Understanding Advanced Dashcam Features

By now you know that having a dashcam in your car or truck is the best way to protect your self against fraud and false accusations in the event of an accident. As with any type of consumer electronics product, there are basic dashcams and models with advanced technologies. If you want to know what’s going on around your vehicle, even when you’re at home, in your office or on vacation, then you’ll be interested in what these cloud-based technologies offer.

Wi-Fi Connectivity

We’ve talked about dashcams in the past that forego the inclusion of an LCD screen in favor of Wi-Fi connectivity. In many of these cameras, the Wi-Fi connection is used to connect the camera to your smartphone and not specifically to the internet. Thanks to an application on your Apple iPhone or Android-based smartphone, you can connect directly to the camera and watch or download videos stored on the device. You can also adjust the camera settings in real time from the app on your phone, once again negating the need to remove the microSD card and go back and forth to a computer.

Connecting to your dashcam using Wi-Fi offers several benefits. First and foremost, you don’t need a computer in order to access the video files. If you witness or are involved in an accident, you can download the video file to your smartphone right on the spot. The viewing software provided with cameras like the Momento M6 allow you to edit video clips right on your device and upload them to Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.

Advanced Dashcam — You can connect to your advanced dashcam using an easily configurable Wi-Fi connection.

Once connected, you can view or download the videos stored on your dashcam right to your smartphone.

Cloud Connectivity

Some camera systems like the BlackVue DR900S-2CH include the ability to connect to the internet through a mobile router in your vehicle or your home Wi-Fi network for real-time remote access. Once your camera is connected to the Internet, you can access the camera from anywhere in the world to see what it sees. If you have a mobile hotspot, you can initiate two-way communication with the driver as he or she drives using the speaker and microphone built into the camera.

You have access to all the video files stored on your camera and you can download them for viewing or back them up to your cloud storage. You can even stream video to Facebook Live or YouTube Live if you have an Apple iPhone.

When your camera is in parking mode and connected to the cloud, you can configure the system to send an instant push notification to your phone if your camera system detects an event. The event can be triggered by the impact sensor or motion in the image.

Vehicle Locating and Tracking Service

Because all of the dash cameras at these feature levels include a GPS receiver, you can check the location of your vehicle on a map. For business owners, BlackVue offers a corporate service called BlackVue Fleet Tracking. You can monitor the location of your vehicles in real time, view vehicle location history and stream live video from up to four cameras at once using the BlackVue Viewer Pro application on your Windows computer. Geographically based warnings are another handy feature to let management manage their assets.

Advanced Video Compression

Though not a benefit in terms of real-time safety, cameras like the BlackVue DR900S-2CH include the option for H.265 image compression. Where most cameras use the H.264 codec to compress the video data, the more advanced H.265 (also called High Efficiency Video Coding or HEVC) format allows for a reduction in file size by about 50% with no additional loss of detail. What does this mean to the owner of a dashcam that offers H.265? You can store almost twice as many video files on the microSD card. This is an important feature for cameras that record in 2K and 4K resolution.

Advanced Dashcam Features and Technology

If you are in the market for a dashcam with advanced features like cloud connectivity and Wi-Fi, visit your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer today. They would be happy to show you what is available and arrange for their technicians to integrate one into your vehicle.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

The Importance of Professional Dashcam Installation

When it comes to dashcams, getting the right dashcam and having professional installation are key to creating a system that functions reliably and remains safe. Dashcams come in a variety of configurations with many options so that you can capture video of the events in front of and behind your vehicle. Proper installation not only ensures that the camera turns on when it’s supposed to but remains on in the event of an accident — without adding wire clutter to your vehicle interior. Let’s look at why professional installation is a wise choice.

Dashcam Power Options: 12V Charging Port

Your dashcam system will be powered in one of two ways. Some cameras come with a power harness that has an integrated plug that connects to a 12V charging port (formerly known as the cigarette lighter socket). While it’s obvious how this type of power connection is made, running the wiring neatly is an issue. You’ve also used up your charging port. If you need to connect a smartphone charger or a portable navigation device, you may be out of luck. A professional installation technician can add a hidden power outlet or upgrade your system with a hard-wire harness to make sure things are neat and tidy.

Dashcam Power Options: Hard-Wired Connections

The second charging option for dashcams are those systems that include a power plug with two or three bare wires at the end. To ensure that your camera operates reliably, these power wires need to connect to the proper wiring in your vehicle. Knowing which wires to use so that the camera functions reliably can be tricky. With modern computer-controlled data networks used in many vehicles, you can easily damage control modules if you guess incorrectly or use improper test equipment to probe wires or terminals. Hard wiring a dashcam isn’t a task we’d recommend for someone without proper training.

Concealed Wiring

The first and easily the most important benefit of having a professional install your dashcam is the confidence you have in their making the right connections. The second benefit is that all the wiring will be routed safely through the vehicle in a way that won’t interfere with safety systems like airbags in the dash or A-pillars. Knowing how to remove the associated trim panels to conceal wiring takes experience, something a specialist mobile enhancement retailer can offer.

Dashcam Installation — All wiring must be routed safely around airbags. The dashcam system and remote car starter antenna in this vehicle could easily be ripped off of the windshield if the airbag inflates.

Wiring Reserve Power Sources

Many people who purchase dashcams add a battery pack or power management system so that they can use the parking mode feature of their camera system without fear of draining their vehicle’s battery and leaving them stranded. The first installation consideration for these modules is that they are mounted securely. The last thing you want is a 4-pound metal box flying around the interior of your vehicle if you’re in a serious accident. Second, the unit needs to be wired correctly to ensure that enough current can be provided so that it can charge again once you start the car. Some larger battery packs draw significantly more current than a standard 12V accessory plug can supply.

Dashcam Setup and Alignment

If you have chosen a dashcam with an integrated display, ensuring that the camera is aligned perfectly is pretty easy. If your camera has Wi-Fi connectivity, chances are that the manufacturer also has a smartphone app that will let you view the camera image. No screen and no Wi-Fi? No worries: Your installation technician can check a sample of the video footage on a computer to make sure everything is aligned correctly. Settings for the shock and motion sensors, time zone, daylight saving time and smartphone connectivity should also be set by the technician.

Some camera systems have specific requirements to format the SD or micro SD memory card they use to store video. Having your dashcam installed by a professional means that you don’t have to worry about this procedure. Your car, truck or SUV will leave the shop with the system working perfectly.

Choose the Right Retailer To Install Your Dashcam System

As with any aftermarket accessories, buying quality products and having them installed and configured properly is more important than getting the best price. When you are shopping for a camera system, be sure to ask about what the business offers in terms of installation services. You want both the dashcam and the professional installation to be reliable. Drop by your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer today to find out how a dashcam system can protect you from fraud and false accusations or capture the next “I can’t believe that just happened” moment on your drive to work.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Why Dashcam Resolution Matters

One of the key specifications you should look at when buying a dashcam is its resolution specification. Resolution refers to the number of pixels that the video camera records. This specification directly translates to how much usable detail the system offers. If you witness dangerous driving or an accident, being able to provide accurate information about the parties involved is crucial. In this article, we’ll compare images from dashcams from AccFly and Mio and the flagship product from BlackVue.

What Is Field of Vision?

In talking to consumers, it appears that some people get confused by the difference between the camera’s field of vision and its image resolution. Field of vision describes what the camera sees and is specified as an angle from the center of the lens. With a higher field of vision specification (also called viewing angle), the camera can see farther to the sides of the vehicle. Here are a few examples.

What Is Dashcam Resolution?

Resolution refers to the number of pixels contained in an image. More pixels mean that more detail and information can be captured. You can never have too much resolution.

In our comparison, we’ll look at our three cameras and compare cropped images of the back of the school bus to the left of the master image.

Dashcams Are a Great Safety Investment

The motivation for this article came from a friend who was in a sideswipe accident. The car that hit him kept on driving. Although his dashcam recorded that it was a blue Honda sedan, he couldn’t read the license plate, and the police were never able to find the owner.

If you are shopping for a dashcam, choose one with great optics and a high-resolution image sensor. You only get one chance to record details like a license plate. Drop by your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer to find out what is available for your vehicle.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Automotive Dashcam Features Explained

A dashcam is a compact camera system designed with automotive-specific features to capture video of everything that happens in front of your car or truck. The video files from a dashcam can protect you from fraud or false accusations in the event of an accident. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular options available to enhance the information captured by these amazing safety systems.

Dual Camera Systems

Many dashcam solutions are available with a secondary camera that can be positioned to monitor the interior of the vehicle or the traffic behind your car or truck. These systems record from both cameras simultaneously to give you a complete record of everything happening. Uber, Lyft and taxi drivers are particularly fond of these dual camera systems to record the behavior of their customers.

Built-In LCD Screen

Two types of dashcams are commonly available: Those with and without an LCD screen. In most products, the addition of a feature like a screen is perceived as an upgrade, but with dashcams, this isn’t always the case.

Dashcam systems without displays are often physically smaller, allowing your installer to mount the camera under your rearview mirror for a nearly invisible installation. These dashcams typically include a series of LEDs to indicate when they are powered up and are recording. The drawback to these designs is that you need a smartphone or computer to view videos stored by the system. You will also need to make system configuration adjustments using a phone or computer, so the installation time is longer.

Cameras with integrated displays are often physically larger than those without a screen. Depending on the design of the camera, color displays measure from 1.5 to 3.5 inches diagonally. In addition to letting you look at videos directly on the system, cameras with displays typically have easy-to-understand setup menus right on the unit. Many higher-end cameras include a touchscreen to make adjusting the system even easier.

Integrated GPS Antenna

Another popular dashcam feature is a built-in GPS antenna. The software in the camera will use the information transmitted by the GPS receiver to store vehicle speed and location along with the video information. Most quality dashcam manufacturers offer PC and Apple playback software that will show your location and speed along with the video recording.

Integrated Accelerometer

Another great feature to look for is a camera with an integrated accelerometer. These cameras store information about G-forces in all three axes along with the video. Your installer can typically configure the camera to automatically store video files if the camera detects a sudden jolt that might have been caused by an accident.

Parking Mode

Many solutions offer what is called parking mode. In most cases, when your installer has wired the camera to a constant power source (one that is active even when the ignition is turned off), the camera will stop saving video to the memory card. If the camera detects changes in the video image (from someone or something entering the field of vision) or motion from the built-in accelerometer, the system will wake up and automatically store a video file. In most cases, the recording starts 5 to 10 seconds before the trigger so you can see what led up to the event.

An important note about parking mode: Please make 100% sure that your camera has a low-voltage shutdown feature to prevent the battery in your car or truck from being killed and leaving you stranded. If your camera doesn’t have this feature, several manufacturers make external battery packs and control modules that will reduce or eliminate the load on your vehicle battery. If you don’t drive your car or truck every day, an external battery pack or at least a power management controller is a very wise investment.

High-Resolution Cameras and HDR Mode

Most quality dash cameras have high-definition image sensors capable of storing 1920-by-1080-pixel video files. Compared with VGA or 720p recording, these high-res files allow you to see license plate information, phone numbers or other identifying marks on moving vehicles. Some of the newest cameras record at 4K (4096 by 2160) resolution for an increase in detail of 4.3 times over HD resolution. Yes, this higher resolution with fill up a memory card much more quickly, but the added detail is quite worthwhile. We suggest buying a camera with as much image resolution as possible for your budget.

Dashcam Features — Example of detail recorded in HD resolution setting.

High Dynamic Range

Another popular feature is called high dynamic range. This is a video contrast compression technology that helps to make dark areas of the image brighter and bright areas darker to make everything in the video easier to see and understand during playback. Turning on HDR processing can help reveal more detail at night or in bright sunlight situations.

Wi-Fi-Enabled Dashcam Feature

The last feature we will talk about is Wi-Fi. Many premium cameras include an integrated Wi-Fi hotspot that allows you to connect your phone to see videos or make adjustments to the system. This is a particularly convenient feature on cameras that don’t have a touchscreen as it makes adjusting menu options quick and easy. Apps for iOS and Android-based smartphones are typically available for dashcams with Wi-Fi built in.

Some advanced dashcams include the option to automatically connect to an internet hotspot to upload video files to the cloud to make information access easy and efficient.

Protect Yourself with a Car Dashcam

If you are concerned about fraud from other drivers or pedestrians, or you want undeniable proof of who’s at fault in the event of an accident, then you owe it to yourself to invest in a quality dashcam. Drop by your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer today to find out more about the systems that are available and arrange for expert installation in your vehicle.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Product Spotlight: Momento M8 Max

There are now hundreds of dash cameras on the market. If you are serious about protecting yourself from fraud and false accusations or simply want to capture those incredible once-in-a-lifetime moments, then you want a high-quality camera with excellent image quality. Momento’s latest flagship dash camera is called the M8 Max, and it’s the perfect choice for your car or truck. Let’s check it out!

Momento M8 Max Features

Let’s start by looking at the specifications of the new Momento M8 Max, which is also known as the MD-8400. This is the top-of-the-line in the three-model series. The M8 Max features a 4K Sony IMX image sensor for razor-sharp image capture at 30 frames per second. A secondary camera that can be pointed out the rear window features full HD (1920 x 1080 resolution) is also included in the kit. The system comes with a 64 GB memory card but can be upgraded to a 256 GB card for more storage. The M8 Max includes a GPS receiver to store vehicle location and speed.

The main power cable is also included in the box. This is a hard-wired cable, not a cigarette lighter plug. As such, your installer will need to find suitable constant 12-volt, switched accessory and ground connection points under the dash. A micro-SD to SD card adapter is also included.

Two- and Three-Camera Support Modes

Out of the box, the M8 Max is set up to handle dual-camera recording. However, if you want to add a third camera, like the IC6 interior camera, the M8 Max can be flashed with firmware to record from three sources simultaneously. The IC6 is ideal for taxis, limousines, buses, rideshare and company-owned vehicles. When flashed into three-camera mode, the system captures video from the front camera in 2K mode due to data storage bandwidth constraints.

ECO Parking Mode

An essential feature of the M8 Max is its ECO parking mode. Unlike conventional cameras that use the image sensor to monitor the area in front of the vehicle, the M8 Max uses a low-power radar transceiver. If someone walks in front of your car or truck while the camera is in parking mode, the system will wake up and capture a video of the activity. Once the object has passed, it goes back into ECO Mode. The benefit of radar-based monitoring is that the camera consumes about 90% less power than video monitoring units. This means less drain on your vehicle battery and days of monitoring instead of hours.

Voice Recognition

The M8 Max includes voice recognition features. You can say “Hi, Momento,” then wait for the chime and say “Save Video.” The system will start a manual recording that is saved to a dedicated folder on the micro-SD card. Other voice commands include Enable and Disable Mic, Enable and Disable Wi-Fi, Switch Wi-Fi (between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz modes), and Enable and Disable Privacy mode.

Compact, Flexible Design with Manual Controls

The Momento M8 Maxi-fi is one of the lowest-profile dash cameras on the market. It attaches to your windshield with the included 3M VHB tape behind the rearview mirror. Once in place, the camera tilts upwards or down to ensure perfect coverage in front of the vehicle. The viewing angle is 112 degrees on the horizontal plane and 96 degrees vertically.

There are two buttons on the face of the Momento M8 Max, making it very intuitive to use. Pressing the left Wi-Fi button toggles Wi-Fi on and off. Pressing the right REC (Record) button initiates a manual recording in the event you witness something. Holding the REC button for three seconds turns off the mic. Holding the Wi-Fi button for 10 seconds will format the memory card.

The Momento Smartphone App

All three Momento M8 dashcams are compatible with the free Momento App for Android and iOS devices. Once you have connected your smart device to the M8 Max using 2.4 or 5 GHz Wi-Fi, the app lets you view the live video feed from the camera. This is how your installer will initially set up the camera.

The app lets you view and download stored files from any of the five galleries: Driving, Driving Events, Parking, Parking Events and Manual. You can preview the video at 600p resolution or download the full-resolution version and save it with your files or images for sharing.

The app provides access to many configuration options. These options include sensitivity adjustments for the integrated accelerometer to determine when event videos will be recorded. You can also set the automatic low-battery cut-off voltage or allocate different storage space for driving and parking videos. You can also change vehicle speed units between MPH and KM/H, depending on whether or not the camera uses radar parking mode, camera exposure, and the optional Travelapse mode. In Travelapse, the camera records at one frame per second to compress a long trip into a short video. If the accelerometer detects an impact, the system will store a 30-frame-per-second video starting seven seconds before the event trigger. The app also allows you to initiate a firmware update if and when it is introduced.

The Ultimate Driving Protection Solution

If you want a premium dash camera with excellent image quality and class-leading features, visit a local authorized retailer and ask for a demonstration of the Momento M8 Max. They can complete the installation to ensure your camera will work reliably to capture everything that happens while you’re driving.

For more information on Momento safety products, visit their website. You should also follow them on Facebook and Instagram. Finally, their YouTube channel has videos about all of their products.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Wi-Fi Connectivity

Cloud Connectivity

Vehicle Locating and Tracking Service

Advanced Video Compression

Advanced Dashcam Features and Technology

Dashcam Power Options: 12V Charging Port

Dashcam Power Options: Hard-Wired Connections

Concealed Wiring

Wiring Reserve Power Sources

Dashcam Setup and Alignment

Choose the Right Retailer To Install Your Dashcam System

What Is Field of Vision?

What Is Dashcam Resolution?

Dashcams Are a Great Safety Investment

Dual Camera Systems

Built-In LCD Screen

Integrated GPS Antenna

Integrated Accelerometer

Parking Mode

High-Resolution Cameras and HDR Mode

High Dynamic Range

Wi-Fi-Enabled Dashcam Feature

Protect Yourself with a Car Dashcam

Momento M8 Max Features

Two- and Three-Camera Support Modes

ECO Parking Mode

Voice Recognition

Compact, Flexible Design with Manual Controls

The Momento Smartphone App

The Ultimate Driving Protection Solution

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