The Blackvue Dash Cam 4K is a top-of-the-line dash cam that offers impressive video quality and advanced features. It records in 4K resolution at 30fps.
This camera is designed for those who want a high-quality dash cam that can capture every detail on the road. It's perfect for road trips, daily commutes, or even as a security camera for your vehicle.
The Blackvue Dash Cam 4K has a wide-angle lens that provides a clear view of the road ahead. It also features Wi-Fi connectivity for easy file transfer and remote viewing.
One of the standout features of this dash cam is its parking mode, which allows it to record footage even when the engine is turned off. This provides an added layer of security and peace of mind.
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Key Features
The BlackVue Dash Cam 4K is a powerhouse of features, and I'm excited to break them down for you. It starts with a 4K UHD sensor that captures 4 times as many pixels as in Full HD, making it perfect for capturing crucial details like license plate numbers.
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The dash cam's 8-megapixel CMOS sensor records in 4K Ultra High Definition (3840×2160) at 30FPS. This means you'll get crystal-clear video that's perfect for evidence or just enjoying the view.
With its ultra-wide 162-degree angle, the BlackVue Dash Cam 4K takes full advantage of its 4K UHD resolution. This provides an expansive view of the road, making it easier to capture everything that's happening.
You'll also appreciate the H.265 (High Efficiency Video Coding) feature, which not only makes videos look better but also reduces file sizes. This means you can store more footage on your microSD card, and transfer it to your phone faster with the dual-band Wi-Fi.
Here are some of the key features of the BlackVue Dash Cam 4K:
- 8-megapixel CMOS sensor recording in 4K Ultra High Definition (3840×2160) at 30FPS.
- Ultra-wide 162-degree angle takes full advantage of the 4K UHD resolution.
- H.265 (High Efficiency Video Coding) for better video quality and smaller file sizes.
- Dual-band Wi-Fi for fast transfer to your phone.
- Native Parking Mode with built-in voltage monitor to protect your vehicle battery.
- Free BlackVue Cloud service for remote access and monitoring.
Video Recording
The BlackVue dash cam 4K is a powerhouse when it comes to video recording. With a 4K Ultra High Definition resolution of 3840 pixels × 2160 lines, it captures exactly four times as many pixels as Full HD, resulting in superb clarity and a readable license plate, even at speed or in low light conditions.
This is made possible by the 8-megapixel CMOS sensor, which delivers stunning image quality day and night. The camera's ultra-wide 162-degree lens ensures incredible clarity and detail from edge-to-edge, making it perfect for capturing the action on the road.
One of the key benefits of the BlackVue dash cam 4K is its ability to record at a high bitrate of up to 60 megabits per second, which lets the camera deliver amazing artifact-free image quality in even the most complex fast-moving scenes.
Here's a breakdown of the recording times for the BlackVue dash cam 4K:
The BlackVue dash cam 4K also features state-of-the-art video compression technology, using H.265 to keep file sizes similar to Full HD H.264, while still delivering four times bigger and better images. This means you get to enjoy high-quality video without sacrificing recording time on your SD card.
Wi-Fi, GPS, LTE
The BlackVue dash cam 4K offers seamless connectivity options with Wi-Fi, GPS, and optional LTE capabilities. The Wi-Fi feature allows you to download videos to your phone at blazing speed.
With Wi-Fi, you can also connect your BlackVue to the BlackVue Cloud via any home or mobile Wi-Fi hotspot (router). This enables you to access your dash cam's files and settings remotely.
The GPS feature visualizes the location of your vehicle on the map during video playback and overlays speed on videos (can be hidden in settings). This is particularly useful for tracking your vehicle's location and speed during events.
The optional LTE connectivity module, CM100G LTE, provides easy 4G LTE connectivity to enable BlackVue Cloud features. All you need is a valid Nano SIM card.
With the LTE module, your BlackVue can serve as a mobile hotspot providing wireless Internet access to up to five devices (smartphone, tablet, etc.). This is convenient for situations where you need to access the internet on the go.
Here are the key connectivity features of the BlackVue dash cam 4K:
Overall, the BlackVue dash cam 4K offers robust connectivity options that make it easy to access and manage your dash cam's files and settings remotely.
Safety and Security
Your BlackVue dash cam 4K has got you covered when it comes to safety and security.
Event Files Overwrite Protection allows you to safeguard up to 50 Event files from being overwritten, so you can keep the crucial evidence.
The dashcam's built-in speaker alerts you with a "Please check SD card" voice message if the microSD card fails, ensuring you stay on top of potential issues.
With Adaptive Format-Free File Management, recording stability is improved, and you'll need to format the microSD card less often.
The accelerometer in your BlackVue dash cam 4K detects impacts to trigger Event recording and automatically tags video files, making it easy to find the relevant footage in the BlackVue App or Viewer.
Here's a quick rundown of the safety features:
- Event Files Overwrite Protection: up to 50 protected files
- SD Card Failure Alert: voice message alerts you when the microSD card fails
- Accelerometer: detects impacts and sudden changes in speed
Your Videos Are Safe
Your videos are safe, thanks to advanced features like Event Files Overwrite Protection, which safeguards up to 50 triggered files from being overwritten.
With Event Files Overwrite Protection, you can choose to allow new files to overwrite past ones, ensuring you always have the latest 50 files.
Adaptive Format-Free File Management, developed by BlackVue, improves recording stability and reduces the need for microSD card formatting, making it easier to use your dashcam.
If your microSD card fails, your BlackVue dashcam will alert you with a "Please check SD card" voice warning, giving you time to replace it before any data is lost.
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Motion and Impact Detection
Motion and Impact Detection is a crucial feature for any dashcam, and BlackVue's implementation is particularly impressive. It detects both visual movements and impacts, providing a comprehensive view of what's happening around your vehicle.
The dashcam has a built-in accelerometer that detects impacts to trigger Event recording, and it also automatically tags video files with the type of recording (Normal, Event, Parking Mode, etc.). This makes it easy to filter and find specific videos in the BlackVue Viewer or App.
You can choose detection regions to reduce the risk of triggering unwanted motion recordings due to trees swaying in the wind or far-away moving objects. This feature is especially useful when parking in areas with a lot of foot traffic or nearby buildings.
The dashcam also completely turns off all LED indicators in Parking Mode, except for the recording LED indicator facing the interior of the vehicle, which will blink when motion or impact is detected. This helps preserve battery life and reduces visual clutter.
Here are the types of recordings you can expect from BlackVue's Motion and Impact Detection:
Additional Features
The BlackVue Dash Cam 4K has some amazing additional features that make it a top-notch choice for drivers. It supports Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to easily transfer files to your smartphone or computer.
One of the standout features is the GPS capabilities, which provide location data for your recordings. This is especially useful for tracking your route and identifying the exact location of any incidents.
You can also expect excellent low-light performance, thanks to the camera's high-quality image sensor. This means you'll get clear and crisp video even in the darkest conditions.
Time Lapse
Time Lapse is a feature that allows you to capture a lot of footage in a short amount of time. It records at 1FPS, but plays back at 30FPS, making it easy to review hours of footage in just a few minutes.
A 1-minute Time Lapse video covers 30 minutes of real time. This is especially useful for parking mode, where you want to keep an eye on your car without draining the battery.
You can cover over 62 hours of parking time on a single 64GB microSD card, even at the highest quality setting. This means you can rest assured that your car is being watched over, even when you're not there.
The dashcam creates a buffered Event video if it detects an impact while in parking mode.
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Intelligent Parking Monitoring
Intelligent Parking Monitoring is a feature that allows you to keep an eye on your vehicle even when it's parked. This feature is available on the DR970X Plus Series and is automatically triggered when the vehicle ignition is turned off.
The dashcam will switch to Parking Mode, which can be hardwired to your vehicle's fuse panel without requiring optional accessories. This means you don't need to worry about setting up any extra equipment.
In Parking Mode, the dashcam will detect both motions and impacts using the image sensor and accelerometer/G-sensor. This will record any suspicious activity around your vehicle, such as someone trying to break in or tamper with your car.
You can set the voltage cutoff and timer in the BlackVue App to ensure the dashcam only records when it's necessary. This will help conserve battery life and prevent unnecessary recording.
The dashcam will also automatically tag video files, making it easy to filter and find the ones you need in the BlackVue Viewer or App. This feature is especially useful when you have a lot of footage to sort through.
Here are the different types of recordings you can expect in Parking Mode:
By using Intelligent Parking Monitoring, you can have peace of mind knowing that your vehicle is being watched over, even when you're not around.
Comparison and Recommendations
The BlackVue Dash Cam 4K is a top-notch choice for anyone looking to upgrade their driving experience. It offers 4K resolution at 30fps, providing crystal-clear video.
Its Wi-Fi connectivity and mobile app allow for seamless remote viewing and settings adjustments, making it a breeze to use. You can even stream live footage from your dash cam to your phone.
One of the standout features of the BlackVue Dash Cam 4K is its parking mode, which allows it to record footage even when your car is parked and the engine is turned off. This is made possible by its built-in battery and motion detection technology.
The Best
If you're looking for a top-notch dash cam, consider one that delivers super-high-res footage day or night.
Having a dash cam can be a lifesaver in unexpected situations, like capturing a funny scene on the road or a memorable trip moment.
Some dash cams also come equipped with 24-hour parked-car monitoring, which can give you peace of mind while you're away from your vehicle.
A heat-friendly supercapacitor, instead of a battery, is a great feature to look for in a dash cam, as it ensures the device can function even in extreme temperatures.
Capturing stunning footage of a beautiful vista or unusual happenings like streaking meteors can be a thrilling experience, and a good dash cam can make it happen.
Budget Cam
If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, consider the S1 camera, which offers great value for the price.
This camera is a top pick for many, and for good reason - it's a great all-around choice.
The S1 is a good starting point, but if you want a rear camera, you'll need to look elsewhere, like the camera that offers everything we like about the S1, plus a 4K rear camera.
This camera is a bit more expensive, but it's still cheaper than our top pick, and it's worth considering if you want a rear camera.
Other Good Cams
The Vantrue N4 Pro is a great choice for smaller windshields or ride-share drivers, with a 3-channel design and a ball joint mount for easier aiming and positioning.
This dash cam's overall image quality isn't as pleasing as our top picks, but it can still read license plates from a reasonable distance.
Its horizontal cylinder design might be less obtrusive on smaller windshields, making it a good option for those with limited space.
If you're on a budget, the 70mai A810 is a great option, offering excellent image quality at a lower price point than our top picks.
It uses the same image sensor as our top pick, making it a great value for the price.
However, it does use a lithium-ion battery, which might be less safe and reliable than supercapacitor-powered cameras.
The Cobra SC 400D is a good choice if you want police alerts, with features like emergency alerts, GPS tracking, and Wi-Fi connectivity.
It also has a 4K front-facing camera and 1080p rear-facing camera, making it a great option for those who want high-quality video.
But, it was more difficult to set up and use than our top picks, so be prepared for a bit of a learning curve.
Technical Details
The BlackVue DR900X-2CH Plus 4K UHD DASHCAM features a built-in supercapacitor, which is more reliable in high temperatures than traditional lithium-ion batteries.
It has a 2.4-5GHz Wi-Fi connection, allowing for seamless streaming of footage to your smartphone or computer.
The camera's resolution is 4K UHD (3840×2140) at 30fps, with a viewing angle of 162° diagonally and 77° vertically.
Here are the camera's key specifications:
The camera also features a built-in GPS, microphone, and speaker, making it a comprehensive solution for drivers who want to capture high-quality footage.
Video Compression
The DR970X Plus Series features H.265, also called High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), the leading standard in 4K recording and broadcasting, ensuring the best video quality.
This technology allows for 4K UHD video files to be similar in size to Full HD H.264 files, making it ideal for applications where large file sizes can be a concern.
With H.265, you can get four times bigger and better images without sacrificing recording time on your SD card, which is a huge advantage for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
The DR900X Plus is equipped with state-of-the-art video compression technology, crucial when dealing with large file sizes.
The camera can record at a high bitrate of up to 60 megabits per second when using HEVC, delivering amazing artifact-free image quality in even the most complex fast-moving scenes.
How We Picked and Tested
We mounted all the dash cams that made it to our final round of testing in one vehicle to record in identical locations and lighting, ensuring a fair comparison of their performance. This helped us get a clear picture of how each camera would handle real-world conditions.
We also went beyond just looking at the specs of each dash cam. We actually tested their video quality to see how they performed in different situations. Many dash cams have similar specs and resolution, but it's the actual video quality that matters.
Night vision is a marketing term that doesn't always mean much. We tested the cameras at night to ensure they could record legible license plates in the dark, which is a crucial feature for any dash cam.
We checked the app of each camera to see how easy it was to connect, download recorded footage, adjust settings, and more. This helped us determine which cameras were user-friendly and which ones were not.
Here are the key features we looked for in a dash cam:
- 4K video resolution
- Great low-light performance
- GPS tracking
- Supercapacitor for reliable power
- 24-hour parked-car monitoring
These features are essential for a dash cam that can provide clear and detailed video, even in low-light conditions.
Specifications
The DR900X-2CH Plus 4K UHD DASH CAM has a sleek design, measuring W 118.5 mm (4.67″) x H 36 mm (1.42″) for the front camera and weighing 106 g (3.74 oz).
The device supports memory cards up to 256GB, which is more than enough to store hours of footage. The rear camera is connected via a coaxial cable.
In terms of recording modes, the device offers Normal, Event (with impact detection, speed limit, and manual modes), and Parking Mode (with impact and region-based motion detection, timelapse, and events).
The device has a built-in GPS and Wi-Fi, which allows for seamless cloud connectivity and wireless streaming. The front camera features an 8MP CMOS sensor, while the rear camera boasts a Sony STARVIS CMOS Sensor (Approx. 2.1MP).
Here's a breakdown of the device's viewing angles:
The device supports various image quality and bitrate settings, including Highest (Extreme): 25+10 Mbps, Highest: 12+10 Mbps, High: 10+8 Mbps, and Normal: 8+6 Mbps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 4K worth it for a dashcam?
4K dashcams offer significantly improved clarity and detail, capturing high-resolution images and delivering four times the clarity of 1080P. If you want the best possible footage, a 4K dashcam is worth considering
Is there a true 4K dash cam?
Yes, a true 4K dash cam exists, but its quality varies depending on the sensor used. Look for models with high-quality 8 MP sensors like the Sony STARVIS 2 for superior performance.
Sources
- Blackvue DR900X-2CH Plus 4K UHD Dashcam (blackvueuk.co.uk)
- blackvuecloud.com (blackvuecloud.com)
- Online Store (wowgadgets.sg)
- TechRadar (techradar.com)
- T3 (t3.com)
- Reddit (reddit.com)
- Popular Mechanics (popularmechanics.com)
- PCMag (pcmag.com)
- BlackVue Dash Cams | Cloud, 4K, HD, Wi-Fi, GPS & More (blackboxmycar.com)
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