Portable DVR Camera: PROTECT 501 (LCD, MPEG-4, SDHC/MMC)

PROTECT 501 with its LCD screen folded down

Bottom view (mount side)

Due to small size, the device can be installed virtually anywhere, in a discreet way

View of the camera hanging on the included bracket

Rear/right side view

Additional accessories - the plug for cigarette lighter outlet and USB cable

View of the packaging

PROTECT 501 is a mobile device (for indoor applications) combining high resolution camera and DVR capable of recording the video using MPEG-4 compression and interpolated resolution of 1280x960 pixels.The kit includes 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.

Installation of the unit is quick and simple. The positioning of the camera does not cause any problems due to 2.5" LCD monitor providing live view. The buttons on the unit allow the user to perform definite functions and navigate the menu.

Parameters of the device make it a very versatile tool 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. Its fixed lens with very little distortion ensures 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 the camera by the rear-view mirror, it sees the road and shoulder. High-sensitivity CMOS image sensor ensures 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 depending on the period of motion detection. 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). The device can be switched on directly by the external voltage, or at the request of the operator. The status of recording is displayed as an icon on the LCD screen or, when it is closed, indicated by a discreet LED. The built-in rechargeable 800 mAh Li-Ion battery lasts for about 3 hours, depending on the configuration of the DVR camera.

The video is saved as AVI files on an SD/SDHC/MMC card. The maximum supported capacity is 64 GB. The recorded material can be archived by connecting the DVR via a USB cable to a PC - the unit becomes a flash card reader then. The files are easy to find - during recording they are organized into a directory structure based on dates (year, month, day), and numbered consecutively in the order in which they appear during a day. The videos recorded by the device can also be viewed locally.

Additionally, the DVR can record sound. Still camera mode offers pictures with resolution of 1280x960 pixels.

The device can only record material from the built-in camera and microphone, there is no possibility of connecting external signal sources.

By an estimate, a 5-minute video in full resolution at 30 frames per second takes approximately 330 MB (32 GB card can hold about 8 hours of recording).

A memory card is not included.