Dashcam mount
A method of fixing the recorder on a device that plays the role of a mount - a bracket for the windshield, a helmet platform, a clamp for the steering wheel or another similar structure.
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Latch. One of the most popular options nowadays. The latch, along with the magnet (see below), refers to
quick-release fasteners, allowing you to easily and quickly remove the device and return it to its place. This feature can be useful, for example, if the car is left overnight in an unguarded place, where an unremoved recorder can become a bait for thieves; In addition, the entire device sometimes has to be removed to view and copy footage. Specifically, latches are considered more reliable than magnets; they can be used even with the most massive devices, and are also cheaper to produce.
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Magnet. Another type of quick-release mount: a powerful permanent magnet that is strong enough to hold the recorder in place. This type of fastener is easier to use than a latch: to install it, just “stick” the device to the mount, and to remove it, just pull it hard. Another advantage is that the latch can be broken by unsuccessfully applying force, whereas in magnets there is practically nothing to break. On the other hand, this type of mount is less reliable: in the event of a shock or a powerful jerk, the force of attraction may not be enough. Therefore, although magnets ar
...e widespread, they are still inferior in popularity to latches.
— Magnet/latch. An option that involves the presence of both types of mount in the kit - both a magnet and a latch. This allows you to choose an option at your discretion depending on the situation. For example, for quiet movement around the city and frequent stops during which you have to remove the recorder, a magnet is better suited, and a more reliable latch will be useful on a long journey, especially if the roads are of poor quality. At the same time, such versatility is not required so often, which is why this option has not become widespread.
- Screw. Fixation with a screw that is screwed into a socket on the recorder body. Connecting and disconnecting such a fastener takes noticeably longer than in the case of a latch or magnet, however, the reliability of fasteners of this type is very high - even a strong tug is more likely to tear off the suction cup or sticker that holds the entire structure than damage the screw mount.
— Fixed / non-removable. An option found exclusively in windshield recorders installed using a sticker (see “Attaching to glass”). The platform with the sticker in such models is rigidly fixed to the body; and in some models the role of such a platform is played by the upper side of the body, specially made flat. The advantages of fixed mounts are simplicity, compactness and high reliability. On the other hand, this installation method requires the recorder to be permanently on the glass and does not allow you to quickly remove it and put it back: removing the sticker is quite difficult, and it cannot be reused.Screen type
The sensor is a key element of any digital camera; it is from it and from signal processing technologies that the quality of the resulting image primarily depends. In this case, the type refers rather to the brand or brand of the matrix; it is usually indicated if the recorder is equipped with a high-quality sensor that is noticeably superior to most solutions on the market.
One of the most popular such options is
Sony. The specific characteristics of the matrices (
IMX179,
IMX222,
IMX291,
IMX307,
IMX317,
IMX322,
IMX323,
IMX326,
IMX335,
IMX415) may vary, but anyway, such a sensor is a sign of a high-end DVR.
In addition, there are models equipped with matrices from other manufacturers —
Aptina,
OmniVision,
Samsung(GalaxyCore),
Sandvik. Such solutions are generally considered to be simpler and more democratic than Sony — both in terms of price and functionality. Nevertheless, Samsung has a lot of developments in the field of electronics, and even such r
...elatively “simple” sensors are usually more advanced and of higher quality than “know-names”.
Another manufacturer that produces fairly high-quality matrices is Panasonic. Such sensors are not as widespread as those described above, but they are still found in video recorders, including pretty advanced.Ultra HD (4K)
The maximum resolution and frame rate of video recorded by the recorder in the
Ultra HD 4K standard.
The UHD 4K standard mainly includes video formats with a frame size of about 4K pixels horizontally — in particular, 3840x2160. However, in DVRs, this category includes some other resolutions with a frame size of 2160 vertical pixels — in particular, 2888x2160 (4:3 aspect ratio). For DVRs, this is a very advanced standard that provides the highest detail, but requires large matrices and powerful computing. As a result, its support is typical only for some top-level models.
As for the frame rate, the higher it is, the smoother and less blurry the video will be, the better the details on moving objects will be visible, and also the more space the footage will take up. However, when shooting in UHD, this figure rarely exceeds 24 fps due to the mentioned demands on the hardware “hardware”.
Field of view
The viewing angle provided by the main camera of the DVR. As a rule, it is indicated along the diagonal of the frame, less often - horizontally, because of this, models with the same numbers in the characteristics may differ somewhat in the actual field of view. So if you have doubts about this, when choosing, it does not hurt to find and watch video samples from different models.
Other things being equal, a wider viewing angle allows you to cover more space, but individual details in the frame are smaller. In addition, wide-angle lenses give geometric distortions of the image (however, DEWARP can be provided to eliminate them, see "Functions"). As for specific figures, viewing angles
up to 120° inclusive are considered relatively small for modern registrars, values of
121 - 140 ° can be called average,
141 - 160 ° are above average, and the most wide-angle models are able to cover a space
of more than 160 °.
Backup power
Availability of a backup power source in the device design. Such a source comes into operation when the main power supply from the on-board vehicle network is unavailable, to finalize the recording when the ignition is turned off, during an accident and in other situations (for example, if you need to view the captured videos on the DVR).
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Battery. The battery “under the hood” of recorders most often has a low capacity, sufficient for several minutes of autonomous operation. As a rule, this is a lithium-ion or lithium-polymer battery, which is an additional guarantee in case of emergency situations. First of all, the battery can be useful in case of an accident: if the voltage in the cigarette lighter socket disappears due to damage, the recorder will still remain operational and will be able to record at least a few more minutes after the accident.
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Supercapacitor (ionister). A special energy drive is an ultra-high-capacity capacitor. Such a drive has a number of advantages over a battery. In particular, supercapacitors are immune to low and high temperatures, sunlight, they do not lose capacity as they wear out, and do not catch fire or explode even in extreme situations. And even in the event of a strong impact (for example, in the event of an accident), such a power source is more likely to remain operational than a battery. Ionisters are rightfully considered a much more advanced
...and reliable backup power option. True, the capacity of such a capacitor is only enough to save the last recorded video and turn it off correctly - it does not allow the device to function autonomously even for several minutes. However, in the traditional use of DVRs, in general, no more is required, so in such cases, the practical advantages of this type of backup power significantly outweigh the disadvantages.