Recommend a Dashcam App for Android, in Background

hamwhisperer on 03/12/2017 - 11:55

I have a Galaxy Note 5 with a pretty nice, wide angle lense when it's in landscape mode.

I've checked the camera and how I use it on my dash and it's just right as a dashcam, however I want to still play podcasts, use google maps and so on.

Is there a dashcam app which will run in the background at say 1280x720 or 1920x1080 and just use 5 or so GB of space and over-write it as it goes?
Bonus points if it records GPS speed while filming.

I looked around but most of them seemed to want to keep the application open while using the phone.

Automotive

Comments

  • Kangal on 03/12/2017 - 12:06
    +3

    I did this with the Samsung NOTE. I recommend against it.
    Get a standard dashcam. It will make your phone not heat up, preserve its internal storage, battery capacity and screen burn-in.
    Not to mention, its fitted more securely, so its less of a hassle or flying object if you're ever involved in an accident.
    Or as a visible target to thieves who might get in your car (at lights, parked, or if Ubering)

    And it'll also mean that you won't be seen by police touching your phone on the road, saving you fines and demerit points.

    • hamwhisperer on 03/12/2017 - 12:25

      Are you allowed to touch a dash mounted phone or no?

      I was a little concerned with the heating up of it and potential internal storage damage, but that would take a lot of time on the flash - it's probably got 18 months left anyhow.

      I don't really wanna pony up for a real one :( it was more of a fun project for $10 on the app store kinda thing.
      (Also if I run lower resolution, it'll use slightly less battery and CPU)

      • Kangal on 03/12/2017 - 18:03

        You can't lower the resolution.
        When you do, the software will render less pixels (eg 720p instead of 1440p). However, the OLED screen will still use 2560 x 1440 pixels, lit up, only to render a 720p image.

        This help lower some overhead from the CPU, GPU, and RAM but overall it's very little difference to the power draw. The screen itself is using a lot more electricity.

        The overheating is a real issue, especially when you place it on the glass to get a better GPS signal… only to cook the handset with a magnifying-glass sun.

        Again, if you just get a ~$120 dashcam and a ~$450 phone, call it a day, as that will perform much better than a $1,100 phone getup.

  • teacherer on 03/12/2017 - 12:30
    +3

    Just spend $40 on a Dashcam and save the hassle

  • scrimshaw on 03/12/2017 - 12:53

    AMOLED displays have a finite lifespan. So do lithium batteries

    Just get a cheap $40 dashcam is also my recommendation

  • John Kimble on 03/12/2017 - 15:41
    • CamOnRoad
    • Autoguard
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