Car DVR Buying Guide

At present, there are many kinds of Car DVR on the market, and the prices are also very different. Consumers actually don't know how to choose when they choose. In fact, dashcam should be chosen according to the configuration of its own model and its actual needs.

Topics in this buying guide:

What is Car DVR?

Functions of Car DVR

Types of Car DVR

What kind of DVR do you need for your car?

What is Car DVR?

The car DVR (dashcan) is a portable Car Digital Video Recorder with a 120° wide angle lens that captures high definition video (30 fps) and displays them on it's 2.5" TFT LCD Screen. It automatically records and save the video/audio files on SDHC memory card (up to 32GB). Files can be saved per 2 minutes, 5 minutes or 15 minutes segment with recycle recording, and can be played on itself, your computer or TV; With the included Car DVR suction mount  it can be mounted on your windshield then connect the power plug to your cigarette lighter socket. The installation just within minutes.

Functions of Car DVR

Car DVR is an instrument that records the image, sound and other related information of a vehicle while driving. After installing the driving recorder, the video image and sound of the whole driving process can be recorded, which can provide evidence for traffic accidents. People who like self-driving travel can also use it to record the process of conquering difficulties and obstacles. Driving while recording, time, speed, location are recorded in the video, which is quite a "black box". It can also be used at home as DV to shoot the fun of life, or as home monitoring. Usually can also do parking monitoring, the installation of driving recorders, video materials can not be cut.

Types of Car DVR

There are roughly three types of driving recorders on the market:

1. There is no screen, only a camera for the driving recorder.

In fact, the most important function of the driving recorder is to record the image, which is just like the airbag. The image recorded at ordinary times is of no use, only at the critical time, record the image at the time of the accident, distinguish the responsibility of both sides of the accident, and avoid unnecessary disputes.

Therefore, from the functional point of view, a camera and a memory card can be added to the driving recorder. So the driving recorder, which has no screen and only one camera, can be hidden on the back of the central rearview mirror  Consumers who like neat interiors should like this kind of driving recorder. Because of its simple structure, the price of this kind of recorder is relatively cheap.

The disadvantage of this kind of driving recorder is that it does not have a screen and cannot view the image through the recorder itself. But after this kind of recorder is connected to the mobile phone  downloading the app can be viewed through the mobile phone, which is actually very convenient. The second disadvantage is that there is no screen, and if the recorder fails and there is no sound prompt, it is difficult for consumers to judge whether the recorder is working or not. The last disadvantage is that the function is relatively simple.

2. A driving recorder with a small screen.

This kind of driving recorder comes with a small screen, and its small screen will light up the screen and record when we start the car. So one of its advantages is that the car owner can tell whether the driving recorder is working or not. The second advantage is that the recorded images can be accessed through this small screen without having to connect to the mobile phone  so that it is convenient to identify the person responsible for the accident at the first time. The third benefit is that due to the larger size, more sensors can be added, and some manufacturers have added the ADAS lane departure warning function, so the function is richer.

The disadvantage is that the volume is much larger than the recorder with only the camera above, and it appears to be more abrupt in the decoration of the vehicle. Because the recorder really works only when there is an accident or when it is foreseen to touch porcelain. Usually this thing is basically useless, so obsessive-compulsive disorder drivers will think it is ugly.

3. Instead of the rearview mirror, and can realize the reversing image, and can be connected to the driving recorder.

Let's focus on this kind of driving recorder, which can replace the rearview mirror  which has the largest volume and the most functions. First of all, the advantages: the first is to support the front and rear dual lenses  so that you can achieve the recording function in both directions. The second is that after being placed on the central rearview mirror, it can replace the function of the rearview mirror, and the integrity of the interior is not destroyed. in addition, if the rearview mirror does not support anti-dazzling, this recorder can be used for anti-dazzling purposes. Third, these larger recorders have more functions, and they can even have built-in memory cards to connect to the network and realize some entertainment functions of listening to music online.

Its disadvantages are also obvious: 

1. Large size and the price is the most expensive. 
   
2. The front and rear video images and the rearview mirror are all concentrated in one place, which to a certain extent affects the central rearview mirror to look at the things behind. 
   
3. If support the Internet connection function, you may need to pay additional fees.
   
4. Due to too many functions, many of them have even been repeated with the original functions on the car, so it appears flashy.
   

What kind of DVR do you need for your car? 

The recorder has a lot of weight and a lot of different functions. So how do consumers choose recorders for their cars? It's actually very simple. If your car is a low-equipped car, there is no central control screen, there is no reversing image. You can buy a recorder with a rear camera and integrated reversing images. In this way, the function of reversing image can be realized without dismantling the center console.

If you are also a person who does not like to use mobile phone navigation, you can also choose this kind of driving recorder. Because it also integrates navigation. But then again, most people now like to use mobile phone navigation and Bluetooth to listen to music, so it is also an encumbrance to integrate too many functions on the driving recorder.

If your car is highly equipped with a central control screen, then the reversing image function will be available. In fact, there is no need to use so many functions of the traffic recorder, a simple recorder is enough. The first type of recorder with only a simple camera is recommended.

Of course, the most important indicators of the driving recorder are the quality of the camera, the range of shooting angle and the ability to shoot at night. No matter how gaudy other functions are, they are just the icing on the cake. Therefore, when consumers choose, they must recognize the big brand products. At the same time, in the comparison, choose the camera with high quality, wide angle and good night imaging.