Dashcams

A dash cam is a compact video camera mounted to a vehicle's dashboard or windscreen that continuously records the road ahead. Its primary purpose is to act as a "silent witness," providing objective video evidence for insurance claims, police reports, or legal disputes following an accident.

Primary Mechanisms

• Loop Recording: To avoid running out of space, the camera records in short segments (1–5 minutes) and automatically overwrites the oldest footage when the memory card is full.
• G-Sensor: An internal accelerometer detects sudden impacts or emergency braking, automatically "locking" that specific video file so it cannot be overwritten by the loop system.
• Auto-Start: Most units trigger recording the moment the engine starts, ensuring no journey is missed.

Popular Features

• Resolution: Modern units range from 1080p Full HD to 4K, which is crucial for identifying small details like license plates or road signs.
• Night Vision: Specialized sensors (like Sony STARVIS) and High Dynamic Range (HDR) processing help capture clear footage in low-light or high-glare environments.
• Parking Mode: If hardwired to the car's battery, the cam can wake up and record if it detects motion or a physical bump while the vehicle is parked.
• GPS & Wi-Fi: GPS logs speed and coordinates, while Wi-Fi allows users to download and share clips directly to a smartphone app.