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Dashcam Definition: What a Dashboard Camera Does

A dashcam is a video camera mounted in or on a vehicle to record the road, cabin or surrounding views. Most save short clips in a continuous loop.

The short dashcam def is simple: a dashcam, or dashboard camera, is an onboard video camera that records activity around a vehicle, usually through the windshield. Depending on the system, it may cover the road ahead, the rear, the cabin or several views.

Dashcam Definition: What a Dashboard Camera Does

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Questions before you buy

What is the definition of a dashcam?

A dashcam is a vehicle-mounted video camera used to record the road, cabin or nearby surroundings during a journey.

What does a dashcam record?

The recorded view depends on its lenses. Common layouts include front only, front and rear, or road and cabin.

Does a dashcam record all the time?

Most record while powered and save short files in a loop. Parked recording requires a supported mode and suitable power source.

What is loop recording on a dashcam?

Loop recording divides footage into clips and overwrites the oldest unlocked files when storage fills, allowing routine recording to continue.

Is a dashcam the same as a vehicle event data recorder?

No. A dashcam records video, while an event data recorder is a vehicle system that may capture operating data around an event.