black box video

This section is devoted to 'black box' video recorder apps for Android devices, which can be used to create a visual record of your car journey.

DailyRoads voyager
Info Get it here
Cost Free
Size 389k

What is it? The DailyRoads app creates a video record of your journey, which can then be used in the event of an accident or other car-related incident.

How does it work? The application creates a record of your journey through a series of videos segments taken through the windscreen. The oldest are deleted after a predetermined amount of memory space has been used to allow for continuous recording. If an incident occurs, you touch the screen to permanently keep the relevant clip. Each video has a GPS-controlled overlay that shows the vehicle's speed. Clips are automatically retained if the phone's sensor detects an accident.

Video export Here is a sample video of the DailyRoads app. Please note, this is filmed directly from the phone's screen, because Android apps do not allow a direct export of overlay information, however, this information can be placed on the video using DailyRoads' own video server. See second video for an example of this.

Video with overlay While Android devices cannot export videos with overlays of speed, time and location embedded, the DailyRoads app offers a solution where files are uploaded to its server, processed and then downloaded with all the data included (available through the app's settings). Here's an example of the video with data included.

Verdict Operation is easy and there are plenty of options to personalise the app, such as video length, format and the amount of disk space allocated to it. It's the most intuitive Android 'black box' apps we tested. It's also free from advertising, and, uniquely, you can upload your videos to the DailyRoads web server where they can be processed to overlay speed and location information on to the clip you can then download and export. A great app that goes the extra mile to provide a solution for the Android 'overlay' issue.

AutoGuard Blackbox
Info Get it here
Cost Free
Size 801k

What is it? This app creates a video record of your journey, which can then be used in the event of an accident or other car-related incident.

How does it work? AutoGuard works by recording a video of your journey, along with your car's speed and GPS-determined location. Video is recorded in segments that recycle when a predetermined amount of memory has been used, which ensures continuous recording. In the event of a collision, the app automatically saves the relevant video segment. It can be set up to automatically dial 999 if you have an accident.

Video export Here is a sample video of the AutoGuard app. Please note, this is filmed directly from the phone's screen, because Android apps do not export the information overlay, it can however be viewed from within the app.

Verdict: This app has a good range of video replay options giving you the choice of full-screen video with mph speed overlay, a map that plots your journey, or a split-screen of both the video and Google map (the mapping even plotted our lane changes as we overtook parked vehicles). The final option also includes your vehicle's speed, plus its longitude and latitude. Our joint-favourite with the DailyRoads offering.

AutoBoy BlackBox
Info Get it here
Cost Free
App size 2.5mb

What is it? AutoBoy BlackBox creates a video record of your journey, which can then be used in the event of an accident or other car-related incident.

How does it work: AutoBoy BlackBox works by recording a video of your journey, along with your car's speed and position. Video is recorded and saved on an external SD card. In the event of a collision, the app automatically saves the relevant video segment. It will also call emergency services if it senses a heavy impact, if the command isn't overruled by the driver within a set time.

Video export: Here is a sample video of the AutoBoy BlackBox app. Please note, this is filmed directly from the phone's screen, because Android apps do not export the information overlay, it can, however be viewed from within the app.

Verdict: The app has a fussy interface, which is confusing to use. Recording videos was easy, but when it came to replaying them, it took some time to find the correct button. Exiting the app was just as challenging. The replay display appears to be limited to a 70/30 split screen of the video and a Google map plotting the car's progress. Overall, though, it's too fussy to be our pick of the bunch.