In-Vehicle Video Features to Look for in Your Solution

6 minute read

When choosing an in-vehicle video, be sure you ask about these key features

More and more managers are turning to video monitoring systems to improve safety and efficiency in their fleets. But “video monitoring” can mean everything from a simple dash cam to a state-of-the-art, AI-assisted camera suite. With such a broad range of features, which should you watch out for?

The basics: Hardware essentials for fleet video

There are certain features that should be part of even the most basic in-vehicle solution. In a word, watch out for durability and quality.

Weather protection

First things first: Any commercial fleet video monitoring system needs to stand up to the elements. Cameras that will be installed outside of the vehicle should come with dust and lightning protection. Pay particular attention to temperature and humidity range. Some cameras tap out at 90 degrees Fahrenheit, which is no good if your fleet passes through Arizona! Thus, you need to be able to rely on your provider both to understand your needs and to design and provide you with a solution that fits the ways in which you operate.

HD and SD Video

Have you ever watched a video and thought: Was this filmed with a potato? That’s not something you want to be thinking when you’re reviewing accident footage.

In choosing a video solution, one of the first things you should look at is resolution. 1080p is the standard for high definition video. Some companies now offer 1440p and 4k cameras, which are even higher quality options.

While HD video is important, it’s useful to have standard definition video, too. SD footage downloads faster for instant streaming on data-connected cameras, which can be important if your fleet operates in remote areas where connectivity might be spotty.

It’s best to have a camera that shoots both, giving you the option to download the HD or SD version according to your needs.

Connectivity: The next step up

For features like remote viewing of accident footage, cameras need to be connected to a data network. It thus becomes important that your prospective in-vehicle video solution provider has a deep understanding of connectivity on both the network and the device side. These are some of the first questions you should ask when choosing an in-vehicle video solution.

LTE connectivity

For now, 5G is still too new and far too limited in deployment to be a standard feature in vehicle cameras. Instead, look for 4G LTE-capable monitoring solutions: LTE connectivity has very good bandwidth capability, and does a great job handling the transmission of large files like video footage.

Instant streaming and download

As mentioned, LTE connectivity easily facilitates remote streaming of in-vehicle video. And with instant, remote streaming, fleet managers can access vehicle footage from their desks in real-time so that they can always see what’s going on with their fleets and their drivers. And in the event of an accident, claims investigators can quickly and easily view and download the footage, which is likely to make the claim resolution process quicker and more efficient.

Upgrades for the safest, most efficient video solution

The ability to view HD footage of the road in front of a vehicle, remotely and instantly, makes any fleet manager’s job easier. An in-vehicle video solution with durable hardware and advanced connectivity makes that possible. But there are extra features that can bring further benefits, increasing safety and efficiency across the fleet.

LCD touchscreen display

So far, the advantages of various features have focused on fleet managers. But in-vehicle video solutions can help drivers, too: With an in-cab LCD touchscreen display, drivers can use cameras to aid in tricky maneuvers like backing up and changing lanes. Those kinds of features not only make drivers’ lives easier, but also reduce accident rates and associated costs, too.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence-assisted video solutions are on the cutting edge of fleet management. While AI-assisted cameras are by no means necessary, they do have impressive safety capabilities. For instance, in-vehicle video solutions that incorporate AI can:

  • Detect unsafe driver behavior, like cell phone use and not wearing a seatbelt
  • Warn drivers when they’re about to make an unsafe lane change
  • Keep drivers from following too close to another vehicle
  • Prevent accidents that would otherwise occur from backing up into an object

AI can be incredibly powerful when adopted fleet-wide: A fleet manager, for example, can identify which unsafe behaviors its drivers tend to engage in and target those behaviors in training.

That said, AI is no magic bullet. Similar to how in-vehicle video monitoring solutions can comprise anything from one simple dash cam to multiple HD cameras connected to the Cloud, AI-assisted video systems can be basic or advanced. Thus, if you’re thinking about opting for an AI solution, it’s important that you speak with an experienced provider and make sure you clarify what, exactly, the system is capable of. How many cameras on the vehicle will be AI-assisted? Which driver behaviors can they identify? These are both good questions to talk over with your in-vehicle video provider, who should spend time listening to your needs and helping you put together a solution that will meet your exact needs.


You may have gathered that the common theme here is that discussing your needs with an experienced in-vehicle video solution expert is the best way to figure out which features are right for you.

At Position Logic, we’ve been on the cutting-edge of fleet management technology for over a decade. Our experienced in-vehicle video team can walk you through the options and help you choose what’s right for your fleet.

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