Introduction
Many drivers use a dashcam to record footage of the road in front of them as they drive. They are often used as evidence during an accident and can help to provide you with proof of road traffic violations that you may have witnessed.
However, most dashcams require Wi-Fi connectivity to upload their recorded footage. The camera uses this network connection to send and receive data from the cloud servers that store your footage.
This article will examine the importance of Wi-Fi to dashcams and talk about how you can get around problems with it. Then, we will go through the benefits and drawbacks of using one without Wi-Fi and help you decide whether it could benefit you in any way.
Is WiFi Necessary for a Dashcam?
If you have a car cam that can record video, it should automatically upload footage to the cloud when there is connectivity. This means that there is no need for a dashcam with Wi-Fi to have a wireless connection. However, it is always good to ensure that everything works before buying a camera, so you may want to do some research before making your final decision where this comes into play.
If uploading videos is not automatic, you need to utilize the built-in Wi-Fi or create your hotspot for them to be transferred. This will depend on which model of camera you buy and whether or not it has built-in Wi-Fi support or not. It is vital to notice that not all dashcams with built-in Wi-Fi support are the same. Some cameras with this feature will support 1GB, while others may be able to support 256MB.
This is arguably the most critical factor in using Dash Cameras with Wi-Fi for recording events and footage for storage in the cloud or playback later on. Most manufacturers will provide a standard of about 25Mbps, but there have been some reports of Dashcams recording as low as 12Mbps speed and uploading at a maximum speed of 2Mbps.
You will also need to make sure that your Internet connections can handle the amount of data being transferred. Dashcams with Wi-Fi can share lots of data, but if you do not have a fast enough Internet connection, you might face problems later on while the video is stored in the cloud for playback.
Purpose of Using a WiFi in Dashcam
The WIFI feature in the discreet cam comes in handy when watching the video on your phone. The wireless connection is effortless. Just download the app and then connect to the wireless network of your dashcam. You can then stream the videos on your phone and transfer them if required.
When you have parked a car somewhere, and someone breaks in it, at that time, your vehicle camera would be your most enormous help. It can record high-quality videos with audio recording and can present evidence in court. Conclusively, it can be your security camera too.
It is one of the handy gadgets that can help you prove your innocence in a time of crisis. It can be mounted quickly and comes with a CMOS sensor. In this era, these cams are helpful.
Importance of WiFi in a Dashcam:
Wi-Fi is an essential part of your car mount camera because it allows it to upload and record footage straight to the cloud. This means that you can access your footage instantly, mainly if it has been recorded in a location with no signal.
It also allows you to store footage without having to connect your device to a computer as well. This is useful if you want to save more than the free 5GB of space that comes with the dashcam.
It is also convenient if you want to transfer footage from a dashcam to other devices or if you want to share the footage with friends and family.
Wi-Fi also allows you to download a remote app for your device to start the camera and start recording from anywhere. This is good because it means that you can press record on an app’s screen instead of reaching through your car window to try starting it up manually.
Downsides of WiFi:
However, the reliance on Wi-Fi means that your dashcam does not function without it. If you use the dashcam in a place with no signal, it may be impossible to store footage or playback videos. As such, you will need a high-speed connection to record anything at all. This is especially true when you are far from home and do not have access to Fast Internet connections.
Benefits of WiFi in a Dashcam:
Instant Access to Videos: If you use a camera without Wi-Fi, you will need a computer to download footage from it. This can be inconvenient if you need to download a large number of videos or if you want to save videos on your phone. Worse still, you may not be able to access the footage while away from home.
Transferring Footage: If the camera has built-in Wi-Fi, it can transfer its files directly into another device. This means that you can quickly transfer your footage to other devices and share it with friends and family. This is one of the key features of Wi-Fi in a dashcam.
Cloud Storage: If you use a dashcam to store footage in the cloud, then this is hardwired into the device for convenience purposes. This means that you do not need to worry about how much storage space you have on your phone or device.
Video Recording: One benefit of a dashcam with Wi-Fi is that it allows you to record footage. If this is something that you want, then a camera without Wi-Fi is no good for you.
Insurance claims: It comes in handy when you have to give evidence of something. If someone has damaged the parked car, your dashcam would record it in HD resolution and help you.
Drawbacks:
Downstream Transfer: The reliance on a wireless connection means that the camera cannot transfer all of the dashcam footage at once if your signal fails or is very weak. It can only transfer a small portion at a time and upload this to the cloud servers one video at a time, which can take longer than usual.
Less Reliable: Your Internet connection is not always perfect, and it can often be unreliable in many places. The camera will only upload data when it is stable and doesn’t drop. This can be problematic for users with weak Internet speeds to some degree. You may want to ensure that you have a high-speed Internet connection before deciding on whether to buy a dashcam with Wi-Fi.
How to Use WiFi in Dashcam
To make use of the built-in Wi-Fi feature, you will either need to connect directly to a hotspot or connect it directly to your computer via a USB cable.
Connecting a dashcam with a Wi-Fi connection to a hotspot is very simple if you have one available in the area. You may need to ask the hotspot owner if you could access their network, but once you connect successfully, there will be no more issues connecting and accessing data.
Some dashcams with Wi-Fi will come with a mobile app that you can download on your smartphone or tablet. You can then use this mobile app to access footage or to connect wirelessly to the camera. This is one of the more straightforward ways to utilize a dashcam with Wi-Fi, but there have been reports about unreliable connection issues and problems connecting using this method.
For you to connect your dashcam directly to your computer, you will need either a USB cable or Wi-Fi adapter (if your computer does not come with built-in Wi-Fi). With most cameras, you can set it to upload footage periodically rather than recording it continuously automatically.
Conclusion
A WIFI in a dashcam is a great way to stay connected while encountering traffic and when you are out traveling. You can take your phone and record video clips while driving, download videos from the camera before you get to your destination, or simply playback videos on your smartphone as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the key difference between a dashcam with Wi-Fi and one without?
A dashcam with Wi-Fi will allow you to connect your device to the Internet so that you can transfer video files from your camera to another device or record it directly onto a computer. This means that you can automatically record footage while driving, which might not be a viable option when recording video manually. A dashcam without a Wi-Fi connection might make it impossible for you to transfer videos since all of its data will be stored on the camera itself.
Can wireless dash cam works without Wi-Fi?
Yes, it can work without Wi-Fi. When you need to record the video, use a cable and hard drive with the storage capacity of your choice. You can use a USB stick or hard drive to save the video.
How much storage space does a dashcam with Wi-Fi offer?
Most cameras will come with 1GB or 2GB of internal storage for your video and pictures. Still, it is essential to ensure that you are getting the highest storage capacity before making a purchase. The higher the capacity, the better. Some cameras won’t record footage until there is enough space available in the memory card, so don’t forget to check this before deciding whether or not to buy one.
How durable are dashcams with Wi-Fi?
Since they utilize Wi-Fi technology for wireless data transfer, they can be exposed to interference and transmission problems in certain conditions. This means that you might not be able to connect your dashcam with Wi-Fi, especially if it is inside a moving car.
How can I use my dashcam on my smartphone?
You need to install an app like MapmyIndia GPS tracker, which will allow you to connect your dashcam with Wi-Fi and view live footage or recorded video clips stored on the device. Most dash cams will come with their dedicated apps, which will enable you to control settings from a single interface.