Can Dash Cams Record Audio?
4 Answers
Currently, all dash cams come equipped with audio recording functionality. More detailed explanations are as follows: 1. In the event of an accident or dispute, if the video evidence captured by the dash cam lacks audio, it would inevitably fail to provide a clear understanding of the specific circumstances at the time. Therefore, dash cams are equipped with audio recording capabilities. Of course, if you prefer not to record audio, you can disable this feature in the settings menu. 2. In reality, single-channel dash cams can generally meet our daily usage needs. Dual-channel models merely add a rear camera to the single-channel setup, and the utility of this rear camera is quite limited.
To be honest, 95% of dash cams on the market now come with audio recording functionality. The small hole next to the lens is the microphone. However, many car owners struggle with this feature: turning it on feels awkward as it records everything said in the cabin, but turning it off risks missing crucial evidence in case of an accident. Nowadays, better models support APP control—a red light flashing twice indicates the recording is active. A reminder: always cover the microphone hole when washing your car. Last time, my friend's dash cam got water damage, resulting in recordings full of static. It's advisable to playback and check the audio quality monthly, especially after rainy days when issues are most likely to occur.
Just helped my neighbor troubleshoot his dashcam audio failure a couple of days ago. There are actually three most common scenarios for audio malfunction: either the microphone permission was accidentally turned off in system settings (requires re-authorization in the mobile app), or the storage card is full causing automatic recording stop (just delete some old files), or the trickiest one – hardware issues like a loosened microphone cable during reverse camera installation. Many high-end models now feature dual-mic noise reduction, which can filter out tire noise during highway driving, but they typically cost 200-300 yuan more. For testing, you can clap near the camera and check playback – visible waveform means it's working normally.
Can dash cams record audio? The answer is yes, but privacy concerns require attention. China's Civil Code clearly defines the interior of a vehicle as private space, and recording others' conversations without consent may constitute infringement. Newly released dash cams now feature thoughtful designs—for example, automatically disabling audio recording in parking surveillance mode, while emergency recording functions emit a beeping alert in advance. When purchasing, it's advisable to look for the CCC certification mark, as unbranded products often have security vulnerabilities like audio leaks to the cloud. If stopped by traffic police, proactively informing them about the recording status can help avoid disputes.
