lacning74

Sorry for the confusion. It can only have one setting. I have it wired to an always-on source. I just meant if you wanted it only on when the car is running, you can wire it to an ignition switched fuse since the unit automatically starts up when it receives power. If I did wire it to an ignition switched fuse, I would probably set the DVR to be continuous recording then.

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skuller

I see.
are you using 24 hour motion detection? or always on when ignition on?

I am planning to have 24 hour motion detection but the main purpose of my setup is video taping any possible future accident (I hope none happen).
How's the motion detection while driving? is it continuously recording or there's a few seconds gap every here and then?

I haven't install mine since the camera is huge, about 12cm long w/ lens. I need to figure out how to mount it.

lacning74

I have it on 24 hour motion detection. Pretty much no gap while driving except while stopped at a light if the intersection is not busy enough to keep the motion detector going. I have noticed a gap also while driving on a dark road for a while since there wasn't enough movement activity changes on the screen to keep it recording. You can lower the threshold sensitivity so it will pretty much stay on with any movement. You can also set how long it stays on after motion stops.

skuller

What kind of dc-dc regulator do you use?
I am not sure which dc-dc regulator with high efficiency
I have lm78xx regulator, but since it's a linear reg. it would waste too much energy and drain the battery.

Also, how about engine cranking? With your dc-dc regulator, does it affect the camera and dvr?

sxott

I wish to heck I had a dash cam.

I was driving with my wife, doing exactly the speed limit. Saw a cop pull into traffic behind me. Checked speedo and ensured I wasn't speeding. Continued along knowing cop was there. Then after a few lights (stop start) still checking speedo very carefully I come to stop at a red light, the cop flips his lights on and pulls me over.

He did not use a Radar, lidar, anything. He simply saw me accelerate quickly from a light and then assumed I was speeding 10 over. I hadn't had a speeding ticket for about 5 years previous so I could do defensive driving, but I was innocent so it made me mad. Went to court and they offered deferred adjudication (but I pay fine and stuff still), but I was innocent. Went to court and basically proved IMO my innocence as the distance between the light that was green, and the light that was red where I stopped completely. Basically there wasn't enough distance to get up to the speed he said I was going and completely stopped in the length available. The cop actually told me I convinced him after the case (not that it matters). The judge reduced the fine to the same as defensive driving would have been, but like I said I was innocent (and it went on record) so it was annoying as hell to me.

Furthermore the judge at the end of the case goes, "I'll call you on Monday with the results" so you don't even know the outcome at the end... I learned my lesson though, don't go to court if you are innocent, go if you are guilty and you need to get it reduced.

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lacning74

no regulators for me. living dangerously i know. my camera and dashcam are wired to the fusebox directly via an Add-A-Circuit. no issues so far despite the voltage spikes and variations.

DodgeCummins

You realize that if they really wanted to push it, if you were to try and show a screen shot or video of the incident...

...they would want to examine the whole system as installed in the car, test it...AND want to view the rest of your video/screenshots.

In other words, they may find more things that you don't want them to know.

It isn't like you can walk up with a photo and say "see I'm innocent". That will never pass...they will assume it was edited.

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erkme73

Everything except the DVR requires 12V - so I just use the car's system power. The DVR, which runs on 5VDC, is powered with an old cell phone charger (12VDC in 5VDC out) that I hardwired under the dash.

I have the motion detect and threshold set at maximum so even a bird fly-by will activate the record. There is a slight stutter between each of the 4-6 second clips when replaying video (maybe 2-4 frames lost every 4-6 seconds). This is a result of the multi-file recording approach. By doing this, if the unit loses power while recording, you only lose the last clip. If it was writing one long file, it would likely corrupt the whole thing... plus, it wouldn't be able to write over itself when the card is full.



Not true. In my case, there was no challenge to the credibility of the evidence. I suppose that is up to the magistrate, but I was in and out in no time.

erkme73

It only takes one event like that to really poison your view of the police... and to realize a system like this will pay for itself the first time you use it (not just in $$ but in wasted time).

The DVR I'm using (and the one others have started using) does record AUDIO as well. I strongly suggest you also install a microphone for an added level of protection against the occasional rogue officer or any other event that may occur (traffic altercation) off-camera.

sxott

That isn't true. They cannot do that. At least if you had a lawyer of any type.

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erkme73

Correct - and in a civil case (which is what speeding tickets are), you can provide any evidence in your defense - circumstantial or otherwise. Given that the testimony of an officer is considered 'trustworthy and honest' unless proven otherwise, your word against theirs is useless. You must have something to prove the 'otherwise".

lacning74

My wife was involved in an accident where she was clearly on my dashcam (thanks to this thread ) crossing an intersection with a green light and hit a bicyclist. Thank goodness there seems to me no major injuries for all parties involved.

What should I do with the video footage? Is it okay for me to post it on youtube? Will posting it for the public effect things in the future if it's used as evidence in a court case? Should I let my auto insurance company know?

surtr

I definitely wouldn't do anything with it before speaking with your attorney.

erkme73

If the people in the videos are not identifiable, and you post it with a name not tied to you, I'd say do it - but really, my POV is skewed. I want to see it!

lacning74

The bicyclist is clearly identifiable.

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