Skillful mimicry: TOP-5 DVRs on the rearview mirror

The Phantom RM-43DVR is an affordable entrance ticket to the world of overhead car recorders on the rearview mirror. The model does not attract too much attention from the street and remains unobtrusive to intruders.

The head unit of the traffic video recorder is installed on top of the standard rear-view mirror of the car. Its fixation is made on two rubber fasteners. The video is recorded on the model's camera in HD format (1280x720 pixels) and higher interpolated resolution (1680x960 pixels). The last manufacturer mistakenly calls the FullHD format. The picture from the main camera of the device does not shine with outstanding quality - the numbers of passing and oncoming cars in the frame remain readable only at a short distance and when moving at low speed.

Together with the video mirror, an external mini-cup is supplied, which is used as a rear-view camera. The video sequence is recorded on it in a modest resolution of 720x480 pixels. However, the screen of the device displays the image from the auxiliary camera at a resolution half as much (320x240 pixels). You can’t see small details on it, however, with the tasks of forming a picture of what is happening behind the car and reversing parking assistance, the camera contributes to a solid “five”.

In case of emergencies , the electronic mirror was equipped with a built-in 400 mAh battery. Also in the assets of the model there is a software function WDR(improves image perception in areas of strong lighting differences) and a G-sensor that responds to shocks. Well, the most delicious is the democratic cost of the Phantom RM-43DVR kit. Cheaper than it are sold completely “no-names” from the Middle Kingdom with dubious characteristics.

Often, for DVRs, to match the rear-view mirror, the screen “bites off” only a piece of the mirror panel. Whether it's the Aspiring Reflex 4 ADAX Full-Screen model, in which the display extends over the entire area of \u200b\u200bthe "facade".

The car recorder's screen size is 9.66 inches diagonally, and the image is transmitted to it in a resolution of 960x240 pixels. All control of the device functions is tied to touching the display. Simply put, it supports touch input. In addition to the display, you can display a picture from the front and rear cameras in one sitting, since the rear view auxiliary module is included in the model's standard package.

The camera of the DVR records a video sequence in a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels at 30 fps. The numbers of passing and oncoming cars in the frame remain well readable, regardless of the time of day. WDR technology comes to the rescue in compensating for excess light from oncoming headlights. Also, the model is ready to boast of passive safety features LDWS and FCWS (lane and distance control, respectively).

Due to its small size and protruding lens, the device does not always completely cover the regular salon mirror with its “body”. In order not to stand out against its background, Aspiring engineers introduced a retractable “tongue” with a lens into the design of the autoregistrar. The white coloring of his back slightly unmasks the camera, but it still does not catch the eye much. And this is one of the main points of the programme, prescribed in the requirements for a good DVR.

The Prime-X brand specializes in the production of additional equipment for vehicles. In particular, DVRs in the form factor of a rear-view mirror. A good example of this is the 050D.

The car recorder so skillfully mimics under the rear-view mirror that it is possible to suspect a video recording device in it only upon meticulous examination. It gives out a slightly protruding "process" with a lens, and from the side of the cabin - a 5-inch IPS screen in the left segment of the mirror. The image on the display of the DVR is displayed in a resolution of 854x480 pixels, while shooting on the camera of the model is in FullHD format (1920x1080 pixels).

The traffic situation is recorded both on the main camera of the device and on the reversing camera. It is attached to the car recorder "out of the box". Also, the "eye on the back of the head" serves as an assistant when parking in reverse - the picture from it can be seen on the screen of the DVR. The only thing you need is to stretch the wire through the entire cabin to the remote rear camera module.

The Prime-X 050D's software arsenal includes WDR, which allows you to see details in areas of the image with high contrast transitions(for example, from highlights to shadows). As a load, the car recorder got hold of a G-sensor, which is responsible for saving the video during shock effects on the car. And in terms of the “price / quality” ratio, equal models among colleagues in the shop can be counted on the fingers of one hand.

TrendVision is one of the generally recognized leaders in the arena of car recorders, created in the image and likeness of salon rear-view mirrors. Take, for example, the aMirror Slim Pro model, which does not take up extra space on the windscreen, does not require removal / installation when parking, and works under the supervision of a “green droid”. Let's talk about everything in order.

The DVR is mounted on a regular mirror using special elastic mounts. Through the mirror surface of the front panel of the device, the contours of a large-caliber screen (7 inches diagonally) are visible. Yes, not simple, but with support for touch control. In fact, the display of the car recorder is a kind of multimedia tablet running the Android 5.0 system. Let not the latest version of the “OS”, but with full support for installing applications from the “Google Market”, whether it be navigation programs or even games (it is highly not recommended to run them while driving).

The connection of the head unit of the car recorder with the World Wide Web is established via a Wi-Fi network (when distributing the Internet from a smartphone) or via 3G / LTE networks. Under this case, TrendVision aMirror Slim Pro was equipped with a SIM card tray. In close proximity to it is a memory expansion slot for a microSD card. Optionally, the DVR can be equipped with a GPS antenna. With it, the driver of the "iron horse" will discover the delights of navigation services and a GPS-informing system about stationary video recording cameras.

As for the quality of video recording, the model shoots in FullHD resolution on the main camera and in HD format on the auxiliary rear view module. The latter "covers the rear" and facilitates reverse parking. Useful additions on board the DVR are the HDR function (high dynamic range of the image) and the G-sensor, which allows you to automatically protect the last recorded video in an accident.

The Gazer product range includes video recorders for any budget. Thus, the MUW5000 model belongs to the upper strata of society for video recording of traffic conditions.

The car recorder combines in one bottle the image of a saloon rear-view mirror and a means of video recording what is happening in front of the “nose” of the car. A FullHD camera with a 140° field of view based on a 1/3" physical sensor and a progressive Novatek image processor was introduced into the model's equipment. at dusk, dawn and at night.

Installation of the DVR is possible instead of a standard rear-view mirror. Fortunately, the universal mount fits the lion's share of cars. A 4.3-inch touch screen with an auto-brightness function is integrated into the mirror front panel of the model. You can also configure the device and view the footage in the Gazer Dashcam mobile application — the dashcam connects to smartphones via a Wi-Fi wireless network.

For security shooting in a parked car, the model was equipped with a G-sensor. Another "feature" of the device is video recording after the engine is turned off (for 30 minutes to 12 hours). So that the DVR does not “eat up” all the energy reserves of the battery, it provides an option to control the minimum voltage of the car’s on-board network. When the indicator reaches 11.7 V, the device will automatically shut down. The car recorder lacks only a remote camera - it is possible to connect it to the head unit, but the rear-view camera itself will need to be purchased separately.