching to glass can be as follows:
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Sucker. The traditional suction cup, which works due to the reduced pressure between the mount and the glass — as a result, the force of the pressure of the outside air and holds the structure in place. One of the main advantages of this option is “reusability”: the suction cup can be repeatedly stuck and detached at the request of the user, and after removal it leaves practically no traces. However this type of fastening is considered somewhat less reliable than stickers; however, the suction cups used in video recorders are usually of a special design that provides sufficient reliability for practical use. Therefore, this type of mount is extremely popular in modern registrars.
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Sticker. A plate with a layer of special glue, due to which the entire structure is held on the glass. Such mounts are considered more reliable than suction cups, they are less prone to wear and do not lose effectiveness even with minor damage such as cracks and chips. On the other hand, the sticker is usually installed "once and for all
..." and does not provide the ability to quickly remove the bracket. And although dismantling by itself is possible, however, it will not work to reuse the sticker, and the glass will most likely have to be cleaned from traces of glue. So installing a recorder with such a mount requires special care and attention.
Note that some models of DVRs are supplied immediately with both types of mounts described above in the kit. This allows the user to choose the option of their choice — including changing the suction cup to a sticker, if the need arises.Dashcam mount
A method of fixing the recorder on a device that plays the role of a mount - a bracket for the windshield, a helmet platform, a clamp for the steering wheel or another similar structure.
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Latch. One of the most popular options nowadays. The latch, along with the magnet (see below), refers to
quick-release fasteners, allowing you to easily and quickly remove the device and return it to its place. This feature can be useful, for example, if the car is left overnight in an unguarded place, where an unremoved recorder can become a bait for thieves; In addition, the entire device sometimes has to be removed to view and copy footage. Specifically, latches are considered more reliable than magnets; they can be used even with the most massive devices, and are also cheaper to produce.
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Magnet. Another type of quick-release mount: a powerful permanent magnet that is strong enough to hold the recorder in place. This type of fastener is easier to use than a latch: to install it, just “stick” the device to the mount, and to remove it, just pull it hard. Another advantage is that the latch can be broken by unsuccessfully applying force, whereas in magnets there is practically nothing to break. On the other hand, this type of mount is less reliable: in the event of a shock or a powerful jerk, the force of attraction may not be enough. Therefore, although magnets ar
...e widespread, they are still inferior in popularity to latches.
— Magnet/latch. An option that involves the presence of both types of mount in the kit - both a magnet and a latch. This allows you to choose an option at your discretion depending on the situation. For example, for quiet movement around the city and frequent stops during which you have to remove the recorder, a magnet is better suited, and a more reliable latch will be useful on a long journey, especially if the roads are of poor quality. At the same time, such versatility is not required so often, which is why this option has not become widespread.
- Screw. Fixation with a screw that is screwed into a socket on the recorder body. Connecting and disconnecting such a fastener takes noticeably longer than in the case of a latch or magnet, however, the reliability of fasteners of this type is very high - even a strong tug is more likely to tear off the suction cup or sticker that holds the entire structure than damage the screw mount.
— Fixed / non-removable. An option found exclusively in windshield recorders installed using a sticker (see “Attaching to glass”). The platform with the sticker in such models is rigidly fixed to the body; and in some models the role of such a platform is played by the upper side of the body, specially made flat. The advantages of fixed mounts are simplicity, compactness and high reliability. On the other hand, this installation method requires the recorder to be permanently on the glass and does not allow you to quickly remove it and put it back: removing the sticker is quite difficult, and it cannot be reused.Power through mount
This feature means that the power to the DVR (usually from the cigarette lighter) is supplied directly
through the mount on which it is installed, and not through a separate cable. The mount itself is usually made quick-release.
Actually, the power cable in such models is also available — however, it is connected to the mount, and not to the registrar itself. Thanks to this, such a wire can be easily fixed in a strictly defined position; however, even without special fixation, he does not particularly move from his place. This feature provides a number of advantages over the more traditional connection format. Firstly, the wire does not hang around the cabin and does not create inconvenience. Secondly, it does not need to be searched for and reconnected every time when installing the recorder — just install the device on the mount. The latter is especially convenient if the recorder needs to be removed and put back often — for example, if the car has to be regularly left in an unguarded parking lot, where there is a risk of theft from the passenger compartment.
The cable is usually connected to the mount using a connector with the ability to quickly connect and disconnect — in case the wire needs to be removed from the passenger compartment without removing the mount. At the same time, many models use a standard connector like miniUSB or microUSB, which allows you to use a third-party power cable if necessary (for exam
...ple, if the standard cable is lost or damaged). However, for a full guarantee, such details do not hurt to clarify separately.Power connector
The type of connector used in the recorder to power it. First of all, you should pay attention to this item if you plan to change the registrar with ready-made wiring for one or another type of connector (
miniUSB,
microUSB,
USB-C,
DC 12V). Thus, the replacement of the registrar rests simply on installing a new one without re-changing the cable.
Screen type
The sensor is a key element of any digital camera; it is from it and from signal processing technologies that the quality of the resulting image primarily depends. In this case, the type refers rather to the brand or brand of the matrix; it is usually indicated if the recorder is equipped with a high-quality sensor that is noticeably superior to most solutions on the market.
One of the most popular such options is
Sony. The specific characteristics of the matrices (
IMX179,
IMX222,
IMX291,
IMX307,
IMX317,
IMX322,
IMX323,
IMX326,
IMX335,
IMX415) may vary, but anyway, such a sensor is a sign of a high-end DVR.
In addition, there are models equipped with matrices from other manufacturers —
Aptina,
OmniVision,
Samsung(GalaxyCore),
Sandvik. Such solutions are generally considered to be simpler and more democratic than Sony — both in terms of price and functionality. Nevertheless, Samsung has a lot of developments in the field of electronics, and even such r
...elatively “simple” sensors are usually more advanced and of higher quality than “know-names”.
Another manufacturer that produces fairly high-quality matrices is Panasonic. Such sensors are not as widespread as those described above, but they are still found in video recorders, including pretty advanced.Processor
Model of the processor used in the dashcam
The term "video chip" is used mainly for devices with classic capabilities, "processor" — for advanced models with an abundance of non-standard functions. However, anyway, we are talking about the same component — the main computing unit, the characteristics of which directly affect the capabilities of the recorder as a whole. Knowing the model of the processor, you can find detailed data on it and evaluate how satisfied you are with a device based on such electronics. Of the most advanced modern chips, one can name, in particular,
Ambarella A7L,
Ambarella A12,
Novatek NTK96655,
Novatek NTK96660 and
HiSilicon Hi3516.
VGA (480p)
The maximum resolution and frame rate of video recorded by the recorder in the
VGA standard (480p).
The 480p standard covers several resolutions with 480 vertical pixels; among DVRs there are options 640x480, 720x480 and 848x480. In general, all these resolutions are considered rather low; they are used as regular ones only in low-cost registrars. However, the ability to shoot at 480p can be provided in a more advanced device — for example, to save space on the drive.
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. Specifically, for the human eye, a speed of 24 to 60 fps is considered quite sufficient, however, among the registrars there are models that can shoot video at 120 or even 240 frames per second in 480p resolution. This shooting speed will be useful for slow-motion or frame-by-frame viewing of footage: it allows you to very clearly capture even fast-moving objects, which is important when analyzing ambiguous situations.
HD (720)
The maximum resolution and frame rate of video recorded by the recorder in the
HD (720p) standard.
The classic resolution for this standard is 1280x720, but there are other options in DVRs — in particular, 1280x960 (4:3 aspect ratio). Anyway, HD is not outstanding, but quite a decent indicator that allows you to get a video with good detail (for example, it is usually quite possible to make out numbers on cars in close proximity to a car on it).
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. It is worth noting here that in some inexpensive models, shooting in HD at very low speeds — 15 – 20 fps is used to reduce the cost. Such a shooting speed allows you to watch video more or less normally, but for a normal display of moving objects, a higher frame rate is still desirable — at least 25 frames / sec. It is also worth saying that, in general, for a comfortable perception by a person, a speed of 24 to 60 frames per second is considered quite sufficient, however, among the registrars there are models that can shoot HD at 120 fps. The meaning of this speed is to ensure that individual details on moving objects are as clearly visible as possible in slow motion or frame-by-frame viewing.