How Long Can a Dash Cam Save Recordings?
4 Answers
The duration a dash cam can save recordings depends on the capacity of the memory card and the set recording resolution. Here is some extended information about dash cams: 1. Startup and Shutdown: Generally, a dash cam will automatically turn on and start recording when the vehicle is started, and it will automatically shut down when the vehicle is parked and turned off. It can also be manually turned off by pressing the power button. 2. Parking Surveillance: Dash cams with parking surveillance usually draw power directly from the ACC fuse box via a step-down cable. When the vehicle is parked and turned off, the dash cam will automatically shut down (or more accurately, enter a low-power sleep mode). However, if it detects any collision or movement in front of the vehicle, it will immediately activate the parking surveillance function and record the surrounding footage.
The recording duration of a dash cam depends on several factors, such as the storage card capacity. With a 64GB card and 1080p recording, it can last around 8 hours, but if you switch to 4K or high frame rates, the time may be halved to about 4 hours. This also depends on whether loop recording is enabled—automatically overwriting old footage saves you from manual deletion. Using a larger 128GB card can store more. Based on my years of driving experience, I recommend regularly formatting the memory card to maintain performance and avoid lag or failure. For long-distance driving, carrying a high-capacity, high-speed card is more reliable, ensuring critical footage isn’t lost when it matters most.
For daily commuting with a dashcam, my 128GB card at 1080p setting can store about 12 hours of footage, which is enough to cover a day's journey. Loop recording is really worry-free as it automatically overwrites old files, eliminating storage concerns, but it's important to set the right sensitivity to avoid wasting space. I've used some apps that alert when space is low, allowing timely action to prevent losing recordings. For safety, it's wise to enable collision event protection to lock crucial evidence from being overwritten. From experience, checking the card's health every few weeks is essential.
Safety first, the dashcam's storage duration shouldn't be too short. 1080p recording on a 64GB card usually lasts a week for commutes. I always enable the event lock feature to protect crucial footage and prevent accident recordings from being overwritten. Regular backups to cloud services ensure preparedness for critical moments. If storage time is insufficient, upgrade the card capacity to guarantee the security of driving evidence.
