Many people worry that there is someone who can open their car without keys to steal anything that is inside or even steal the car. In addition, there is also a certain fear that they can damage it externally. For all these situations, the best thing to do is to proceed with the installation of a surveillance camera.
Surveillance cameras for cars, better known as dash cams, are very useful since they allow you to protect your car against attacks and theft attempts, but also allow you to record images while you are driving. That is, they protect your car both while it is running and when it is stopped.
Functions of a camera for the interior of the car
Before explaining how to install a surveillance camera in the car, it is important that you know all the features that they can offer you. Depending on the chosen model, you will be able to find one or another specification, but you should still know them all for a good purchase decision.
Video
- dual am. It is important that the camera records both the front of the car and the rear. These types of cameras usually include a higher quality sensor for the front (1080p Full HD) and another one with lower resolution (720p) for the rear. This configuration is the most common and allows a vision range of almost 360 degrees.
- Zoom. This feature is interesting if you want to recognize license plates if necessary. To do this, the camera will need to have appropriate software. It will help you to identify those people who, for example, have hit your vehicle and have fled.
- night vision. This function, as its name suggests, will allow us to record correctly in low light conditions.
Recording
With regard to recording, this type of camera usually incorporates an SD card. You should make sure that it has loop recording function. In this way, it will replace the oldest recordings with the new ones and you will not have to constantly empty the memory card.
This is highly recommended and will allow you to consult recordings at all times when for some reason you have to do so without worrying, when it is not necessary. They usually have support for cards of 32 GB or more. In any case, it is advisable that you check it to avoid unexpected surprises.
Is it legal to use a dash cam?
There are those who doubt the legality of using a camera inside the vehicle. However, there is no clear answer in this regard, since there are those who defend its legality as well as those who bet on the opposite, since you are capturing images of public spaces. This would imply taking personal data from third parties, which is illegal for the Spanish Data Protection Agency.
However, the crux of the matter is whether the camera records continuously or turns off and on from time to time; or if you use it in the domestic and private field. If it is used for video surveillance tasks, these must respect the LOPD.
In principle, it is not illegal to install an anti-vandalism camera in your vehicle, as long as you do not spread the content outside your home environment. In addition, whether you can make use of these images as evidence will depend in any case on the interpretation that a court may make of the circumstances of the events that occurred.
Instructions for installing a surveillance camera in the car
Installing a dash cam is very easy and you only need a few steps to do it. One of its great advantages is that you will not have to go through the workshop and that you can do it yourself. However, the steps may vary depending on the model you have chosen. In any case, in general, these will suffice:
- First place the surveillance camera on the bracket. Most models attach to the windshield or dashboard with a suction cup; and they incorporate a kit that includes both a camera and a suction cup, so you will have to join them.
- Next choose the location for the camera. Depending on the use you are going to give it, you will have to choose to place it in one place or another. Take into account the length of the cables and place it in an area that does not limit your visibility. The fixing on the windshield must be done in such a way that it fits perfectly and that it cannot swing. Usually a good place to put it is in front of the rear view mirror or between it and the sun visor. The ones that best adapt are those that are integrated into the rear-view mirror itself.
- Later you must place it in the place that interests you and hide the cables. These types of cameras need electricity that is provided from the cigarette lighter socket or the USB socket. To do this, hide the cables taking advantage of the joints of the plastic coating that runs through the ceiling and the dashboard.
- Once this is done, you will only have to connect the camera and it will be up and running. As simple and fast.
What do you need to install a surveillance camera in the car?
- dash-cam
