Close-up on dashcams

At present, where road accidents and car theft are numerous, the use of a Dashcam proves to be most useful. Many drivers understood this and were convinced. It must be said that this device plays an important role in terms of Road safety. As a sophisticated and technological device, on-board camera has different technical characteristics that are difficult to identify. Especially since there are hundreds of models on the market that each have their own usefulness. Acquiring this kind of device is not an easy thing. Before buying them, it is therefore necessary to know the essential points concerning this device. 

What is a Dashcam

Dashcam is a small high-definition camera that can be loaded into a vehicle. Very high performance, it can record quality images. To do this, it deploys various state-of-the-art technologies. Equipped with a high-end image sensor, this type of device offers a correct image format with a pixel level of up to 12 million. 

Dashcam comes from the English word " dashboard camera and it means dashboard camera. It is commonly known as an on-board camera or on-board camera. It attaches to the interior of the vehicle on the dashboard or windshield. From this location, it offers wide-angle images. As well its function is to film and record everything that happens inside and out, including the driver's path. No incident escapes its sensors. When an accident occurs, the images it provides can therefore be used as evidence, since the camera is supposed to film everything. 

How a Dashcam works

In general, the on-board camera starts filming from the moment the car starts. After that, it rotates continuously in 10-minute sequences, the first of which is recorded automatically. This interval can be adjusted depending on the function and storage capacity of the camera. With a limited memory card, the previous sequence will be deleted almost automatically when recording the next one. However this data will be backed up if abnormal events, such as sudden shocks or accelerations, have been found. When the memory card is high in capacity, it will be able to record multiple video sequences.

If necessary, stored videos can be viewed from the on-board camera. For this, you have two options, that is, you can connect via either a USB port or an HDMI port or via Wi-Fi. This makes it easy to connect with other media such as your PC or TV set. Either requires a USD cable and an HDMI cable, respectively. Without this material, you will be able to use other means to recover the data. All you need to do is remove the memory card or the SD card, and then use a PC or other medium to play it.

To combat car theft, the Dashcam is also equipped with a parking mode. Unlike the classic mode, this allows you to filming what's going on around the car while it's parked. The camera acts as a surveillance system. It triggers automatically as a result of movements or shocks on the body. 

How to plug a dashcam into the car

In a very classic model, the camera feeds on the cigarette lighter. However, before it is connected to the latter, the power cable must be attached to the contour of the windshield. However, this method remains inse ways and less aesthetic. When the cable is connected, it is no longer possible to connect other supports inside the car. The cigarette lighter can only refuel a device. With the on-board camera constantly having to plug in, the GPS and the phone no longer have a source to feed. 

That's why plugging in from the fuse box has become more convenient. Indeed, the camera connects to this support thanks to 3 wires. This solution first frees up the cigarette lighter, which can now accommodate other aircraft on board the vehicle. It also keeps the camera powered when the engine is shut down. It is especially suitable for Dashcam parking mode. The problem with this process is that it requires a certain know-how in terms of electrical circuiting. Only those who master this area will be able to perform this type of operation. 

If you can't properly plug in your on-board camera, the built-in battery option will be your best solution. Indeed, some models incorporate a stand-alone energy source into their system. For this type of device, you will no longer need to plug it into a power source. However, it should only be noted that battery life is limited and it will need to be recharged on your cigarette lighter socket or on a socket.

Improved versions of Dashcam

Wanting to satisfy drivers best, the designers have concocted two more sophisticated versions of Dashcam.  There is the dual-lens model and the one with GPS. For either, the manufacturers' objective was the same. They have thus boosted the performance of the on-board camera to better assist users.

For the dual objective version, the Dashcam deploys two small on-board cameras, the first of which can be installed on the dashboard and the second on the rear range of the vehicle. As for the other models, the first camera offers a rotating function. This allows you to record everything that happens at the rear passengers. Whether it's for the classic model or the rotary model, both Dashcam-type cameras offer Full HD images and have a night vision function. At the same time, they record the images and send them to the main screen. 

Dated and geolocated, these are the two conditions imposed for reliable images that are admissible as evidence. Thus, it is best to opt for a Classic Dashcam with GPS. In this way, the path of the vehicle equipped with this device can be easily traced on a geolocation map.

Legal framework with Dashcams

At first glance, the use of an on-board camera could be an invasion of the privacy of others, as the driver himself will always feel that he is being filmed and monitored. However, this facet of the camera is quickly set aside due to the increase in the road accident. In some European countries such as Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany or Spain, installing such a device in the car is entirely legal. Of course, it must be subject to some restriction. Filming is therefore tolerated by law, but sharing or publishing data involving other non-consensual persons is prohibited. 

Compared to judges, the data provided by dashcam can be used as evidence as a whole. However, this is not only valid if the camera provides geolocated and dated data. When an accident occurs, you can present the videos of your on-board camera during the hearing as proof of your innocence. 

For parking mode, the car films everything that happens in its surroundings, such as misdemeanors or accidents. In this context, law enforcement will be able to use the recorded videos to make a profit and take action. 

The insurer will take this data into account when establishing the compensation. This kind of evidence makes their work much easier. That's why agencies encourage their customers to install a dashcam in their car. Some insurers go so far as to reduce the monthly premium of motorists who equip themselves with these gadgets by 30%.