Powerucc Panorama2

holee said:
Welcome on board PanoramaII owner!!
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Thank you, nice to be here. I see you are from Singapore. We will visit in March next year. But we do not expect to have much time for driving!

I hope the Cowon model (AF-1) is fully released by then, and we have a chance to compare it with the Panorama2. But a more exciting feature yet would be an array of 4 cameras with 135-degree FOVs mounted on the car roof, so the large overlap would allow seamless panoramas (like Google Streettalk vehicles?) Here in the eastern USA, damage from poor or careless parking can be almost as bad as from driving.
 
jginnane said:
Thank you, nice to be here. I see you are from Singapore. We will visit in March next year. But we do not expect to have much time for driving!
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You won't need to drive in Singapore. We have a rather efficient public transport system here, also our country is quite small and is quite easy to get from place to place.

Advance warm welcome and hope you will enjoy your stay here. Let me know if you need any help.
 
holee said:
You won't need to drive in Singapore. We have a rather efficient public transport system here, also our country is quite small and is quite easy to get from place to place.
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You can say that again. I recently had the chance to visit and I was amazed with such a clean and organized place. Actually it was there where I first saw a taxi driver with a dashcam in his car. At the time I was barely considering the option but that helped pique my interest...
 
holee said:
... Advance warm welcome and hope you will enjoy your stay here. Let me know if you need any help.
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Thank you; it's only 3 days, just to visit the city (and Genting's casino ;p ). We're taking a few sidetrips from Hong Kong, and I'm sorry I didn't allocate more time to Singapore. Hopefully, next time! I would love to spend time exploring Malaysia proper.

On my Panorama2, I ordered from Ebay with the 8Gb card, but they included a 16Gb anyways. (Nice!) The firmware was 8.03 and upgraded to 8.05 without a hitch -- maybe one minute spent, all told. I ordered the suction cup mount previously mentioned in this forum from Amazon for when we move this dashcam between cars, but think the adhesive mount is safer in the event of an accident. The reason is that suction will be lost if in an accident breaking the glass, and the camera will become another missile. But the adhesive pad will stay attached to any glass that is still on the plastic inner membrane. It's also possible with some cars to adhere the pad to the trim surrounding the glass, instead of the glass itself.

There is also the question of high mount versus low mount on the glass, and (my favorite) locating the camera away from the dash, and powering it from a rear "powerpoint" rather than the console cigarette lighter. (This is what I did with the GoPro cameras.) In addition to including the driver, passenger, speedometer, rearview mirror and other dash stuff in the video, a central mounting location makes the camera less visible to outsiders for theft.

My video testing review so far has only been under night conditions. I knew what to expect from my similar cameras, and it's good enough in that you don't need precise detail in the event of an accident. Facial features and license plates aren't as clear as I like, but a person's body motions are unique and identifiable from full motion video. And even without a plate number there are a lot of unique traits to most cars -- badging, trim level, dings in the bumpers or sides. These are clear enough even in night conditions.

But I suspect the notion of a solitary dashcam is a transitional phase. Within the next generation, cameras will be mounted in multiple discrete locations, and a central DVR will collect data for review on a removable SSD device (like today's boot drives). A 256Gb SSD is under $200USD today, so I would expect 1-5 Tb storage within five years for the same price. With those kinds of economics, you're starting to consider 6-8 cameras with some at least in higher-than-HD recording capacity. Would you pay $600-800USD for a complete built-in option on a new car?
 
Hello to all owners of the DVR! Please tell me in the video settings have the brightness, white balance, exposure compensation? Or are they the minimum and all by default?
 
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Zax said:
Hello to all owners of the DVR! Please tell me in the video settings have the brightness, white balance, exposure compensation? Or are they the minimum and all by default?
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Good afternoon. In the settings for features such as you have listed there -no . Perhaps all these settings, nastroiny initially.
 
Zax said:
Hello to all owners of the DVR! Please tell me in the video settings have the brightness, white balance, exposure compensation? Or are they the minimum and all by default?
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Its all AUTO. Auto WB, auto EV, auto brightness.
 
Thank you for your answers! Niko please tell me when the manufacturer will appreciate the new stable firmware? You communicate with them from time to time?
 
Zax said:
Thank you for your answers! Niko please tell me when the manufacturer will appreciate the new stable firmware? You communicate with them from time to time?
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Actually I must say Panorama2 has very stable firmware. The only issue is with time zone shifting after gps locks and gps data reading by original powerucc pc viewer. If using Beta RegistratorViewer, then gps readings are correct.
Time shift issue is solved for many countries by special firmware adjusted to specific countries ( check firmware thread ). If you dont use / dont have a gps antenna, nothing to be worried. From point of view of performance officially listed firmwares are stable. v1.08.03.Other firmwares are Beta versions just for test purpose of developer.
 
Some initial thoughts about making the Panorama2 better ...


1. Consider an adapter to use "industry standard" attachments, those being the GoPro camera system. Ability to attach to a seat headrest, or to a side window, or even outside the car.

2. Consider allowing upside-down recording; same reason. (It's more convenient to attach to the bottom rather than top of the camera, like on an internal seat.

3. Consider editing software that will flip the image 180 degrees because of #2. (Actually I don't know if Panorama2 already has that.)

4. Consider setup software to allow 2 or 4 different fields of view. 150 degrees is OK, but this lens/sensor could probably offer 135 degrees and 120 degrees as well. The problem with 150 degrees, a moderate fisheye, is that events in front of the camera seem to occur too far away, and then suddenly they're right in front of you. 120 degrees is still wide angle, but you have a better chance at seeing detail over the course of several frames.

With the attachment software provided (and the suction cup from Amazon), I'm still considering using velcro tape to mount the camera. I'd rather have a better option!
 
jginnane said:
I'm still considering using velcro tape to mount the camera. I'd rather have a better option!
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I used these fasteners (they were recommended by someone in this forum but I can't seem to find that post). They work very well (hold the camera steady with no vibration) and are better than velcro.

EDIT: Be sure to get the all-weather ones (clear color) because the black ones wouldn't resist direct sunlight on the windshield for long.
 
Gabolinche said:
I used these fasteners (they were recommended by someone in this forum but I can't seem to find that post). They work very well (hold the camera steady with no vibration) and are better than velcro.

EDIT: Be sure to get the all-weather ones (clear color) because the black ones wouldn't resist direct sunlight on the windshield for long.
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Try this
 
Mounting options for this camera have been giving me a little bit of a headache as well. The included sticky mount places is too far from the windshield for it to fit behind my mirror. I bought another similar mount and modified it so it's shorter but it's still not great.
 
Gabolinche said:
I used these fasteners... They work very well (hold the camera steady with no vibration) and are better than velcro.
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A very good idea; in the northeast USA there are things called EZ-Pass transponders. You mount them by the rearview mirror, then as you drive down the highway your account is charged every time it passes one of these highspeed toll gates. The EZ-Pass device is approx 3" square by 1/2", and fastens with two of these 3M fasteners, supplied gratis by the taxing authority.

I'm still trying to decide an absolute best dashcam location: behind the driver, suspended from the ceiling liner at about ear level, inboard from the headrest by 6-8 inches allows best view of the dash and unobstructed FOV of the roadway, and shouldn't block a driver's rear view. It might be uncomfortable for rear seat passengers, though. And a small camera "gooseneck" eye with the box at the base would work better at this location.

I've also regrettably decided to move the Panorama2 from our initial car (VW Jetta Sportswagen) to one with built-in GPS. Two devices on the dash -- a Valentine One radar detector and a Garmin Nuvi GPS -- are OK. But adding a third dashboard device with its own cable clutter tends to mark you as an OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) type. In addition, the competing screen views of the GPS and the dashcam recording are way too distracting to the driver, and no, I don't want to turn off either screen. :)

So: this will instead go in a car (Mazda CX5 GT) with GPS display in the radio head, and (initially) sit on the dash next to a Beltronics radar detector. This car is already ridiculously loaded with electronica: Blind Spot Monitoring, Adaptive Front Xenon Headlights, Rearview Camera and Smart City Braking.

As far as the VW, which is the car used for city driving and parking, I'll continue to monitor this website because that car needs a dashcam most. The Cowon AF2 I mentioned before is currently being sold on Ebay at $450USD+, and even with a second rearview camera doesn't seem worth the large premium.
 
My dashcam is situation behind the rear view mirror and hardwires were the power for emergency lights is situated. Basically the cable feeds up through the roof which is hardwired into the cars electronics, which is also connected to the second battery in the boot :)

I might post a pic tomorrow.
 
Milamber said:
My dashcam is behind the rear view mirror and hardwired ... power for emergency lights ... I might post a pic tomorrow.
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The way I've moved the Panorama2 into my Mazda, it's high-mounted on the glass, then the 10' long power cord goes all the way to the rear/trunk powerpoint. Tacky-looking, but I don't want to poke into the fabric header (yet).

Then, this morning, I'm checking Ebay and what do I see --

AEE SD23 WIFI 1080P Magic Car Vehicle Black Box Dash Sports Helmet Camera Cam

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WIFI-AEE-SD23-1080P-Magic-Car-Vehicle-Black-Box-Dash-Sports-Helmet-Camera-Cam-/121159732814?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c35aece4e

This *seems* to have almost everything I'm looking for. Sensor not as good as the Sony Exmor, but I like the 10X zoom. It appears the same type of mount as the GoPro, but they can't say that in the ad. 1080p @ 30, or 1080i @ 60fps. Can take a 64GB SD card.

This seems to be next generation, and for Shenzhen-based Ebay sellers, they picked a good one. Only problems are -- (1) getting a coherent set of user instructions, (2) domestic return/support system, and (3) we need an English-language review. Someone's going to take over US distribution on this (if it's as good as it appears), repackage it, and make a ton of money. However, I'm disinclined to spend $330USD on a sample.
 
jginnane_ said:
The way I've moved the Panorama2 into my Mazda, it's high-mounted on the glass, then the 10' long power cord goes all the way to the rear/trunk powerpoint. Tacky-looking, but I don't want to poke into the fabric header (yet).

Then, this morning, I'm checking Ebay and what do I see --

AEE SD23 WIFI 1080P Magic Car Vehicle Black Box Dash Sports Helmet Camera Cam

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WIFI-AEE-SD23-1080P-Magic-Car-Vehicle-Black-Box-Dash-Sports-Helmet-Camera-Cam-/121159732814?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c35aece4e

This *seems* to have almost everything I'm looking for. Sensor not as good as the Sony Exmor, but I like the 10X zoom. It appears the same type of mount as the GoPro, but they can't say that in the ad. 1080p @ 30, or 1080i @ 60fps. Can take a 64GB SD card.

This seems to be next generation, and for Shenzhen-based Ebay sellers, they picked a good one. Only problems are -- (1) getting a coherent set of user instructions, (2) domestic return/support system, and (3) we need an English-language review. Someone's going to take over US distribution on this (if it's as good as it appears), repackage it, and make a ton of money. However, I'm disinclined to spend $330USD on a sample.
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330 usd + all tons of taxes, it will end up retail price 450-500usd, unless some big local retailor / dealer gets good price deal on huge quantity order.

16Mpix sensor tells me right away that night time video quality will be similar to 30-40usd dadh cams due to each individual cmos sensor pixel size being too small to catch enough light at night to produce good video, unless they use super size cmos 1/2 , or 1 inch, which is less believable.

Nothing mentioned about automatic start - stop recording when turn on / off ignition, which is essential if used as dash cam.

Battery operated, - drawback for hot countries.
 
niko said:
330 usd + all tons of taxes, it will end up retail price 450-500usd, unless some big local retailor / dealer gets good price deal on huge quantity order.
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This price is already out of range for me (for a no-name). It's a typical 80% finished Chinese product (because of several things you mention) that wouldn't cost a whole lot to fix -- but then, who's going to fix it? in the USA, I'd buy it if it was resold by GoPro with their support network. Retail chains -- Best Buy, Walmart -- I wouldn't expect anything except a big Black Friday ad, to see if they could sell enough to get to critical mass.

16Mpix sensor tells me right away that night time video quality will be similar to 30-40usd dadh cams due to each individual cmos sensor pixel size being too small to catch enough light at night to produce good video, unless they use super size cmos 1/2 , or 1 inch, which is less believable.
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See, this is why I come here, to get the voice of experience. 16 megapixels sounds great to someone who has dealt largely with still cameras. But the cmos sensor size is what governs, and I think this is the main costly thing they have to fix. (OTOH, Sony Exmore "R" sensors are being used on Sony Vaio current laptops, so I don't think we'll see them in the secondary market soon.)

Nothing mentioned about automatic start - stop recording when turn on / off ignition, which is essential if used as dash cam.
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I noted that, but figured the Chinese translation just fell into gibberish. I'd have to have my wife read that in Chinese, then attempt to understand her interpretation of what it means. (Doesn't always work for the technical stuff.)

Battery operated, - drawback for hot countries.
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Again, in the details... I'd hope the battery referred to was just a small backup for the car's circuitry, tho' I didn't explicitly see that said.

I might've just been blinded by the GoPro style housings, but as Chinese knockoffs I could see even these being built in acrylic which would turn yellow and/or shatter, instead of clear strong polycarbonate. Oh well... sooner or later, they'll figure this out.
 
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