amazon Transcend DrivePro 220 reviews
Compared with the DrivePro 520, the Transcend DrivePro 220 delivers superior performance by adding a series of lane warning, collision warning, or video recording mode when the vehicle is stopped and the engine shuts off.
The most noticeable difference on the Transcend DrivePro 220 over the Brother DrivePro 520 is that the manufacturer has simplified the sub camera cluster for the purpose of monitoring the entire cab.
In addition, the microSD card slot as well as the Emergency Recording Emergency Recording button are moved to the left edge of the device (as illustrated below), and the Test Lab really appreciates the Change the location of the Emergency Recording button compared to the layout on the bottom of the DrivePro 520 because it is clearly easier for the driver to operate.
It can be said that the system push button function, interface and basic features on the DrivePro 220 almost “true copy” with the DrivePro 520.
For example, the camera on the DrivePro 220 uses a f / 1.8 aperture lens, supports a 130-degree viewing angle and enables video content (Full HD resolution, 30 frames per second) with sound in the cabin receive through integrated microphone.
Like the DrivePro 520, the DrivePro 220 also has a built-in GPS positioning feature that allows users to set the option of embedding the car’s coordinates into frames captured by the Transcend camera.
And to review the videos with the itinerary map and vehicle speed information from time to time, users simply connect the DrivePro 520 to a personal computer or copy data from the memory card to the machine. Calculate (via removable reader), then launch the dedicated software called DrivePro Toolbox (download from Transcend home page).
Of course, you can still watch the entire video or snapshot through the device’s screen.
However, once again Test Lab was disappointed with the Transcend product when it had to buy additional USB cable with a mini-USB plug if you want to directly copy data between the DrivePro 220 and the computer.
Enough features needed
As mentioned above, basically, the DrivePro 220 offers key features like the DrivePro 520 that has been tested by the Test Lab.
For example, through the push button system and the intuitive control menu, users can set the resolution for camera recording (Full HD 1080p or HD 720p), adjust the exposure value, turn off / Open the recording in the cabin, select the length of the video storage (1/3/5 minutes), activate the GPS receiver, GPS signal strength monitor, snapshot button, set time Delay “power off (10 or 30 seconds).
In addition, Transcend equips the DrivePro 220 G-Sensor travel camera to record any vibration and impact that instantly triggers Emergency Recording.
Users can adjust the sensitivity of the G-Sensor at three levels: low, medium and high, or even shut down.
In emergency mode, users can not “force” the recording to stop recording within 1 minute of the impact / vibration sensed by the sensor. Also, videos labeled Emergency Recording (saved in Protected Files) can not be deleted (manually) or overwritten over time. However, the folder “protection” that Transcend for video recording emergency by default is limited to the number of 15 files (not considering the length is 1/3/5 minutes).
Transcend’s DrivePro 220 can store up to 1 hour 10 minutes of video content at Full HD resolution, or 2 hours and 10 minutes (720p HD resolution); Or 9 hours (Full HD) and 18 hours (HD) if using a 64GB card.
where can you get a Transcend DrivePro 220 online
Transcend 16GB DrivePro 220 Car Video Recorder With Suction Mount (TS16GDP220M): Buy it now
Transcend 32GB Drive Pro 520 Car Video Recorder with Suction Mount (TS32GDP520M): Buy it now
Transcend DrivePro 220 1080p HD GPS Car Dashboard Video Recorder with Suction Cup with 32GB Card + Case + Kit: Buy it now
Enhance safety
Through nearly a week of transcend with the Transcend DrivePro 220 during the day and night, Test Lab found that along with the sharpness of the video as well as the snapshots, this camcorder truly stands out with four features. As new warning, Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), Forward Collision Warning System (FCWS), prompted speed limit for Speed Alarm ( 3 levels: 60, 70 and 80 km / hour) and Parking Mode.
However, snapshots under sunny conditions and when vehicles are running at high speeds are slightly outdated, especially in high-contrast areas.
According to Test Lab’s subjective inference, the DrivePro 220 and DrivePro 520 image processing software is not very responsive in automatic metering, with the side effects of most wide-angle lenses in the face of Back light.
Specifically, if the user activates a lane warning (by menu), whenever the car is operating and reaches a preset speed of more than 60 or 70 or 80 km / Set up a safe lane by pointing out the two blue stripes on the overall frame that the camera recorded in real-time mode.
From time to time, just moving the car lightly to the left or right, the DrivePro 220 will immediately emit a constant “headline” warning tone, accompanied by a green to reddish color change of the two stripes, At the same time, the camera automatically determines the new lane area corresponding to the direction of travel and the stability of the redirect.
As for the collision warning feature, there is a similarity to the lane warning, after the car is running at a predetermined speed, if the camera detects that the lane is monitoring the presence of the vehicle At a distance of about 50m, DrivePro will “frame” the danger zone in front with a red rectangle, and of course, there is sound warning.
The alarm sounds as the distance between the DrivePro 220 and the front car is narrowed.
Like the warning feature, the collision warning feature is “ready” when the vehicle exceeds the set speed limit, so when the vehicle slows down below these speeds, the system will return to the state. “Wait” for subsequent processing.
In other words, the warning (audio and video) signals are only available when the two features are “ready”, ie when the car is running at high speed (minimum on 60 km / hour).
Although Transcend does not publish pseudorandom imaging algorithms using independent sensors or software, Test Lab once again speculates that Taiwanese manufacturers are more likely to use two-frame imaging. Contiguous images to “interpolate” differences in a certain area of the image.
Technically, collision warning exploits a lot of data (frames) of the lane warning feature.
With the Transcend DrivePro 220, it would be flimsy without mentioning the parking mode. Basically, the DrivePro 220 uses a car power supply, so the DrivePro 220 will automatically “stop recording” after the driver completely shuts off the engine.
If Parking Mode is enabled, the DrivePro 220 will play a realignment of the entire space in front of the car, and you may think that the camera is quietly recording but not on the screen and saves it memory Stick. However, as soon as motion is detected in the front frame, especially at close range, the DrivePro 220 will automatically power on and record.
Test Lab found this mode extremely useful, but unfortunately after nearly 2 weeks of “launch” with the camera, Test Lab is still “not know” rules of motion detection to start recording. Like the time that parking mode support.
By referring to data extracted from the memory card, Test Lab found that almost all videos recorded in Parking mode were only 1-2 minutes long and there was no duplication of storage space.
In general, the Transcend DrivePro 220 travels well worth the price, first of all thanks to its stable performance, good video quality and above all, a range of safety features such as lane warning, It will bring total peace of mind to your journey.