Several factors affect how long one can record using their dash cam without any memory left or the recording being overwritten by old footage. Knowing these factors will enable you to determine the best configuration for your needs.
Memory Card Size
The larger your memory card is, the more videos are stored in the device. Dash cam memory cards usually range between 32GB and 256GB or more. It has been estimated that a 32GB card can hold four to six hours, with a hundred twenty-eight gigabytes holding up to thirty hours, subject to the settings used.
There’s no question that a giant memory card is always a good move if you are moving to the recording for extended periods. If you plan to use your dash cam on a long road trip or wish to have it running even when the car is parked, then you are advised to go for a memory card with a bigger capacity.
Video Resolution
Also, the dash camera’s video quality determines the amount of memory it will consume on the memory card. Higher resolutions, such as 1080p or 4k, define better quality shots and help view tiny details like number plates, but they also occupy more disk space.
Selecting a lower resolution, such as 720p, would allow for a longer recording time but reduce the clarity of the video. Depending on the priorities, it is essential to optimize both the quality of the video and the time allocated to record.
Loop Recording
This feature will usually be helpful to you as it allows you to record videos when the internal memory gets full. It does this by simply erasing the old one. Thus, there’s no need to pause the dash cam because the storage space is full.
Your dash cam will continue to function like a regular camera recording, even with a positive feature known as loop recording. If you would like to store a significant portion of the video and it is set to be discarded, ensure that you push out the needed footage before it is overwritten.
Frame Rate and Compression
Another inevitable factor contributing to the size of your video files is the frame rate, which technically means the number of frames per second (fps) the dash cam is shooting. A higher frame rate, such as 60fps, will enable smooth video recording, even though this will require more space than a lower frame rate, e.g., 30 fps.
Video compression formats such as H.264 and H.265 have become helpful in shrinking files with minimal reduction in video quality. Because H.265 compression is better than H.264 compression, a dash cam that employs H.265 compression should allow a user to record for a long time without requiring a lot of storage. Check the best dash cam prices in Sri Lanka with advanced functions not found elsewhere.
These key factors will enable you to select the best memory card and resolution and advise on the settings that will increase the dash cam’s record time.
Average Recording Time Based on Memory Card Size
Now that you are sufficiently educated on the factors determining the recording period, one reasonable point that needs to be elaborated in quantifying factors is how long a device can record based on various memory card sizes and resolutions. This is how much footage, generally speaking, different memory cards will allow:
| Memory Card Size | 1080p (Full HD) | 720p (HD) | 4K (Ultra HD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32GB | 4-6 hours | 6-8 hours | 1-2 hours |
| 64GB | 8-12 hours | 12-16 hours | 2-4 hours |
| 128GB | 16-24 hours | 24-30 hours | 4-8 hours |
| 256GB | 30-40 hours | 40-60 hours | 8-16 hours |
Bear in mind that these times are approximations. The recording time will depend on the frame rate and the compression settings. Loop recording means the dash camera can resume recording thanks to overwriting old footage after the data limits are reached. No recordings will stop unless the camera runs out of battery.
The recommended card capacity for ordinary driving is 64 GB or 128 GB, which can be perfectly adequate. If you specifically ask how much memory card you may need for continuous recording, you can use a 256GB card if you want the system left on overnight in parking mode.
The Effect Of Parking Mode On Recording Time
A parking mode is a useful feature for every driver who wants to monitor his or her car while it’s parked. You may be worried about theft, vandalism, or your vehicle being hit by another and nobody being there to see, so you can be assured that, at the very least, a recording of such incidents will take place even if the vehicle is not in an active driving state.
What is parking mode? In layman’s terms, parking mode refers to the ability of the dash cam to rest in a low mode while the vehicle is off. Instead, it will wait until motion is detected or impact is experienced, such as when someone hits your car. This implies that the dash cam is not always on, which preserves power and storage.
There are a few types of parking modes:
Motion Detection: This dash cam feature turns on and records when it detects movements within the range of your motor vehicle. It adds value when catching an individual up to no good, such as vandalizing a car.
Impact Detection: As soon as someone touches the vehicle, the camera begins recording immediately if an impact occurs, such as a car hitting your vehicle.
This only takes place in parking mode, making it economizing in terms of memory instead of standard continuous recording. The activity level around the car mainly determines the recording period in parking mode. For example, if the vehicle is left in a very busy car park, the dash cam might capture more recordings than if it was left in a very quiet area.
Extending Recording Time with Larger Storage and Cloud Solutions
If you want to make sure that you can record for even longer than the specified recording time of your dash camera, you might want to consider some solutions that include:
Upgrade to a Larger Memory Card
The most straightforward option for prolonging recording time involves bringing in a larger card to accommodate more data. Cards with 256GB or even 512GB capacities are available and can significantly increase the time your dash cam can record before looping over older footage.
Cloud Storage Options
Some of the more recent models of dashcams have a provision for cloud storage, where all the video recordings are uploaded automatically. This can be helpful if you want to free up space on your memory card while keeping a backup of important footage online. With cloud storage, you can access your videos from anywhere, providing an extra layer of security in case your memory card is damaged or stolen.
External Storage Devices
For those who want an even greater backup capacity, directly using a portable hard disk or a NAS box to store their dash camera footage via the dash camera may be another recourse. However, this setup may require advanced technical knowledge and compatibility checking of your dash camera.
Maximizing Dash Cam Recording Efficiency
Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your dash cam’s recording time:
Reduce the Video Resolution: If recording time is more important than video quality, go from 4K down to 1080p or even 720p, which is so much more storage, much more recording time, and much longer editing time.
Adjust Frame Rate: Lowering the frame rate from 60fps to 30fps will help reduce the file size of your videos, allowing your dash cam to record longer.
Use Loop Recording: Loop recording is a feature that one should always check it’s on when the dash cam is recording; otherwise, no wonder there will be a default setting that prevents recording. Once the memories soon get full, the dash cam won’t just how forget all the old footage.
Backing Up Footage: Most people forget that they promptly have to offload the essential recordings from a dash cam approximately weekly to some computer or external hard disk. This will ensure you do not lose any essential dash cam footage when the dash cam overwrites previously recorded footage.
Using the dash camera efficiently is possible, and we can ensure that all important incidents are recorded without running out of space.
Conclusion
Understanding the dashcam’s operating time is crucial in deciding which setup to select. Memory card volume, video quality, parking mode, and other factors significantly affect how many hours of video the dash cam will save. For instance, if you find achieving a longer recording time challenging, you can buy a more extensive memory card or store your recordings in the cloud.
For habitual drivers who always want to have their cars monitored throughout the day and even more so when parked, there is a sweet spot that aids in capturing the essential videos without leaving out any vital moment. In an ideal case scenario, so long as all the necessary factors have been taken care of, drivers can rest knowing that a dash cam is permanently mounted in their cars, always ready to record any possible accidents, thefts, or emergencies at all possible angles.
