Re: Dash cams

Cameo <[email protected]> wrote:

> On 2/23/2021 7:42 PM, Wade Garrett wrote:
>> On 2/22/21 5:34 PM, Cameo wrote:
>>> On 2/22/2021 9:28 PM, VanguardLH wrote:
>>>> Cameo <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> On 2/14/2021 1:43 PM, VanguardLH wrote:
>>>>>> Cameo <[email protected]> wrote:
>> 
>> <SNIP>
>>>
>>> Smartphones don't have the video looping feature dash cams have. On 
>>> the other hand, it seems that even the oldest phones can record better 
>>> videos, especially in the dark, than most dash cams I've seen. I never 
>>> figured why a dash cam costing a couple hundred $s can't be made with 
>>> better lenses. The incremental cost couldn't be that much.
>>>
>> I don't think the lens is the problem- it's the sensor/processor.
> 
> Still, the incremental cost of a better sensor shouldn't be such a 
> hinderance.

As with home security cameras, get one with IR LEDs to see in dim
lighting, like before you decide you need headlights.  The best sensor
won't work unless it has some light to sense.  Wide view lets you record
more than just straight ahead.

The best dash cams aren't cheap.  Look at the prices mentioned at
https://www.techradar.com/best/best-dash-cam.  Up to you whether you
take a digital SLR camera on your vacation, or one of those cheap pocket
point-n-shoot kiddie cameras.  There are price points all over the place
depending on what consumers are willing to pay and what quality and
features they want.  Better quality costs more, and a lot more than just
the incremental difference for a "better" sensor since "better" is
subjective.  

It's not just the type of sensor.  It's also the size.  The larger the
sensor, the higher the image quality.  Better sensors also have higher
pixels density.  Along with a better sensor, the logic must handle the
higher data volume and at speed.  More data at slow speed means so much
tearing that the video is likely unusable, especially in a moving car.

I'm sure, to you, that a better sensor would only be incrementally more
expensive.  Doesn't work that way.  Plus a marginally better sensor
(more pixels, larger sensor, faster processing) means you'll probably
not notice a difference.  You'll want a much better sensor to be
visually "better" to you.