Comparison of portable DVR cameras from PROTECT line

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PROTECT line consists of portable DVR cameras dedicated for indoor use (including applications in vehicles). High quality video captured by the cameras and audio from the built-in microphones are directly recorded on the inserted memory cards.
The PROTECT line consists of 3 models:
Portable DVR Camera: PROTECT 520 (MPEG-4, SDHC/MMC)
Portable DVR Camera: PROTECT 701 (HD, H.264, SDHC/MMC, adjustable LCD screen)
Car DVR camera system: PROTECT 802 (2 channels, GPS, accelerometer)
Protect 520
Protect 701
Protect 802
Protect 520, Protect 701
The two different models have several characteristics in common: can record high resolution images (in 720p or SXGA resolution) in the common AVI format on inserted SD/SDHC/MMC memory cards; the frame rate of the recorded video can reach 30 fps (which guarantees excellent smoothness); each model is equipped with a suction cup with a handle (to be mounted on flat surfaces, such as glass, polished or enameled metal), 12-24 VDC / 5 VDC power supply with plug for cigarette lighter outlet, and a USB cable to connect the device to a PC.

The cables supplied with Protect 501, 520, 701 DVRs
Parameters of the devices make them very versatile tools for monitoring of sales outlets, interiors of vehicles, environments around vehicles (recording of various events through the front or rear window), and for many other purposes that require mobile equipment. Their fixed lens with very little distortion ensure very wide, 120-degree viewing angle. For comparison, the perception of the human eye is limited to an angle of 90 degrees. So, when installing such a camera by the rear-view mirror, it sees the road and shoulder. High-sensitivity CMOS image sensors ensure clear video even in low-light conditions.
The video recording can be carried out in two modes: continuous or triggered by motion detection. In the latter case, the DVR records the video until manual stop or for a predefined period of one clip (2, 5, 15 minutes). The recording is possible at any moment, or only when the DVR is connected to an external power source (for example, it can be activated only after the vehicle's engine has been started).
A screenshot from the video captured by Protect 701 mounted on the windshield of a car
Installation and operation of the devices is intuitive - the instructions are clearly written out, function keys allow for easy control and navigation through menus. The status of recording is displayed as an icon on the LCD screen or, when it is closed, indicated by a discreet LED.
Application of a Protect DVR camera for capturing driving events.
The red line shows the viewing angle of the camera, the yellow one - of the driver.
Protect 520 M70520 is an economical model featuring the basic functions of the series. The maximum recording resolution of the video from the built-in camera is SXGA (1280x960), with the use of MPEG-4 compression. The positioning of the camera does not cause any problems due to adjustable 2.5" LCD monitor providing live view. 1/4'' CMOS sensor provides high quality video. The included rechargeable 800 mAh Li-Ion battery typically lasts for about 3 hours of autonomous operation.
Protect 520 M70520, having all the features of the Protect 501 M70501 model, additionally allows the user to adjust the rotatable LCD screen, as well as to make use of the built-in IR illuminator. The IR illuminator switches on automatically in low light, ensuring clear visibility e.g. inside a car at night (this function can be turned off). Protect 520 uses detachable BL-4C battery. This very popular type of rechargeable battery is also available on the market in versions with increased capacity.
Protect 701 M70701 is the model with the highest resolution in the series. It is equipped with very sensitive 1/4'' WXGA HD CMOS sensor providing excellent video with HDReady 720p resolution. The video is compressed using H.264 algorithm, which allows for longer recording time. For example, a 32 GB SDHC card can hold over 11 hours of the video footage. The built-in HDMI port allows the user to connect the camera DVR to a suitable monitor/television and directly play the recorded material.
Protect 802
Protect 802 is a mobile device (for indoor applications, typically inside vehicles) combining two cameras and DVR capable of recording high-resolution video (1280x480 from both cameras - side by side) and audio, plus GPS data and 3D accelerometer readings. The kit also includes a suction cup with a handle (to be mounted on flat surfaces, such as glass, polished or enameled metal) and 12-24 VDC / 5 VDC power supply with plug for cigarette lighter socket.
Installation of the unit is quick and simple. The positioning of the device does not cause any problems due to 2.7" LCD monitor providing live view, simultaneously from both cameras. The fixed lenses with very little distortion ensure wide, 90-degree viewing angle of the front camera, and 120-degree viewing of the rear camera directed toward the interior of the (usually) vehicle. When the device is installed by the rear-view mirror, the front camera sees the road and shoulder. The front camera can be tilted within +/- 20° range. Simultaneously, the rear camera monitors the whole interior of the vehicle (e.g. a cab or a bus).
The video is recorded in resolution of 1280x480 pixels from both channels, or 640x480 pixels from one channel, at 30 fps. The video quality is sufficient for analyzing traffic incidents, behavior of people, and even recognizing people's faces or license plate numbers (of cause it depends on the distance of the objects from the front camera). The kit includes GPS antenna, which, connected to the device, activates its GPS module inserting to the video recorded onto the memory card the information on speed and geographic location. On the continuous basis the system also records data from its 3D accelerometer (X, Y, Z axes).
The video and data are recorded on Micro SDHC (Micro TF) card (supported capacity from 4 to 32 GB). The card is formatted at the start of the device. The recordings combine GPS and acceleration data in a proprietary format. After moving the card to a reader on a PC platform (Windows/MAC), it provides dedicated player (JPlayer). After running the player, the user can play back the recorded video files, protect them against overwriting, read the speed values and GPS locations on Google maps (the PC has to be connected to the Internet), view graphs illustrating acceleration for each axis separately. It is possible to create screenshots of the video. The recordings can be converted to AVI format (MJPG) that can be played by any media player.
A 4 GB memory card can store about 65 minutes of recordings (two channels simultaneously). In the case of recording one channel, the time increases to about 140 minutes.
The images from the cameras are clear, even in poor road conditions and feeble light inside the vehicle
The dedicated player displays the video with speed values and GPS locations on Google maps, as well as accelerometer graphs
The comparison table:
Model PROTECT 520 PROTECT 701 PROTECT 802
Code M70520 M70701 M70802
View M70520 M70701 M70802
Recording resolution
1280x960 (software interpolation). 720x480. 640x480 1280x720. 848x480. 640x480 1280x480 (both channels) 640x480 (one channel) 
Frame rate 30 fps (each resolution) 10/20/30 fps (each resolution)  30 fps (each channel)
Video compression
MPEG-4 H.264 proprietary/ MJPG (AVI)
Image sensor
CMOS 1/4'' 720x576 WXGA CMOS HD 1/4'' 1280x720 2 x CMOS VGA
Audio recording
YES (built-in microphone) YES (built-in microphone) YES (built-in microphone)
Motion detection
YES YES NO
Recording modes
continuous, by motion detection, by external power supply continuous.
by motion detection.
by external power supply
continuous, by external power supply
Internal memory NO NO NO
IR LEDs
YES YES NO
External memory slot For SD/SDHC/MMC
1...64GB
For SD/SDHC/MMC
1...64GB
For MicroSDHC 4...32GB
Video clip length 2/5/15 minutes 2/5/15 minutes dynamically assigned
File format
AVI AVI proprietary/AVI
Interface(s) USB 2.0 USB 2.0. HDMI USB 2.0
Viewing angle
120 degrees 120 degrees front 90°, rear 120°
LCD screen
YES - folding, rotatable (270 degrees) YES - folding, rotatable (270 degrees) 2.7''
Still images YES, 1280x960 / 640x480 YES, 1280x960 / 640x480 NO
Power supply 5 VDC;
DC/DC adapter: 12-24 VDC to 5 VDC - for cigarette lighter outlet; rechargeable battery
5 VDC;
DC/DC adapter: 12-24 VDC to 5 VDC - for cigarette lighter outlet; rechargeable battery
5 VDC;
DC/DC adapter: 12-24 VDC to 5 VDC - for cigarette lighter outlet; rechargeable battery
Rechargeable battery
internal, detachable Li-Ion 800mAh internal, detachable Li-Ion 800mAh internal
Included accessories 12-24 VDC / 5 VDC adapter, suction cup with a handle, USB cable 12-24 VDC / 5 VDC adapter, suction cup with a handle, USB cable 12-24 VDC / 5 VDC adapter, suction cup with a handle, USB cable
Working environment inside vehicles or in rooms inside vehicles or in rooms inside vehicles or in rooms
Dimensions 100 x 62 x 27 mm 100 x 62 x 27 mm 126 x 33 x 50 mm
Weight 0.40 kg 0.40 kg 0.50 kg
Certificates
CE, ROHS CE, ROHS CE, ROHS
All three models can also record audio from their built-in microphones. PROTECT 520 and 701 may also work in still camera mode. The pictures have maximum resolution of 1280x960 pixels.
Protect camera DVRs can only record the video and audio from their built-in cameras and microphones, there is no possibility of connecting external signal sources.