Interested in dashcam: Does Audi do one they can fit?

Rupert49

Rupert49

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More and more people are fitting dashcams these days, so I thought I'd make some tentative enquiries.

I don't have a smart phone or any other mobile 'device', so any dashcam would need to have a removable SD card that I could pop into my PC when I got home.

I wouldn't want trailing wires with an installation (presumably behind the rear view mirror?) .. do they come without? Do they record sound as well as vision?

If Audi makes one, would they be able to install it so that what it 'sees' can be shown on the MMI screen? If so, would it automatically turn on when the ignition was activated?

There must be loads of other things I could ask, but this'll do for now. Sorry if I seem naïve, but I wouldn't ask if I had a greater idea of the whole dashcam concept.
 
Rupert49 said:
More and more people are fitting dashcams these days, so I thought I'd make some tentative enquiries.

I don't have a smart phone or any other mobile 'device', so any dashcam would need to have a removable SD card that I could pop into my PC when I got home.

I wouldn't want trailing wires with an installation (presumably behind the rear view mirror?) .. do they come without? Do they record sound as well as vision?

If Audi makes one, would they be able to install it so that what it 'sees' can be shown on the MMI screen? If so, would it automatically turn on when the ignition was activated?

There must be loads of other things I could ask, but this'll do for now. Sorry if I seem naïve, but I wouldn't ask if I had a greater idea of the whole dashcam concept.
Click to expand...

Yes, Audi do offer dashcams but they are slightly expensive. I'd contact @DJAlix who offers better alternatives and is also a forum sponsor. He recommended a few options to me for my A3 and S4, which are better a lot better than what Audi offers.
 
Ping me a whatsapp as I could offer this.
 
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Its all good.
 
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Yes Audi make a dash cam called the Universal Traffic Recorder (UTR). It can be fitted by Audi and can be front only or front and rear. It does not show video on the MMI screen and the method for viewing recordings is via a smart phone app or by taking the micro-SD card out and viewing on a computer. It can be set to record when the ignition is on or to have parking mode as well. In parking mode it uses radar to detect movement and record a clip which saves the car battery. It will also switch off completely when it detects that the battery voltage is too low so it will not leave the car with a flat battery. It is a neat installation with a model specific wiring harness. I have the UTR front and rear and have no complaints other than the app is a bit rubbish (but functional). Some criticise it as being expensive and not as capable as other cameras on the market. However, it's up to you. My view is Audi fitted it so if it goes wrong or messes anything up (which it has not in my case) then it's up to them to fix it. The footage recorded is easily good enough for my needs -I had to use some recently after a minor prang.
 
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Can supply & fit the audi system too.
 
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Have you considered fitting one yourself ? It’s very easy to do on the 8v platform as the fusefox Is behind the glovebox. Even easier on a Saloon as you don’t need to anything apart for the rear cam install.

You can create a notch in the trim behind the rear view cam and run the cable in the through the headliner so you don’t even notice cable.
 
Hi

I had the Audi UTR system retrofitted front and rear view just after I bought the car. The radar system when the car is left alone is a great feature and the red LED that comes on lets those around know they are being filmed. Yes, the app is not the best of apps but does the job and its easy to access/download the clips via the app or micro SD card.

FYI supply and fit by Audi Huntingdon in May last year was £495 + VAT
 
Lots of helpful replies .. many thanks to you all.

NHN: Thank you, I know you mean well, but 'Ping me a whatsapp' is a foreign country I'm afraid!
Shawn8V: Thanks, but I wouldn't want to mess around with any part of my car (bought new and subsequently exclusively looked after by Audi)
svenedin & thebb: Best answers .. many thanks indeed. Cost is interesting, about what I thought.

Re the Audi UTR system .. can anyone tell me what video definition it runs at, please? Also, is it real time recording & playback or is it 'jerky' like some of the urban CCTV recordings one sees?
 
Rupert49 said:
Lots of helpful replies .. many thanks to you all.

NHN: Thank you, I know you mean well, but 'Ping me a whatsapp' is a foreign country I'm afraid!
Shawn8V: Thanks, but I wouldn't want to mess around with any part of my car (bought new and subsequently exclusively looked after by Audi)
svenedin & thebb: Best answers .. many thanks indeed. Cost is interesting, about what I thought.

Re the Audi UTR system .. can anyone tell me what video definition it runs at, please? Also, is it real time recording & playback or is it 'jerky' like some of the urban CCTV recordings one sees?
Click to expand...

The resolution is 1080p at 60 fps. I doesn't look jerky to me. If you have front and rear then I think the rear is of lower resolution but I don't know exactly what it is. I use VLC to view the video on my Mac and you can select either front or rear to view (they are contained in the same file). You can upgrade the size of the micro SD card but it is fussy (as many devices are) about exactly which cards it will accept. I use a Sandisk Ultra 64 Gb and it has never misbehaved (£13 from Amazon).
 
I fitted an Audi UTR myself. I just wanted something I could fit and forget about unless he worst happened . I did a whole "How To"

https://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/how-to-install-an-audi-utr-dashcam.378844/#post-3351011

The system seems adequate, there are 3rd party options that have a lot more features if that's what you want. I have had no problems with the UTR draining batteries or DAB reception etc. As others have said it is a bit disappointing as far as the app goes , but the quality of video seems fine.
 
If you want 4K and cloud connectivity grab a Blackvue system. If you just want a HD system which is set and forget get a thinkware F770 or 800/800pro. The Audi offering is not great value and prone to issues. I recommend thinkware. They do what they say on the box, are nice and small and have great parking modes. Been running them in my own cars for a few years now.
 
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More helpful answers .. thank you everyone.

Further research has so far only served to complicate the issue somewhat! Not really knowing what I want is the first thing, I guess. Nearly all product details and reviews mention the use of smartphone apps for setting modes and reviewing footage, etc., which wouldn't work for me as I don't have a smartphone, neither do I have a working knowledge of apps.

I suppose in an ideal world I'd like to have front and rear cameras that record in full 1080HD; that record continuously when I'm driving; that can also record when parked (this would have been useful 15 months ago, when someone reversed into my car when it was unattended). Good night vision would seem sensible too. The ability to review footage there and then would be nice, but I believe the ubiquitous smartphone is needed for that, so I'd have to resort to unplugging the SD card and looking at the footage later on my PC when I got home.

Prices seem to vary so much, some from under £50 to well upwards of £350 .. plus proper installation, if I don't want trailing wires everywhere.

I'll continue researching the subject anyway; I might call in on a couple of local car electrical installation specialists, who might help answer some of my queries too. I'm in Aylesbury (Bucks) area, so plenty of options around here.
 
You don’t nesicerally need to have a smart phone just an android device or iOS device that can run the app so a tablet of some sort that can connect via WiFi ....
 
My dashcam connects up to three WiFi networks. Thus I have it connected to my home and workplaces which means I can access it over the cloud at anytime....
 
Ping me a WhatsApp?

Simple - WhatsApp is a leading messaging service which allows you to attach photos, videos and/or files and and send them anywhere in the world, totally free of charge. It also allows you to make calls and video calls, again free of charge. Just go to the Play Store (Android) or the Apple equivalent, download and install the WhatsApp app and 'Bob's your uncle' as they say.
 
DJALix: Thank you for your PM .. I'll hang onto your number and maybe give you a call.

jrumball: Thanks for the explanation about Android and iOS but, although I've heard of them, I honestly don't know what they are. I occasionally switch on my Nokia 6021, which I retained when I retired in 2009, just in case I need to make a call when I'm away from home, but other than that I have no real use for a mobile phone on a day to day basis. If I can't have a dashcam unless I've got a smartphone, then it's a no go.

mjcairney: Thanks to you I now know what 'pinging a whatsapp' is all about ... thank you!
 
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Rupert49 said:
DJALix: Thank you for your PM .. I'll hang onto your number and maybe give you a call.

jrumball: Thanks for the explanation about Android and iOS but, although I've heard of them, I honestly don't know what they are. I occasionally switch on my Nokia 6021, which I retained when I retired in 2009, just in case I need to make a call when I'm away from home, but other than that I have no real use for a mobile phone on a day to day basis. If I can't have a dashcam unless I've got a smartphone, then it's a no go.


mjcairney: Thanks to you I now know what 'pinging a whatsapp' is all about ... thank you!
Click to expand...

iOS and Android are the operating system for a smartphone/tablet, the equivalent to Windows or MacOS you use on you PC . If money isn't tight just go and get one and have a play you may find it easier than a PC and more portable ..... Other than that i'm sure there are dash cams you can use without a smartphone/tablet.
 
@Rupert49 - Having explained to you what "Ping me a WhatsApp" is all about, I now see that you use an old Nokia 6021 mobile with which you could not use it, you require a mobile running either Android or iOS. That said, I agree with @jrumball in the previous post where he advises that you get yourself a smart phone, probably better with an Android one as it much easier to source a relatively cheap one than an iOS (Apple) one. I used to say I didn't need a smart phone, now I would hate to be without it.
 
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Thanks again mjcairney ... there's a branch of CEX in my town so I'll take a look in there. Hopefully they'll be able to guide me through the minefield that is smartphone land (shame they don't do one with Windows OS with which I'm already very familiar; I know absolutely nothing about Android or how it works). Apart from being able to look up things on google when I'm out of the house, I can't think what else I'd use a smartphone for (maybe the camera would be handy, but as a keen photographer I already have a couple of those!).

I'm still unsure as to whether I want to go for a dashcam or not, but having watched a few of those YouTube videos along the lines of 'Epic Russian fails' etc., I think it might be a good thing after all! They're completely bonkers over there, aren't they? I'd love to know what the IAM would make of them!
 
Microsoft did make a Windows OS phone but it didn't really take off, probably because it was much too late to the party. That said, I don't know if you can buy secondhand ones, although suspect you probably could but you would have to accept that no updates would ever be available for it, plus I don't know if WhatsApp produced an app for it. As to whether or not you would have a lot of use for a smart phone I suspect that, like me, once you had one you would find yourself using it more and more, Googling as you already said, Google maps on the go, cchecking the weather forecast, perhaps a bit of browsing if you were on a train/bus, reading a book with the Kindle App, to name but a few things. At the end of the day, you'll never know until you try it, safely in the knowledge that Android is a very easy OS with which to get familiar. As for the phone's camera, it's much more likely to be in your pocket for a quick snap at something than your camera would be.

As to a dash cam, they are certainly becoming veryu common and I can see the day, in the very near future, when they will be standard fit in all new cars.

Best of luck whatever you decide to do.
 
Rupert49 said:
Thanks again .. it's still on the 'looking into it' list, so I'm grateful for yours and others input on here.
Click to expand...

! Very generalised comments !


Windows phones -no longer in production or supported a dead end

Android - Vary wildly in quality and security but can be very cheap or expensive

Apple - High quality secure but expensive .....

Find a friend or relative who can help you decide and go with what they are familiar with .... as they will be able to help you lean what they are familiar with and use =)
 
jrumball said:
! Very generalised comments !


Windows phones -no longer in production or supported a dead end

Android - Vary wildly in quality and security but can be very cheap or expensive

Apple - High quality secure but expensive .....

Find a friend or relative who can help you decide and go with what they are familiar with .... as they will be able to help you lean what they are familiar with and use =)
Click to expand...

Apple iphones are idiot proof and easy to use. You don’t need the latest and greatest like the iPhone XS at £1100
An older iPhone 6 would be ideal and can be had new for around £200.
 
jrumball said:
I fitted an Audi UTR myself. I just wanted something I could fit and forget about unless he worst happened . I did a whole "How To"

https://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/how-to-install-an-audi-utr-dashcam.378844/#post-3351011

The system seems adequate, there are 3rd party options that have a lot more features if that's what you want. I have had no problems with the UTR draining batteries or DAB reception etc. As others have said it is a bit disappointing as far as the app goes , but the quality of video seems fine.
Click to expand...
Hi, I’m looking at the Audi UTR for my 2019 A4 and was curious about the quality of the video? Has the app improved recently? Does it work well? What don’t you like about it?
 
thebb said:
Hi

I had the Audi UTR system retrofitted front and rear view just after I bought the car. The radar system when the car is left alone is a great feature and the red LED that comes on lets those around know they are being filmed. Yes, the app is not the best of apps but does the job and its easy to access/download the clips via the app or micro SD card.

FYI supply and fit by Audi Huntingdon in May last year was £495 + VAT
Click to expand...
Hi, I’m looking at the Audi UTR for my 2019 A4 and was curious about the quality of the video? Has the app improved recently? Does it work well? What don’t you like about it?
 
Acceptable video quality, app has improved slightly but really is not competitive with the more recent options from 3rd parties. If you want something that will be installed by Audi just work and be there if you need it then get a UTR
 
jrumball said:
Acceptable video quality, app has improved slightly but really is not competitive with the more recent options from 3rd parties. If you want something that will be installed by Audi just work and be there if you need it then get a UTR
Click to expand...
Thank you for the reply. If i may ask, do you have an Android or iPhone? Asking because it seems Audi has been making big updates to the Android app and minor updates to the iPhone app.
 
iPhone Thanks for the info will test with the android phone I have for testing purposes....
 
jrumball said:
iPhone Thanks for the info will test with the android phone I have for testing purposes....
Click to expand...
Cool.

Got a 2019 A4 and looking to install compact front and rear cameras and don’t need all of the features of many dash cams on the market - just quality video, ease of file viewing from phone and computer if need be. Capture while driving and parked.

Looking at the Audi UTR and the BlackVue DR750S 2CH system.
 
I had a thinkware F770 pro fitted by Alex on here and had it about a month now, can't fault the camera at all. Clear quality and set and forget operation. A lot cheaper than Audi's offering.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk
 
New member here. Just about to get a new A4, my dealer told me if I fit a third party dashcam (even if I get them to do the wiring) it could invalidate my warranty. Anyone else been told this?
 
Whereabouts are you located, I can fit some if interested.
 
What a load of S**TE. If done by a professional no issues. the only issue is proper 12V power connection and considerations for power drain on the battery, dependant on unit chosen and features it offers.

Bradley Rogers said:
New member here. Just about to get a new A4, my dealer told me if I fit a third party dashcam (even if I get them to do the wiring) it could invalidate my warranty. Anyone else been told this?
Click to expand...
 
Bradley Rogers said:
New member here. Just about to get a new A4, my dealer told me if I fit a third party dashcam (even if I get them to do the wiring) it could invalidate my warranty. Anyone else been told this?
Click to expand...
Rubbish. I fit loads every week and never had any customers report issues.
 
Flying Scotsman said:
What a load of S**TE. If done by a professional no issues. the only issue is proper 12V power connection and considerations for power drain on the battery, dependant on unit chosen and features it offers.
Click to expand...
They did then add the official Audi one would be fine for the warranty....
 
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