What is that?
Sometimes referred to as a dashboard camera or a vehicle “blackbox”, a vehicle DVR is simply a video camera installed in your car.

Why get one?
With our roads getting increasingly busy, the chance of being involved in a traffic incident is higher than before.You’ve probably seen tons of footage posted online of road incidents.

Chances are, they were made on a DVR (Digital Video Recorder). This in-car gadget has been gaining popularity among road users in Singapore to provide video evidence should anything unexpected occur. In case of a traffic incident, such DVR footage can help to prove your innocence if there are no witnesses, or if the other parties involved won’t tell the truth.

While today’s smartphones are able to double as a vehicle DVR, having a dedicated vehicle DVR system will save you the hassle of having to set it up every time before a drive.

What should I look for?
A basic vehicle DVR should have these features:
Automatic power-on and recording-start: This ensures that the camera turns on and starts recording when the camera starts to receive power from the vehicle.

Recording loop: When the memory reaches full capacity, the camera will record newer files over the oldest file. This is to ensure a continuous video stream.

Large storage capacity: While most DVRs can easily handle a 32GB SDHC card, several; high-end DVRs support the SDXC format, with a whopping 128GB (and up!) memory support.

I want something with more frills!
A basic DVR will cost you up to S$100. But the $100-$300 range cameras have with more toys, one of which being the GPS (Global Positioning System) data recording. Speeds and positions are recorded with the video. A GPS-enabled DVR usually requires a PC to view GPS data and are usually bundled with the compatible software.

Several DVRs also offer accelerometers (commonly known as “G sensors”) which measures the amount of force applied from three different axis to further supplement the video. This also requires a compatible software on a computer for viewing. If the camera has parking mode, any sudden movement measured on the G sensors will trigger the camera to save the video.

If you are willing to spend $300 and up, there is no shortage of premium cameras, along with these high-end features  to suit.

For a quick video transfer without using a computer, premium cameras usually feature Wi-Fi connectivity. It allows for wireless file transfer and video viewing. Many DVR manufacturers have used this feature to turn smartphones into a video monitor, as well as being a repository for your DVR’s videos. Also, this negates the need to remove the storage media from the camera.

Two-channel recording is a common feature for high end cameras. These systems usually consist of a main camera, and a rear camera connected by a cable. The most common configuration is to have a Full HD main camera at the front and a HD camera at the rear.

While some might go for a separate camera setup for the front and rear, a two-channel DVR records videos from both cameras onto the same storage, which saves the hassle of having to read from two separate storage.

What determines video quality?
In general, resolution is a good indication of video quality. An entry-level DVR should record at a minimum resolution of 480p. Mid range models will mostly feature high-definition (HD) 720p recording. On the premium front, models will feature at least feature 1080p full high-definition (FHD) video capability.

As lowly as it sounds, 480p will be sufficient for the majority of drivers. However, HD videos will pack in more details. License plates, road signs, traffic lights, will be more legible as the video resolution goes up.

However, the maximum resolution of the DVR is not what ultimately determines quality. Frame rate is measured in frames per second (“fps”, for short). Entry level DVRs usually max out at 24-25fps, while mid to high-end DVRs usually boast 30fps. The higher the FPS rating, the smoother the motion and more detail can be captured with less blurring.

Finally, the sensor and optics play the biggest part of the DVR’s image performance. The difference between budget and premium DVRs becomes more evident after the sun sets. There is a huge difference from an “unknown sensor” when compared with the 2.4 Megapixel CMOS sensors being used on high-end DVRs.

Great! Now that I know what I want, how should I install it?
Almost every consumer vehicle DVR is powered from a vehicle’s 12V/24V accessory plug. A car DVR is as easy to install as a car charger for a phone. But soon, you’ll realize that the unsightly wires can be an eyesore. And using the same plug for a phone charger means you’ll have to choose between having a phone with a low-battery or no video recording.

One solution is to get a 3-way power splitter, which adds to the wire clutter. The cleanest installation option is to go for a professional installation from DVR dealers. They can tap the camera’s power directly from the vehicle’s fusebox.

Another popular option for DVR buyers is to power it with a “power box” or a battery pack. Both options allow the DVR to continuously record after the vehicle’s engine is switched off. Commonly referred to as a “parking mode”, the power box and battery pack will prevent the DVR from completely draining the vehicle battery while it is in operation.