Dash cams, what to get and where to get it (Q&A only)

Did anyone tested the power draw of DDPai M6 Plus when in parking mode?

54and56

kceire wrote: »

DD Pai M6 Plus arrived today.
If the camera works as good as it's packaged I'll be delighted.
It's replacing my Möbius so no rush to get it installed so will leave it till the weekend.

Any update on the installation and performance of the DD Pai M6 Plus? I've got one on the way.

[Deleted User]

grogi wrote: »

Did anyone tested the power draw of DDPai M6 Plus when in parking mode?

Anybody running a second battery for their dash cam setup?

grogi wrote: »

Did anyone tested the power draw of DDPai M6 Plus when in parking mode?

I've just finished installing my DDPai M6+. I bought the hardwire kit from Amazon which is pretty neat. The hardwire kit includes a small battery backup so you can connect it to an accessories fuse and still get 24hrs of parking mode. If you choose to connect it to a permanent fuse it also has a low voltage cut-out which should mean no flat battery.

I haven't tested the draw but the hardwire kit states 5V 1.5A and I have it running through a 2A blade fuse.

Any advice for software on a Mac? I have the DDPai M6+ as above. I've downloaded the trial version of DashViewer but when I open a file from the SD card all I get is audio. I can't see the videos and it doesn't pull in any GPS information. Are there any alternatives? I believe Registrator Viewer is only for PC? I really don't want to be using the App as its a work phone and only 16GB.

Bluefoam

I posted this in the wrong thread earlier:

I know this question has been asked already, but it can be difficult to review the tread if you're not involved in the discussion...

I've drawn my brother in law for Chris Kindle, he has asked for a dash cam that is good at night. The limit is €50, but I'm willing to up it to get the right thing...

What is considered the best at the moment? Are the Anker wireless cameras any good?

IrishZeus

Senecio wrote: »

I've just finished installing my DDPai M6+. I bought the hardwire kit from Amazon which is pretty neat. The hardwire kit includes a small battery backup so you can connect it to an accessories fuse and still get 24hrs of parking mode. If you choose to connect it to a permanent fuse it also has a low voltage cut-out which should mean no flat battery.

I haven't tested the draw but the hardwire kit states 5V 1.5A and I have it running through a 2A blade fuse.

Would you have a link to the hardwire kit with the battery by any chance?

AndyBoBandy

Senecio wrote: »

Any advice for software on a Mac? I have the DDPai M6+ as above. I've downloaded the trial version of DashViewer but when I open a file from the SD card all I get is audio. I can't see the videos and it doesn't pull in any GPS information. Are there any alternatives? I believe Registrator Viewer is only for PC? I really don't want to be using the App as its a work phone and only 16GB.

iMovie

I just use QuickTime to find the file(s) I need, then do any editing in iMovie,

I had that trial version of dash viewer (I think it was that one), but never found myself using it!!

Why the need for a map view of your video? You'll know where you were! And the video will back it up!! Those viewer apps that show he video/speed/map are just a gimmick.

Gumbo

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Any update on the installation and performance of the DD Pai M6 Plus? I've got one on the way.

Haven't installed it yet. I have the mobius still fitted hence the lack of urgency.
I will most likely do it over the Xmas break.

Cortina_MK_IV

Bluefoam wrote: »

I posted this in the wrong thread earlier: I know this question has been asked already, but it can be difficult to review the tread if you're not involved in the discussion...

I've drawn my brother in law for Chris Kindle, he has asked for a dash cam that is good at night. The limit is €50, but I'm willing to up it to get the right thing...

What is considered the best at the moment? Are the Anker wireless cameras any good?

Halford's have 2 Nextbase at €48. You can get cheaper online as some have reported on here depending on if you want to wait for it to be delivered from wherever (clock is ticking). The Nextbase 101 has been knocking about for a while but you can read the reviews of it. 112 seems to be the latest entry level (€48). I'd recommend Nextbase though.

Halford’s Link

I have no financial interest in Halford's.

Senecio wrote: »

I've just finished installing my DDPai M6+. I bought the hardwire kit from Amazon which is pretty neat. The hardwire kit includes a small battery backup so you can connect it to an accessories fuse and still get 24hrs of parking mode. If you choose to connect it to a permanent fuse it also has a low voltage cut-out which should mean no flat battery.

I haven't tested the draw but the hardwire kit states 5V 1.5A and I have it running through a 2A blade fuse.

That's why I am asking...

A quality powerbank is around 10 Ah - thus drawing 1A will render it flat in less than 10 hours.

One would want to have an intelligent DC-DC converter (not just a step-down) not to stress the car battery (which has the capacity in the area of 60 Ah)...

IrishZeus wrote: »

Would you have a link to the hardwire kit with the battery by any chance?

This is the one. Now I'm dubious about its claim to 24hr but most importantly is the low voltage cut out.

Boblov Original DDPAI 3m Hardwire 5V Adapter Cable Micro USB for M6 Plus Car Dashcam https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01J3CTSV2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_FLjrybBS70K0A

h3000

Bluefoam wrote: »

I posted this in the wrong thread earlier:

I know this question has been asked already, but it can be difficult to review the tread if you're not involved in the discussion...

I've drawn my brother in law for Chris Kindle, he has asked for a dash cam that is good at night. The limit is €50, but I'm willing to up it to get the right thing...

What is considered the best at the moment? Are the Anker wireless cameras any good?

Have a look at this guys dashcam reviews. He does great reviews with video samples of many cheap and expensive dash cams.
http://www.techmoan.com/what-is-the-best-dashcam/

Bluefoam

thanks h3000. I've ordered the Ddpai M6+... Hopefully it arrives before Christmas

whippet

I've had the DDPai M6+ .. for the last two weeks and delighted with it .. my first dashcam but everything works as its supposed to.

Haven't routed the cable properly just yet.

The iOS app is a little cluttered but works perfectly .. downloading clips can take a bit of time but as you only do that the odd time it's not a problem

I have a NextBase dashcam which I got hardwired and fitted with Halfords.

It came free with an 8-Gigabyte SD card. The salesman and the man fitting it told me that 8GB with hold roughly eight hours of footage (in three-minute segments). However, when reviewing my footage on my computer, it seems to only store about ten three-minute clips.

I will try to reduce the resolution to hold more (but I don't want to defeat the purpose of the dashcam by obscuring detail). I also use a speed stamp, a time stamp and a GPS location stamp. Do the aforementioned use a lot of space?

Is it possible to change the "format" in which the dashcam saves? IE, force it to save in DivX format to save space, or will I just go for a 8 GB card?

30 minutes of footage seems paltry for an 8-GB card.

Vic_08

dfeo wrote: »

I have a NextBase dashcam which I got hardwired and fitted with Halfords.

It came free with an 8-Gigabyte SD card. The salesman and the man fitting it told me that 8GB with hold roughly eight hours of footage (in three-minute segments). However, when reviewing my footage on my computer, it seems to only store about ten three-minute clips.

I will try to reduce the resolution to hold more (but I don't want to defeat the purpose of the dashcam by obscuring detail). I also use a speed stamp, a time stamp and a GPS location stamp. Do the aforementioned use a lot of space?

Is it possible to change the "format" in which the dashcam saves? IE, force it to save in DivX format to save space, or will I just go for a 8 GB card?

30 minutes of footage seems paltry for an 8-GB card.

It is about normal for dashcams. You cannot change the format unless the device supports them, higher compression codecs require more processing power to encode.

The embedded stamps and metadata don't add anything to the data use, HD video is just a very high bandwidth hog.

32GB cards can be bought for less than €10.

dfeo wrote: »

I have a NextBase dashcam which I got hardwired and fitted with Halfords.

It came free with an 8-Gigabyte SD card. The salesman and the man fitting it told me that 8GB with hold roughly eight hours of footage (in three-minute segments). However, when reviewing my footage on my computer, it seems to only store about ten three-minute clips.

I will try to reduce the resolution to hold more (but I don't want to defeat the purpose of the dashcam by obscuring detail). I also use a speed stamp, a time stamp and a GPS location stamp. Do the aforementioned use a lot of space?

Is it possible to change the "format" in which the dashcam saves? IE, force it to save in DivX format to save space, or will I just go for a 8 GB card?

30 minutes of footage seems paltry for an 8-GB card.

Is it running out of space or just removing the older clips?

grogi wrote: »

Is it running out of space or just remove the older clips?

You'll see that I said it only hold 3x10 minute clips. It's not really feasible to dismount the dashcam and delete as I'm driving if the journey is longer than 30 minutes. :rolleyes:

dfeo wrote: »

You'll see that I said it only hold 3x10 minute clips. It's not really feasible to dismount the dashcam and delete as I'm driving if the journey is longer than 30 minutes. :rolleyes:

I am asking if the footage for 30 minutes takes all of the available 8GB of space.

grogi wrote: »

I am asking if the footage for 30 minutes takes all of the available 8GB of space.

My sincere apologies. I misread. I do apologies if I came across as aggressive.

yes, it begins to overwrite the oldest ones when it reaches full capacity. 10 three-minute clips seems to occupy almost the whol 8 gigs

dfeo wrote: »

My sincere apologies. I misread. I do apologies if I came across as aggressive.

yes, it begins to overwrite the oldest ones when it reaches full capacity. 10 three-minute clips seems to occupy almost the whol 8 gigs

In that case upgrading to bigger card is the only feasible option. Unless there are compression/quality settings somewhere...

grogi wrote: »

In that case upgrading to bigger card is the only feasible option. Unless there are compression/quality settings somewhere...

Again, allow me to apologise for snapping. I thought you misread my post ... but it was I who misread yours :P The ironing is delicious. It just seems strange to me that the videos are such high space !!

I dismounted the camera there and lowered the "resolution" and changed the zoom slightly. Hopefully that'll fix it.

dfeo wrote: »

Again, allow me to apologise for snapping. I thought you misread my post ... but it was I who misread yours :P The ironing is delicious. It just seems strange to me that the videos are such high space !!

I dismounted the camera there and lowered the "resolution" and changed the zoom slightly. Hopefully that'll fix it.

You really need to pick up a larger SD card. 8GB is nothing when it comes to high def video.

Cortina_MK_IV

I've a Nextbase with a 32GB card. I tried a 64GB but it didn't work. As has been said, 8GB is too small.

Cortina_MK_IV wrote: »

I've a Nextbase with a 32GB card. I tried a 64GB but it didn't work. As has been said, 8GB is too small.

The >32 GB cards come formatted in exFAT. Those will not typically be recognised by dash-cams, phones etc - as support for this file system requires additional licensing fees.

Format it with FAT32 - in 99% cases will work just fine.