When shopping for a dash cam, one of the main factors you should consider is how the footage gets stored. Most dash cams save video files to a micro SD card in the camera and when it get’s full, new recordings overwrite the old ones.
Some dash cam models have accident detection tech to protect important videos from being deleted. You need to understand how your specific dash cam stores files so you can watch your footage when you need it most. That’s what we’re getting into today.
Watching Recent Footage on your Dash Cam Screen
If you need a reminder of your latest trips on the road, you can view recent recordings on your dash cam’s screen. Most dash cams automatically turn on when you start your vehicle. If not, press the power button on the camera.
With the device on, use the buttons on the dash cam to scroll through and play back footage that’s stored on the SD card. The interface and controls will vary slightly between models, so consult your device’s manual if needed.
Watching the videos on the dash cams built-in screen is useful in a pinch. But dash cam screens are typically small, ranging between 2 to 3 inches. It’s harder to see the smaller details, especially on newer high-resolution cameras. It’s great for a quick replay of a recent trip though.
Note: this process differs slightly for viewing Tesla dashcam clips, which is why we have a separate article for it.
How to View Dashcam Footage from an SD Card
To use your dash cam to its full potential, you’ll need to remove the microSD card and view video files on a larger screen. Here’s how to view the dash cam footage that’s stored on your SD card:
- Only eject the SD card when it’s not in use. Shut your car and dash cam off before starting.
- Locate the door on the body of your dash cam to access your SD card slot.
- Gently press on the card to eject it and carefully slide it out. Do not force it and avoid touching the contacts.
- Insert the memory card into your computer’s SD card reader if available. If not, you can get an inexpensive USB adapter ($5 from Walmart/Amazon).
- Once your PC recognizes the SD card, find it in windows explorer.
- Open the DCIM folder on the card which should contain all your footage.
- Find the important video files that you want to keep, then copy and paste them to your desktop or whatever folder you want to store them in.
By backing up footage this way, you can view clips on a big screen in high definition. And the videos are now safely stored long-term so they can’t be overwritten by the camera.
How to Watch Footage via Companion Apps (Based on Dash Cam Brand)
Most dash cam manufacturers have smartphone apps designed specifically for their models. While there’s some overlap in the phone connection, each manufacturer has its own unique app setup process.
See the below chart for all of our available dash cam app guides so you can learn how to view dash cam footage on a brand-by-brand basis:
| Dash Cam Brand | Article Title |
|---|---|
| Azdome | How to Connect Azdome Dash Cam App |
| RedTiger | How to Connect RedTiger Dash Cam App |
| Wolfbox | How to Connect to Wolfbox App |
| Cobra | How to Connect to Cobra Dash Cam App |
| Vantrue | How to Connect to Vantrue App |
| VAVA | How to Connect VAVA Dash Cam App |
| 70mai | How to Connect to 70mai App |
| Pruveeo | How to Connect to Pruveeo Dash Cam App |
| Nextbase | How to Use MyNextbase Connect App |
The smartphone apps mentioned in the above table also offer benefits such as:
- Syncing to your dash cam to the cloud via Bluetooth or the camera’s WiFi signal.
- Viewing live footage as it’s happening (livestream).
- Watching clips from past trips.
- Downloading important videos to your phone’s storage.
- Sharing clips directly from the app to text, email, & social media.
Make sure you research whether the dash cam you’re considering has an app. If it doesn’t, consider picking one with it – the functionality is pretty irreplaceable after you use it for a while. It’s super convenient for watching your footage on the go. An example of a super functional dash cam app is the the Redtiger phone app.
Viewing Dash Cam Footage on your PC / Mac
For the best experience when watching dash cam clips, transfer your video footage to your computer. Why is computer viewing better than smartphone viewing? A few reasons:
- Larger monitors with full HD are the same resolution as the recorded video.
- Powerful processors smoothly handle high-quality dash cam videos way better.
- Files are way easier to organize on a computer.
- Automatically pull the GPS data and other metadata associated with your footage.
- Easy to edit your clips together to share in bulk.
To view on a computer, remove the SD card and insert it into your PC. Locate the video files, which are typically MP4 format, and open them in your operating system’s default media player app or a free program like VLC media player.
This makes it easy to find & timestamp footage from your recent trips. Software like Dashcam Viewer will overlay your speed and GPS coordinates for location proof of your trip.
Why You Should Back Up Valuable Videos
Dash cams rely on looping recording systems that continuously overwrite older footage as the SD card storage fills up.
You can make space yourself by deleting old recordings. But if you don’t manually save important video clips, they will eventually be permanently deleted to make space for new recordings.
That’s why it’s important to regularly transfer the footage from the memory card to a safe location on your computer or external hard drive. Only after you saved all your footage down externally are you free to format your SD card.
Even if you have no plans to watch a video again, keep it saved until any insurance claims or disputes are fully resolved and settled. You might just be very glad to have footage on-hand & avoid a case of “he said, she said” down the road.
Choosing a Dash Cam Based on Storage Capabilities
All dash cams may look similar on the surface, but the storage technology inside can vary greatly. This affects how easily you can retrieve footage later, so it’s one of the most important factors to consider before buying.
The majority of dash cams use microSD cards inserted into the camera itself to save videos. Higher-end models have G-force sensors that detect collisions and automatically protect clips with accidents or important events from being overwritten.
Some modern (and more advanced) cameras don’t even use SD cards at all – instead they have built-in SSDs (solid state drives) with very large storage capacities, or they offer cloud storage. But these tend to be on the more expensive side.
Take time to understand how potential dash cams handle storage before making a purchase. This knowledge will make sure you choose a model well-suited for accessing past footage when you need it.
Wrapping up
We’ve covered a ton of ground here. Here’s a quick recap so you can take some action immediately:
- Choose a dash cam with storage capabilities to fit your needs.
- Transfer footage to your computer via an SD card.
- Leverage smartphone apps for wireless viewing and sharing if it’s available for your dash cam model.
- Play videos on a computer at the highest quality for more detail.
- Save important clips before they get overwritten by loop recording.
These are the best practices for accessing and backing up footage. Hopefully now you feel like a pro!
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