The “DREC1000,” from Fujitsu Ten Ltd is a drive recorder that records video of accidents targeting general consumers. The latest drive recorder consists of the main body and a separate camera part, which is set on the windshield glass behind the rear-view mirror. Power supports 12 V and 24 V, as well as supply from the cigarette lighter. When a shock sensor embedded with the main body detects sudden acceleration or slowdown, for example, the camera is triggered and records video on a 128 MB dedicated CF card for 20 seconds (12 seconds before and 8 seconds after the trigger) at 10 frames per second. Video recording can also be started by pushing a packed operation switch. The drive recorder can store a total of 15 video clips — 10 triggered by the shock sensor and 5 by the operation switch. As a new functionality, however, the drive recorder’s body is embedded with an electric dual layer capacitor that supplies power for about 10 seconds to save video data on a dedicated CF card when power supply from the car’s lead battery stops. In addition, an audio microphone, is featured as standard, so more information can be obtained even if it is a minor collision, which needs more than just image to be made certain of. Along with these functionalities, the company widened its video recording CCD camera’s horizontal and vertical viewing angles to 134 and 103 degrees, respectively, so the camera can record video even when the car is hit from either front side
Users can view and hear recorded video using “Windows 2000” or “Windows XP” compatible PCs without installing software.The main body measures 150 x 27 x 130 mm and weighs 300 g while the 250000-pixel, 1/4-inch type camera measures 23 x 21 x 20 mm excluding cable and weighs 80 g including cable. The Fujitsu General Consumer Drive Recorder DREC1000 will be available from mid November for approximately 59,850 yen ($505). Targeted sales are 500 units per month.
Via TechOn
