Everything you need to know about car cameras

A car camera is an on-board camera that continuously records the view through a vehicle's front windscreen and sometimes rear or other windows. Some dash-cams include a camera to record the interior of the car in 360 degrees and can automatically send pictures and video. Some car cameras also record acceleration/deceleration, speed, steering angle, GPS data, etc. These cameras are easier to use and more convenient than the other alternatives.

Car camera v general purpose camera

Unlike general purpose recording devices, car cameras tend to lack some essential features like power switches and recording controls. In fact, a prototypical car camera consists of only a video camera, hard-wired power inputs and solid-state storage media. Function follows form in the case of dashboard cameras. As opposed to a general purpose camera that must be turned on and off depending on need of recording, a car camera is designed to begin recording the second ignition is hit and it is powered up. Although one can use any recording device as a car camera, the user will have to turn it on and set it to record every time the car is being used. 

Car cameras- functioning

Without an on/off switch, a car camera is typically wired into a circuit that is only hot when the ignition key is in the start or run position. And without any sort of recording controls, dashboard cameras are typically designed to record continuously whenever they are powered up. With that in mind, the user can see how these simplistic devices are designed to automatically turn on and start recording each time a car is driven without the need for any input or interaction from the driver at all. This can be contrasted with general purpose portable recording devices.