memphis_s4
02-18-2012, 05:37 PM
After some research and after thinking about the potential benefits of an investment like this, I decided to get a dash cam. This particular model records audio and video and has built in GPS. The GPS logs speed and location and you can play back your video side by side with a map showing your route and speed. Also, it has a G- sensor and some other miscellaneous features...
I did this for a few reasons. First of all, I live in Memphis.... there are a LOT of bad drivers (many uninsured) that would surely run if they hit a car as nice as a S4. Also, there is a lot of crime in certain areas. I dont live in a bad area and I avoid them as much as possible, but crime has a way of "creeping" into the safe areas, from time to time, and you just never know. I am not paranoid, but I figure that any kind of evidence I get out of this thing is well worth the time, money, and headache fighting "your word vs mine" style with someone in court. Plus, these are not cheap cars. This is my 1st really nice car and Im a young guy. I want to protect my investment, and $200 is well worth it to me. I also did this because I am fairly novice when it comes to electrical work, so I wanted to take on a little challenge.
This camera has 2 built in modes of recording: Continuous and Impact (or something of the sorts). With the Impact mode, all it does is turn on when it detects an impact. Well, that is basically worthless because what good is the footage if you dont see the events leading up to the accident? So I keep it in continuous. HOWEVER, there is a problem with the system as a whole..... there are really only 2 ways to wire it: To a continuous power source (meaning it records constantly even with the car off unless you reach up and unplug it every time) OR to a noncontinuous power source (one that turns on with the ignition). If the camera had a motion detect feature that turned the camera on when it detected motion (or something like that) it would be ideal.
I still wanted the system to, by default, operate on a noncontinuous circuit with the ability to quickly switch it to a continuous circuit if I am in a bad part of town or for whatever reason. So I made a switch that allows me to switch from one circuit to another and it works great! So, as of right now, the camera records while I am driving. If I turn the car OFF the camera turns OFF. However, IF I am leaving my car and want to record what goes on while Im away, all I have to do is flip the switch to change it to the continuous circuit.
Once I get my windows tinted I am going to get another one for the rear of the car. Ill call it quits after that. I will probably purchase the less expensive bx-1000 for the rear.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jLPI0AmknXI/T0AP7LvPl6I/AAAAAAAAAUU/GqkVdyUzkf4/s640/P1010434.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jc6dyMLeveg/T0AP6vhwZAI/AAAAAAAAAUA/ptuBDPzoDjA/s640/P1010433.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZOmNyqe4lRY/T0AP3bH4HYI/AAAAAAAAATI/ahkLUnfy__c/s640/P1010428.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DbGpDWENfC0/T0AP2WBJiYI/AAAAAAAAAS4/6HQZKNUF0TQ/s640/P1010427.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1TW447tggHs/T0AP2cjsc-I/AAAAAAAAATE/Qxsyx67PlXo/s640/P1010426.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8fFznmf68Hk/T0APyJtrOAI/AAAAAAAAASY/4TD2-HZoHl8/s640/P1010421.JPG
My little schematic. Im no electrician, but I think this makes sense.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IfBZeP68PGs/T0BNP__wGsI/AAAAAAAAAU4/LjfP9F_waHM/s1063/Dash+Camjpeg.jpg
EDIT: Here is a short segment from my dash cam. I purposely made a phone call to demonstrate the clarity of the audio. Afterwards, you can hear Siruis' "Area" station playing. My volume was not up loud, but with my sound focus set on DRIVER and the sensitivity of the camera it sounds pretty loud. Also, this is not the interface that you see with the software. This is AFTER I converted it to a .avi in order to share it. When you convert it you are given the options of selecting if you want sound in the video, speed, latitude and longitude, and time/date. I did all of them to show this.
Oh and, before you ask, my little maneuvering there at the end is something that I always do. I always park next to curbs, minimizing the space between my wheels and the curb, in order to stay away from other vehicles. That way, I don't have to worry as much about door dings. I am OCD like hell. If I see someone pulling in next to my car (like when im at the gym like I am in this video), I will walk over to the windows and just watch them while making the ugliest grimaces just from imagining what it would look like if they dragged their bumper down the side of my car.....While, at the same time, conjuring up any jedi powers that I may possess in order to use my mind to keep them from hitting my car. It works.
http://youtu.be/doOwh7MIeD0?hd=1
Just thought I would share this with you all.
Take care!
I did this for a few reasons. First of all, I live in Memphis.... there are a LOT of bad drivers (many uninsured) that would surely run if they hit a car as nice as a S4. Also, there is a lot of crime in certain areas. I dont live in a bad area and I avoid them as much as possible, but crime has a way of "creeping" into the safe areas, from time to time, and you just never know. I am not paranoid, but I figure that any kind of evidence I get out of this thing is well worth the time, money, and headache fighting "your word vs mine" style with someone in court. Plus, these are not cheap cars. This is my 1st really nice car and Im a young guy. I want to protect my investment, and $200 is well worth it to me. I also did this because I am fairly novice when it comes to electrical work, so I wanted to take on a little challenge.
This camera has 2 built in modes of recording: Continuous and Impact (or something of the sorts). With the Impact mode, all it does is turn on when it detects an impact. Well, that is basically worthless because what good is the footage if you dont see the events leading up to the accident? So I keep it in continuous. HOWEVER, there is a problem with the system as a whole..... there are really only 2 ways to wire it: To a continuous power source (meaning it records constantly even with the car off unless you reach up and unplug it every time) OR to a noncontinuous power source (one that turns on with the ignition). If the camera had a motion detect feature that turned the camera on when it detected motion (or something like that) it would be ideal.
I still wanted the system to, by default, operate on a noncontinuous circuit with the ability to quickly switch it to a continuous circuit if I am in a bad part of town or for whatever reason. So I made a switch that allows me to switch from one circuit to another and it works great! So, as of right now, the camera records while I am driving. If I turn the car OFF the camera turns OFF. However, IF I am leaving my car and want to record what goes on while Im away, all I have to do is flip the switch to change it to the continuous circuit.
Once I get my windows tinted I am going to get another one for the rear of the car. Ill call it quits after that. I will probably purchase the less expensive bx-1000 for the rear.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jLPI0AmknXI/T0AP7LvPl6I/AAAAAAAAAUU/GqkVdyUzkf4/s640/P1010434.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jc6dyMLeveg/T0AP6vhwZAI/AAAAAAAAAUA/ptuBDPzoDjA/s640/P1010433.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZOmNyqe4lRY/T0AP3bH4HYI/AAAAAAAAATI/ahkLUnfy__c/s640/P1010428.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DbGpDWENfC0/T0AP2WBJiYI/AAAAAAAAAS4/6HQZKNUF0TQ/s640/P1010427.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1TW447tggHs/T0AP2cjsc-I/AAAAAAAAATE/Qxsyx67PlXo/s640/P1010426.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8fFznmf68Hk/T0APyJtrOAI/AAAAAAAAASY/4TD2-HZoHl8/s640/P1010421.JPG
My little schematic. Im no electrician, but I think this makes sense.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IfBZeP68PGs/T0BNP__wGsI/AAAAAAAAAU4/LjfP9F_waHM/s1063/Dash+Camjpeg.jpg
EDIT: Here is a short segment from my dash cam. I purposely made a phone call to demonstrate the clarity of the audio. Afterwards, you can hear Siruis' "Area" station playing. My volume was not up loud, but with my sound focus set on DRIVER and the sensitivity of the camera it sounds pretty loud. Also, this is not the interface that you see with the software. This is AFTER I converted it to a .avi in order to share it. When you convert it you are given the options of selecting if you want sound in the video, speed, latitude and longitude, and time/date. I did all of them to show this.
Oh and, before you ask, my little maneuvering there at the end is something that I always do. I always park next to curbs, minimizing the space between my wheels and the curb, in order to stay away from other vehicles. That way, I don't have to worry as much about door dings. I am OCD like hell. If I see someone pulling in next to my car (like when im at the gym like I am in this video), I will walk over to the windows and just watch them while making the ugliest grimaces just from imagining what it would look like if they dragged their bumper down the side of my car.....While, at the same time, conjuring up any jedi powers that I may possess in order to use my mind to keep them from hitting my car. It works.
http://youtu.be/doOwh7MIeD0?hd=1
Just thought I would share this with you all.
Take care!