Full HD vs Super HD: which DVR to choose?

Experts from Mio Technology, a leading international developer and manufacturer of car electronics, tell us about the difference between Full HD DVRs and models with Super HD resolution and what pitfalls await the buyer when choosing the latter.

The Full HD resolution is a “golden standard” for video recorders, but more and more often we can see new devices with Super HD marking on the box. Such recorders cost more, but the advertises promise unprecedented quality of video recordings. So is it worth swapping your old Full HD recorder for a new one??

The detail of a picture recorded in Super HD can really be higher due to the greater number of pixels in the matrix. Sounds good, doesn’t it?? High detail is a really significant advantage, for the sake of which many are ready to increase the budget on buying a DVR, giving up Full HD in favor of a more expensive model. But the claimed resolution of Super HD is not always a guarantee of excellent image quality. To avoid the purchase becoming a disappointment, you should pay attention to the following when choosing a device:

1. Processor

The Super HD matrix can record 1.5 times more information, which means an increased load on the processor. The manufacturers have two choices: to increase computing power by installing more efficient hardware, or to save money on components. In the first case the recorder will be of high quality, but expensive, in the second case no one can guarantee the stable operation of the device.

2. Frame rate

The higher this indicator is the smoother and more natural motion looks on the video. You need at least 30 frames per second. It also requires a very powerful processor to deliver that in Super HD. Some manufacturers use tricks when announcing the frequency of up to 60 frames per second, but they don’t mention that such figures are possible only at lower resolution.

3. Memory card

And you’d better not save on capacity: the smaller the “flash drive” the more rewrite cycles it has to go through, which means that there is a great risk of the card’s quick breakdown.

4. Sensor quality

The Super HD resolution alone is no guarantee for a good picture. It is worth knowing what kind of matrix is in the selected device: for instance the Sony sensors have proved to be excellent sensors in DVRs, but the “unnamed” components can lose in image quality even to the Full HD matrix.

Also dishonest manufacturers may use interpolation to increase video resolution. How to check the honesty of the manufacturer? It’s enough to multiply 1920×1080 ~ 2000000 = 2 megapixels, respectively, if the number of megapixels is less, the manufacturer uses interpolation. Super HD requires 3 megapixels.

5. Saving on small details

To keep the price of a device with an expensive Super HD sensor the manufacturer can save on other things, for example, refuse to install a shock sensor or replace the glass lens with a plastic one year later it gets cloudy, wiping out all the advantages of a large sensor.

6. Settings and Software

The camera aperture, video processing techniques, compression algorithms all affect the image quality. If the image sensor does not get enough light and the software compresses too much the image even the higher resolution sensor will not save it. The trouble is that the information about the settings is not always available, so you can only draw conclusions after watching a test video. Or trust the manufacturer: well known brands pay close attention to the settings.

What conclusion can be made?

The Super HD sensor gives you a sharper, more detailed road video, while increasing the distance at which you can see fine details. But for a quality picture and stable operation of the recorder one matrix is not enough. Requires a powerful processor, quality components, smart settings and an expensive memory card. The price of Super HD recorders is higher, but the benefits compared to a Full HD picture can be negated by ill-conceived design and settings.

Note that at close range the detail on Full HD and Super HD recorders is not very different: for example license plates at a distance of 5-10 meters can be seen on any video. Choosing a DVR with Super HD resolution, it is worth carefully studying the characteristics of the chosen model and give preference to famous brands. Or don’t bother with the size of the matrix, and opt for a high-quality Full HD model: it will be quite enough for daily journeys.