Re: Dash cams

On 2/23/2021 9:57 PM, VanguardLH wrote:
> 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.

IR won't illumanate far ahead and it might reflect back from the 
windshield glass.
> 
> 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.