4G Cloud dashcams are dashcams where you can remotely log in via the 4G network and watch your dashcam. 4G Cloud dashcams are ideal for fleet management solutions but also to secure your car as an individual. In most cases, Cloud dashcams with 4G send alerts to your phone when an incident occurs, such as impacts while parking. Also, the GPS in the dashcam allows you to track your car live via Cloud.
To use the Cloud service on a Cloud dashcam, in most cases you need a Wifi hotspot in the car. This is because the Cloud dashcam needs to be connected to the 4G internet to store images. With each Cloud dashcam, we offer SIM Wifi adapters that can be used to create a Wifi hotspot in the car. With some dashcams it is possible to insert a SIM card directly into the dashcam.
More and more people use a dashcam to secure their car when it is parked, for example. They would then like to be able to watch remotely to keep an eye on it or even receive notifications when someone has been in or around the car. To be able to communicate remotely with your dashcam you will need a dashcam with Cloud function. Such a dashcam is continuously connected to a remote 'Cloud' server, allowing you to access your dashcam from anywhere in the world.
The Cloud feature works differently than Wifi dashcams. With Wifi, the dashcam itself sends out a Wifi signal that you can log into via your phone. The problem with Wifi is that the range of the Wifi signal is only limited, just like in your home, for example. Because of this, you usually have to be within 10 meters of the dashcam to connect to it.
Cloud interface
Dashcams with Cloud functionality often have their own dedicated App and PC viewer. For example, BlackVue has their own BlackVue 'Over the Cloud' that you can use with an App or via the desktop. G-Net uses the new WithCloud system. These Apps and programs make it very easy to interact with your dashcam. For example, you can view and/or download images or change settings remotely. You can also receive notifications through the App when something has happened in or around the car. Sometimes it is also possible to talk to the driver through the dashcam. The latter can be useful for transportation companies that want to communicate with their driver. Connect dashcam to Cloud
There are two types of Cloud dashcams, each of which connects to the Cloud in a different way: Through a Wifi Hotspot in the car or through a SIM card in the camera. In the first (and most common) case, the dashcam needs to be connected to the Internet with a Wifi Hotspot. By no means all cars have this capability, which is why we offer a SIM Wifi adapter with each dashcam to easily create a Wifi hotspot.
Some dashcams have the ability to insert a SIM card. In that case there is no need for a Wifi hotspot, as the dashcam is directly connected to the Internet (just like a cell phone). In both cases, however, you will need to have a SIM card with mobile data subscription.
Viewing videos in Cloud
FullHD or 4K video files are often very large, sometimes up to hundreds of MBs. It is virtually impossible (and prohibitively expensive) to send all these files via your mobile data to the Cloud and store them there. Most SIM data plans only go up to 20GB and even 'unlimited' plans eventually have a usage limit. The method of storage is slightly different from that on a MicroSD card. The dashcam actually sends a small and compressed video of each video (often in VGA resolution) to the Cloud. This does not show many details but it is just enough to recognize a situation. You can then download the original video via the App or PC directly to your computer or phone.
Cloud storage and Live view
The videos are then uploaded to your computer or PC.
So the videos are stored as compressed files in the Cloud. With BlackVue you get 5GB of Cloud storage as standard, so this is good for about 18 hours of videos. After this, the oldest files are automatically deleted for newer files. In addition to storing images, it is also possible to watch Live along with the dashcam. The table below gives an insight into the data consumption required for this.
Costs of Cloud dashcams
In addition to the fact that dashcams with Cloud option themselves are usually not cheap, the (unlimited) use of the Cloud service also has a price tag. With BlackVue, the free plan lets you watch up to 10 minutes a day live and perform up to 100 views or downloads per month. In addition to these costs, of course, you also need a Wifi hotspot or SIM card with hefty data plan. The video files are often very large so you will consume a good number of GBs per month.
