Good Action Cam, but WiFi differently than expected compared to SJ4000

I was for some time in search of an Action Cam, which is not so expensive, but still good to use in many situations. Until recently went to the GoPro's no way around and given the high price was a Action Cam not an issue for me. Meanwhile, the market is, however, inundated with affordable clone products. Particularly under the designation SJ4000 to find Action Cams coming of GoPro visually pretty close. Priced these models move but well below 100 EUR. Another offshoot is the WiFi Action Cam SPCA 6330 is also under S30W in sales.

What an Action-Cam?

Well, that's certainly a legitimate question. In some, affected by police corruption countries, almost heard a Car Cam as standard in order for a spurious traffic offenses to prove the opposite in court. But since we live in a democracy, is such a Cam rather is a fun product.

So I floated for example before installation on my RC cars to hold my daredevil jump maneuvers in the gravel pit for eternity. For attachment to RC helicopters, the Cam is unfortunately too heavy. In addition, I made the installation on my mountain bike in the eye, but a few to mention possible applications. In the car I would not mount the Cam, as I do not see the benefits, and it is safe also legally questionable to monitor other road users with a camera. Primarily, the Cam should therefore filming the rides my RC Cars, while I have been following the live image on the smartphone. Of course you can use the cam as web cam on the PC as an attachment with the extensive range of accessories is not an issue.

By WiFi function I hoped then the added value of being able to use the camera as a surveillance camera or rear camera in my elderly Van.

Scope of supply:
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The scope of supply is enormous, as can be seen in the enclosed photo.
In addition to the action itself are numerous mounting clips and holders for helmet and bike, a USB charger, an underwater housing,
Tape, a very well illustrated instructions and even a steel cable to secure included.

What I missed, is a suction cup, which can be used not only for use in the car.

Even an HDMI cable to connect to the LCD TV would have been nice, but also missing. Due to the standard micro HDMI Type D connector, can fortunately use standard cables.

I have found that the accessory is my SJ4000 only limited compatibility with the S30W and most parts do not fit!

Technical Specifications:
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Sensor: Lt. Manufacturer 12 MP, but in my view are the 12 MP interpolated. Qualitatively, I would rather suggest a 3 MP sensor. In the packaging I found then the words' 5 MP sensor "to make the confusion perfect.
Image Resolution: VGA (640 x 480) up to 12 MP (4032 x 1024) in JPG format
Video resolution: 640 x 480 at 60 fps up to 1920 x 1080 at 30 fps, so FullHD 1080p with H.264 compression in MOV format
Zoom: not specified (I suspect 4x digital)
Lens: wide angle with 150 °
Battery life: 80 minutes. Battery is replaceable. Battery of SJ4000 does not fit!
Battery capacity: 1000 mAh
LCD Monitor: 1.5-color display
Dimensions: 21X50X40 mm (Smaller than SJ4000)
Weight:. 56g including battery (reweighed)
Connectors: USB 2.0; HDMI 1.3; microSD card slot up to 32 GB (for me worked a SDXC card with 64 GB!)

Design and processing:
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The camera makes a strong impression, which is also important for the intended use. The sides are grooved and slightly rubberized, so it fits comfortably in your hand. I like that here even better than in the SJ4000.

The connectors for microSD card, USB and HDMI are unfortunately also housed here unprotected, so you should also be used in dusty environments the underwater housing to prevent dirt from entering the camera. Here a rubber cap would have been helpful to protect the connectors from dust and dirt.

The display is 1.5 quite small relative to the overall size of the camera, but is sufficient for monitoring purposes from.

The small speaker is installed directly below the lens on the front.

The pressure point of all keys is smooth and pleasant.

A small slide mechanism is exposes the flap for the battery exchange, the re-purchaseable is possibly for a few euros and easy to remove. This consists of a metal lid, so you need not fear that the small retaining clip cancel immediately. However, the onset of the battery is a fiddly affair, since the door can not be so easily replace.

The comprehensive equipment also makes them a stable impression, at least the parts that I could test so far. The adhesive holder I have not tested, but at least here fit the cap on the glue holder of SJ4000.

The underwater housing is, like the other parts, precisely matched to the camera. Ie operating buttons and cutouts for ports are precisely, but a little stiff. Bathtub Test no water has penetrated, but this need not be a sign that even with the promised in the technical data water depth of 30 meters, everything remains dry. The housing itself is constructed differently than in the SJ4000: The Gummidrichtung is not on, but expresses itself into the housing, which I resolved at first glance appear better.

Installation and Operation:
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The installation is simplified enormously by some diagrams in the manual. In it you can see exactly which parts you need to assemble as to use the camera for the specific application, such as cycling and helmet assembly, can.

The text of the manual in German reads then but rather as if one the English text 1: 1 taken from the Google Translator.

The camera is turned on by pressing the On button on the front. After pressing the OK button starts the action taken, which have been previously selected in the menu. By slightly shorter pressure on the "A" key, you can switch between 3 modes back and forth:

Video Mode: Start a Video recording
Picture Mode: Create a photo
Playback mode: Playing Fotos- Files

In the menu you can take the "Menu" button on the back. Unlike the SJ4000 the settings menu in 2 tab is divided, you switch between them by pressing the menu button.

Menu: Configuration

In the configuration menu settings for many camera behavior are possible. The here to explain all, beyond the scope. Therefore, only in brief, what is really important:

Tones: Turns off the annoying sound when pressed!
Car Mode: Turns the recording function automatically when the ignition is switched on
Rotate the screen: Rotate the image by 180 ° for overhead mounting. or the cigarette lighter power supplies. Practically, if the camera is mounted farther away.

Menu: Image / Video

Depending on whether you are in the photo or video mode, you get the corresponding parameters shown in the picture / video menu, you can change.

Cycle Record: This is sometimes in the car or important for monitoring purposes because the recordings are overwritten again after a specified time. However, the maximum time of 10 minutes, I find too small.
Movement Detection: Starts recording when motion is detected.
Fimlgr: Here you should set equal FHD 1080p for best video results
Resolution: Here you can put on the maximum resolution, it is questionable whether you will notice a difference between 3 MP and 12 MP.

In addition, you can still do a lot of other settings such as ISO, color, sharpness, image quality, etc. These are mE but by default already optimal and should only be changed if necessary.

Overall I like the menu structure is not quite as good as in the SJ4000. There were also not all menu items translated into German.

Video and photo quality, the Cam in use:
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With adhesive holder of SJ4000 I have the cam mounted on the bed of my RC Trucks.

Use can also change the position by 360 °.

The video quality is also very good with the S30W and the camera no longer be adjusted while driving this time. Due to the extremely large wide-angle lens, you get a very wide field of view, as if you were sitting in the RC car. Making a difference for enhanced wide angle of SJ4000 (170 °) I could not make out. The video and image quality is not better or worse than in the SJ4000.

Here are videos only with adequate lighting of good quality. In darker rooms with artificial lighting, the electronics starts pumping and the brightness varies thereby greatly. But that was only to be expected for the price.

PS If you want to see the SJ4000 in use, can obtain information about the link in my profile in my blog. There I have a video that I recorded while driving link. Due to the same quality, I have created a new video for the S30W.

The photo quality is not really good, but it should not rather be as important as one would like to record video normally. For the one or other photo with adequate lighting which is sufficient but Cam.

Wifi in the practical test
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Since I had not yet pulled the manual for advice, I pressed the WiFi button on the side and waiting for the connection to my router. Nothing happened. Only after studying the manual, I found out that the WiFi function is of limited use. After the first disappointment, but the frustration lay down quickly, because what brings me to connect to a router, when I'm out with the camera outdoor? Nothing at all.

So all over again: You must first install the app "iSmart DV" from the Google Play Store. With this app you get access to the camera. After you press the WiFi button on the camera and search for wireless devices via the wireless settings menu in the smartphone and connects to the network "Action DVR". The password is initially "0000000" and can be changed in the camera menu.

After starting "iSmart DV" you see what can be seen on the camera screen.

The coverage is not optimal, and is approximately 10 meters. For use with an RC car that is unfortunately too little. When mounted in the car, on your bike or helmet, however the WiFi feature is useful because you so always has a live camera image when the display is out of sight.

That's why I have the camera now installed in my van as rear view camera and so get a better view when parking. Because the battery lasts not forever, a 12 volt outlet in the cargo area available and the power saving mode should it be disabled. The recording feature is of course off with me.

The use as a surveillance camera is also possible, but given the limited range and lack of connection to a router only limited feasible.

Conclusion:
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Compared with the SJ4000 This model suggests quite well and revealed some weaknesses in the menu. The image and video quality is very good even with the S30W, when the external conditions are suitable.

Sorry, the accessories of SJ4000 not fit completely. As for me, but fit the adhesive holder, should all accessories that use this link mechanism, also be used.

Although the WiFi function disappointing at first, but now it is for me logically implemented, since they only serves to keep driving while the video image via smartphone at a glance. When reversing camera the S30W is certainly not a professional solution, but works pretty well and is just also be used for other purposes.

Since this model is not quite in some respects to a SJ4000 and my WLAN_Reichweite is not large enough, there is a star trigger and RECOMMENDATION for those who are looking for a CAM action with WiFi at a budget price.