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. 
UPDATE: DR900S and DR750S Series Parking Modes
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Since August 2018, BlackVue DR900S Series and DR750S Series dashcams support two different Parking Modes: 
  • The default Motion & Impact Detection mode, with the addition of selectable detection regions. 
  • Time lapse (with buffered Events videos in case of impact).

Motion & 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.
NOTE:
1) Learn more about these two modes here. 
2) Unless mentioned otherwise, the instructions on this page refer to Motion & Impact Detection Parking Mode.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Parking Mode

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.
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.
​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??
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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.
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. 

Cellink Battery

Cellink battery has the option to be charged using the cigar jack or hardwired to the fuse box. Normally, it will be hidden under your seat, inside the dashboard or in the boot area. With only about an hour of charging time while driving, it can lasts up to 48 hours to a one channel dashcam (*) or up to 22 hours to a dual-channel (*) dashcam when your vehicle is parked.  The most important points of using Cellink battery is that it will not affect your car battery performance and life. It will also prevent any unforeseen error from sensitive electronics of any cars. 
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Unlike conventional lithium-ion battery packs found in consumer electronics like phones or laptop computers, the Cellink Battery is of the LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) type. LiFePO4 batteries are highly resistant to heat, which is critical to ensure safe operation in a vehicle. Moreover,  LiFePO4 batteries have an overall higher lifespan (based on number of charge/discharge cycles) when compared to lithium-ion batteries.
​* Dashcam models dependants

Power Magic Pro

Power Magic Pro is the hardwiring kit by BlackVue. It powers your dashcam and protects your vehicle’s battery.
Simply hardwiring your dashcam without Power Magic Pro would risk depleting your vehicle’s battery with long Parking Mode sessions. 
When voltage drops below cutoff value or the timer expires, Power Magic Pro stops powering your dashcam to preserve your vehicle’s battery.
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Power Magic Pro allows you to:
  • Set a timer from 6 hours to infinite.
  • Set a voltage cutoff value (12V by default): as soon as the vehicle’s battery reaches that voltage, Power Magic Pro will stop powering the dashcam, in order to prevent battery discharge.
  • Turn Parking Mode ON/OFF: with the switch OFF, the Power Magic Pro will power your BlackVue dashcam only when the vehicle’s ignition is on.​

Parking mode & BlackVue Over the Cloud

Monitor your car from anywhere, anytime
​Parking Mode takes a whole new dimension with BlackVue Over the 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 push 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