A dashcam – also known as a car camera or dashboard camera – is a small camera in your car that films everything that happens on the road. You place the dashcam on the windscreen, usually behind the rear-view mirror, and connect it to the cigarette lighter socket using a car charger with a long cable. As soon as the dashcam receives power (when you start the car), it turns on and starts recording. When you turn off the car, the dashcam turns off again. So you don't have to worry about it.
You insert a Micro SD card into the dashcam, which stores all the videos. A dashcam saves the videos in short clips, usually 3 or 5 minutes long. Once the SD card is full, the oldest videos are automatically deleted to make room for new recordings. This allows the dashcam to record continuously so that the most recent journeys are always saved. This function is called loop recording.
The capacity of the Micro SD card and the quality of the videos ultimately determine how many videos can be stored. Most dashcams support Micro SD cards up to 128GB or even 256GB, which is good for approximately 20 and 40 hours of Full HD videos, respectively. With a 2CH dashcam with rear camera, the total recording time will of course be less because the dashcam has to store two videos at the same time.
Another unique feature of a dashcam is the G-sensor. This vibration sensor detects when you have a collision and saves the current video in a secure location. These secure videos cannot be overwritten. This ensures that the most important recordings are always saved.
Image quality of a dashcam
Dashcams or car cameras come in all shapes and sizes and with all kinds of features. However, most people buy a dashcam with good image quality. Most dashcams film with at least Full HD resolution, but there are also many dashcams with 2K (Quad HD) or 4K resolution. The resolution indicates how many pixels the videos consist of and therefore how “large” and detailed the videos ultimately are.
Although the resolution does not necessarily say anything about the image quality of the dashcam, it is an important factor. Larger videos with more pixels can capture more details, such as people or number plates. A disadvantage of a high-resolution dashcam is that the files are much larger, so you can store fewer videos on the SD card at the same time. That's why almost all dashcams allow you to set the resolution lower.
The number of fps (frames per second) is another important factor when buying a dashcam. Most dashcams record at 30 fps, which actually means that 30 photos are taken per second. Some car cameras can also record at 60 fps or even 120 fps. The videos are then much smoother and it is also easier to watch something in slow motion. However, at 60 fps, the files are also twice as large as at 30 fps, which means that your SD card will fill up more quickly.
Mounting on the windscreen
A dashcam is usually mounted on the windscreen, preferably in a place where it is not too noticeable to the driver but still records the road well. The right-hand side behind the rear-view mirror is often a good place. Some dashcams can also be mounted on the dashboard, but this often results in a much poorer view. In addition, the recordings will be upside down, which can sometimes be corrected with software.
Most people buy a dashcam with a self-adhesive mount. The mount stays on the windscreen and the dashboard camera can usually be easily removed from the mount. The advantage of a dashcam with a self-adhesive mount is that it is often more secure and produces less vibration. Some dashcams (also) have a suction cup holder. These dashcams are slightly easier to install and remove, but these car cameras are often slightly more sensitive to vibrations and the suction cups lose their suction power over time.
There are also dashcams that you place over your car's existing rear-view mirror. These are often “Full Mirror” mirror dashcams that also function as a digital rear-view mirror. The image from the rear camera is shown in full on the screen. Owners of motorhomes or vans in particular buy this type of dashcam.
Dashcam with or without LCD screen?
In addition to the above features, we distinguish between dashcams with and without an LCD screen. A dashboard camera with an LCD screen is slightly easier to operate but also somewhat larger and more noticeable. The LCD screen can also be useful for quickly reviewing certain videos. Usually, a screensaver automatically dims the LCD screen after a few minutes of driving so that it does not distract you.
Dashcams without an LCD screen are slightly more compact and less noticeable in the car. These car cameras can be operated with your smartphone or tablet, and you can also view the images via Wifi. It is a matter of taste whether you prefer a dashcam with or without an LCD screen.
In addition, there are special mirror dashcams, which are essentially fully digital rear-view mirrors. These have a large touchscreen LCD screen that displays the image from the rear camera. These mirror dashcams are particularly useful in vehicles where rear visibility is limited, such as vans or motorhomes.
Additional requirements
To film with your dashcam, you usually only need an SD card. All files from the dashcam are stored on the SD card. It works in much the same way as a photo or video camera. Most dashcams are supplied without an SD card as standard, but in other cases this is specifically stated in the title or description (the capacity of the card supplied is usually indicated, such as LUKAS LK-9379 WD 16GB).
To install a dashcam professionally or inconspicuously in your car, you can use a hardwire kit. This power supply is connected to the fuse box or another power point in the car to supply the dashcam with power (even when the ignition is switched off, e.g. in parking mode). Another advantage is that you can keep the cigarette lighter socket free for charging your phone.
Using a dashcam outside the car
We are also often asked whether a dashcam can be used outside the car, for example to monitor the car from the outside. In principle, you can also use a dashcam outside the car, provided you have a power supply for your dashboard camera. At home, for example, you can connect a dashcam to the mains with a standard USB phone charger. It is usually not possible to mount a dashcam outside the car because dashcams (with the exception of some motorcycle dashcams) are not waterproof. You also need to consider the mounting, as dashcams come standard with suction cup or sticker mounts that are attached to the front windscreen. It is not possible or easy to position the dashcam correctly with all dashcams.
