In-Car/Mobile DVR (digital video recorder)

[ceric]

From my recent business trip to Asia (Taiwan/Japan), I found many vehicles have mobile DVRs installed/attached to the windshield.

One such DVR could be found below on eBay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Car-box-digital...=0&customid=link&campid=&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

This is basically a camcorder that is capable of
- automatic recording video into a set of small .AVI files (X-minutes long each).
- automatic recording over oldest files when SD card runs out of space
- automatic recording when power is on, and saving file based on on-board Li-Ion battery power on power-off. i.e. you don't need to turn it on/off at all. Just drive normally.
- recording video and voice simultaneously
- playing video files through composite cable to TV if needed
- some advanced models have GPS receivers and LCD display on it.
With DivX codec, at 720p/30fps, one can record 1min video clip with 100M memory space.
That is 2hr 40mins for a 16G SD Card.

Why? You ask.
According to folks in Asia,
when you run into accidents or dispute on the road, the video files become your best friends and evidences. You don't need to worry about the other party lying or finding witness if there is any at all.

In Taiwan, for example, the laws allow common citizens to send video clips to the police to give
traffic citations as long as the license plates are clearly recorded. The person who sent in the clip
can get up to 20% of the fines as rewards. There are people who make a living based on this.

I recently have one such DVR installed (total cost $100) myself.
I don't hope to get into accident, but if I ever do, it will be my best witness.
Especially, if the other party ever tries to lie about what happened, I will definitely smile and give the video clip to the policeman.

What do you folks think?
I will post a video clip as an example later if you are interested.

 

[knowaczark]

Looks very interesting and you can't beat the price. Can't wait to see a clip.

Did you hard wire it?

So many cables now with a Nuvi, Escort, cell phone, yuk.....

 

[Pootie Tang]

I think THEY are still out to get you.

 

[Pootie Tang]

Seriously though. Is it aimed forward? Doesn't seem too big.

 

[Foggy]

man, i would love to be able to tie this into a security system for the car too.

 

[ceric]

Actually more advanced models have dual camera, one facing forward, the other backward.
It records video in split screen format. Some even have GPS that can record your position.
I wouldn't go that far.

The video, after DivX, is still quite large (500M for 5 mins for HD-720p 30fps). I will post it to my youtube account and post a link later.
In fact, you can find a lot of them on the web. I don't know about the traffic where you live, but people in CA drive
pretty aggressively. Statistics show that people get into a minor fender-bender every 3 yrs, and more severe ones
every 10 yrs. With video as evidence on your side, truth will prevail. For $100 and 10 mins installation and no extra hassle in
driving (blocks the windshield a little), it is for peace of mind. Besides, you might happen to capture something interesting
along your journey... who knows?

BTW, the power cable is well hidden inside the roof/A-pillar trims (much like the Homelink/autodimming back mirror).
For now, the power is drawn from the socket. I might change that later.