How to choose a car DVR

How to choose a DVR for the car? Which is better?

Updated 02/10/2017.
The article is relevant for the entire 2017. How to choose a DVR for the car? Which one is better in terms of parameters: video quality, recording at speed, recorder body, mount and more. Good afternoon, dear readers. Today we will talk to you about how to choose a registrar, and why you need it at all.

We will analyze in detail all its parameters, from recording quality and possible image distortion at speed, to the recorder body, methods of mounting it, connecting power, and so on. Here are some subtleties that you might not notice right away, but then it may be too late.

After reading this article, your choice of a recorder for your car will be informed and objective!

What is a car recorder for?

The number of cars on the roads is increasing exponentially day by day. Most families have 2 or more cars. In this regard, the roads are becoming more and more dangerous, and the risk of getting into a traffic accident is high. This may happen through no fault of yours, but how can you prove that you are right to the traffic police officers and the other party involved in the accident?

It is at such moments that you understand the full power and usefulness of a DVR. A simple example can be given. Driving through an intersection - a collision. The second participant claims that he was driving at the traffic light, but you, having a recording of the incident, can prove that this was not the case.

Or another car hits you in heavy traffic and disappears. You might not even notice it and, naturally, not remember the number, but the car recorder will record everything.

Unscrupulous traffic police officers may stop you and attribute violations to you, for example, crossing a double line, although you are sure that this did not happen. Having a record in hand, you can ignore the pressure from them.

Or rather, there will be no pressure, they simply won’t contact you and will let you go.

As a result, we can say that having a registrar will only work to your advantage.

You can easily and quickly resolve almost any dispute on the spot, without allowing other parties to the dispute to make false claims.

If the recording shows how everything really happened, then they simply will not have any chance to prove the opposite.
This way you will save yourself time and nerves. [ content ]

What is a DVR, what are they?

So, you have finally decided to purchase this device. What is it? It's actually simple.

A DVR is a miniature recording device. It has a small body that contains a video camera (we’ll talk about its quality separately below), a processor for image processing and compression, and a storage device (flash drive).

Car recorders are usually equipped with a small LCD screen on which the image is duplicated during recording, and you can also view previously recorded files on it. But there may not be a screen, then all the material can only be reproduced on a computer.

The device is usually installed under the windshield. For this purpose, special suction cups are installed on the case, usually very powerful, so that the recorder does not fall off even while moving due to vibrations. However, sometimes you come across suction cups of poor quality and have to be glued with special glue. Or fastening can be done mechanically, using a special clamp.

Sometimes a GPS receiver is installed in the device body to track the current coordinates of the car.
But this is not a required feature. [ content ]

Video recording quality on the recorder

The question of the quality of recorded video is the most difficult and there is no clear answer to it. In fact, almost the only parameter of the recorder is its resolution. That is, the size of the recorded image, which can be HD and Full HD.

At the same time, the picture size is HD 1280x720, and Full HD is 1920x1080. Naturally, HD is a category of budget devices, and Full HD costs an order of magnitude more.

But why do I say that the issue of quality is very difficult? Because even Full HD devices, having the same picture resolution, still have different optics, compression and decompression algorithms, which is why the quality of all car recorders is completely different.

To understand which model is better in terms of price-quality ratio, you need to watch many videos with examples, for example, on YouTube. But I want to warn you right away.

Many videos are advertising, therefore, the quality is too high and examples of shooting during the day, in sunny, illuminated weather, without any interference are given. It is worth looking for examples of recordings by car enthusiasts, which they post “as is”, without processing. You can compare them.

For example, many, even not cheap, DVR models do a poor job of adjusting brightness. In winter, when the light is reflected from the snow and hits the car’s windshield, the recorders sometimes do not have time to adjust to the changes and the picture turns out to be overexposed or, on the contrary, too dark. Pay special attention to this.

The same applies to shooting in the dark. It happens that buyers look at a picture taken during daylight hours, they are satisfied with everything, they purchase the chosen model, but on the same day, in the evening, when the sun is no longer shining, they notice that the picture is too dark and it is impossible to make out anything. Therefore, it is worth considering all possible options before purchasing.

If you still don’t want to spend a lot of time watching videos, then at least don’t buy car recorders with non-standard resolutions.

It is also advisable to choose Full HD (1920×1080), because it is better to overpay once than to buy a cheap model that will shoot in such quality that it will be of no use.

When purchasing, check that there are no interference, delays or slowdowns when shooting video, this is a must.

[ content ]

What should I set the length of the video fragment? What is a write cycle?

There is such a characteristic in DVRs as the length of a video fragment. First, we need to explain how recording occurs in general.

Naturally, the device has limited memory, but recording should not stop when the storage device is full. The way out of this situation is to overwrite the oldest information.

That is, at the very beginning, when the flash drive is still free, the video is recorded in normal mode. When the memory runs out, the recording continues, but is superimposed on top of the oldest one, replacing it.

Also, when recording, it most often does not go in a continuous stream, but is divided into files of a given duration. Most car recorders can split the recording into parts of 1, 2, 3, 5, 10 and 15 minutes. Some also know how to record one large file, but this is a dubious idea.

Now the next moment. The vast majority of devices allow you to change the duration of one recording fragment. However, there are still instances in which this parameter is hardcoded in the code.

Which recording mode should you choose? It all depends on the circumstances, but the 1 and 2 minute modes are the most unsuitable. For example, when driving around the city, you can set it to 3 or 5 minutes.

Then, if you need to find the right moment, you won’t have to dig through a bunch of small one-minute files.

When traveling for a long time to interesting places, for example, on excursions in an unfamiliar city or when traveling to beautiful natural places, you can set the mode to 15 minutes.
Such files will fit well into travel reports. [ content ]

What else you need to know when choosing a DVR

Not very important, but still worthy of attention, are the following:

presence of a GPS receiver;
G sensor;
backlight;
fastenings

Let's look at each of them in more detail.

Source: https://myblaze.ru/kak-vyibrat-videoregistrator-dlya-avtomobilya-sovetyi-professionala/

Which car DVR to choose?

A difficult situation on the road often requires control over the actions of all road users. Illegal actions carried out by motorists during an accident, abuse of authority by traffic police officers, this is an incomplete list of all kinds of cases that may arise on the road.

A solution that can help in such situations is to install a DVR on your car. Choosing a car DVR is a very important task, the solution of which must be approached with knowledge of all the capabilities and parameters of this equipment.

In order to know which DVR to choose, you need to have a lot of information about the offers that are currently on the market. After reading this article, you will have enough information to know how to choose a car DVR that is right for you.

DVR on board the car

What is a car DVR and what is it for?

A video recorder is a device that is installed on a vehicle for the purpose of audio-video recording of situations that arise during its operation. The value of this device is that it can save your resources (time, health, savings).

If we consider a car DVR not as a recording device, but as a producer of evidence in controversial situations on the roads, then its value in proving that you are right cannot be overestimated.

Frequent road congestion (especially in large cities) leads to an increase in the number of accidents, which are often very difficult to understand. An increase in “automatic frame-ups,” when a driver is illegally accused of an accident that he did not commit. Excess of authority or illegal actions of traffic police officers. These are all reasons to install a DVR.

It is very important to have a video taken in controversial situations. Only it will be able to establish the truth and resolve the situation honestly, taking into account the interests of both sides. The DVR will record your entire trip until it is completed, and if an accident occurs, or you get caught by a traffic police officer who accuses you of something you didn’t do, you can easily prove that you are right.

The video material is very strong evidence, and no words can refute the video. It is unlikely that any inspector will challenge the video you took. And if you present the video right away, they will quickly leave you alone, and you will be able to continue your trip with a feeling of deepest pleasure and joy.

The purpose of purchasing a DVR is to determine the real culprit of a crime or accident and to protect an honest motorist. But there may be some nuances here, the number of DVRs that the market offers is quite large, and choosing a high-quality device that can provide real help is quite difficult.

Buying a DVR without the necessary knowledge may result in a situation where you will not be able to prove your innocence. The choice of a car DVR depends on many parameters, including the installation location, video recording quality, ease of use, additional functions, hardware compatibility, and cost of the device.

A large number of similar products are now offered. Which model to choose, how to use the DVR, what video quality to choose, at what price to buy so as not to overpay, this article is intended to answer all these questions.

What you need to know when choosing a DVR

When choosing a car DVR, you need to have enough information about how these devices are designed, their main characteristics and price categories. Here we will look at the types of DVRs by category:

fastening method;
price;
quality and speed of audio/video recording;
way of storing information.

We will also describe the main characteristics of DVRs, their capabilities and differences.

DVR mounting type

The most important point when choosing a DVR is not its internal filling, but the way in which it is attached. Recording parameters and memory capacity are also of high importance, but the mount still plays a leading role when choosing this device.

There are three main ways to mount DVR cameras. The quality of the recorded video and, accordingly, the result of the controversial situation will directly depend on the choice of mounting method.

The first type of fastening is fastening using a suction cup or double-sided adhesive tape.

Suction Cup Car DVR

DVR on double-sided adhesive tape

This is the simplest and most portable type of DVR. It is very easy to install on the car. Every car enthusiast can easily install and connect it. A special feature of this type of DVR is the ability to quickly determine the position and angle of the DVR lens to record the situation on the road.

But the reliability of the fastening is not the best, because the device can easily fall off the glass when exposed to temperatures or drying out. Which is also unsafe for the driver and passengers of the car. In the event of an accident, the DVR may become detached from the place on which it is attached.

Another disadvantage of this kind of devices is their visibility outside the car, which attracts unnecessary attention from thieves. Therefore, drivers have to remove the DVR every time they leave the car.

If for some reason the car owner is not afraid to leave such equipment in the car, then a DVR with double-sided adhesive tape will suit him.

When choosing this type of DVR, you need to carefully examine the quality of the adhesive tape. The device must be firmly mounted and it is necessary to check whether there are any gaps in the connections.

The length of the connection should be minimal, and the place where the recorder is attached should be on the same axis with the center of gravity.

Such requirements are explained by the fact that the DVR camera must be rigidly attached to the car body so that there is no distortion (vibration effect, blurriness, or collapsing of the video image).

The second type of mount is DVRs mounted in the rearview mirror. Its peculiarity is the rigidity of the fastening, and, accordingly, reliability and safety.

Another advantage is that it is invisible from outside the car, which in turn eliminates the need to remove this device when leaving the car.

Permanent connection to the vehicle wiring makes its operation very convenient.

The difficulty of installation (you may need the help of a specialized workshop) and considerable price are the disadvantages that are inherent in this type of recorder.

The third type is recorders to which cameras are connected separately. DVRs of this type consist of a separate video recording unit, cameras, and a monitor on which the image is displayed.

A special feature of these DVRs is that they are difficult to install, requiring installation at a specialized service center. As a variety, there are DVRs, a recording unit and a monitor, which are located in one housing.

This type of device has the ability to connect several cameras simultaneously. The advantage of this method of recording is the possibility of filming the entire situation, which takes place around the car at 360 degrees.

The housing of this type of car DVR is mounted hidden. Typically, cameras are mounted on all sides of the car and on the dashboard.

This type of device is very effective for recording traffic situations. The disadvantage is the high cost of equipment and installation. Today this is the most expensive type of car DVR.

DVR on the windshield of a car

Price of DVRs

Based on price, you can also divide all the many models of car DVRs into several categories. When choosing this device, the first thing you need to do is choose the price category of the devices you are targeting. The difference in price will accordingly affect the functionality and reliability of the video recording device.

Cheap DVRs have lower recording quality, less memory, and often have only one camera. More expensive DVRs are equipped with several video cameras and have a hard drive for recording video in HD quality.

Considering the price of video recording devices, we can determine three main price categories for recorders.

The first is inexpensive video recording devices available to every motorist on the road. They usually only have one video recording camera and one microphone. Power is supplied from the cigarette lighter. Recording is done on a memory card (SD, Micro SD).

Installation of such a device is very simple; most of these types of DVRs are attached using a suction cup or adhesive tape. The quality of their recording is low, and the presence of one camera can lead to the fact that it will not be easy to understand a controversial situation. In the event of a side collision, the camera will not be able to capture the moment of the accident.

Despite the shortcomings, such devices are in demand among a large number of motorists in our country. Also, the advantages of this category of recorders are that they have a built-in display and the ability to carry these devices, which makes it possible to show the recording to the participants in the incident or traffic police officers immediately.

Another category of car DVRs are multifunctional devices that can combine a GPS navigator, a multimedia system and a number of other functions. Such devices can record video using multiple video cameras. They can also determine certain characteristics of the car that can be used to more accurately reproduce the accident.

When determining who is at fault for an accident using such a device, it will not be easy to make a mistake, and it will not be difficult for you to prove that you are right. Installation of such DVRs is carried out in a workshop.

The number of advantages of this type of DVR is greater than in the first category of devices, but the price is also higher. Although at the first incident the cost will justify itself.

The third category of DVRs are professional devices that can maintain full control over the traffic situation and monitor several road users simultaneously. There is a connection with the GPS system and the Internet, the latter allows you to transfer data recorded by the DVR to a local computer or web server.

The recording is saved to a hard drive, just like in a computer; it is also possible to connect peripheral devices. Regardless of the time of day, the video recording quality will be excellent. Of course, the cost of such a device is not affordable for every driver.

Video/audio

Based on the recording quality, video recorders can be divided into three types:

Standard recording quality is 640x480 pixels.
High recording quality - 1280x720 pixels.
Very high recording quality - 1920x1080 pixels.

The higher the quality of video recording, the more expensive the DVR. There are also types of recorders in which the video recording resolution is increased due to interolation (increasing video quality using mathematical processing); you should not buy them, because the recording they make will be of low quality.

The recording speed of the DVR is also of great importance; at high vehicle speeds it is difficult to record good quality video. The best video recording speed is 60 frames per second, if you have the opportunity to purchase just such a device, then do it without hesitation.

DVR cameras must have a video capture angle in the range of 110-140 degrees; with a smaller capture angle, you can miss some areas; with a larger one, the recording quality is lost.

Video storage method

The way recorders store recorded video may have some differences. The optimal methods for storing video are MPEG-2, MPEG-4 or the more modern H.264 formats, which have a small volume despite high video quality.

Now almost all DVRs are equipped with microphones. It is possible to install several microphones, which will give better sound recording quality, and at the same time the price will not increase significantly.

The recorder can record to SD and MicroSD memory cards, to HDD hard drives, as well as to information storage sites on the Internet. Cost of DVRs. that record video on memory cards will be lower than for devices that record on HDD, and the most expensive type of device is with the ability to transfer recording to external data storage devices.

An important feature for every DVR is the ability to connect to a computer. If expensive devices have this feature by default, then cheaper models may not have it, which is something you should pay attention to when purchasing.

Also, when buying a car DVR, you need to take into account that inexpensive DVRs often do not have the appropriate certification and can be ignored when proving innocence.

Purchase

If you decide to buy a recorder, you should pay attention to well-known brands of this type of product. When purchasing, ask to see a certificate. Be sure to check the device registration number.

Now that you have all the necessary information to choose a car DVR, you can easily choose the device that is right for you. Also, with the correct installation of this equipment in the car, and confident communication with traffic police officers or participants in an accident, you can easily prove that you are right in the situation that has arisen.

Video about the AvtoVision OMEGA recorder:

Share your opinion about it. I also ask everyone to express their opinion about the need for this device and which recorder to choose.

Source: http://AvtoMotoSpec.ru/sovety/kak-vybrat-avtomobilnyj-videoregistrator.html

Choosing the right DVR

A video recorder allows you to record all the events that happen on the road, and information from it can become the main evidence that you are right in the event of an accident or unfair claims from traffic police inspectors.

But for it to really be useful, it is important to buy this equipment correctly. Today, stores offer a truly huge selection, so it can be difficult to figure out how to choose a DVR correctly, knowing only the technical specifications.

Let's figure out what to pay attention to first?

Why is the place of manufacture important?

An interesting feature of this type of electronics is that in developed countries it enjoys very little popularity, so large world-famous companies practically do not produce such equipment. Because of this, most DVRs are manufactured in China or other Asian countries, so it is difficult to decide what will be a truly high-quality recorder and what will be a fake.

The current situation is such that quality does not depend on the country of origin. And Chinese companies can produce completely reliable and high-quality products with a long warranty; it is only important to carefully select products.

It is worth paying attention to the most famous brands, as they strive to maintain a good reputation.

It is important to find out in advance whether this company has a service center in your city, otherwise you will have to wait a very long time for repairs under warranty.

Obtaining warranty service can sometimes be very difficult. If there is an obvious manufacturing defect, then the DVR simply must be replaced.

But if it is difficult to prove the fact of a factory defect, then the company can make every effort to complicate the procedure, abandoning its promises. If you are looking for information about DVRs, read reviews on websites in advance.

The opinions of independent users will often say more about a company than all the advertisements.

What determines the quality of shooting?

Those who know how to choose a DVR first of all pay attention to the clarity and quality of the picture, since the usefulness of the recorder depends on it. The image is affected by several parameters, and the most important of them is the resolution of the photosensitive matrix.

Until recently, HD resolution (1280×720 pixels) was considered the most common option, but progress does not stand still. Today models with FullHD resolution (1920×1080) are sold.

Interestingly, the cost of high-resolution cameras differs little from standard ones, so it is better to prefer a camera with a clearer picture.

High-quality photography will help solve several important problems on the road in a critical situation:

The car number plates will be visible on it. If the culprit of the accident disappears from the scene of the accident, it is the recording from the DVR that will help to find the car.
Road signs and their locations will be clearly visible. If the inspector is going to fine you for violating the rules, the recorder record will confirm that the sign was, for example, covered by tree branches.

It is important to know that recording with FullHD resolution requires more space on the memory card.

If a serious accident occurs with a major showdown, it is better to immediately switch the device to a lower resolution mode, then it will be able to save more information.

Or buy a larger memory card. Usually 16Gb capacity is enough to save all the information, even if the shooting was carried out in high definition mode.

Lower resolution is also appropriate for use at night. The light sensor will react to all dimly lit subjects, and if the lighting deteriorates, the dynamic range will decrease. That is, it is better to choose a model in advance that allows you to easily change recording modes. Then the picture will be of high quality, and you can save it at any time.

An important detail to answer the question of how to choose a high-quality DVR is the material from which the lens is made. Plastic tends to become cloudy over time, so image quality will begin to decline very quickly.

Glass does not lose its transparency, but such a lens will cost more. This is one example of unnecessary savings - an unclear image will ultimately not help prove your case, as a result the DVR will be useless.

What should the viewing angle be?

When choosing a DVR, you should pay attention to one more important parameter. The wider the viewing angle, the more information will be captured in the frame and the more useful the recording will be in court. If the viewing angle is only 90 degrees, then only the area visible through the windshield will fall into its field of vision.

If the viewing angle is wider, then it will be possible to record events occurring to the right and left of the car. However, a wide viewing angle often conveys a distorted picture, so the image at the edges may be blurry. The optimal choice would be a viewing angle of about 140 degrees horizontally and about 100 degrees vertically.

How much display is needed?

The recorder itself can work without a display. The recording will still be made and saved on the memory card, and the DVR itself can be discreetly placed in the cabin.

However, the presence of a display, even with a low resolution, allows you to control the recording process; you can also conveniently set the correct lens tilt. The user will see what actually gets into the frame and what remains outside the view.

In addition, its presence will help to prove to the inspector on the spot that there was no gross violation.

Drivers have noticed that if there is a recorder with a display in the car, the number of unjustified quibbles from inspectors is sharply reduced, since modern technology cannot be deceived or intimidated. The size of the display does not matter much: in court the recording will still be viewed on the monitor, and on site the details will be visible even on a small screen.

Naturally, such equipment must be able to film in the dark, because night is the most dangerous period for a driver, especially on an unlit road.

It is worth paying attention to those models that are capable of shooting with image illumination in the infrared spectrum.

The recorder matrix will be able to track such illumination, and the shooting quality will remain at a high level.

Budget models often offer LED backlighting, which is essentially no better than a regular flashlight, so it’s of little use. If you want to provide your car with high-quality equipment, choose IR illumination so that you don’t regret later that you weren’t able to capture all the nuances of the accident.

If you are wondering how to choose a truly reliable DVR for your car, you should pay attention to some options:

The presence of a shock sensor (the so-called G-sensor). This is an indispensable thing in all parking lots and parking lots, which creates an indelible record when the car is damaged. Even if the car received a serious blow and the recorder is de-energized, the file will be saved, and it can only be deleted from the card by formatting. The camera will record the license plate number of the culprit, and this will be important evidence in the event of a controversial situation. If the accident turns out to be really serious and the driver is taken away in an ambulance, then the recording in any case will not be overwritten by other files, even if the recorder works for many more hours.
Availability of built-in memory. If an accident occurs, you are required to hand over the memory card to the inspector. To prevent it from “accidentally” disappearing under unclear circumstances, the built-in memory will allow you to save the necessary information in advance, so your evidence cannot disappear without a trace. In case of any accident, the protocol must indicate that a recorder was being recorded at that moment, and a file with it is attached to the documents. In addition, if you give the memory card to inspectors, they will be able to view all the recordings for the last few hours. Strangers can hear your negotiations with partners, personal conversations and other information that should not be passed on to third parties. The built-in memory allows you to copy exactly the desired fragment of the recording to the card, and save the rest in the recorder itself.
The presence of two cameras. Many people don’t know how to choose a high-quality DVR with two cameras and why it’s needed at all. The rear camera is very useful in parking lots, where you might accidentally get bumped in a way that the regular model wouldn't be able to detect. The second camera usually has a lower resolution (640x480), but it is still enough to identify the culprit. A properly equipped car with tracking systems will protect the owner from unfair claims, including in court.
Availability of a GPS receiver. This function will allow you to determine exactly where the accident occurred with an accuracy of up to a meter. On large highways and confusing city streets, this can be important evidence, so this option should not be neglected. If the policeman made a mistake when filling out the protocol not in your favor, the data from the registrar will help establish justice.
Possibility of power supply through the bracket. This option allows you to insert the cable not into the DVR itself, but through the bracket. This will prevent you from having to unplug the power cord every time you need to turn off the device. In addition, this will make it possible to get rid of unnecessary wires in the cabin.

All these options, although considered additional, in practice turn out to be simply necessary.

This equipment is needed precisely in emergency situations, so it is important that it is maximally equipped with all devices that can confirm your case.

When thinking about how to choose a car DVR, imagine what you will do if an accident occurs and you cannot defend your rights due to the fact that you considered some options unnecessary.

Methods for mounting the recorder in a car

This is another important point when choosing a DVR. The mount must be very reliable so that it can withstand even a serious blow to the forehead, capturing a dangerous moment. As a rule, devices are attached to glass using a special suction cup. The larger its size, the less the camera will shake when driving on uneven roads and the higher the picture quality will be.

On the other hand, a mount that is too wide and a large model will obscure the driver’s view, so it is better to install them in SUVs and other large vehicles. For a small model, it is better to choose the compact option.

The fastening mechanism must allow the recorder to be rotated sideways. This makes it possible to record a conversation with a traffic police inspector, which greatly reduces the risk of extortion.

In addition, it is necessary to be able to change the tilt of the recorder in order to obtain the most informative records.

When collecting information about DVRs, read the recommendations of experienced drivers who can tell you how to position it more conveniently.

There are special compact models of recorders, for mounting which a bracket is not needed at all. They are attached to the glass using Velcro - double-sided tape, which provides a reliable and durable connection.

Most often they do not have a display, but many drivers choose them due to their small size. The only risk is that such DVRs are not very cheap, so they provoke criminal interest.

It's not pleasant to find a car with a broken glass and a stolen dash cam.

Contact a trusted company that can guarantee the quality of the product and is popular, and also read the advice of other users - this way you will choose the most convenient and practical equipment that will become a reliable protector for you. Knowing how to choose a DVR for a car, you will be ready for all road surprises.

Source: https://VybratAuto.ru/avtoaksessuary/vybor-videoregistratora.html

How to choose a car DVR

Today, a car DVR has become an important additional attribute of almost every car in Russia. Situations on the roads are different, but the recorder, in turn, will help prove your innocence in an accident or unlawful actions of a police officer on the road.

More and more drivers understand this fact, and accordingly resort to the question: how to choose a DVR and what parameters should you first of all pay attention to when choosing? In this article I will try to answer these questions and give recommendations for specific models of video recorders (VR).

From my own experience, I can say that most of us strive to buy the highest quality device for the least amount of money, spending no more than 3-4 thousand rubles.

Is it possible? In principle, yes, you can buy for the same 3.5-4 thousand rubles a good device that meets all the requirements for a DVR today.

On average, today the price for almost all more or less advanced models starts from 5,000 rubles.

How to choose a DVR and what parameters should you pay attention to?

Video quality and resolution

Almost all modern video recording devices costing over 3 thousand rubles shoot in Full HD resolution (1920×1080 or 1080p) at 30 frames per second.

Recently (beginning of autumn 2013), new recorders with a new processor appeared in Russia, which allows you to receive video in Super Full HD resolution (2304 × 1296 or 1296p).

Cheaper models shoot in HD resolution (1280x720 or 720p).

I recommend buying devices that shoot in Full HD resolution (or Super Full HD resolution). At the same time, there’s no point in chasing Super Full HD, at least in the near future.

You can visually evaluate the quality of video from almost any VR on video hosting sites, in particular on YouTube.com, where you can find videos from almost any more or less well-known recorder. Place the main emphasis on viewing and evaluating night photography with artificial lighting and without lighting (only with headlights).

Brand

Today, there are at least a hundred different brands of DVRs on the Russian market. Accordingly, there are even more models. If you are a beginner and have not previously been interested in the topic of VR, then most of the brands under whose logos recorders are sold will most likely be unfamiliar to you.

Although in some chain stores (Svyaznoy, DNS, M.Video, etc.) you can find devices from brands that everyone knows - Mystery, Ritmix, teXet, Supra, Prology. Please note that the popularity of a brand does not mean that high-quality, worthy devices are produced under its label.

Yes, there are some interesting things, for example, teXet or Ritmix, but, to put it mildly, these are not always high-quality devices.

There are also some interesting and not cheap things under the HP and Garmin labels, but I wouldn’t rush to recommend their devices to you, although I’m not going to dissuade anyone from this or that brand in general.

Now I’ll point out a few brands that I would definitely advise you to pay your attention to when choosing: BlackVue, TrendVision, VicoVation, Vosonic, FineVu, FUHO, Cansonic, Procam, Axiom, Karkam, and possibly DOD, StreetStorm and AdvoCam. I would add a few more names to this list, but I’ll stick to what I have.

Almost all recorders are made in China. Under no circumstances should you be afraid of this and you should not frantically try to look for video recorders from other producing countries. Most of the companies whose names I listed above (with the exception of a few) are only suppliers of products from Chinese factories.

Almost every supplier, let’s call them that, refines the product that is produced in China in its own way: some use their own optics, others add some of their own developments in technical and design terms, use (create) their own software software (firmware), provide service, provide a guarantee, etc.

Based on the information I presented in the last paragraph, each of you should understand that completely different devices with different technical characteristics and capabilities can be sold in the same package. Although it often happens that the technical characteristics of VR are the same. Example below: two almost identical VRs - TrendVision TV-105 and ProCam ZX8.

TrendVision TV-105

ProCam ZX8

Form factor

Form factor is the appearance, shape of the device; that is, this is what the DVR looks like, in our case. I have already said above that recorders with completely different characteristics can be sold with the same form factor (case).

There are many form factors: there are large and small, rectangular and cylindrical, in the form of a rear-view mirror or representing a small separate camera, with or without a screen.

Several types of form factors

The appearance of the device for some car enthusiasts is an important parameter when choosing.

Someone wants a miniature recorder and buys a Cansonic CDV-800 or ProCam CX4; some people like the form factor of a car DVR in a mirror housing TrendVision TV-103 or Mio MiVue R25; someone chooses a separate layout (the camera is separate from the block) like the Axiom Car Vision 1100; and some people like the clamshell form factor like the TrendVision TV-Q5NV.

Axiom Car Vision 1000

Cansonic CDV-800

For many, it is very important that the VR be small in size and practically invisible from outside the car, so as not to attract the attention of thieves. Someone claims that a noticeable VR sometimes scares off IDPS, who will not stop you again, so as not to become a Youtube star.

Mounting method

The most common fastening methods are: Velcro fastening (3M tape) and suction cup fastening.

Velcro mount (TrendVision TV-100)

Velcro fastening is often more reliable (the suction cup sometimes falls off). But if you use Velcro, there will always be some part of the bracket on the windshield, even if the recorder is removed from your car.

It is quite often difficult to remove a bracket with Velcro from the windshield. In order to do this, you can try heating the tape with a hairdryer or try removing it, for example, using a disposable plastic spoon (so as not to scratch the glass with another object).

We have already discussed the possibility of video recording a conversation with IDPS.

Accordingly, in order to be able to record not only sound (the conversation itself), but also video, it is necessary that the recorder be able to rotate at least to the left side onto the driver’s side window.

Some mounts (brackets) allow this, and some do not. Pay attention to this if the ability to record a conversation with a police officer is important to you.

In addition to the above mentioned mounting methods, there is also a hinge mount (with a ball) like the Cansonic CDV-800 and a magnetic mount.

Availability of a display (monitor).

Most of the recorders on sale have a display, which may be necessary for setting up VR and viewing video footage on the road.

There are quite a lot of situations in which a monitor can be useful.

For example, you need to prove to the police officer that you passed the intersection when the traffic light was green or started overtaking before the “No Overtaking” sign or before the solid lane.

Although many motorists claim that even if there is a recorder without a display, you can simply intimidate the inspector with the presence of a recording or, as a last resort, then prove your innocence in court by providing the recording.

Many recorders without a display are equipped with Wi-Fi (BlackVue DR500GW-HD). That is, you can view the recording and configure VR via your smartphone. Some have both a display and Wi-Fi (TrendVision TV-QX3).

BlackVue DR500GW-HD (no display, with Wi-Fi)

TrendVision TV-QX3 (with display, with Wi-Fi)

Viewing angle

This parameter shows which part of the terrain (road) will fall into the field of view of our video recording device. For a clear understanding, see the picture below:

The viewing angle is indicated by manufacturers diagonally and horizontally. Most often, manufacturers indicate the angle diagonally (it is larger than horizontal).

Please note that some manufacturers indicate an angle that is not true. They do this in order to increase sales.

On average, on modern devices the viewing angle horizontally is from 80-90 degrees, diagonally from 120-140 degrees.

The greater the viewing angle, the worse the readability of license plates, according to the laws of physics. There are DVRs with two cameras (Cansonic FDV-707), where one camera is panoramic with a large angle, the second with a small angle for reading the license plates of cars in front.

Number of cameras

Most DVRs are a monoblock with one single camera or VR with a separate layout, but also with only one camera (Axiom Car Vision 1000, QStar RS9 - I don’t recommend the latter). For many car owners, it is important to have a second camera in the device, which can be placed on the rear window.

Unfortunately, today there are simply no decent devices with two cameras. Yes, some things are sold both in Russia and on foreign websites, but most often the quality of such devices and the videos from them is below average. So far, the only device that has two cameras and can really be considered is the BlackVue DR550GW-2CH.

VicoVation has also already announced the imminent appearance of a new VR with two Vico TC2 Dual cameras.

Vico TC2 Dual

BlackVue DR550GW-2CH

Among other things, today the market offers two-camera models in one body: Cansonic FDV-707 (one panoramic camera, the other zoom camera for reading license plates), and Cansonic FDV-700 (two panoramic cameras, one of which can be directed into the interior or towards the driver's side).

Cansonic FDV-707

At the beginning of 2014, several more interesting dual-channel VR will probably appear on the new Ambarella A7L processor with an OV2710 matrix, so there’s more to come. DVRs with this “stuffing” will be able to output video from two cameras in Full HD resolution.

Additional parameters, options and features

G -sensor and motion sensor

Most modern devices have these two sensors. The first (G-sensor) automatically protects the video file from being overwritten when there is a sudden change in coordinates along the axes (X, Y, Z) or planes.

Accordingly, if the car gets into an accident, then thanks to the G-sensor the file will automatically be protected from further overwriting.

But it’s worth considering that due to the roughness on our Russian roads, your memory card can be completely filled with these indelible files in just one day. In some VRs, you can adjust the sensitivity level of the G-sensor.

The motion sensor automatically starts recording when any object appears in the field of view of the recorder. The recording usually starts for a few seconds. On some VRs you can also adjust the sensitivity level of this sensor.

GPS module, GPS receiver

This device is necessary to record the speed of your car, to display the coordinates on the map of the position of your vehicle when watching a video, to accurately adjust the time and date.

The GPS can be combined with the VR bracket (holder), or it can be a separate unit. Some VRs have now begun to use GNSS modules (GPS+GLONASS).

Most car enthusiasts agree that there is no obvious need for a GPS. I am of the same opinion.

Inner memory

Some models have internal memory from 256 MB to several GB. Moreover, most of these VRs have a “copy for the record” function.

What does it mean? You can easily save the video you need to the internal memory of the device, and later copy this video from the built-in memory to a new flash drive.

This can be useful if, right at the scene of an accident or in some other situation, the driver decides to attach a video to the police report right on the road.

If the memory is large enough, then you can use it to record video. Although few people do this, most people buy memory cards for VR separately.

Be sure to pay attention to what memory cards a particular device supports (class and capacity). Most VRs support flash drives up to 32 GB, there are models that support flash drives up to 64 GB.

Power supply via bracket

It is quite convenient when it is possible to connect the power cable not to the DVR itself, but to the bracket. That is, if you constantly remove the device from your car, then at least you will not have to constantly pull the power cord, which will be connected to the bracket.

Also pay attention to usability : will it be convenient for you to remove the recorder, will it be convenient to configure it (after all, some models can be configured with just one button and this is not very convenient).

Among other things, some models feature WDR technology . I won't go into detail about what it is. Let me briefly say: this technology allows you to obtain higher quality video (dark places at night are brightened, during the day significant improvements are also noticeable due to WDR). An example of recorders that implement this technology is Vosonic V747W.

Vosonic V747W

The presence of a battery also plays an important role when choosing a DVR. The rechargeable battery will allow you to use your video recorder not only in the car, but also outside it, for example, to film the scene of an accident.

You should not particularly strive to buy a model with a capacious battery that will allow the DVR to operate for an hour or more without recharging. In principle, a battery will be enough, the charge of which will last for at least 20 minutes.

There are built-in batteries, and there are removable ones (TrendVision TV-100 or Axiom Car Vision 1000).

Among other things , there are additional functions and features such as: muting the microphone with a button, protecting the file from being overwritten with a button, automatically changing exposure at night and day depending on time, rewinding video while watching, zooming in on video, trimming video, automatically turning off the screen after a specified period , the presence of a polarizing filter in the kit, etc.

Important is: technical support or support (one of the best from Axiom and TrendVision), service, frequency of firmware updates and improvements.

Which DVR to choose based on technical characteristics

One of the misconceptions of beginners who choose a recorder and look at the technical characteristics: the larger the matrix size, the better. This is wrong! For Full HD, a 2.1 MP (megapixel) matrix is sufficient.

5 MP matrices are already old matrices that were used earlier (and are still used now), for example, on the famous Karkam Q2. New devices have matrices for example: 2.1 MP, 3.1 MP, 3.5 MP.

By name, these are OmniVision OV2710, APTINA AR0330, APTINA AR0331, Sony Exmor.

OmniVision OV2710 in conjunction with the Ambarella A2S60 (A2S70) processor provides one of the best pictures during the day and quite good at night.

Today this combination is the most advanced and is very often used in inexpensive VR (for 3500-6000 rubles).

APTINA AR0330 + Ambarella A5S30 is another very popular and widespread combination that gives a good night picture (better than in the previous case). Less commonly used with the A5 processor is APTINA AR0331.

WDR technology is a significant advantage for the device, but not all models where it is stated, WDR works properly.

Which DVR is the best?

I will say right away that there is no proper answer to this question. As I said, each person will have their own preferences. There are a lot of models, so everyone can find the best DVR for themselves. I will just highlight a few models of different price categories that deserve at least some attention

Source: http://autoregik.ru/regik/sovety/kak-vyibrat-videoregistrator.html