Conduite plus sûre avec les systèmes de caméra embarquée

Avez-vous déjà conduit et été témoin de quelque chose que vous auriez aimé pouvoir capturer en vidéo ? Il peut s'agir d'un accident de voiture, d'un comportement de conduite étrange ou imprudent ou simplement de quelque chose d'intéressant que vous souhaitez partager sur les réseaux sociaux. Nous ne pouvons certainement pas conduire avec nos smartphones à la main, et quand quelque chose qui vaut la peine d'être enregistré se produit, nous avons généralement raté l'occasion de capturer le moment. Un système de dashcam est la solution. Lisez la suite pour apprendre tout ce que vous avez toujours voulu savoir sur les caméras embarquées et leur fonctionnement.

Qu'est-ce qu'une Dashcam ?

Une dashcam est un système d'enregistrement audio et vidéo compact conçu pour être monté sur votre pare-brise. La caméra est orientée vers l'avant et comprend un objectif grand angle qui captera presque tout ce qui se passe devant le véhicule. La plupart des caméras sur le marché incluent un microphone intégré, ce qui vous permet de suivre l'intégralité de l'événement au fur et à mesure qu'il se produit.

Fonctionnalités de base de la caméra embarquée

Les systèmes de caméra de tableau de bord sont généralement câblés dans le circuit d'allumage de votre véhicule et commencent à enregistrer dès que vous démarrez votre voiture ou votre camion. . Il n'est pas nécessaire de se souvenir d'appuyer sur un bouton. La plupart des systèmes de caméras incluent un accéléromètre intégré qui enregistre les forces dans les trois axes avec la vidéo. Ces informations peuvent être utilisées pour afficher les forces d'accélération, de freinage et de virage, ainsi que pour détecter les impacts en cas d'accident.

Les meilleurs systèmes de caméras sur le marché utilisent une carte SD ou micro SD pour stocker les informations vidéo. Ces formats de stockage numérique sont compacts et raisonnablement fiables. The small cards can be removed and connected to a computer in your home or office to view videos.

How Dash Camera Video Recording Works

As mentioned, most cameras start recording as soon as the vehicle ignition is turned on. Options in the setup menu allow the installer to configure the length, frame rate and the resolution of the video. Typical video lengths are one, three and five minutes. These short lengths make it easy to pick out certain events while ignoring long periods of uneventful driving.

Normal videos are stored on the memory card in a specific folder called Videos or something similar. Once the folder fills up, the oldest video is deleted to make room for a new one. The number of videos stored on the card depends on the resolution and, subsequently, the size of the video files in relation to the total storage space available on the storage device.

Most systems have a secondary folder with a name like Event. The videos stored in this folder have been flagged for safekeeping. A threshold for the onboard accelerometer can be set to trigger an event recording. Sudden deceleration caused by slamming on the brakes or hitting an object are typical trigger events. Most systems also include a manual trigger button that will let you save a file to the Event folder.

Going Back in Time

We mentioned at the begging of this article that a dashcam is a great tool to record an event that has already taken place. While that sounds a bit like time-travel, it’s quite simple in operation. Allow us to explain.

Your dash camera is always recording and saving content to the memory card. In the event of an automatic or manual trigger, the dashcam saves five to 10 seconds’ worth of information from before the trigger and 30 to 60 seconds of video after to the file in the Event folder. You can witness a car accident, come to a full and safe stop, then press the trigger button to store the entire experience for later review.

Should My Dash Camera have a Screen?

There are two basic styles of dash cameras:with and without a display screen. The inclusion of a screen makes it much easier to install and aim the camera properly. Having a screen also allows you to play videos back right on the camera unit. The tradeoff is, of course, the size of the camera system. Including a screen will make the camera larger. Choosing a camera with or without a built-in screen depends on your application and personal preference.

Dash Camera Options and Accessories

Many dash camera systems include or have a provision for an optional GPS receiver. When equipped with GPS, the longitude, latitude and speed of the vehicle are stored along with the video files and accelerometer information. Many video playback software packages (available as a download from the camera manufacturer’s website) overlay the vehicle location on Google Maps during playback.

Another very popular option for dash camera systems is a second camera. This camera can be placed in the rear window to capture activity behind the vehicle, or placed inside the vehicle near the rearview mirror to record the interior of the vehicle. Taxi, Uber and Lyft drivers like the ability to record what’s going on inside the vehicle.

Another feature available in premium cameras is the inclusion of a Wi-Fi network hotspot. This network connection allows you to communicate with the camera system using your smartphone. Some interfaces allow you to download videos from the camera to your phone for sharing. Others include the ability to configure settings on the camera remotely. A few companies even include cloud-based image storage. When you arrive home, you can connect your dashcam to your home Wi-Fi to upload videos.

Parking Mode Recording

Another popular camera option is called Parking Mode. When activated, the camera will operate even after the ignition is turned off. Parking Mode works in different ways for different cameras. Some record at a much lower framerate. Some monitor the image for changes (when a person approaches the vehicle, for example) and only start recording when a change is detected. Parking Mode is a great feature for people worried about someone breaking into or vandalizing their vehicle.

Battery management is an important consideration for dash camera systems that will continue to function after the ignition is turned off. The last thing you want is to have your camera run all night and drain your battery, making it impossible to start your vehicle the next morning. Some cameras have a built-in shutdown circuit that turns the camera off when the battery reaches a selectable voltage. A better solution is to add a dedicated battery for the camera system. A secondary unit reduces wear and tear on the main battery while providing excellent protection.

Let’s Talk About Image Quality

Beyond features, buying a dashcam is similar to buying any other video or still picture camera. The amount of information stored depends on the resolution of the camera system, the quality of the image sensor and the optics (lens quality) of the system. If you want a yes or no answer to who caused an accident, any recording system will work. If you are hoping to read a license plate or phone number from the side of a vehicle, you can never have too much resolution. It’s up to you to decide how much is right for your application.

In addition to resolution, consider image quality. Dash camera systems are hampered because the brightness and contrast required is always changing. The camera needs to function reliably when you are driving toward the sun or at night with only headlights lighting your way. The speed and accuracy with which the camera can adjust to these changes is an important factor in ensuring optimal image quality.

Finally, construction materials and quality are also a consideration. Does the lens assembly use inexpensive plastics that may distort when they get hot or turn yellow after prolonged exposure to the sun, or are the lenses made of glass? It can be very difficult to determine the quality of the internal components of a camera, so be sure to do your research.

Why You Need a Dash Camera

Finally, we should discuss just why it is a great idea to have a dash camera installed in your vehicle. There’s no doubt that a good public shaming on Facebook for someone who cut you off is great entertainment, but the need to protect yourself against fraud and false accusations is very real. You may have seen a news report of video of someone jumping on the hood of a vehicle stopped at red light and claiming the driver hit them. Believe it or not, this does happen. Another popular scam is for a driver to back their vehicle into a stopped car or truck while at a red light. The driver of the offending vehicle will claim that you drove into them. One of the latest scams involves drivers being flagged down by a person on the side of the road. The person will claim they are out of gas and offer supposedly expensive jewelry as collateral in exchange for some money to get gas. If you decide to stop, be sure to let the person know you have a dashcam recording everything, including their license plate.

Protect Yourself with a Dash Cam

Before you buy an inexpensive dashcam system online, drop by your local mobile enhancement retailer and ask about the features of the products they offer. More often than not, you will find much better performance and reliability from a premium product. You only get one chance to record an important event, so make sure you capture all the information you want or need.