Dashcam guides
Buying advice, the software for every major brand, and how to get the most out of your footage. From the makers of Tripframe, a free dashcam viewer that runs in your browser.
A free alternative to Dashcam Viewer
Dashcam Viewer is a capable desktop app with paid Plus and Pro licences. Tripframe is free, open source and runs in your browser. Here is an honest, feature-by-feature comparison.
Alternatives to the dashcam brand apps (Viofo, 70mai, BlackVue and more)
Dashcam brand apps are made for phones and one brand only. These are the alternatives for watching footage on a computer, across brands, without Wi-Fi transfers.
Dashcam file names explained, brand by brand
What do names like 2024_0315_143022_000123F.MP4 or REC_2024_03_15_14_30_22_F.MP4 mean? A guide to the date, time, camera and event codes in dashcam file names.
Dashcam parking mode explained
Motion detection, impact detection, time-lapse and radar: what the parking modes do, how to power them without a flat battery, and how to find the clips afterwards.
How often should you format your dashcam's SD card?
Loop recording does not mean you never have to format. How often to format a dashcam card, why to do it in the camera, and the signs that a card is wearing out.
How to play H.265 (HEVC) dashcam video on Windows and Mac
Black screen, sound only, or "this file can't be played"? Your dashcam probably records in H.265. Here is how to play it in Edge, Chrome, Safari and VLC, or avoid it altogether.
How to save dashcam footage for insurance or the police
After a crash or near miss, the camera will overwrite your footage within hours. Here is how to secure the right clips, keep the originals intact, and share them in a form insurers accept.
How to see dashcam GPS data on a map
Most dashcams with GPS hide the position and speed inside the video file. Here is where it is stored, which brands use which format, and how to see the route next to the video.
How to view 70mai dashcam footage on a PC or Mac
The 70mai app only runs on your phone. Here is how to watch A810, A510, A500S and M500 footage on a computer, with normal, event and parking clips sorted.
How to view BlackVue dashcam footage without BlackVue Viewer
Watch BlackVue DR970X, DR770X and DR900X recordings on any computer, with normal, event and parking clips sorted and front and rear in sync. No install needed.
How to view dashcam footage on a PC or Mac
A step-by-step guide to getting footage off any dashcam and watching it on Windows or macOS, with front and rear cameras together and the clips in the right order.
How to view Garmin Dash Cam footage on a PC or Mac
Garmin dashcams save files with short names and no date. Here is how to watch Mini, 47, 57, 67W and X-series footage on a computer, sorted by when it was recorded.
How to view Nextbase dashcam footage on your computer
Play Nextbase 622GW, 522GW, 422GW and Piqo recordings on a PC or Mac without the MyNextbase Player. Front and rear cameras in sync, sorted by day and time.
How to view Redtiger dashcam footage on your computer
Redtiger's F7N and other budget 4K dashcams are bestsellers. Here is how to watch the footage on a PC or Mac, front and rear in sync, with the GPS route where available.
How to view Rexing dashcam footage on a PC or Mac
Rexing dashcams are affordable and widely sold online. Here is how to watch V1, V5 and S-series footage on a computer, sorted by day and time, front and rear together.
How to view TeslaCam and Sentry Mode footage on your computer
Tesla's in-car viewer is fine for a quick look. To go through RecentClips, SavedClips and SentryClips on a PC or Mac, front and rear in sync, use your browser.
How to view Thinkware dashcam footage on PC and Mac
Thinkware splits footage over folders like cont_rec, evt_rec and parking_rec. Here is how to see all of it on one timeline, front and rear together, in your browser.
How to view Vantrue dashcam footage on your computer
Vantrue's N4 Pro, N5 and E-series record up to four cameras at once. Here is how to watch all of them on a PC or Mac, sorted by day and time, without extra software.
How to view Viofo dashcam footage on your computer
Viofo's own app is built for your phone. Here is how to watch A119, A129, A139, A229 and A329 footage on a PC or Mac, front and rear in sync, with the GPS route on a map.
The best budget dashcams of 2026
Good dashcams no longer cost a fortune. These are the cameras under about $120 that record clear, reliable footage, and what you give up compared with pricier models.
The best dashcam viewer software in 2026
Brand apps, desktop GPS players, ordinary video players and browser-based viewers compared. Which dashcam software is best for watching, sorting and saving your footage?
The best high-end dashcams of 2026
Premium dashcams add cloud access, radar parking mode, 4K at 60 frames per second and polished apps. These are the ones worth the money, and who they are for.
The best mid-range dashcams of 2026
Between $150 and $300 you get 4K or sharp 2K front and rear cameras, GPS and proper parking mode. These are the dashcams that give the most for the money.
The best multi-channel dashcams of 2026 (3 and 4 cameras)
Rideshare drivers, taxis and families want more than front and rear. These three- and four-channel dashcams cover the road, the cabin and the sides of the car.
The best SD cards for dashcams in 2026
A dashcam writes to its card non-stop, so ordinary cards wear out fast. These high-endurance microSD cards last, plus how much capacity you need for your camera.