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Dashcam Definition: What Is a Dashboard Camera?

A dashcam is a compact video camera mounted in or on a vehicle to record the road, cabin or both. Most save short files in a loop on removable storage and lock selected clips after an event.

The simplest dashcam definition is a camera made to record video from a vehicle. A front camera watches the road ahead; dual systems add a rear or cabin view. Unlike an action camera, a dashboard camera normally starts with vehicle power, splits footage into short files and overwrites the oldest ordinary recording when the memory card fills.

Dashcam Definition: What Is a Dashboard Camera?

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Questions before you buy

What is the meaning of dashcam?

Dashcam is short for dashboard camera: a vehicle-mounted camera that records the road, the cabin or both.

What is the purpose of a dashcam?

Its main purpose is to preserve video context around a drive or incident. Some models also log GPS data or monitor a parked vehicle.

Does a dashcam record all the time?

Most record in a loop whenever they receive power. Parking recording and saved-event behavior depend on the power setup and model settings.

Where does dashcam footage go?

Most cameras store files on a removable microSD card. Connected models may also offer phone transfer or optional cloud services.