How Much Storage for a Dash Cam Do You Need?

Storage devices such as Micro SD Card are used to store dash cam videos. It is inserted in its designated slot in the camera. The length of the video that can be saved is determined by the storage capacity / size of the SD card. Dash cams support cards from 16GB – 128GB depending on what model they are.

When the video is recorded by dash cam, it is saved directly in the SD card. These recordings are saved as compressed videos like MP4 or AVI. The video is saved in patches like 1,3,5-minute loops. Dash cams have a loop recording feature that overwrites the oldest video to make space for newer ones when the storage fills up.

Selecting the memory card of the right storage size is important. A card with a high storage capacity like 64GB or 128GB can store more footage. Not all memory cards can be used in the dash cams. Some memory cards that have low endurance can break down easily because they are not designed for continuous overwriting.

The hours of video that a 128GB SD card can store depends on different factors. If your camera has high quality features like higher resolution, it can fill up within a few hours. A 128GB card can store 16 to 20 hours of 1080p high resolution video. If you are using a dash cam that can record in 4K resolution, this storage time reduces to 8-10 hours.

It doesn’t only depend on the resolution but other things such as frame rate or video compression settings as well. If you are using a higher frame rate like 60fps or less compression, it will fill up more quickly than the camera with lower frame rate like 30 fps. 128GB SD card works well for those who want to record videos for multiple days before overwriting.

With a 256GB SD car, you can store your recordings for longer time as it has double memory. Dash cams that record in 1080p resolution can store 30-40 hours of recording in a 256GB card. If you prefer recording in 4K resolution for better quality, you can get around 16 to 20 hours of video.

You can also use higher storage capacity cards to record your long journeys to make vlogs. If you drive daily for 2- 3 hours and use 1080p, this card can keep videos for 2-3 weeks before overwriting older videos.

The time for which the recording is saved on your dash cams depends on many factors such as the size of the car, resolution, FPS, etc. Other settings like parking mode or video encoding for safety can also increase the size of the card needed.

1. SD Card Size:

SD cards with more storage can let you keep the recording for longer periods. E.g. a 128GB memory card can store many times the amount of video as a 16GB card.

2. Video Resolution (Quality):

Dash cams with higher video quality such as 4K or 2.5k(1440p) can store smaller videos than the cameras that record in 1080p or 720p resolution. You can change the quality(resolution) of the video in the camera settings.

3. Frame Rate (FPS):

Camera frame rate like FPS can record videos much smoother than lower frame rates (30 FPS). But it also takes up a lot more space.

1. Number of Channels

Some dash cams come with multiple camera channels such as front and rear camera need more storage space. Dual or triple cameras fill up the card much faster than single camera models. Having multiple channels for recording also makes your vehicle much safer.

Related: The Benefits of Using a 3-Channel Dash Cam As Car Security Camera

2. Video Encoding

You can choose different video encoding formats to compress videos more efficiently without affecting their quality. Older encoding formats like H.264 are slower and take more storage than advanced formats like H.265.

3. Parking Mode

Dash cams that can record in parking mode can take up more space than normal models because they operate all the time. Configuring the options like incident-mode only store the important incidents and reduce the used storage.

4. Bitrate Settings

You can set up your camera for better clarity by increasing the bitrates in settings. But this can also increase the storage used by the saved video. Find the perfect balance to get the longer recordings.

No memory card can be enough to keep the recording of your dash cam forever. It is important to balance the storage space with your recording needs. Memory card that can store up to 20 hours of videos in 720p only keeps 1080p recording for 8 hours. If you are a daily commuter and want a memory card for everyday use, you can go for a 64 GB SD card. They can store 8-12 hours of 1080p resolution video without the need for overwriting.

If you want longer recordings or like to record in higher quality like 2.5k, 4K, you can use the 128GB or a 256GB cards. You can always customize your settings and the recording quality of your videos to see how much space an hour of recording takes. Knowing how many hours of recording you want and the space an hour of recording takes, you can choose the card that suits your needs.

1. Capacity:

Always go for the card that meets your recording requirements. An SD card with small storage (32GB) can be used for shop trips. While SD 64GB – 128GB memory cards are enough for longer trips or high-quality videos.

2. Speed Class:

SD cards used for dash cams must be able to handle continuous recording without lagging. Memory cards with speed classes like UHS-I US or UHS-II can be used in such cases. They can write with speed up to 90MB/s and don’t drop frames.

3. Endurance:

Some memory cards cannot support continuous overwriting and can fail when used in dash cams. Therefore, always choose cards that are labelled as high endurance or dash cam optimized.

4. Brand and Quality:

Cheap SD Cards are not compatible with dash cams and fail quickly and result in data loss. Always stick to the reputable brands like SanDisk, Samsung, Lexar or Redtiger .

1. Format the SD Card Regularly:

Data cache can build up in cards over time and can make them slower. Formatting your SD cards after every few months makes them run smoothly without taking up extra space. In some dash cams, you can directly format your SD cards through the settings.

2. Avoid Removing the Card While Recording:

When you remove the card when the dash cam is recording, it can corrupt the file. Make sure to stop the recording and eject the card before removing.

3. Check for Errors and Corruption:

Keep track of your SD periodically to see for errors. Some dash cams also give you alerts if the card is faulty. If your camera is not saving videos or they are not openable, your card might be corrupted.

4. Store the SD Card Properly:

If your card gets exposed to extreme conditions or physical damage it can get faulty and won’t work anymore. Store the card in a safe, dry place when not in use.

5. Compatibility:

Basic model dash cams might not support cards with higher storage capacity. Before buying the card, make sure it can work well with the dash cam you have. This can help to avoid the need for replacement.