Dashmellow
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2013
- Messages
- 18,813
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- Location
- Uncanny Valley (●_●)
- Country
- United States
- Dash Cam
- Umpteen
Am I recalling correctly that someone said older computers struggle to render H265 so the user base may not favour it?
Yes, that's been discussed on DCT many times. Even now here in 2024, there are still older computers and operating systems in use in such places as insurance companies, courts and courtrooms, law enforcement bureaucracies, law offices, etc., that can't display H.265 video. H.265 is still not as ubiquitous as it was expected it to be by now.
There are circumstances where you may be required to submit original copies of your dash cam videos to some agency or company where it goes through a chain of custody in the adjudication of your matter and it could land on the desk of someone who finds the H.265 video unplayable. In many cases, the person dealing with this won't know why they can't view it and they won't even know what the term H.265 even means or that that is the problem. They will only know that they can't view it and they might just move on to their next case during the course of a busy day.
Having been a member here on DCT for a long time I've noticed that some members forget that the primary purpose of dash cams is to capture actionable legal evidence they might need to submit if misfortune strikes when out driving. It is less about having the absolute latest and greatest technology. I can tell you from my own personal experience submitting dash cam evidence to police, prosecutors and attorneys in a legal matter that it is vital to be able to hand off footage that is as easy and idiot proof for literally anyone to view or you can risk not getting the kind of attention you want for your matter or claim or any attention at all. Once you hand off your video into a formal chain of custody you have no idea or control over who is going to view it (or try to view it), what kind or vintage computer or OS or media player will be used or the knowledge and computer skills of the person who receives your footage to view.
For this reason, I never use H.265 even if it is available to me. I'd rather just use a larger capacity memory card knowing it will be more likely to be easily watchable for whomever may need to see my footage.