In-Car Camera

[BenDoCo]

A few months ago, I was first on scene to a near fatal accident so I stopped and did what I had to do until the Ambo's and cops got there and the first cop to arrive asked me to stick around to give a statement - which I did.

It was about an hour later when another cop came over to me to get my version of events. Now even though I was only about 50 metres behind one of the cars and saw the entire accident, do you think I could remember all of the details?? Hell no......

A few days later, I was watching a WeTube video of a car drifting around a race track. When the camera gave a close up of the driver, I noticed that they had a Go Pro stuck to the windscreen so I decided to do some research on some of the different In-Car Dash Cams that are available at the moment.

Obviously if I could afford it (and all the accessories needed to run it as a dash cam) I would grab a Go Pro with its 13Mbps bit rate when using the ultra HD record setting but the big silver box can be very easily seen from outside the car and therefore may attract thieves, so for normal day to day stuff, I am positive that I can find something else to do what I need.

There is a hell of a lot of really cheap dash cams available at the moment and a few expensive ones as well so I decided to put together a list of three of the better ones that I've found to show you.

Now the reason for doing this is pretty obvious, If I had one of these when I witnessed that accident, all I would of had to do is give the cops a copy of the SD Card.....job done.

Also, when I had an accident some years back, the cow driving the other car said it wasn't her fault to the insurance company and if it wasn't for a guy in the servo where it happened coming forward to say that it was caught on video I could have been stuffed but if I had my own In-Car camera, all the crap (most of it from MY insurance company) could have been avoided.

So, on to the list. I won't put any prices in as they vary a bit on the .com.au websites and for a reason found whilst researching and which I will explain later on, I will NOT buy one from Fleabay,,,,atm.

iTronics ITB-100HD

High Quality Video 2.0 Megapixels CMOS
Image Resolution 1920 x 1080 @ 24fps
Video Compression Type H.264
Bit Rate 6000 Kbps
Memory Card 16GB SD card (Supports up to 32GB) Class 10
Wide Angle View 144′ Diagonal / 108.7′ Horizontal / 78.5′ Vertical
Built-in GPS Yes
Motion Detection in *Parking Mode Yes
Built-in G-sensor Yes
Event recording for sudden impacts Yes
Built-in Mic Yes
Mic On/Off button Yes
AV Out Yes (to supported devices)
PC Video Player Yes
Normal, Event, *Parking Mode Yes (*Parking Mode requires full time power supply - extra)
Wi-Fi No
Size 96.2mm(W) x 36.5mm(D) x 40.4mm(H)
Operation Temperature -20C ~70C
Factory Warranty 1 Year

Using the SD Card you can review, save or delete recordings on your computer using the included video player which seems very easy to use (compatible with Vista, XP and Windows 7)

This dash-cam is the cheapest of these three and that is reflected in the recorded video files at times. I wonder how bad some of the really cheap ones are.

Quite small which means if placed properly on the windscreen, it can hardly be seen.

The Microphone is OK as long as you speak clearly, or turn it off and only use it if needed.

Ticks all the boxes if the unit is hard wired to receive a constant power supply.

DO NOT accidently put the power lead into the video out hole (center one) when returning the unit to the holder in the car or you could wreck the thing.

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BlackVue DR500GW-HD

High Quality Video 2.0 Megapixel CMOS
Image Resolutions 1920 x 1080 @ 30fps max (3 other resolutions available)
Video Compression Type H.264 .MP4
Bit Rate 7382 Kbps (max)
Memory Card 16GB MicroSD card (Supports up to 32GB) Class 10
Wide Angle View 156′ Diagonal / 123′ Horizontal / 90′ Vertical
Built-in GPS Yes
Motion Detection in *Parking Mode Yes
Built-in G-sensor Yes
Event recording for sudden impacts Yes
Built-in Mic Yes
Mic On/Off button Yes (swipe)
AV Out No
PC Video Player Yes
Normal, Event, *Parking Mode Yes (*Parking Mode requires full time power supply - extra)
Wi-Fi Yes (free app for Android, iPhone & Tablet which could be very handy in some situations)
Size 118.5mm(W) x 36mm(D)
Operation Temperature -20C ~70C
Factory Warranty 1 Year

Using the SD Card you can review, save or delete recordings on your computer using included video player (compatible with Windows & Mac).

Recorded video from this unit is a lot better thanks to the higher bit rate & higher fps but can still pixelate under certain conditions.

As for the size, it's only the length that differs from the first one in this review (I'm guessing to fit the Wi-Fi stuff in) therefore the BlackVue will also fit nicely behind the rear view mirror but unfortunately the brushed silver holder is easily seen from outside so paint it matt black if you like - fixed.

This unit is advertised as being able to handle 70 degrees to cope with the hot Aussie summers as well. I don't know where you park your car but I reckon that the inside of mine would easily hit that temp when left in the sun for too long.

Also, the constant power supply (extra) for this unit looks to be a better design as it gives you an on/off switch or, it can be set up to auto turn off after a certain period of time OR when the battery level drops a little bit below 12v to ensure there is no big car battery drain.

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FineVu CR-500HD

High Quality Video 2.0 Megapixel Sony Exmor CMOS
Image Resolutions 1920 x 1080 @ 30fps
Video Compression Type H.264
Bit Rate 10 000 Kbps
Memory Card 16GB MicroSD card (Supports up to 32GB) Class 10
Wide Angle View 135′ Diagonal / 119′ Horizontal / 70′ Vertical
Built-in GPS No (optional extra)
Motion Detection in *Parking Mode Yes
Built-in G-sensor Yes
Event recording for sudden impacts Yes plus manual (Event) recording at the push of a button
Built-in Mic Yes
Mic On/Off button Yes
AV Out Yes
PC Video Player No
Normal, Event, *Parking Mode Yes (*Parking Mode requires full time power supply - extra)
Wi-Fi No
Size 39mm(W) x 64mm(D) x 50mm(H)
Operation Temperature -10C ~60C
Factory Warranty ?

This entire unit is connected directly to you PC or Mac with the included USB cable to view the recorded files using VLC Player or Media Player etc. but I noticed on one WeTube video that the person was viewing the recorded files on a player that is included with one of the above units.

Recorded video is pretty darn good with this unit because of the 10Mb bit rate.

As you can see in the above image of this unit, it will sit out from the windscreen, opposed to lying flat on the windscreen which limits where behind the mirror, it can be fitted.

There are a few things that turn me off this product even though the video quality is very good: It's price (what do you expect - the camera section IS Sony), it's bulky, can only handle 60 degrees therefore in summer it may have to be kept in the glove box if parking in the sun for an extended period of time, it is easily seen from outside the car although there is a cover available (extra) that does stealth it up a bit, you have to pay extra for GPS as well as a constant power supply (if that's what you want) and the back of the unit has five LEDs that flash and would be annoying as crap at night. The pic below will show you what I mean.

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If you're thinking of buying one of these, (or any other In-Car dash cam) there are a few of things that should be noted:

Firstly, as the units in this review (and most other cameras of this type) are all made in Korea, the manufacturers got together to try and stop them being sold cheaply on Fleabay and at the time, they were fairly successful.......hence the price rise of most of them in the last 6 months or so.

Also, if you do buy a unit from Fleabay, there is a big chance that it will still come from Korea (or there abouts) even though it may say that it's an 'Australian Seller' and everything may be in Korean, therefore my advice is to ensure they are in Australia any way you can - just to be safe with the warranty etc..

Second, when checking them out on WeTube, make sure that you change the video quality to 1080 if available. If the viewing device of your computer also supports 1080, you need to remember that WeTube lowers the streamed bit rate of videos quite a bit so the video quality you see on WeTube will be lower than what the unit actually records.

Third, I noticed in a couple of videos that the GPS map, which use Google Maps under license, showed that where the car was, was not where the person was driving at the time, therefore the GPS for whatever reason may not be accurate. A future firmware update will hopefully fix this.

Fourth, once you install one - if you decide to purchase one - let your insurance company know because in the event of an accident, it could save them (and you) a lot of money if you have video proof that than accident was not your fault therefore you MAY (unlikely but you never know...) be able to screw a discount out of them,

and finally, like a normal dash mounted GPS system, an in-car camera MAY be used against you, therefore turn the thing OFF when you DO NOT want it to record.

I am also thinking that the sensitivity of the G-Sensor will need to be adjusted 'down' on all of these products due to the state of most Australian roads to try and stop a pot-hole recording as an 'Event' (accident or sudden impact)...Trial and error will be needed here.

Always remember that an SD Card - any brand or size - is NOT going to last for ever and these units record to the card in 'continuous loop', meaning that the unit may record a 1, 2 or 3 minute video file and then write another file etc. etc., until the card is full and will then delete the oldest file and record a new video file over it etc. etc..

Therefore, it is advised that these types of memory cards be formatted on a regular basis. I think that all 3 of these units recommend re-formatting the card at least once a week and it only takes about a minute or 2 to do this.

Conclusion:

Price wise, the BlackVue DR500GW-HD is in the middle of the above 3.
It has the largest viewing angle.
Very good recorded video quality but under some situations, 'may' still pixelate.
The ability to change resolution - not sure why you'd want too but.....
Able to stream to a smart phone or Tablet using Wi-Fi. This would be so handy to ensure the camera is pointing in the right direction - amongst other reasons - instant replay for example.
The included video player gives plenty of options and looks very simple to use and with the use of other software (eg. AVS Video ReMaker or any .mp4 joiner) the files can be quickly and easily joined to make 1 long file if needed.
The optional extra Constant Power Supply gives plenty of choices on how to power the unit when the car is turned off and in 'Parking Mode'.
The included 16GB MicroSD card will give approximately 4 1/2 hours of recording time whilst the optional 32 GB card will give a bit over 9 hours of recordings.

Below is a quick video showing the recording quality of the BlackVue DR500GW-HD
Remember to change to 1080 if you are able to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcNraIVPBp8

This video goes through everything from un-boxing the BlackVue, settings and even to how to use the app.....almost 30 minutes but is very informative.

Now I have watched the above video again, and finished doing this write-up, I am sure that the BlackVue in-car camera will be very handy for that 'just in case' situation.

Sure, if I had the money, I would go out and buy the same sort of camera that they use on Top Gear, but for what is required - that would be a giant waste of money?

This type of camera is designed to capture a bit of information about an accident I may be involved in and could help prove to my Insurance company that I didn't do anything wrong.

Bottom line is for 300 (and some) bucks - ish, it could save me a lot of money in the event of an accident.

Interested to hear your thoughts and experiences on this.

Cheers

Edited 13/09/13 02:28 AM by BenDoCo

[Pixy Angel]

_{Excellent write Ben been keen to get one for ages and now im sold thanks mate.}

[freeze_dk]

I got a gopro hero3 black edition for this, but doesn't help when the battery only lasts 2 hours. I've always wanted an in car cam but I've never found one that has performed good at night with high quality. I've seen lots of youtube vids of street racing with in car cams and some have really good night quality but nobody puts what cam it is in the description

[BenDoCo]

1 of the first videos I looked at a few months back was at night using this camera freeze.

the guy ran out of talent and collected a couple of parked cars and the image quality was very good - could see everything really clearly (until the bonnet folded up - lol) but that video is no-where to be found now....

wondering if it was deleted???

[BenDoCo]

Here's a night time 1 showing Blackvue quality

[boost69]

I have researched the BLACKVUE DR500GW, but from what I have seen they are still relatively new, though the reviews I have read talk about how the picture can become pixelated and something about the user friendliness of the menu. Also I have read some still suffer from the overheating problem that the DR400 suffered from.

I believe they are Korean made, but from what I have read the DR500GW is probably one of the better non hard wired dash cams.

Have you researched prices for the DR500GW?

[BenDoCo]

I downloaded the insturctions and in the warnings section, it does say to disconnect it if it gets too hot but none of the video reviews I've looked at say anything about it with this model.

Prices on .au websites range from 329 to 369 for the unit and then extra for the constant power supply

[boost69]

I have seen them on this Australian Site;

http://www.hdcarblackbox.com.au/product/blackvue-dr500g-hd.html

[Pixy Angel]

I want one now thanks Ben. I just had a look at the DR500 with wifi and holly crap might have to let Santa get that one

[BenDoCo]

yeah for the price, it does a pretty good job I reckon......

wonder how many ppl may be interested in a G B? (run by someone else of cause - not me)