In-car camera.

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In-car camera.

another solution is to use a suction mounted universal phone holder, and a long length recording device, camera/camcorder/phone. I use a Kodak MV camera, only records in VGA but can read number plates. and i sometimes use my HTC Desire phone which records in 720p High Def.





Give Dailyroads a go, I've just started trying it recently on my Desire (running Leedroid)

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.dailyroads.v

It constantly records, then saves based on input from the motion sensors, you can also touch the screen to retain anyway if you want or need to. (y)

If you press home (instead of back) it carries on running with some buttons overlaying anything else on screen, so you can use gmaps navigation, the MP3 player, etc at the same time :)

Also IMO the Desire's 720p mode is a bit pants, 800x480 blown up isn't a great deal different and will save a load of space on your SD.
 
I've tried using my mobile as well as my digital camera set to video AND my video camera - but all rely on a degree of OCD to remember to fit the device each time and set it recording - not to mention keeping the battery topped up. With the specialised camera, they are designed to :-> draw power from the car
> begin recording as soon as power is supplied and
> stop recording as soon as or shortly after power is turned off
> cycle recording so when the SD card is full, they record over the older files
> wide angle lens (typically 120degrees) to capture more information
> set it and forget it.

One thing I will say though, no matter how good the camera, always provide some commentary 'just in case' the reg isn't clear or something happens that might be just out of camera view.

I've only just got the card for my new camera. I have to say that the daytime footage is very clear - although as I haven't read the destruction manual (being a bloke) I've yet to take full advantage.
 
Yeah the dedicated devices are good but if you've got a flash phone then it's nice to be able to download a free app and mostly get the same functionality for nowt - maybe handy for occasional use, like hire cars :)

Also, some of these Android phones can detect when they are put into a car dock, and this software will pick up on that and start to record automatically - still only any good if you remember to do this, though.
 
Yeah the dedicated devices are good but if you've got a flash phone then it's nice to be able to download a free app and mostly get the same functionality for nowt - maybe handy for occasional use, like hire cars :)

Also, some of these Android phones can detect when they are put into a car dock, and this software will pick up on that and start to record automatically - still only any good if you remember to do this, though.


Ahh, right. Wasn't aware of this feature. For me, though, I found it a real PITA when I was using my digi camera, remembering to stop/start recording as well as taking it with me each time etc. I do like the set & forget fuctionality. Have to say with my latest one, the pics are great but I have yet to set it up - it has to be connected to a screen. The T-eye can be set using the software on the card.
I reckopn things'll really hot up in the near future when these phones become dirt cheap & so affordable as a second phone to always leave in the car .
 


Just ordered one of these off ebay. A shade over £40 but seems great value as it includes a remote camera for the rear - and the screen can show front, rear or PiP - so great as a reversing cam!
Looking at the YT review, the cam seems to give reasonable footage, especially given the reasonable price.

I recently bought a sub £20 cam, the footage was OK-ish but the cam interfered with my radio & the playback sound was crap. I don't always include sound in my YT clips but it's useful to have sound to give myself an audio commentary in case the cam doesn't pick up a number plate (for example).
 
Review: Front & Rear HD Car Dash Cam - YouTube

Just ordered one of these off ebay. A shade over £40 but seems great value as it includes a remote camera for the rear - and the screen can show front, rear or PiP - so great as a reversing cam!
Looking at the YT review, the cam seems to give reasonable footage, especially given the reasonable price.

I recently bought a sub £20 cam, the footage was OK-ish but the cam interfered with my radio & the playback sound was crap. I don't always include sound in my YT clips but it's useful to have sound to give myself an audio commentary in case the cam doesn't pick up a number plate (for example).

You a link to the one you've purchased please SG. I'm wanting to buy the same unit after post in the LL dash cam thread but can only find them at £68 on eBay :eek:
 
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Ordered 12th, confirmed dispatched on 15th.
Tat from China generally takes a week but they reckon to wait at least a month.
I generally give them 3 weeks then file a paypal claim for INR.

Will let you know what happens & post footage as soon as possible.
 
Mine arrived on friday (26th), set it up in my car this morning & went for a drive this afternoon.
Just uploading the footage to youtube as I type.

Sadly, the only instruction manual was all in Chinese:cry:
Also, the language on the cam was also set to Chinese:cry:

I ended up opening and scrolling through every option until I saw 'English'. I can only assume I've got the settings correct.


It's ready.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8pv0hmpffI&feature=youtu.be

Took the dog for a walk in the afternoon then popped into Tescos for a few bits for tea, by which time, darkness had descended so showing day and night footage.

The camera saves 2 files (DCIMA & DCIMB) 1280x720 at 29fps. So for the footage (above) I had to drop file A to the main track and file B to the PiP track, it doesn't save it as you see on the YT clip.
I muted the audio on the track mainly because SWMBO was wittering about obscure sh!te all the way through but TBH, it doesn't come out that well.
 
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