It is rather difficult for an unprepared buyer to navigate in a large number of various DVR modelsoffered by stores.
To make a successful purchase and spend money wisely, you need to study the information about these devices, decide on the functions that you need in this gadget.
Manufacturers produce models of DVRs with different characteristics and capabilities, in different price segments.
Quite a large niche in the production of high-quality devices at an average price is occupied by companies from China and South Korea..
When purchasing such gadgets, there is no need to overpay for the brand, but the build quality and components are not much inferior to the flagships.
When choosing a device, you should consider the main parameters:
DVRs for a car can be divided by design features:
Divided according to functionality:
The main parameter that you need to pay attention to when choosing a device is the screen resolution.
Usually the resolution is Full HD (1920x1080), Super Full HD (2304x1296). The HD resolution (1280x720) does not get very good quality images, especially in low light.
The 90-degree camera lens angle allows you to capture what is just in front of the car.
A camera with a field of view of 120 degrees or more captures what is happening on other lanes of the road, on roadsides and sidewalks.
Professional DVRs may have all-round cameras. Please note that a viewing angle of more than 120° may result in frame distortion at the edges.
The completeness of the overview of the surrounding situation depends on the number of DVR cameras installed in different parts of the car. The characteristics of each camera must be taken into account.
The camera mounted on the rear window of the car allows you to increase the field of view, as well as help when reversing and during parking.
When you turn on the parking mode, the image from the rear camera on the display becomes a priority and allows you to avoid errors and collisions. The disadvantage can be considered additional wires in the cabin.
The presence of additional cameras leads to an increase in the cost of the device and an increase in installation complexity..
The DVR is most often connected to the on-board network of the car through the cigarette lighter.
The use of a rechargeable battery makes it possible to record video with the engine off.
Typically, the battery capacity is small, 150 - 600 mAh and allows you to record from 10 minutes to 1 hour. This time is enough in case of an accident to have time to make a video recording. Most often, autonomous battery operation is activated if the electrics of the car were damaged during an accident.
Most often, lithium-ion (Li-Ion) or lithium-polymer (Li-Pol) batteries are used for autonomous operation of the device.
The shock sensor (G-sensor) controls the position of the machine in three planes and, in the event of a sudden change in parameters, creates a file that is protected from erasure.
It is better to set such a sensor to min sensitivity, since otherwise it will react, among other things, to the passage of a "speed bump" and to getting into a pit.
Availability radar detector in DVRs is an additional option added by manufacturers. To do this, it is necessary to enter information about the combined database of traffic cameras and traffic police radars into the device’s memory.The current database is downloaded to the SD card.
When the GPS data is received by the recorder, it is compared with the camera database and the driver receives information in advance about the need to slow down.
The database needs to be updated in a timely manner to obtain up-to-date information, but still such devices are not absolutely reliable.
DVRs can be combined with radar detectors in one building. This allows you to save space in the cabin and makes the device a universal assistant to the driver.
Combo devices are of two types, depending on the antenna used in the radar detector:
Combined devices more reliably fix radar systems, but do not protect 100% from false alarms, especially when driving in a big city, where there is a lot of additional interference.
When installing the device in a car, three types of fastening are used:
Recording information in video recorders is done on an external memory card, which is purchased separately.
Some devices may have a small built-in memory that duplicates some parts or continues recording when the memory card is full. The memory card capacity is most often 32-64 GB, which allows you to place a large number of video files on it.
As standard, DVRs use Secure Digital Memory Cards (SD and microSD), which are also compatible with smartphones.
Some models have two built-in slots for memory cards for quick copying of the record in case of need to transfer the SD card to the traffic police inspector.
If the DVR supports WI-FI, it is possible to use cloud storage to save recordings. Storage is provided by the device manufacturer.
The quality of shooting in the dark depends on the design and software features of the device.
In some models, manufacturers have installed infrared illumination, which makes it possible to shoot in complete darkness. The image in this case is monochrome and not very clear.
Changing the exposure for night shooting in automatic or manual mode improves picture quality.
There are models of DVRs that do not have a display. but devices with a screen are much more convenient to use.Such a device is easier to set up - a menu is displayed on the screen, when installed, you can immediately see the field of view of the camera. The display allows you to immediately resolve many contentious issues on the accident by viewing the video at the scene.
Commonly used in DVRs LCD displays.
The screen can be combined into a single unit with a video recorder, it can be removable or have a folding and tilt-and-turn device.
The touch screen makes it easier to control the gadget, the diagonal of such a screen is usually slightly larger.
The most important part of the device is the processor, on which the operation of the device completely depends. The processors used in DVRs have a simpler instruction set, smaller size and power consumption than computers. They are called System on a Chip (SoC).
In DVRs, single-core processors are mainly used, the performance indicator of which is the clock frequency - the number of operations (cycles) performed per second.
To perform the necessary functions, a clock frequency of 400-700 MHz and higher is used.
The architecture on which the processor is built is the most important factor.
4 families developed and used:
The most famous manufacturers of DVR chipsets include:
At the same time, companies that are rapidly gaining popularity occupy significant positions in the market.:
Additional useful features that devices may support:
The TOP 5 best DVRs with the best value for money include devices that have received positive reviews from experts and are in demand among customers. In order to choose a gadget that is not overloaded with unnecessary functions that significantly increase the price, but adequately solves the tasks, our rating.
Well-known Chinese manufacturer of electronic products Xiaomi released a DVR at an affordable price and good quality.
The 5 megapixel camera has a 140° field of view, allowing you to view adjacent lanes and the side of the road. The camera is equipped with a rotary mechanism that allows you to adjust the available viewing area.
Camera resolution 2592x1944 makes shooting clear and rich. The use of WDR and Anti-fog technologies allows you to get a bright and contrast image even with poor visibility.
Loop recording makes it easy to find the desired fragment, saves space on the memory card.
The built-in shock sensor will monitor the car during parking, being in sleep mode and automatically turning on in a critical situation.
When the engine is turned on, the recorder will display a message about the event.
Protecting the battery from discharging will prolong its life.
An additional memory card can be connected.
Voice control makes it much easier to work with the device without distracting the driver from driving.
Radar detector will warn about installed cameras. The GPS-module is not included in the package, it can be connected additionally.
Connecting via Wi-Fi will make it possible to view the captured video, download it to your smartphone without spending traffic.
Technical characteristics:
pros
Minuses
DVR combined with anti-radar and GPS-module. Camera resolution 2304x1296 allows you to get a good quality image. The viewing angle of 135 degrees makes it possible to record what is happening on adjacent lanes.
2.3" display shows camera or radar type, allowed speed and other relevant information.
The voice assistant will notify you in advance of the approach of speed cameras. The SAFP filtering system minimizes false positives from the radar detector. The camera database needs to be updated in a timely manner.
The built-in GPS module fixes the route of movement and marks the date, time and speed of the car on the video.
Using a specially installed application, you can view information on Yandex maps.
Built-in memory 128 MB, you can connect an additional memory card up to 64 GB.
The device is powered from the on-board network and from a 500 mAh battery.
Specifications:
pros
Minuses
DVR carcum F3 support recording from two camerasand parking mode. The main camera is made in the design of a digital camera. Resolution 1920x1080, video recording is cyclic, without gaps.
140° field of view, captures video of all adjacent lanes as well as sidewalks or shoulders. There is an image stabilizer, photo mode, built-in backlight.
The second camera has a viewing angle of 100 degrees, a resolution of 480 pixels. It can be installed on the rear window or near the license plate, rotates around the axis.
Wiring in the cabin can be made hidden, the length of the cable is sufficient for this. To simplify the parking process using a second camera, you will need to connect an additional power line to the reversing light. Then the transfer to the rear camera will be made automatically.
When parking, parking lines are displayed.
The image from two cameras is displayed on a 3-inch color display. By pressing the button, you can select the currently priority camera.
Specifications:
pros
Minuses
Combo DVR made in South Korea Inspector Barracuda is equipped with GLONASS and GPS modules, anti-radar.
The case of classical design is made of opaque black plastic. At the top there is a visor that protects against glare and screen glare.
Fastening is carried out by a vacuum sucker. The camera can be rotated around the axis by 360 degrees, as well as change the angle of inclination.
The resolution of 1920x1080 makes the picture bright and detailed, the viewing angle of 135 degrees allows you to shoot the road and sidewalks without distortion.
The radar detector can operate in several modes. Warnings about the need to slow down, about the presence of surveillance cameras are made in advance, the number of false positives is minimal.
Anti-radar detects, including portable systems.
The recording mode is cyclic, the date and time are fixed, as well as the speed of the car.
Power supply of the device from the on-board network and from a 520 mAh battery, battery life up to 20 minutes.
To store information, memory cards up to 256 GB are used, their formatting is possible.
Specifications:
pros
Minuses
DVR SHO-ME A12-GPS/GLONASS is equipped with anti-radar, GPS and GLONASS modules, which makes it a universal assistant to the driver, informing about both stationary cameras and mobile and low-power radars.
Video recording resolution Super Full 2304x1296, viewing angle 140 degrees make the picture clear and detailed, without distortion, glare and flare.
Quickly removable and reliable suction cup mount, camera rotation in the vertical and horizontal plane increase the mobility of the device and make it possible to shoot traffic situations from different angles.
400 mAh battery increases device battery life.
The Ambrella A12 processor runs at high speed without freezing or crashing.
Recording with sound is done in files up to 5 minutes, without gaps in MP4 format.
The Wi-Fi module allows you to update the databases/firmware through a mobile application, as well as view, copy or delete videos.
Specifications:
pros
Minuses
The use of DVRs has become a necessity when driving a car. Video recording of an event allows solving many controversial issues arising from traffic accidents, including those that happened to other road users.
The use of combined devices (for example, from the company Mio or Neoline) will help to correctly observe the speed limit when driving in the city and on the highway, which means avoiding fines and other penalties.
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