Davekyn
New Member
In response to a request for video footage I have decided to make this thread a place where I can learn to make the most of what I now own. The THINKWARE U1000 2 channel Dash Cam Set Up. Initially I was really disappointed. This is more so due to my own lack of knowledge. After spending a whole morning going over footage and trailing different viewing options I have since discovered I was assessing the video footage in a difference format to that which is typically advertised on both the Thinkware Webiste and varioius other YouTube Consumer Videos. I'm feeling a little better now since discovering I was first viewing the footage at full 4K and not down-scaled as is mostly viewed by most consumers.
Here is a screen shot at what the THINKWARE U1000 Looks like when viewing via MPC -[HC] with 'Video Frame' option 'Normal Size' selected. This not what it looks like when most people are watching on YouTube. The image have been cropped whilst retaining exactly what it would look like when viewed at 4K full screen. I am viewing it on a 2560X1080 21:9 / 34 inch PC Display.
This is what the 4K image looks like when down-scaled to 1080p (Horizontal)
Same image - cropped again - but shows more of the field of view ... a much tighter picture - unlike the above. YES i DO HAVE THE CPL FILTER ON.
THE CONTEXT IN WHICH I SHARE THIS is more related to how I first viewed my footage. IMO when viewing the 4K image at full resolution ... YES ... I can understand the somewhat negative review reviews my wife came to me with saying "I don't understand why you bought this model of Dash Cam as people are saying the 4K footage is sub par?" It was not until I understood a little more about the benefits of down scaling and the settings I was viewing on that I then felt a little better about the apparent sub par quality of this 4K footage. I do realize the sensor size can only do so much. Let's also not forgot the screen size one views their files on can also affect the quality of displayed footage.
At any rate ... I have now uploaded a number of 4K videos. During the section and uploading process I discovered other issues I need to address and variable that can effect the quality of footage.
First though ... here is the car my dash cam was installed into and a few images to show camera placement and the difficulty of what I have to work with in relation to demister lines and angle of rear window:
I'll just show the rear as the front is pretty standard. The slant and demister lines have been hard to work with. I accept that I will have lines in my rear footage no matter what I do:
The widest gap between the lines is either side of the lable 'Lens Here'
Rear Camera Placement we settled on: (Note* Results in video footage is easy to see)
Front Camera Placement is up High:
Righto ... Just to recap before I take a break. I really got a shock viewing on my large Ultra Wide Monitor when viewing 4K at is normal size. I did not take the time to think and just reacted as I normally do. I have to be fair now as I have taken more time to evaluate all the variables that go into what makes for quality footage and how it is that I should approach my own expectations with such tech. The sensor size imo has to be the limiting factor and then comes the size of screen, down-scaling and in camera settings. I can see how reviews will differ with those variables in mind. After taking a breath I am more than OK with the final results. I have had a cheap cam that I ended up tossing in the bin. Whatever my final verdict will be, this setup is a keeper. I will worry about the other features later but will Just link my Video Results thus far and discuss a little about them as I do. The wide angle is quite practical. Under the right conditions the quality is actually good, but mostly in the sun is what I will be concerned about; especially reflections. Reflections on the rear for me seem to be happened more with the angle on my window. Whilst it is present on the front and also dependent on angle and height of sun ... it's defiantly an issue for the rear window. The demister lines in that respect is quite a non issue.
Videos Coming Next.
Here is a screen shot at what the THINKWARE U1000 Looks like when viewing via MPC -[HC] with 'Video Frame' option 'Normal Size' selected. This not what it looks like when most people are watching on YouTube. The image have been cropped whilst retaining exactly what it would look like when viewed at 4K full screen. I am viewing it on a 2560X1080 21:9 / 34 inch PC Display.
This is what the 4K image looks like when down-scaled to 1080p (Horizontal)
Same image - cropped again - but shows more of the field of view ... a much tighter picture - unlike the above. YES i DO HAVE THE CPL FILTER ON.
THE CONTEXT IN WHICH I SHARE THIS is more related to how I first viewed my footage. IMO when viewing the 4K image at full resolution ... YES ... I can understand the somewhat negative review reviews my wife came to me with saying "I don't understand why you bought this model of Dash Cam as people are saying the 4K footage is sub par?" It was not until I understood a little more about the benefits of down scaling and the settings I was viewing on that I then felt a little better about the apparent sub par quality of this 4K footage. I do realize the sensor size can only do so much. Let's also not forgot the screen size one views their files on can also affect the quality of displayed footage.
At any rate ... I have now uploaded a number of 4K videos. During the section and uploading process I discovered other issues I need to address and variable that can effect the quality of footage.
First though ... here is the car my dash cam was installed into and a few images to show camera placement and the difficulty of what I have to work with in relation to demister lines and angle of rear window:
I'll just show the rear as the front is pretty standard. The slant and demister lines have been hard to work with. I accept that I will have lines in my rear footage no matter what I do:
The widest gap between the lines is either side of the lable 'Lens Here'
Rear Camera Placement we settled on: (Note* Results in video footage is easy to see)
Front Camera Placement is up High:
Righto ... Just to recap before I take a break. I really got a shock viewing on my large Ultra Wide Monitor when viewing 4K at is normal size. I did not take the time to think and just reacted as I normally do. I have to be fair now as I have taken more time to evaluate all the variables that go into what makes for quality footage and how it is that I should approach my own expectations with such tech. The sensor size imo has to be the limiting factor and then comes the size of screen, down-scaling and in camera settings. I can see how reviews will differ with those variables in mind. After taking a breath I am more than OK with the final results. I have had a cheap cam that I ended up tossing in the bin. Whatever my final verdict will be, this setup is a keeper. I will worry about the other features later but will Just link my Video Results thus far and discuss a little about them as I do. The wide angle is quite practical. Under the right conditions the quality is actually good, but mostly in the sun is what I will be concerned about; especially reflections. Reflections on the rear for me seem to be happened more with the angle on my window. Whilst it is present on the front and also dependent on angle and height of sun ... it's defiantly an issue for the rear window. The demister lines in that respect is quite a non issue.
Videos Coming Next.
Last edited: