PARKING MODE

Dashcams are designed to record your drive. But do you know that BlackVue dashcam can record even when you are away?
 This is a useful feature if you are worry about hit-and-runs or vandalism on your parked vehicle. Most of the time, you may park your vehicles in public car parks with limited space which is more
venerable to unforeseen incidents. All BlackVue dashcams come with Parking Mode features. Here we share a few important things about Parking Mode. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

1) When does the dashcam switch to Parking Mode?

BlackVue Parking Mode activates after the dashcam’s accelerometer (G-sensors) detects that the vehicle is stationary for five minutes.
With the X Series models, you can hardwire the dashcam directly to the fuse box of your vehicle. In this case, the dashcam will switch to Parking Mode as soon as ignition is turned off and monitor the voltage to shut down at the set cutoff value.

X Series models also activate Parking Mode based on the accelerometer’s status, in case you cannot hardwire the dashcam but still want to use Parking Mode.

2) How does the dashcam records in Parking Mode?

In Parking Mode, your BlackVue is active all the time but does not write to the memory card, unless:
  • Movement is detected by the front or rear camera (sensitivity can be adjusted or turned off). In this case, it creates a one-minute Parking video recording that starts a few seconds before the trigger*. (Parking file will be marked as P in the file name)
  • An impact or vibration is picked up by the dashcam’s accelerometer (sensitivity can be adjusted). In this case, it creates a one-minute Event video recording that starts a few seconds before the trigger*. (Impact or event file will be marked as E in the file name)​​
​*The BlackVue constantly keeps the last few seconds of video in its buffer memory so as to catch the actions that led to the trigger.
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​We concluded that both motion and impact detection is equally important during parking mode as not all incidents in car park will be triggered only by impact, imagine vandals who come scratching your car may mostly triggers only the motion detection. With about 5 seconds of pre-buffered recording before the impact and motion detection is a crucial evident of how the whole incident happens. 

​Don't you think it's really too late just to wake up the dashcam to only start recording when there's an impact detected??
​That's why all BlackVue dashcams comes with Buffered recording for parking mode but maybe not for others. 
​
ADDITIONAL FEATURES FOR DR750S AND DR900S SERIES PARKING MODES:

​Since August 2018, BlackVue DR900S Series and DR750S Series dashcams support two different Parking Modes: 
  • ​Motion & Impact Detection mode, with the addition of selectable detection regions. 
  • Time lapse (with buffered Events videos in case of impact). (Default for DR900S series for unit purchase on Jan 2019 or later)

Motion and Impact Detection Mode

Motion & Impact Detection Parking Mode detects both:
  • Motions recorded by the image sensor (Parking Mode files marked “P” in the file list).
  • Impacts detected by the accelerometer/G-sensor (Event files marked “E” in the file list).
With the DR900S and DR750S Series dashcams, users have the added possibility to choose detection regions to reduce the risk of triggered too many motion recordings due to trees swaying in the wind, etc.

Time Lapse Mode

Time Lapse Parking Mode allows your dashcam to continuously record at 1FPS (one frame per second). Videos are played back at 30FPS. 
Each 1-minute Time lapse Parking Mode video covers a real-time period of 30 minutes (Time lapse Parking Mode files are marked “P” in the file list).
This mode allows to cover a period of more than 27 hours on a 16GB microSD card for a dual-channel model at the highest (Extreme) quality setting.
Additionally, when impacts are detected, the dashcam creates a buffered Event video.

Learn more about Region-based Motion Detection and Time Lapse mode from here >.

3) What are the advantages of Parking Mode over Normal Mode?

In Parking Mode, because it only records when something happens, your BlackVue minimizes the risks of overwriting important footage during long Parking Mode sessions. (With bigger file size due to higher resolution quality and video file from rear camera (if any) sharing into the same memory card, memory storage is always a concern especially for parking mode)
It also reduces the stress on the microSD card, which helps extend the memory card’s lifespan.
Additionally, the GPS module is turned off during Parking Mode, which reduces power consumption.

4) I have a dual-channel dashcam. Does Parking Mode works for both cameras?

The Parking videos can be triggered by motion detected by either the front or the rear (or interior) camera.
The Event videos are triggered by vibrations detected by the accelerometer located in the front camera.
In either case, the dashcam will save videos recorded by both the front and rear cameras.

5) Can I deactivate Parking Mode?

Yes, Parking Mode can be deactivated in your camera’s settings.
In this case, the dashcam will continue recording in Normal Mode as long as it is powered, even if the vehicle is stationary for more than five minutes.

6) What do I need to enable Parking Mode?

By default, BlackVue dashcams come with a male cigar lighter power adapter to plug in your vehicle’s cigar socket.
On the majority of vehicles, this cigar lighter socket is not powered unless ignition is on.
To enable the parking mode, you need the following Power Solutions:

1) Cellink Battery which is a dedicated battery pack which can be hard wired or using the cigar jack. 

​2) Power Magic Pro which is a hardwiring kit that taps the power from your car battery.

3) Hardwiring Cable for dashcam models with voltage monitoring built-in (native parking mode) that taps power from car battery.

​Learn more from the overview of these accessories further down below this page.

7) Which mode should you choose? Motion + Impact detection or Time Lapse?

It is up to you of course, but here are a few things to consider:
  • Small-capacity microSD card? Time lapse is your best choice, especially if you use a dual-channel dashcam.
  • Large-capacity microSD card? You can choose either mode.
  • Want audio in all circumstances? Choose Motion & Impact detection (Time lapse videos do not include audio, although the Event videos do).
  • Parked in a quiet area with little action? Motion & Impact detection is best. 
  • Parked in a busy area with lots of vehicle and foot traffic? Time lapse can help.
  • Want to have a quick overview of everything that happens around your parked car? Time lapse is your friend.
  • Want to record only impact Event videos? Choose Motion & Impact detection, then turn off motion detection under Firmware settings > Sensitivity > Motion detection (Parking Mode).

8) What capacity of memory card is most suitable if I have parking mode?

Since August 2019, all our dashcam comes with default 32GB microSD card and support up to maximum of 256GB capacity. It is crucial to consider upgrading the capacity of the memory card if you have parking mode as to cover the period when you are away, for example, your daily overnight parking. To understand more about the recording hours, please refer to this link. 

9) How to reduce power consumption while in parking mode?

If you normally park your car reversed-in, you may want to consider switching off the rear camera automatically when in parking mode. You just need change the settings once, go to Settings > Firmware Settings > Basic > Recording > Rear camera recording in parking mode > OFF
With the setting to OFF, the dashcam will automatically switch off the rear camera about 5 minutes after it had switched to parking mode. The rear dashcam will be automatically switch back to on when you drive off. This will save about 30% of power consumption , which means if you are using a Cellink power pack, it could power the dashcam for a longer duration before it depletes. If your dashcam uses Power Magic Pro or hardwiring kit which taps car battery power for parking mode, this setting will also help to prolong the period of recording before it reaches the voltage threshold due to lower power consumption. Since the rear camera is off and not recording, this also save about 30% of memory space of the microSD card  too. 
This feature is available in DR900S series, DR900X series, DR750S series, DR750X series, DR750X PLUS series, DR750-2CH LTE and DR590X-2CH. 

Overview of Power Solutions for Parking Mode

​Giving you peace of mind on the road is only one facet of the BlackVue dashcams. With the proper accessories, your BlackVue can also protect your vehicle when you are parked.
Check out the range of Power Solutions to enable safe use of the BlackVue Parking Mode monitoring function. 
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Parking Mode and BlackVue Cloud

Monitor your car from anywhere, anytime
​Parking Mode takes a whole new dimension with BlackVue Cloud.
When your dashcam is connected to the Cloud, you can be alerted instantly of anything that happens in Parking Mode.
Receive Push Notifications alert messages when Parking recording starts (in case of motion) and/or when an Event recording starts (in case of impact).
Then you can instantly check what is actually happening around your car with Remote Live View.

​Impact Notification in Action

​Impact detected → Buffered Event recording + Impact Push Notification sent to phone
In the video below, you can see a van trying to park and bumping into the BlackVue owner’s car in the process. The bump was detected by the dashcam’s accelerometer. Since the dashcam was connected to the Cloud, it sent a Push Notification to the owner’s phone, who happened to be at his workplace nearby. He was then able to run out and catch the driver who was seemingly trying to drive away. After the driver feigned not knowing he had hit the car, our dashcam owner downloaded and showed him the video footage. The van driver had nothing more to say.

Video credits: Jerry Z