Dash Cam Solutions Using Rotating Storage?

[PeteCress 0]

Looks like there's a wide array of dash cameras out there, but they all seem to use self-contained storage - as in SD cards and, preseumably, stop working once a card is filled.

 

What would appeal to me is a "set-it-and-forget-it" cam where it has maybe 64 gigs of storage and keeps rotating the storage. Maybe 5 or 10-minute clips, deleting the oldest clips when storage is low.

 

Ignition-switch-controlled would be nice too - so it shuts off once the ignition is off thereby preserving memory after a crash.

 

Does anybody have links to sites that show more sophisticated setups? Maybe a dash-cam NG?

 

Or is my assumption wrong about the use of storage and most cams already rotate storage?

[GMaster1 0]

I think most dash cams have the ability to do recycled recording. The ones I have worked with consume the entire SD card with video files as soon as you initially plug it in. From there, data is written with very little buffer to those files. PC software then decodes those set files into segmented clips that you can then extract.

 

I would think if you were making a dash cam prototype, a defaulted recycled recording option would be your first priority when considering storage

 

hah I pulled this out of my own dash cam. 640x480 Lorex V2 4GB SD running continuous as soon as engine turns on. Thing is pretty old now and I believe the SD card faults up in cold weather now.

 

bvTwqhsB32Q

[jeromephone 6]

we did a few bus cams and that setup has a delay built in that only starts or stops the cam 30 seconds after engine start they feel it protects the recorder /in this case harddrive from surges.

[GMaster1 0]

It starts power to the cam after 30 seconds or the video feed? Mine I remember it usually takes about 20-30 seconds to start cookin after 12v power is applied.

[PeteCress 0]

... "set-it-and-forget-it" cam where it has maybe 64 gigs of storage and keeps rotating the storage. Maybe 5 or 10-minute clips, deleting the oldest clips when storage is low.

Well *that* was kind of a naive question... at least in retrospect. Now I see that feature is SOP - as is ignition control.

 

Next question:

 

This seems like a ripe area for enthusiasts who want to go beyond off-the-shelf functionality. Does anybody know of a forum or NG dedicated to that?

 

Where I'm going is concocting some sort of DVR system using relatively low-cost USB webcams like my Logitech 9000 (http://tinyurl.com/cauxkb8 which gives impressively-clear images and has a built-in microphone).

 

Maybe build up an XP box on a Micro ATX mobo that's small enough to fit under the passenger's seat or in the glove box... then hang a few USB cams on it - served by something like Blue Iris....

 

Vehicle's ignition turns on, XP box boots up and cams are online within a minute or so.

 

I can imagine all sorts of issues with such an effort: power consumption, image processing power, confirming that the sys isn't hanging at boot time, and so-forth.

 

So, back to The Question... does anybody of a forum or NG that caters to people with such fantasies?

Edited February 28, 2013 by Guest

[Al Drake 0]

... "set-it-and-forget-it" cam where it has maybe 64 gigs of storage and keeps rotating the storage. Maybe 5 or 10-minute clips, deleting the oldest clips when storage is low.

Well *that* was kind of a naive question... at least in retrospect. Now I see that feature is SOP - as is ignition control.

 

Next question:

 

This seems like a ripe area for enthusiasts who want to go beyond off-the-shelf functionality. Does anybody know of a forum or NG dedicated to that?

 

Where I'm going is concocting some sort of DVR system using relatively low-cost USB webcams like my Logitech 9000 (http://tinyurl.com/cauxkb8 which gives impressively-clear images and has a built-in microphone).

 

Maybe build up an XP box on a Micro ATX mobo that's small enough to fit under the passenger's seat or in the glove box... then hang a few USB cams on it - served by something like Blue Iris....

 

Vehicle's ignition turns on, XP box boots up and cams are online within a minute or so.

 

I can imagine all sorts of issues with such an effort: power consumption, image processing power, and so-forth.

 

So, back to The Question... does anybody of a forum or NG that caters to people with such fantasies?

 

Try one of these

 

http://www.cobantech.com/www/ie8/EDGEMC.html

[GrouchoBoucho 0]

Looks like there's a wide array of dash cameras out there, but they all seem to use self-contained storage - as in SD cards and, preseumably, stop working once a card is filled.

 

What would appeal to me is a "set-it-and-forget-it" cam where it has maybe 64 gigs of storage and keeps rotating the storage. Maybe 5 or 10-minute clips, deleting the oldest clips when storage is low.

 

Ignition-switch-controlled would be nice too - so it shuts off once the ignition is off thereby preserving memory after a crash.

 

Does anybody have links to sites that show more sophisticated setups? Maybe a dash-cam NG?

 

Or is my assumption wrong about the use of storage and most cams already rotate storage?

your assumption is wrong - every dashcam i've seen cycles storage, continuously overwriting the oldest video. most use sd or micro-sd cards, which you can get in up to 32gb with sdhc spec, and 2tb with sdxc (make sure the specific camera supports these specs). sd cards *are* generally removable - not "self contained".

[PeteCress 0]

your assumption is wrong - every dashcam i've seen cycles storage, continuously overwriting the oldest video. most use sd or micro-sd cards, which you can get in up to 32gb with sdhc spec, and 2tb with sdxc (make sure the specific camera supports these specs). sd cards *are* generally removable - not "self contained".

Yeah... that finally dawned on me after reading about a hundred dash cam reviews... slower learner, I guess.... -)

 

One thing I'm thinking about with the separate "DVR" type setup is security of the storage.

 

I'm thinking that, in any accident where they have to cart me away and tow the vehicle; any conventional dash cam is likely to disappear - either by theft or confiscation.

 

Seems like, with a black box stashed under a seat or somewhere, the actual recordings are less likely to follow the fate of the cameras. For the truly-paranoid, maybe a mirrored SD card in a SATA wrapper in a lockbox separate from everything.... although even I think that might be taking things a little too far....

 

But the black box with a few decent USB web cams hanging on it....

Edited March 1, 2013 by Guest

[GMaster1 0]

The thought definitely crossed my mind a few times as well, but I never found a home made system/strategy that worked consistently and care-free enough.

 

I used to be an emergency datacenter specialist which basically translates to a stressed out Geek Squad agent with a license to drive...aggressively. After my first two months, I was given a turbo sedan fitted with some WICKED gear and upgraded suspension/brakes/engine to handle 4+ hours of abuse every day. My company thought of everything except dash cams, so I thought of requesting another PC to the car that would handle 2 channels--170 degree front and rear views.

 

There are a number of little PCs that work well for this. http://www.directindustry.com/prod/lanner-electronics-inc/fanless-embedded-computers-57512-641746.html

 

BTW - Even if you're not using them for mobile/car use, they make great medium size business firewalls. Netgate sells some awesome equipment.

 

I also found little devices like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0U00AG0785&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleMKP&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleMKP-_-pla-_-Home+Automation-_-9SIA0U00AG0785

 

However in the end I just mounted two dash cams. Funny enough, one of the accidents I got into did not record successfully. SD card was having I/O errors (they get hot in those enclosures). Also a speeding ticket in October was not reimbursed due to the GPS logger having com errors, but that's more of an HR/handbook problem at that point haha. But as I mentioned earlier -- I seem to have issues with dash cams and SD cards. Wonder what experiences people have with microSD cards and if they are more reliable..

[RecycledEl 0]

There are hundreds of all-in-car DVRs out there. Almost all do circulating recording if you turn that feature on. I pay under $100 each from DX.

 

Be careful...these last about 6 months in my truck due to the rough environmental conditions. Also, you need to buy a memory card.

 

There are DVR boxes designed for cars that take standard external cameras and record to a SD card. They look like car stereo amps, but act like security DVRs. Prices range from $30 for 1 input to $100 for $inputs.

[Ozone 0]

Don't look at any other dash cam's.

 

I personally use the ITB-100HD. It is probably the best dashcam available for the money. Contact Apple-ct on ebay as he is the supplier for the dashcam

 

http://stores.ebay.ca/APPLE-CT-STORE

 

It has a GPS signal so it can record speed(if you want you can turn it off)

Parking mode so when it detects motion it begins recording

Deletes the oldest file and continues recording.

 

a bunch of other things as well. I've owned a few dash cam's and it's by far the most reliable and my favorite.

[PeteCress 0]

Don't look at any other dash cam's. I personally use the ITB-100HD.

That is the one I was leaning towards.

 

Sounds like the maker started leaning on resellers sometime last year and the prices are now up around $240 from the mid-100's... and the reviewers were saying that makes it no longer a "best buy".... but the FineVue offering at a similar price does not offer built-in GPS - so, to me, that still leaves it as the high-end choice.

[Ozone 0]

Don't look at any other dash cam's. I personally use the ITB-100HD.

That is the one I was leaning towards.

 

Sounds like the maker started leaning on resellers sometime last year and the prices are now up around $240 from the mid-100's... and the reviewers were saying that makes it no longer a "best buy".... but the FineVue offering at a similar price does not offer built-in GPS - so, to me, that still leaves it as the high-end choice.

 

ITB-100HD is now around the $180 mark. You are looking at the new version the SP aka smart plus. The SP isn't worth the extra $60. Contact apple-ct through his ebay and get a quote. I believe the price is under $200 shipped.

[shaggy_3 0]

[PeteCress 0]

Looks like there's a wide array of dash cameras out there?

I found quite a few DVR units, but they were all CCTV, so the rez just was not there.

 

What I wound up with for my front-facing cam was one of these: http://tinyurl.com/mepj2ly

 

It's a Lukas 7300.

 

It's claims to fame:

 

• Decent, albeit not the very best, 1080 video
  .
  
• Separate modules for processor and camera. This makes swapping SD cards much, much more convenient and marking a noteworthy event is as simple as reaching out and tipping the processor unit enough to trigger it's gForce sensor - much easier than pushing a button, especially a button on a window-mounted camera.
  .
  
• Small camera size. Seems to me like a reasonably-stealthy installation.

 

Of course the manual sucks canal water - as, seemingly, all dashcam manuals do.... but the thing works and I really like the separate processor.

 

For the rear cam, I spent the better part of a hundred bucks on one of the classics: an F500LHD from SpyTech