Single Channel vs Dual Channel Dash Cams

Brian F.
Single Channel vs Dual Channel Dash Cams
As you shop dash cams for sale, you’ll see both single-channel and dual-channel dash cameras. Which one should you buy? The word channel refers to the number of cameras used in the dash camera kit and whether it only records the front or includes a second camera that also records the rear. Here at SpyCentre Security, we prefer to use the phrase “Dual Camera” to denote our dual channel dash camera that records both front and rear. For the longest time, drivers have only been offered the front-facing dashcam. Systems that can record in both the front and rear are a slightly newer development. There is a lot of conflicting information online, and many of the blogs refer to old limitations of first-generation models. For example, users might complain about poor chipsets or lower rear-camera definition. At SpyCentre Security, we’ve created a line of dash cameras that fixes those concerns and delivers crisp, clear video from both the front cam and the rear cam.

IS A DUAL CHANNEL DASH CAM BETTER?

For personal vehicles, vans, and SUVs, having two cameras provides better coverage. This setup tells a complete story, whether capturing erratic behavior of someone ahead of you or showing you were driving normally when someone else hits you from the rear. Should you be injured in an accident, a two-camera setup can give you more footage to support your claims and get you the reimbursement you deserve. One of the biggest advantages of this setup is how easy it is to use. You can readily access the footage from both cameras at the base station, making it less of a hassle to get the documentation you need. It also uses the same time signature, making it easier to line up the two pieces of footage and make sure that you see the complete picture of what occurred at the time of the accident.

SHOULD I JUST GET TWO SINGLE-CHANNEL CAMERAS FOR MY DASH?

Some Vloggers think they have created the ultimate hack. Instead of buying a dual-camera setup, they will purchase two dash cameras and mount one in the vehicle's rear. The argument is that most rear cameras have a lower resolution, so two dash cameras (with one mounted in the rear of the vehicle) will provide better coverage. The downside is that these cameras are not designed for rear mounting. You will likely need to get creative with your mounting brackets to get a satisfactory rear mount. You will also need a separate 12-volt power supply, so you might need to invest in a power splitter to support the second unit. With SpyCentre Securitys Dual Camera system, both the front and the rear camera are filming at 1080p resolution to ensure that you have the high definition video needed to capture license plate numbers and even facial features of the other driver when within range. You also get a specific rear mounting bracket for easier mounting, and both cameras share the same power supply

CAN YOU CONVERT A SINGLE CHANNEL CAM INTO A DUAL CAMERA?

Some shoppers wonder if they can buy a single camera system now and upgrade later by plugging the rear unit into it. Currently, we are unaware of any system that is sold in this modular fashion. The firmware is typically only designed to support a single or dual system, and there isn’t one that does either/or.  

WICH DASH CAM SHOULD YOU BUY?

We believe that every driver should have a dashboard camera. If your budget allows, the dual-camera system provides the best coverage. The only physical limitation you need to be aware of is that the cord connecting the front and rear cameras is 19 feet long. Make sure your vehicle is not going to require more than that distance between the cameras. Most customers will run this cord through the headliner or under the edge of the trim. You can also take our cameras to a local audio installer and let them do the install. Our cameras are of higher quality than most and backed by our customer service team in Dallas, giving you better support than just about any competing model on the market.