How to connect a DVR in a car with your own hands
We figure out how to connect a DVR in a car with your own hands beautifully and without unnecessary wires

In the conditions of driving on modern roads, it is highly desirable to record what is happening in front of the car. Inadequate drivers, auto-truckers and repair work without warning – the damage from this will help to compensate for the recorded video of the traffic situation. A simple but reliable DVR can be purchased for less than five thousand rubles. In our material, we will consider the issues that motorists face immediately after purchasing a useful device. 

Where to install the DVR

According to the technical regulations of the Customs Union “On the safety of the vehicle”, it is forbidden to install any objects or coatings that limit the visibility of the driver in cars (exceptions are only for rear-view mirrors, wiper blades and glass heating). 

Based on this, it would be best to install the DVR immediately behind the rearview mirror. This will not close the driver’s view, and even the most meticulous traffic police officers will not have any questions.

Outdoor installation

In this case, the device is installed in a place visible to everyone. For example, right on the windshield or on the dashboard. Pros – easy installation and quick access to the device. But some drivers do not like the “foreign object” constantly sticking out in plain sight. It all depends on the size of the DVR and the aesthetic requirements of the owner.

Concealed installation

With this type of installation, they try to hide the device from the eyes of the owner or crooks who can steal it from the car. There are many options – from an inconspicuous mounting on the rear-view mirror, to installation behind a decorative grille under the hood (if the recorder works in such conditions, of course). Also, with hidden installation, they try to hide the power cable of the DVR as much as possible. Plus – the device is not striking to anyone. The downside is that it is inconvenient to get the recorder’s memory card (if you hid it somewhere far away) and you need to spend time installing it. 

Choosing a DVR Mount

In general, all methods of mounting the DVR can be divided into several types. Let’s describe each.

Sucker

Not entirely reliable, as cheap copies eventually become loose and fall off. Therefore, it is better to immediately buy a suction cup with a lever that creates pressure. The suction cup must be installed on pre-cleaned and degreased glass. In this case, she will hold on tightly.

Double-sided tape

In the box with the device, you will definitely find a small piece of double-sided tape. If you clean and degrease the surface, it holds very tightly. In modern registrars, it is not the case itself that is glued, but a special adapter latch. Therefore, there will be no problems in order to pick up the DVR from the car.

Attachment to the rear view mirror

If the DVR is small, then it can be placed directly on the mirror housing through the mount. It is important that the mount allows you to adjust the tilt of the recorder, otherwise the device will not shoot correctly. In addition, combined devices are now very common: video recorders-mirrors.

How to connect the DVR to power

Connection via cigarette lighter

This is the standard type of DVR connection provided by the manufacturer. Before driving, you just need to insert the plug into the car’s cigarette lighter, and the device will turn on by itself. Almost all recorders have a small battery, the stock of which is enough for a trouble-free shutdown of the device after the mains voltage fails. The power cord itself can be neatly hidden under the upholstery and brought to the cigarette lighter, for example, through the glove compartment. 

Ignition connection

First you need to understand what voltage the recorder needs to work. This is usually written on the device itself. If 12V, then it can be connected directly to the car’s network, and if 5V, then through an inverter. The easiest way to lower the voltage is through the original cigarette lighter plug with a built-in step-down circuit. It converts 12V to the 5V we need. The main thing is not to confuse the positive and negative wires.

There are two ways to connect the DVR through the car ignition. In the first case, it is connected through the ignition switch, and in the second through the connector of the mounting block. The second way is preferable because you don’t have to get close to the castle.

Before connecting the wires to the input to the block connector, be sure to find its diagram. Following it, connect the positive and negative wires of the registrar and the connector. You can try to fit them in a plastic case, or you can connect to the wires themselves and carefully insulate the junction. The remaining wiring can be neatly hidden behind the skin.

Now the recorder will start working after the ignition switch of the car is turned. It will turn off after the engine has completely stopped.

Connecting to a car radio

Conceptually, this method is no different from the previous one. You need to carefully remove the entire body of the radio (special keys are used for this). Then connect the wires from the recorder to the corresponding wires on the radio connector. 

Don’t forget the difference between 5V and 12V if you need to lower the voltage. Now the recorder will receive power at the same time as the radio. He will also turn off with her.

Connection to lighting

This connection option is interesting in that the lighting cover is located near the place where the DVR is usually installed. You need to carefully remove the cover and get to the wires. As in previous versions, we connect to a 12V network, but through the lighting wiring (if necessary, through an inverter). Now the recorder will turn on after the engine is ignited (at this moment, voltage appears in the lighting network). It will turn off automatically after the engine stops.

Connecting to the battery directly

Perhaps the most extreme way to connect a car DVR. It allows you to receive 12V power directly from the car battery. To do this, you need to bring the wires from the passenger compartment to the engine compartment and connect them to the appropriate battery terminals. A 15A fuse must be inserted into the circuit break. 

In order not to turn off the device manually every time, a power button is built into the circuit. Through it it will be convenient to turn off the power of the device after the end of the trip.

How to connect a rear view camera to a dash cam

As a rule, registrars that can record what is happening behind the car immediately come with a complete rear view camera. The rear camera is connected with a standard wire, which must be run through the cabin to the main body of the DVR. 

Theoretically, it is possible to connect a separately purchased camera to a “non-native” registrar, but this is too complicated. Therefore, it is better to immediately purchase a device that has two cameras. Everything is connected and works out of the box.

How to update the software and database of the DVR

In some registrars, in addition to the video recording function, there are built-in maps and databases about roads – speed limits, dangerous sections and the location of traffic cameras. Over time, this data becomes outdated. We will explain how you can update the software and database of the DVR.

  1. You need to find out the name of the registrar and go to the manufacturer’s website. 
  2. You should find the device model in the catalog – next to it there will be links to the update files. 
  3. You need to place them on the recorder’s memory card, following the instructions (without this, the device may not see the files). 
  4. When turned on with such a memory card, the update will start automatically. 
  5. After that, the drive can be formatted under standard parameters.

If your recorder has Wi-Fi, then the device can be updated through the phone. To do this, you need to download the application from the manufacturer and connect to the device. If the registrar supports updating, then the program itself will offer to do this.

How to flash a dash cam

DVR firmware is required only in emergency cases, in all other cases, a software update is sufficient.

As a rule, any registrars are flashed using a computer. You need to connect the DVR to the PC, and the necessary drivers will be installed automatically.

Manufacturers do not encourage interference with the operation of their devices, so you will have to look for information on how to flash your DVR on your own on the Internet.

Remember that by flashing the DVR bypassing the official update procedure, you lose the manufacturer’s warranty.

Popular questions and answers

Healthy Food Near Me asked car service employee Artur Makeev answer popular questions about installing DVRs.

What is the risk of improper installation of the DVR?
If you do not have electrical knowledge, it is best not to try to connect the DVR bypassing the standard method. At best, you will break the device itself, and at worst, arrange a short circuit in the wiring. If you physically incorrectly position the DVR, it will not capture the area you need.
Does it make sense to install several DVRs?
Modern devices are reliable, and they have a large viewing angle of cameras, so you should not bother with installing several DVRs. Moreover, most have built-in indicators that will warn you if the device is not working properly. 
In what case does it make sense to connect the DVR not through the cigarette lighter?
There may be several reasons, from a broken cigarette lighter to an unaesthetic appearance of wires. In general, the wire from the DVR to the cigarette lighter can be hidden behind the car’s trim without special tools. In this case, the cigarette lighter itself will always be busy, but the problem is solved by purchasing a plug for two USB inputs (if your devices work through this connector).

Thus, most often the DVR is not connected through the cigarette lighter by drivers who do not want to bother with laying the cable to the connector and buying an additional plug.

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