Blackbox DVR/Dashcam

[oj88]

A few weeks ago, a truck backed into my car, damaging the front bumper and LTO plate+plate cover. The damage is relatively superficial but it did required "hot-pressing" the dented portion of the bumper and repainting. This has all been fixed.

Anyway, this got me thinking of "what if" scenarios. If it weren't for the bystanders, nobody could've witnessed what happened and the truck driver could've easily claimed that I hit him and I would've not been able to claim for damages. I've seen this happen on Youtube and many times a dashcam can pretty much give a definitive account of different traffic incidents and altercations for purposes of proving that you're NOT in the wrong, as the case may be.

This prompted me to install one. The model I got has two cameras and a built-in GPS (for recording speed, direction of travel, and the ability to view recorded videos in-synced with Google Maps later). It also has a 3D G-meter (X, Y, & Z). Not sure yet how the latter can be helpful other than to measure the amount of forces involved in an accident.

Pics!

The Blackbox's white box packaging:


The Blackbox (well, it's painted silver in front):


The GPS antennas for my existing HU's navigation unit (left) and the blackbox (right):


External view:


Driver's view:


Playback sample capture (Sorry for the censor. Shy ako.. lol):


All wires are tucked into the roof lining and practically 98% hidden from view. I like my installs to be as clean as possible.

And to those thinking kinky thoughts.... Nope, I'm very much happily married and the possibility of a scandal video ever happening is very remote.

But I do reserve the right turn it off, if necessary. :naughty2:

[foresterx]

How much was it?

[oj88]

^ Oh yeah, forgot to mention. I got it in HK for 600HKD (about PHP 3.3k). It is available on Sulit for around PHP 4.5k.

[renzo_d10]

^ Mura na, ah.

[SiRbossR]

ui mura ha. i've been looking up at dashcams for weeks now.

[Walter]

Price depends on recording capacity. Some units can record 15 minute segments only even if your memory can store up to 12 hours, you will have multiple 15 minute files.

[Chikselog]

Sir where exactly sa HK mo nakuha? TIA. Hehe may kakilala kasi akong pupunta ng HK this week, sakto nakita ko tong thread.

[oj88]

Can't remember the shop, pero nagkalat sa Apliu St., Sham Shui Po.

[Chikselog]

Thanks sir oj.

[foresterx]

^ Oh yeah, forgot to mention. I got it in HK for 600HKD (about PHP 3.3k). It is available on Sulit for around PHP 4.5k.

1 seller lang nakita ko sa sulit 4,750 ang price kaso walang feedback at 5-7days daw kasi mang gagaling pa sa hongkong ang unit kaya pag bayad mo ng full mag aantay ka pa. medyo alanganin para sa akin yung ganon transaction. anyway tita ko naman parati pumupunta ng HK i just hope pumunta pa siya ulit this year. meron kasi ako ngayon galing cd-r king but i'm not satisfied with it.

[oj88]

^ If that's the case, pabili ka nalang sa tita mo. Matagal ko na rin nakita yung sa Sulit, but I don't like the idea of paying in advance. Gusto ko rin kaliwaan ang transaction. I had a chance to drop by HK last week kaya dun ko binili.

[oj88]

I should mention that it does NOT come with a micro-SDHC card. You'll have to purchase that separately. FWIW, I bought a 16GB Class 10 Kingmax micro-SDHC card. When buying memory, follow these guidelines:

1. It must have a speed class of Class 6 or higher. It records in 'almost' HD quality so transfer rate is crucial. That said, those cheap Class 4 micro-SDHC from CDR-King will probably choke and you'll end up with incomplete or corrupted videos
2. The store where I got it from recommends a minimum size of 8GB
3. The memory must be formatted while inserted in the DVR (Menu>Format Card). What it does is, it copies an application on it (JPlayer) which you can later run on a PC to view the videos (see last pic on my first post). The video files are stored in a hidden partition and only this program can see them. The videos can't be natively seen by Windows, afaik. However, you can use this program to export the videos to an AVI file to be saved in your hard disk, if you want.

[oj88]

Price depends on recording capacity. Some units can record 15 minute segments only even if your memory can store up to 12 hours, you will have multiple 15 minute files.

This model saves videos in a seemingly proprietary format that only the included player (JPlayer) can view them. The files can't be seen using Windows Explorer.

Anyway, If you look at the screencap I posted, the DVR has a rather clever way of managing the videos. The lower pane are the recorded incidents. On the lower right, are the contents of a particular recorded duration. This way, you are given the option to export the whole trip or just specific portions of it.

[siacojin]

You can playback the videos from the device itself right?

[swordsman]

Where did you have it installed?

[Harangody]

Guys okay ba quality nung sa CDR King?

Yun lang nakita kong shop na may benta eh.

[renzo_d10]

Sabi ni foresterx hindi raw.

[oj88]

*siacojin:

Yes, you can watch all recorded videos on the device.

*swordsman:

It's a DIY install. 30-minute job.

*Harangody:

My brother bought one but it only lasted a few months.

[JJB]

* oj88: during playback, can you easily see plate numbers of cars while theyre moving? Just want to have an idea of the camera's resolution especially with moving objects. TIA!

[oj88]

* oj88: during playback, can you easily see plate numbers of cars while theyre moving? Just want to have an idea of the camera's resolution especially with moving objects. TIA!

Well, it's not a GoPro ;). Another thing is that it uses 'fish-eye' lenses so objects appear farther than they really are. That said, plate numbers only becomes readable when it's practically a few meters right in front of you.

You can opt for better resolution if you want, but there's a trade off. The DVR can record from both cameras simultaneously (by default), or just either the front or rear cameras. Recording from both cameras effectively halves the resolution of both video feeds. If you set it to use just one camera, it captures at full resolution.