Download App
Better Online and Trade Show Sourcing Experiences.Scan the QR code to download.
Learn More
Hot Topics
Car black box suppliers push the limits on display, memory and connectivity to stand out in the increasingly saturated market.
As features-rich but similar products flood the market, South Korea manufacturers capitalize on technology advantage to release car black boxes that are more advanced in various fronts, covering display, memory and connectivity.
Suppliers offer units without displays to Europe in compliance with regulations there, while those for Asia come with LCDs. Popular in Japan are 1-channel models with 2.5 to 2.8in screens. To differ from the now common full-HD variants, many local makers are going for higher specifications. Qrontech Co. Ltd plans to launch 2560x1440-pixel or QHD models in 2H16 and move up to 3840x2160 pixels or UHD by 2017. Fine Digital Inc. has 2K to 4K and QHD kinds.
To complement display improvements, SD System Co. Ltd will update its rear cameras currently in VGA to support HD resolution as its front cameras. Qrontech has integrated optical zoom to enhance viewing of license plates, and uses UV and circular polarizer filters to protect the camera sensor.
Built-in memory expansion is also under way. Fine Digital and SD System have shifted to 128GB, with the latter to include a 500GB SSD as optional feature in the next batch of releases. Qrontech's car black boxes have 512GB to 2TB.
Fine Digital uses MLC flash, sourced from Toshiba, for its longer service life compared with the TLC type. To help maximize storage, the company also includes one feature that allows separate saving to also protect content during loop recording, and another that reduces the number of recorded frames per second without compromising overall black box functionality.
Only a few makers have been able to introduce Wi-Fi-compliant models. These include Qrontech, SD System, Fine Digital and HID Solution Co. Ltd, which offer products targeting commercial vehicles. Fine Digital is developing car black boxes that notify owners via a smartphone of accidents or events while the vehicle is parked.
There are now between 50 and 100 makers of car black boxes in South Korea from about 200 in 2015 due to intense competition, said Fine Digital's Kim. Major brands have market share of 80 percent, leaving small and midsize operations to fight for the rest.
Here is a selection of car black boxes from South Korea suppliers.

Fine Digital Inc.'s model Solid 300 (16GB) car black box uses progressive-scan CMOS image sensors. Its full-HD front and HD rear cameras capture in 30fps and 0.7 lux minimum, and have white balance, backlight compensation and lensdistortion cancellation functions.
The 12VDC unit with a 3-axis accelerometer boasts LWDS and external GPS support, integrates a supercapacitor, and stores data in a 16GB MLC microSDHC card. It consumes up to 5W. The $165 device has KCC approval. MOQ is 100 units for delivery within 14 days.

Model T20 (16GB) car black box from Fine Digital Inc. has HD front and rear cameras integrating progressive-scan CMOS image sensors and capable of recording in 30fps and 0.7 lux minimum. The cameras enable white balance, backlight compensation and lens distortion cancellation.
The KCC-approved unit has a 3-axis accelerometer and supercapacitor, supports an external GPS and saves data in a 16GB MLC microSDHC card. It runs on 12VDC and consumes 5W maximum. Price is $115. MOQ is 100 units and delivery lead time 14 days.

HID Solution Co. Ltd's model BCH-1200 car black box adopts Sony image sensors, and supports 2-channel full-HD and HD and 30fps recording. It has 2D noise reduction and auto file recovery, while the cameras are capable of WDR backlight adjustment and defogging. The FCC-approved unit with zero power consumption has parking recording settings and LDWS. It integrates an FHD ISP chipset. MOQ is 100 units.

A 2-channel full-HD and HD car black box, the BCH-1000 model from HID Solution Co. Ltd integrates Panasonic image sensors and an FHD ISP chipset. It records in 60fps, and has dual WDR backlight adjustment, defogging, 2/3D noise reduction, auto file recovery, LDWS and parking recording settings. The unit consumes no power. An order of 100 units is required.

Qrontech Co. Ltd's LK-9390 AD model is a 2-channel car black box with 2.1MP Sony IMX322 image sensors in its full-HD front and rear 30fps cameras. It boasts WDR and night vision, and supports ADAS, GPS+GLONASS and OBD II.
The unit comes with 3.5in touchscreen LCD and is compatible with Windows and Mac OS. Its storage size is 1TB, which can be expanded via an SD+microSD slot. The device has CE, FCC and KC approval. It is priced at $210. MOQ is 100 units and delivery lead time 14 days.

Qrontech Co. Ltd uses Sony Exmor image sensors in the full-HD cameras of its model z970 WD 2-channel car black box. The unit has auto and manual zoom, real-time viewing and downloading via Wi-Fi. It supports ADAS, GPS+GLONASS and OBD II.
The unit with a 3.5in touchscreen LCD runs on Android, iOS, Windows or Mac OS. It boasts 1TB storage, which is expandable via an SD+microSD slot. The $270 device meets CE, FCC and KC standards. The minimum order of 100 units is delivered within 14 days.

SD System Co. Ltd's model MS-1000TE car black box has HD front and rear 30fps cameras capable of QVGA video stream and VGA image transmission. It supports UMTS, HSPA+ and E-GSM, and uses UICC or USIM. GPS function is built-in.
The 9/36VDC unit consumes up to 4W. It complies with CE, FCC and RoHS. An order of at least 1,000 units is required and has a 56-day delivery lead time.

Model MS-600F2 car black box from SD System Co. Ltd integrates 2.12MP CMOS image sensors in its full-HD front and rear 30fps cameras. It has built-in GPS and Wi-Fi capability. The 12/24VDC unit includes a 3.5in touchscreen LCD. It bears CE, E-Mark and FCC approval. MOQ is 1,000 units for delivery within 56 days.
More Sourcing News
Read Also