Rearview Mirror DVR

Rearview Mirror DVR

The Rearview Mirror DVR, is a high definition dash cam that records 720p at 30fps.  Even though marketing material indicates this camera can record at 1080p at 15fps, this is not true.  The 1080p video is actually interpolated.  The video quality during the day is good but night video quality is poor.

What makes this dash cam interesting is that, to the untrained eye, it looks like an oversized rearview mirror.  It is 8cm tall and 31.5cm wide.  Many people would not realize that this dash cam was installed in a vehicle.  It has a 2.7″ screen built into the mirror.  The default setting is to have the screen always on.  This is not ideal for driving so you should set screen-saving mode  to 1, 3 or 5 minutes.  This turns off the screen automatically and leaves it just as a mirror.

The internal components of this dashcam are identical to the Carcam K2000 DV Turnkey.  Hence it is based on a Novatek processor (click picture to enlarge).

Rearview Mirror DVR
Rearview Mirror DVR

There are numerous rearview mirror camera versions available.  To identify this particular model, look for the word Rearview on the top middle of the mirror and the following 6 buttons on the bottom.

Models

There are several names that this camera is called:

  1. Rearview Mirror DVR 720p
  2. Rearview Mirror DVR 1080p
  3. RM-I270
  4. X888B
  5. CR1051
  6. Jado D600

The easiest way to identify this rearview camera is from the 6 buttons on the bottom and the K2000 style menus.

Rearview Mirror DVR

Known problems

Poor sound quality

These dash cams are notorious for having crackling and hissing sounds when recording.  In some cases the quality is so bad that you cannot hear conversations in the car.  This is due to poor quality of the microphone used.  The only solution is to replace the microphone but this is a relatively complex procedure.

Camera stops recording or freezes

There are many instances of cameras that stop recording or freezes.

Some potential solutions are:

  1. Reset camera and format the card in the camera
  2. Use a class 4, 8 to 16 gigs micro-SD card.  Do not use class 10 micro-SD cards or micro-SD cards with capacity over 16GB
  3. Replace the camera

Video is out of focus or blurry

This is a very common problem.  The lens of the dash cam is not adjusted properly and needs to be turned or twisted until it is in focus. Since the lens is exposed in this Rearview Mirror DVR, some people have adjusted the lens without disassembling the camera.

Mounting the camera

This camera mounts on top of your existing rear view mirror.  There is no need to remove the existing mirror.

Rearview Mirror DVR
Rearview Mirror DVR
Rearview Mirror DVR

Here is a short video on how to install this camera (note that the camera in the video is a slightly different model).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f29TM1_s5u4

Disassembling the Dash Cam

Rearview Mirror DVR
Rearview Mirror DVR
Rearview Mirror DVR
Rearview Mirror DVR
Rearview Mirror DVR
Rearview Mirror DVR

Sample Videos

Day Videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ufdugmza68
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxbIpE8adNI

Should I Purchase?

This camera’s design and low price make it an interesting option.  If you are ok with the video quality and the known issues, this camera may be a viable option.  For just a little bit more money than the K2000, this camera is a better choice due to its covertness.

Firmware

WARNING!  MAKING CHANGES TO YOUR FIRMWARE ARE PERFORMED AT YOUR OWN RISK.  WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO YOUR DASH CAM AS A RESULT OF THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

Firmware Backup

Before updating your firmware, it is highly recommended to backup your existing firmware.  This can be easily done using the following method.

  1. Format a micro-SD card
  2. Create a blank DVPLS.txt file and copy to the micro-SD card
  3. Insert the card into the dash cam
  4. Hold down the “OK” button while holding down the “ON” key.
  5. The dash cam will go into the engineering menu (Calibration).
  6. Select the menu item number 8 ReadNorFlash and click “OK.” The dash cam will create a backup
  7. When finished, you will see “ReadAllNorFlash OK”
  8. Press the button “OK” in the menu
  9. Select the item number 7 to Exit
  10. The backed up firmware is on the card

Firmware Update

Any updates you perform are at your own risk.

  1. You must use an micro SD-Card reader to perform this operation.  Do not attempt to do this directly on the dash cam.
  2. Download the desired firmware from the section below.
  3. Copy the firmware file to a micro SD-card using a card reader.
  4. Insert the card into the dash cam and turn it on. Do not press any other buttons until the firmware is updated
  5. Once updated, remove the micro SD card and delete the firmware file from the micro SD Card

Firmware File

There is only one publicly available firmware at this time.

FWS559.rar

Specifications

Overview
SpecRearview Mirror DVR
Price$60
Overall Rating4.3/10
Price Rating9
Channels1
Channel SetupFront
Form FactorRearview Mirror
Front Resolution720p
Features
SpecRearview Mirror DVR
Parking ModeNo
Wi-FiNo
GPSNo
Cloud ConnectivityNo
Voice CommandsNo
Hardware
SpecRearview Mirror DVR
ProcessorNovatek NT96220
Video FormatAVI
CompressionH.264
Screen Size2.7"
TouchscreenNo
MountClip on to mirror
Power Supply5V
Battery Type500mAh
Storage and Durability
SpecRearview Mirror DVR
SD Card TypeMicroSD
Max Card Size32GB
Operating Temperature0°C to 40°C
SwivelNo
CountryChina
Warranty12 months
Release DateNov 2012
Ratings
SpecRearview Mirror DVR
Day Video6
Night Video1
Reliability2
Discreetness7
Support1
Camera Units
Front Camera
SpecRearview Mirror DVR
CMOSUnknown
Max Resolution1280 x 720p
FPS30
Bitrate6.5 Mbps
Viewing Angle140°
Dimensions315 x 80
HDRNo
Rearview Mirror DVR

The Rearview Mirror DVR has the same internal components as the Carcam K2000 but with a better covert design.

Product SKU: Rearview Mirror DVR

Product Brand: Generic

Product Currency: USD

Product Price: 60

Price Valid Until: 2023-01-01

Product In-Stock: SoldOut

Editor's Rating:
4.3