TruScene TS-1L keeps watch over your vehicle

If you've ever been the victim of a hit and run, particularly one where you weren't there to see it happen, you'll immediately appreciate the TruScene TS-1L. This in-car camera can be mounted on the front or rear (or both) of your ride and comes with a drop-down LCD to get things aligned and installed correctly the first go 'round. This eagle-eyed camera keeps a constant watch on what's happening around your vehicle when you're not there to bear witness, so you have a license plate and mug shot of the screeching bandit should an accident occur while you're away. The TS-1L constantly records 30 second loops of footage where non-essential clips (i.e. periods where nothing happens) are deleted to make room for the next clip. If someone jolts your whip by, say, ramming into you or clipping your side mirror, TruScene saves the recording, encrypts it, and stamps a digital watermark on it for later use. The video can be used for insurance or court purposes by uploading the file to TruScene's database where it's properly decrypted for playback. The seriousness of this device carries right over to the pricetag, so we'd recommend having a vehicle truly worth protecting -- and make sure your deductible is over a grand to begin with, because the peace of mind provided by the TS-1L requires $1,000 out of pocket.

[Via OhGizmo]

[chris @ Jul 28th 2006 9:08AM]

a collision claim could easily cost more than the deductable, your rates are likely to go up.

[Robert DeLuca @ Jul 28th 2006 10:19AM]

Whats going to protect this #1000.00 camera from being stolen?

[NeoteriX @ Jul 28th 2006 10:34AM]

Well, if someone hit your car while it was parked and you were "away", not able to witness it--I'd say there's a pretty darn good chance you wouldn't be liable for the damage and your own insurance wouldn't be involved. :)

[Gee @ Jul 28th 2006 10:44AM]

What's to stop people from straight-out stealing this from your car? Any expensive looking tech hanging from a high-visibility spot like a windshield is just an invitation for theives. Maybe if the recorded video was uploaded to a server thru ev-do or wifi, that way even if this gets stolen, you'd have a nice mugshot online that you can show the cops.

[David @ Jul 28th 2006 11:15AM]

Wow, between the price of this thing and the price of gas, I think I'll leave my car in the garage and walk.

[Peter Reynolds @ Jul 28th 2006 2:10PM]

I've been waiting for something to replace annoying car alarms. It could be a winner if it's small, inconspicuous, and works while the car is in motion. (although, as mentioned, it's useless if the car is stolen).

[Dan @ Jul 28th 2006 2:19PM]

what happens when the car that hits your car hits the camera and destroys the evidence...it needs a camera to watch the other camera

[Jason @ Jul 29th 2006 2:18PM]

Wait -- this device is going to cost you $1000 regardless of what your deductible is. If you want your deductible at least that high, then you just have to pay at least $1000 more when you finally have that accident.

And Dan, any vehicle doing that much damage to the car is probably not going to be driveable, after. The real question is whether you'll be able to see the faces of the criminals who stole the car they rammed into you while joyriding :)

[Jon @ Jul 31st 2006 12:32PM]

The $1000 isn't entirely true, it will be £499 for a front camera and £949 (British pounds) for a front and rear. Have a look at truscene.com for more details.
The vid is kept in solid state memory so it's pretty difficult to destroy. Also the camera is useless if stolen as you need a specific login to use the camera and upload the clips, you can't copy files to your p.c, the software won't allow it, also the camera is removable from the car, you can just leave the harness in place if you want to.

[Tracy L @ Jul 31st 2006 3:18PM]

I've thought about making something like this. But I was thinking something more like a 1gig usb drive for $40 and a webcam for another $40. Not sure why this should cost $1000. No idea why I would want it to "encrypt" the video. And I have this funny feeling that if I was in court with video of the other car hitting mine and driving off, I wouldn't lose the case due to my inability to provide an "authoritative" timestamp of when it happened.