What If?

[roadbug]

Decided to put this here as it is just a mental exercise for now.
I am looking into CarPC 's and noticed software for doing video recording; since it is a computer it uses web cams through the USB port. There are programs available for CarPC that work like dash cams; motion detect for parking being one I remember seeing. I started looking at what was available in web cams and there are some out there that do 1080P @ 30 fps with a 120 degree field of view. They also have built in H.264 compression; not sure this is better than having the computer do the compression or not. Anyway, what I am wondering is if I were to do a CarPC, would doing web cams to the CarPC be better or worse than a dash cam. I was thinking I could test this by taking a laptop and one of the web cams and running some trials to see what is captured. What do you guys think about web cams as dash cams?

 

[jokiin]

I'd think the cameras are not designed with vehicle use in mind, temperatures, extremes of contrast, dealing with direct sun through to low light situations etc

 

[Street Guardian USA]

The few (ras pie etc) experiments I've seen all had lackluster results. They ended up not being as practical long term as a true set it and forget it dependable DashCam appliance. In each instance the experimenter ended up buying a real DashCam after giving up on the dream.

 

[kamkar]

I am skeptic on this too, but webcams have come a long way in recent years.

I guess the cheapest way to test this is to get a webcam and connect it to a laptop and then go for a drive, i have nosised a modified webcam and a laptop is popular in amatur astronomy.

If it dont work you can just use the webcam as normal at home, or give it as a gift to some one.