How to choose a DVR for a car in 2021: tips from CHIP

A good DVR: which one is better to choose?

There are many different models on the market today (by the way, we have a selection of the best), but not all of them fit modern realities. Let's figure out what characteristics an ideal device should have in order to understand which DVR to choose for your car.

A high resolution . The higher the better. The resolution of the video determines, for example, whether you can distinguish the license plates of the car in front or the faces of those involved in an accident.

Wide viewing angle . The wider the better. If the viewing angle is small (less than 120 degrees), what is happening at the front wings of your car will not be included in the “field of view”. But an extremely large angle (more than 160 degrees) is also not very good, since severe distortion of objects is inevitable.

Reliability of fastening . When the car moves, shaking always occurs. If your recorder is not securely mounted, you will not get a clear image, no matter how high-quality the video is.

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COMPONENTS

The quality of video recording is affected by three key components - the processor, the sensor and the lens. But even using the “right” components does not guarantee a good result. Firstly, not all manufacturers pay due attention to fine tuning, without which even a stellar cast will not work at the proper level. Secondly, little-known manufacturers can be disingenuous. You won’t open the device before purchasing to check their honesty!

The most popular processors today are Ambarella and Novatek. There are also less popular, but quite decent brands. For example, SilverStone offers an excellent combo device with an AIT processor. The matrices are supplied by Sony or OmniVision. The lens of a good DVR is always glass, with five to seven lenses.

High-quality components are good, but only a video recorded by the device will show what it is capable of.

Classic

A fairly large case with a camera on the front panel and a screen on the back. It is attached to the glass using a traditional suction cup and is usually powered from an outlet in the cabin. As an option, there is a removable mount that always remains on the glass.

The advantages of this solution include simplicity of design and ease of installation, but the disadvantages are that the wire runs through the entire windshield if it is not specifically hidden under the upholstery, and in addition, if you do not remove the accessory at the end of the trip, it can attract the attention of thieves.

The choice of such devices is quite large - there are both expensive and quite affordable ones like the Xiaomi Mi Dash Cam 1S with a 3-inch screen.

By the way, not long ago we tested Neoline G-Tech X77, one of the latest models. He also knows how to monitor the speed limit.

TOP 5 best DVRs by price/quality

The TOP - 5 best DVRs with an optimal price-quality ratio include devices that have received positive reviews from experts and are in demand among buyers. In order to choose a gadget that is not overloaded with not the most necessary functions that significantly increase the price, but which adequately solves the assigned tasks, use our rating.

Xiaomi 70mai Dash Cam Pro Midrive D02

The well-known Chinese manufacturer of electronic products Xiaomi has released a DVR at an affordable price and good quality .

The 5 MP camera has a 140° viewing angle, allowing you to view adjacent lanes and the side of the road. The camera is equipped with a rotating mechanism that allows you to adjust the available viewing area.

The camera resolution of 2592x1944 makes the shooting clear and rich . The use of WDR and Anti-fog technologies allows you to obtain a bright and contrasting image even in poor visibility.

Cyclic recording makes it easy to find the desired fragment and saves space on the memory card.

The built-in shock sensor will monitor the car while 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 that occurred.

Protecting the battery from discharging will extend its service life.

It is possible to connect an additional memory card.

Voice control makes it much easier to operate the device without distracting the driver from driving.

The radar detector will warn you about installed cameras . The GPS module is not included in the package; you can connect it additionally.

Connecting via Wi-Fi will make it possible to view the captured video and download it to your smartphone without using up traffic.

Specifications _

number of cameras – 1;
processor HiSilicon Hi 3556V100
resolution – 2592x1944;
memory card 64 GB;
battery – 500 mAh;
display 2 inches;
viewing angle 140°;
shock sensor; parking control;
night photography.

pros

good quality shooting;
large viewing angle;
anti-fog, ADAS,
shock sensor, parking control in sleep mode.

Minuses

GPS is not included and must be purchased separately.

Playme P600SG

The DVR is combined with a radar detector and a GPS module . The camera resolution of 2304x1296 allows you to get a good quality image. A viewing angle of 135 degrees makes it possible to record what is happening in adjacent lanes.

2.3" display shows camera or radar type, speed limit and other relevant information.

The voice assistant will notify you in advance of the approach of speed cameras. The SAFP filtering system minimizes false alarms of the radar detector. The camera database needs to be updated in a timely manner.

The built-in GPS module records the driving route and marks the date, time and speed of the vehicle on the video.

Using a specially installed application, you can view information on Yandex maps.

Built-in memory 128 MB, it is possible to 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:

number of cameras 1;
processor AIT8328Q
resolution – 2304x1296;
built-in memory 128 MB, memory card up to 64 GB;
viewing angle 135°;
battery 500mAh;
display 2.3 inches;
shock sensor, motion detector, GPS.

pros

combined model DVR+anti-radar+GPS;
SAFP filtration system;
recording time, date, speed;
voice assistant;
connection to a computer via USB.

Minuses

no connection via WI-Fi.

Carcam F3

Carcum DVR supports recording from two cameras , as well as parking mode . The main camera is made in the design of a digital camera. Resolution 1920x1080, video recording cyclic, without breaks.

The viewing angle is 140°, produces video recording of the entire adjacent traffic lanes, as well as sidewalks or roadsides. There is an image stabilizer, a photo mode, and a built-in backlight.

The second camera has a viewing angle of 100 degrees and a resolution of 480 pixels . Can be installed on the rear window or in the area of the license plate, and rotates around an axis.

Installation of wiring in the cabin can be hidden; the cable length 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 done 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:

number of cameras – 2;
processor JL5601;
resolution 1920x1080;
memory card up to 32 GB;
Main camera viewing angle 140°; additional camera 100°;
battery 200 mAh;
shock sensor;
Motion Detector;
record time and date.

pros

parking mode;
two cameras create a good field of view;
USB connection to computer.
low price;

Minuses

Small battery capacity.
No additional functions.,

Inspector Barracuda

Combo video recorder made in South Korea Inspector Barracuda is equipped with GLONASS and GPS modules, anti-radar .

The case has a classic design and is made of matte black plastic. At the top there is a visor that protects from glare and screen exposure.

Fastening is carried out with a vacuum suction cup. The camera can be rotated around its axis by 360 degrees, and the tilt angle can also be changed.

The 1920x1080 resolution 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 reduce speed, about the presence of surveillance cameras are made in advance, the number of false alarms is minimal.

Anti-radar detects portable systems as well.

The recording mode is cyclic, the date and time are recorded, as well as the vehicle speed.

The device is powered from the on-board network and from a 520 mAh battery, battery life is up to 20 minutes.

Memory cards up to 256 GB are used to store information; they can be formatted.

Specifications:

number of cameras – 1;
iCatch SPCA6350M processor
resolution 1920x1080;
memory card up to 256 GB;
viewing angle 135°;
screen – 2.4 inches;
battery 520 mAh;
shock sensor;
anti-radar; GPS; GLONASS.

pros

high sensitivity of the radar detector;
extensive, intuitive menu;
capacious battery;
camera rotation 360 degrees;
parking control, curb control.

Minuses

many settings.

SHO-ME A12-GPS/GLONAS

The SHO-ME A12-GPS/GLONASS DVR is equipped with an anti-radar, GPS and GLONASS modules, which makes it a universal driver assistant, informing about both stationary cameras and mobile and low-power radars.

Video recording resolution Super Full 2304x1296, viewing angle 140 degrees makes the picture clear and detailed, without distortion, glare and flare.

A quickly removable and reliable suction cup mount and camera rotation in vertical and horizontal planes increase the mobility of the device and make it possible to film traffic situations from different angles.

A 400 mAh battery increases the device's battery life.

The Ambrella A12 processor runs at high speeds without lag or crashes.

Recording with sound is done in files up to 5 minutes, without breaks in MP4 format.

The Wi-Fi module allows you to update databases/firmware via a mobile application, as well as view, copy or delete videos.

Specifications:

number of cameras – 1;
Ambarella A12 processor
video resolution 2304x1296;
memory card up to 128 GB;
viewing angle 140°;
screen 2.7 inches;,
battery 400 mAh
shock sensor, motion sensor

pros

Wi-Fi module;
USB support;
user-friendly interface;
automatic start of recording when the engine starts;

Minuses

There is no recording stop function.

Component

Usually consist of two components: a camera (or cameras) and a main unit. In this case, the camera can be placed under the mirror, the wire for its power supply can be hidden.

The advantages of such accessories include their compact dimensions, thanks to which the recorder does not interfere with the view through the windshield and is practically invisible from the street. But if you are not confident in your skills, it is better to entrust the installation of such a recorder to car service workers.

A component model may not have a screen at all, or it may be equipped with a 4-inch one at once - for example, a Full HD DVR , which includes not only a large display, but also three cameras.

VIEWING ANGLE

In the vast majority of cases, manufacturers declare an angle of 130 to 170 degrees for their models. Sometimes they are disingenuous by indicating the lens view not horizontally, but diagonally: with the same coverage, the diagonal angle is larger. The best way to check the gadget’s “outlook” is to watch the video it has shot. You should not blindly believe what is written in the official description.

Our tests show that the viewing angle for all models is sufficient. You should not pay special attention to this parameter. Only the cheapest devices (up to 3,000 rubles) can disappoint, but in principle we do not recommend buying them.

Built-in

If the best place for a recorder is near the rearview mirror, then why not build the device directly into the mirror? There are such models, both from little-known Asian manufacturers and from market leaders. The screen is usually hidden behind the mirror itself and is turned on separately.

The undeniable advantages include the minimal attention that the accessory attracts, as well as the almost complete absence of unnecessary elements. But one of the disadvantages is the need to either change the standard interior rear-view mirror, or broadcast the recorder on top of it.

Some recorders built into mirrors have an additional camera (such as Slimtec Dual M4 ).
Such devices allow surveillance, including in the cabin or in the rear hemisphere.

Battery life

The DVR is most often connected to the car's on-board network through the cigarette lighter.

The use of a rechargeable battery makes video recording possible when the engine is off.

Typically the battery capacity is small, 150 – 600 mAh and allows recording from 10 minutes to 1 hour. In case of an accident, this time is enough to make a video recording. Most often, battery-powered autonomous mode is activated if the vehicle's electrical system is damaged during an accident.

When the engine is turned off during parking and there is a motion sensor, the video recorder turns on from the battery when it detects movement near the car in the viewing area of the device.

Most often, lithium-ion (Li-Ion) or lithium-polymer (Li-Pol) batteries are used for autonomous operation of the device.

Choosing a DVR: which one is better? Main criteria

Such devices may have many useful functions, but the more sophisticated the DVR, the more expensive it is. Therefore, we want to focus on the main parameters that are really necessary in every registrar.

Video recording: resolution no less than Full HD. In fact, this is now the most popular format. Older models can shoot at 1280x720 resolution and lower, but these are worth buying only if you have a very limited budget. There is another extreme - devices that record in SUHD. Of course, this is great, but at this resolution the video will be very “heavy”; you will need a fast, large memory card. Therefore, we advise you to focus on the “golden mean”: the Full HD standard.

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Memory card for DVR: how to choose?

Screen: no less than 1.8 inches . There are models with a very tiny screen, but they have one problem: it is impossible to distinguish anything in the video when viewed on such a device. For example, you will not be able to prove to the inspector that you did not cross the marking line - unless you have a laptop with you and you can install a memory card in it. Therefore, a “must have” in a DVR is a screen with a diagonal of 1.8 inches. Don't go for touch screens. Poking your finger at such a small size is not very convenient, and you actually only need to set it up once.

Viewing angle: at least 120 degrees horizontally. This is the only way you can shoot a wide enough space in front of the windshield. Here you need to pay attention to an important point: some manufacturers indicate the maximum viewing angle at minimum resolutions. If you use higher resolutions, the angle may be different - for example, 100 degrees or less. Therefore, please clarify this point in the description.

IMPORTANT POINT : In order for the DVR to work correctly, you need to choose the right memory card.
If it is too slow, recording failures are possible; if it is too small in volume, the device will often overwrite it. We recommend that you first clarify what size cards the DVR you choose supports. Then look at the assortment, focusing on class 10 or higher (this is an indicator of the speed of writing data to and from the card). Then everything is simple - choose the volume according to the principle “the more, the better”).

How does the DVR work?

A camera installed on the windshield records when you are driving. As a rule, the DVR is powered from the cigarette lighter, so it usually turns on and off synchronously with the car's ignition on and off.

After turning on the DVR, recording is performed continuously. Each video, several minutes long, is saved on a micro SD memory card or on the internal memory of the DVR.

Useful functions in DVRs

HDR or WDR mode . At dusk or at night, headlights from oncoming cars and street lights usually create glare in the video. HDR/WDR mode helps to avoid this: as a result, you will see details instead of a white spot.

Image stabilization . As we have already found out, vibrations inevitably occur when a car moves. The stabilizer helps make the image clearer. Usually they use a software stabilization method, but in expensive models it can also be optical.

LED IR illumination. Several powerful LEDs illuminate the space in front of the recorder at night. In practice, this light only lasts for a meter or two, so if someone gets close to your car, you might be able to see their face in the video, but at a greater distance the LEDs are useless.

Camera database or radar detector . Since the device is already hanging under your glass, it would be logical to place a radar detector in it. There are such models, but they are much more expensive than conventional DVRs. A simpler option is a database with video camera coordinates. In this case, the device is powerless against mobile radars, but will warn about the presence of stationary video surveillance. But there are also full-fledged hybrids with radar detectors - for example, Inspector Barracuda .

Shock sensor . One of the main functions of a DVR is to capture the moment of a possible accident. But there is a nuance: recording in such devices occurs cyclically. It may happen that while you are waiting for inspectors or sorting things out with another participant in the accident, the recorder will record a new one over an important fragment of the video. To prevent this from happening, DVRs use a shock sensor. It makes it clear to the electronics that some kind of force majeure has occurred, and the video recorded before the impact must be protected from overwriting.

Motion Sensor . This is not to say that it is a very necessary function, and certainly not necessary if you are removing the DVR from the glass. If the sensor recognizes movement in the frame, it gives a command to start video recording - the device, of course, must be in standby mode. The function can be useful in a yard parking lot or suburban area, where the appearance of moving objects does not occur as often as, for example, on the street. There is a motion sensor - usually a must-have in mid-price devices - such as Xiaomi DDPai MOLA A2 .

GPS module . The main purpose is to record GPS coordinates and “tie” them to the video. However, such a module can also be used to determine speed, then the recorder will be able to warn you if you have exceeded a certain limit, and in the event of an accident, it will be easy for you to determine how fast you were moving - this may be useful in further disassemblies.

Technologies
GPS and A-GPS: what is the difference and which is better?

Built-in battery . Previously, this option was very popular, but now that every smartphone has a camera, its demand has noticeably dropped. Nevertheless, we find it useful. The fact is that when shooting with a smartphone, you will record a separate video that is in no way connected with the video on the recorder. If the DVR itself has a battery, you can shoot in “one take.” Such a video will have more confidence on the part of traffic police inspectors and judges. Built-in batteries, as a rule, do not last long: for example, CARCAM R2 can shoot up to 15 minutes. without power connection.

HELPFUL ADVICE . Most modern DVRs are powered from an on-board socket or cigarette lighter socket. Since there is usually only one socket, connecting a device actually deprives you of the ability to use, for example, a smartphone charger. In this situation, a splitter will help - approximately the same thing that in everyday life we call a “double” or “tee”. But be careful: you cannot plug several powerful consumers into the outlet at the same time, otherwise the circuit fuse will at least blow out.

Why do you need a car DVR?

In addition to basic functions, a car DVR can have many additional features. For example, some dash cam models can be used to display the best route for commuting or to improve road safety (lane control, etc.). At the same time, the DVR can notify you of a deviation from a safe course using sound alerts. In addition, some DVR models have a convenient interface with which you can easily share photos and videos with friends.

Despite the wide variety of functions of modern video recorders, their main purpose is to record events and provide evidence. At the same time, a video recorder can be useful not only in case of an accident. For example, if your parked car is broken into by an intruder, the dash cam will help you provide evidence of the incident.

Not sure about your choice? Take a test drive!

Many stores today offer a very convenient service: test drive of DVRs. It looks like this: you pay for the purchase, take the device and use it for a certain time (usually no more than 2 weeks). If for some reason you are not satisfied with it, the store will accept it back and return your money. Or exchange it for another model.

We advise you not to neglect this opportunity, even if the recorder costs more in the store than in AliExpress. As practice shows, in devices directly ordered from China, there are often inconsistencies between the actual characteristics and what was in the description. If you are lost in the selection and don’t know which DVR is best to choose, reviews from real users will help you focus on the best models.

More details about some DVRs:

iTracker mini 0906: “dual” DVR with good equipment
Garmin Dash Cam 55 DVR Review: Action Camera in the Car

Presence of radar detector

The presence of a radar detector in DVRs is an additional option added by manufacturers. To do this, you need 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 recorder receives GPS data, it is compared with the camera database and the driver receives information in advance about the need to reduce speed.

The database must be updated in a timely manner to obtain current information, but still such devices are not absolutely reliable.

DVRs can be combined with radar detectors in one housing. This saves space in the cabin and makes the device a universal driver assistant.

Combo devices come in two types depending on the antenna used in the radar detector:

Horn antenna . Devices with such an antenna have an elongated shape and may look somewhat bulky.
Patch antenna (strip) . This is a printed circuit board containing radiating elements. This antenna is located vertically in the housing, so the device has a larger screen than a regular one.

Combined devices detect radar systems more reliably, but do not protect 100% from false alarms, especially when driving in a big city, where there is a lot of additional interference.