Dashcam

As Dashcam ( portmanteau word from English- dash board " dashboard "; camera " camera " ) is a video camera on the dashboard or referred to the windshield of vehicles that continually recording while driving.

• 3.1 Germany
• 3.2 Switzerland
• 3.3 Austria

Technology

Stand-alone devices

The camera is usually attached to the dashboard or on the windscreen. When fastening material suction cups or adhesive pads are often used.

In a Dashcam recordings, in contrast to conventional video recording systems continuously stored in a loop. After a programmable time or when reaching the memory limit of the storage medium older recordings will be overwritten. This function is often referred to as the loop recording. The contents are stored digitally. Typically supports SD Memory Cards and MicroSD cards up to 32 GB ( SDHC) and in newer Dashcams up to 64GB ( SDXC ) memory. Mostly the video data is stored according to the H.264 standard, so that the recordings can be viewed on most standard computer systems.

Many cameras have an accelerometer (G-Sensor ), which provides the current video with a write protection in the event of an accident. This ensures that the video is not overwritten. Incorrect adjustment and a bumpy ride but this may lead to unwanted triggers the write protection. In some car cameras, motion sensor and a - can be switched off and the sensitivity is adjustable.

Some Dashcams have an integrated GPS receiver. The resulting data determined, the respective position and the driven speed can be displayed directly in the recordings or, depending on the model used for later analysis.

In more and more Dashcams popular in the field of surveillance cameras WDR technology (English Wide Dynamic Range) finds its use. This technology is somewhat similar to the HDR technology in photography and is controlled by the image sensor. The use of a Dashcam with WDR technology has the advantage that adjustments to rapidly changing light conditions are possible. Moreover, the use of WDR that even under very low light conditions and in low light, yet contrasting video recordings are possible possible.

There are also cameras with driver assistance systems such as lane departure warning, distance alert (English Front Collision Warning System, in short: FCWS ) and traffic sign recognition. Due to the immediate display of the driven and the permissible speed on the rear panel, these systems can take a similar head-up display functions.

Alternative systems

At least a partial alternative to Dashcam are called Dashcam apps. Instead of a dedicated hardware, is this is a pure software solution in the form of a mobile app for a smartphone. They offer the usual manner already the necessary components such as camera, GPS and accelerometer. Especially for the Android operating system for the iPhone and there are numerous such Dashcam apps. While Dashcam devices normally cost between 50 and 300 euros, most Dashcam apps are free or have only a few Euros. However, since Dashcam devices are compared to Dashcam Apps fixedly mounted in the rule and not before and after each trip de - and must be mounted Dashcam devices offer as well as dedicated navigation devices have a high level of user comfort. It must also be noted that smart cameras are not adapted for example take a night ride. The video quality and the wide angle of current Dashcams reach a viewing angle of up to 160 degrees and is thus superior to a smartphone. In this respect Dashcam apps are more suitable for spontaneous shots.

Use and history

Motorists install these cameras to document traffic flows and so to prove the question of fault traffic accident or to bring wrongdoing of other road users to display or documentation of police checks. However, with some a fault of their own, the Dashcam recording affect the negatives of the owner, as the police have the right depending on the country to ensure the recording.

In Russia, the use of Dashcams is very widespread. The resulting records were bizarre or dramatic to the Internet phenomenon. Especially Dashcam recordings from meteor of Chelyabinsk have contributed to the popularity of the devices in Western European countries.

Situation of individual countries

Germany

In Germany, the use of car cameras as evidence is as yet controversial. Whether a picture is recognized as evidence or not, is at the discretion of the judge. It was in Germany quite already on cases in which a Dashcam recording by the court accepted and the sentence was significantly influenced.

Switzerland

According Digitec, demand for Dashcams in summer 2013, " low, but rising sharply ". The Federal Roads Office sees Dashcams no infringement of road traffic law, as long as " the camera field of view of the handlebar does not limit and it does not operate the camera while driving. " In contrast, one sees in the Office of the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner a breach of data protection law, since Dashcam footage and people are seen inevitably and they are not informed in advance within the prescribed transparency. For this reason, the Office published in July 2013 with an explanation of the recommendation on Dashcams to dispense. For the insurance company AXA Winterthur provide accident data storage is a better alternative because Dashcams would provide only a " limited field of view ".

Austria

In Austria the use of car cameras is forbidden and is up to 10,000 euros, in case of recurrence of up to 25,000 euros, punished. Thus, the Data Protection Commission followed the legal opinion of the nonprofit association Austrian Society for Data Protection.