Dashcams have become an indispensable tool for many drivers, providing peace of mind and valuable evidence in case of traffic incidents.
While most people know dashcams record video, not everyone knows if their dash cam can record sound as well. That’s what we’ll cover in this article, let’s hop in.
Do Dash Cams Record Audio?
Yes, the majority of modern dash cameras have audio recording capability via their built-in microphone. Whether your dash cam records sound or not depends on the make & model.
Some dash cam manufacturers have sound recording disabled by default, so you have to manually turn it on if you want audio in your dash cam footage.
Dash cams record high-quality sound, making it easy to capture conversations or other relevant noises during your journey.
With a dashcam that records audio, you can capture not only the visual evidence of an accident but also the sound of the other driver’s horn, their tires screeching, or even any verbal exchange that takes place afterward.
Audio evidence can help with determining fault or resolving insurance disputes. Thing is, not all dash cams record audio.
Some models may only capture video footage, while others allow users to choose whether or not to record sound. Before you buy, make sure it has capability to record audio. An example of a product we recently reviewed is the Wolfbox G900 mirror dash cam, which has a great built-in mic.
How to Make Your Dashcam Record Audio
The process to enabling dash cam recording audio varies based on your dash cam. However, we’ve put together general guideline to enable audio recording on your dashcam, here’s how:
- Access your dash cam’s settings menu. This is typically done by pressing a physical button or navigating through a touchscreen interface.
- Locate the audio recording option in the settings menu, looking for the setting titled “audio,” “sound,” or “microphone”.
- Toggle the audio recording setting to “on” or “enabled.” This will allow your dashcam to capture sound alongside video footage.
- Save your changes and exit the settings menu. Your dashcam should now record both video and audio.
- Test the audio recording feature by taking a short drive while your dashcam is running. Afterward, review the footage to ensure that sound has been captured as desired.
Adjust the microphone sensitivity if necessary. Some dash cameras offer microphone sensitivity options. We recommend only adjustment these if the audio is too quiet or too loud. This setting is found within the same menu as the audio recording option.
How to Disable Audio Recording on Your Dashcam
Maybe you have privacy concerns, or don’t find audio recording necessary. Most dashcams allow users to disable it, here’s how to disable audio recording:
- Locate your dashcam’s settings menu. This is usually accessible via a physical button or touchscreen interface on the device.
- Find the audio recording option. It’s typically labeled “audio” or “sound”.
- Toggle the audio recording setting to “off” or “disabled.” This should prevent your dashcam from capturing any sound while it records video.
- Save your changes and exit the settings menu. Your dashcam should now record video without audio.
Remember, it’s essential to consult your dashcam’s user manual for specific instructions on disabling audio recording, as the process may differ slightly between devices.
Sound Recording Storage
Most dash cameras record video & audio in loops, meaning they overwrite older footage with new recordings when storage is full. Looping functions ensure you don’t run out of storage space and always have the most recent footage available.
The time length your dashcam records before overwriting older footage is based on the SD card capacity and camera video resolution. Standard 32GB SD cards store ~4-6 hours of high-quality footage. However, this varies based on the dash cam settings you use.
Related Post: How Long Do Dash Cameras Record For?
If you need more recording time, upgrade to a higher-capacity SD card. Or you can reduce your video resolutions frame rate. Just keep in mind that lower resolution and frame rates may result in reduced video and sound quality.
FAQ
The ability of a dashcam to record audio when the car is off depends on the specific model and its features. Some dashcams have parking mode to record video and audio when the ignition is off.
It’s useful for parked car monitoring to capture accidents. Not all dashcams have parking mode, check out our article about dash cameras with the best parking mode to learn more.
Dash cameras equipped with built-in microphones can capture your conversations inside the vehicle. The quality and sensitivity of the microphone will determine how good it is at recording conversations. If you’re concerned about privacy and don’t want conversations recorded, disable audio recording from your dash cam’s settings menu. This allows for no sound dash cam video footage.
The Verdict
While not all of them record audio, most modern dash camera models include the ability to record audio. By enabling/disabling sound recording, you can tailor your dash cam preference to your needs. Check out our dash cam reviews or the best dash cam list to get an idea of which dash cams have audio recording capabilities.
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