[qs933]

Does anyone know what features are presented? I tried to find the item on Toyota's website, no luck. I see a button for 'action'; I presume that means, 'start recording'? I saw a reference somewhere to it automatically recording if impact is detected? That seems a bit 'after the fact', but perhaps what it really means is, record all the time, but discard unless an impact is detected? Would be nice to know what the max recording time is, and if it's configurable (lower the resolution, increase the duration).

I don't know if the manual is available online; it's in the app, but I haven't figured out a way to export or link to it.

In a nutshell, it turns on automatically and begins recording as soon as I start the Venza. It stores the files on the SD card in 2 minute segments. When the card is full, it writes over the oldest file first. It came with a 16GB card that appeared to be able to store about 40-50 minutes of driving. I just replaced it with a 128GB card (bought one that's reportedly for security cameras), so that should greatly extend the recording time. There is a lower-res option, but I figured I want the most detail.

The action button allows you to "tag" up to several (I think it's 5 or 10) events and protect them from being overwritten. It also allows you to find them faster since they appear in a separate section in the app.

For example: yesterday I was driving down a 2-lane, undivided road. I was making a left turn at a T-intersection. As I was about to make the turn, a pickup at the intersection ran the stop sign and made a left turn in front of me. Fortunately, I anticipated the truck wasn't going to stop, so I had time to brake.

I pressed the "Action" button after I made the turn and decided I wanted to save the clip. That entire segment (started about 45 seconds before it happened) was saved to an "events" folder. I popped out the card, inserted it into my computer, and could view the clip directly. Here's a screenshot.

 

[Steerpike]

I don't know if the manual is available online; it's in the app, but I haven't figured out a way to export or link to it.

In a nutshell, it turns on automatically and begins recording as soon as I start the Venza. It stores the files on the SD card in 2 minute segments. When the card is full, it writes over the oldest file first. It came with a 16GB card that appeared to be able to store about 40-50 minutes of driving. I just replaced it with a 128GB card (bought one that's reportedly for security cameras), so that should greatly extend the recording time. There is a lower-res option, but I figured I want the most detail.

The action button allows you to "tag" up to several (I think it's 5 or 10) events and protect them from being overwritten. It also allows you to find them faster since they appear in a separate section in the app.

For example: yesterday I was driving down a 2-lane, undivided road. I was making a left turn at a T-intersection. As I was about to make the turn, a pickup at the intersection ran the stop sign and made a left turn in front of me. Fortunately, I anticipated the truck wasn't going to stop, so I had time to brake.

I pressed the "Action" button after I made the turn and decided I wanted to save the clip. That entire segment (started about 45 seconds before it happened) was saved to an "events" folder. I popped out the card, inserted it into my computer, and could view the clip directly. Here's a screenshot.

View attachment 331650

Great information, thanks! Very tempting!

Interesting that it shows your speed and geo coordinates. I wonder if that is determined by the camera itself or is read from the car's info? If your car doesn't have GPS, that would answer that question. Speed can be inferred from gps, so if it has its own gps circuitry, that would be the logical answer. Since it's sitting in the window, it would likely get a good GPS signal.

I presume the files are saved in a standard format (eg, MP4) and can be played / edited using standard 3rd party tools, like VLC (VideoLan)?

What's the resolution of each frame (eg, 1024x768; 1920x1280; etc)?

Is it reasonably immune from direct sunlight effects? I've tried mounting cameras inside the windscreen myself, and one of the hardest issues to deal with is reflections when the sun is directly on the windscreen.

EDIT - using the GPS coordinates given in your screenshot, I was able to independently locate the street -
222 Kailua Rd - Google Maps

 

[qs933]

Great information, thanks! Very tempting!

Interesting that it shows your speed and geo coordinates. I wonder if that is determined by the camera itself or is read from the car's info? If your car doesn't have GPS, that would answer that question. Speed can be inferred from gps, so if it has its own gps circuitry, that would be the logical answer. Since it's sitting in the window, it would likely get a good GPS signal.

I presume the files are saved in a standard format (eg, MP4) and can be played / edited using standard 3rd party tools, like VLC (VideoLan)?

What's the resolution of each frame (eg, 1024x768; 1920x1280; etc)?

Is it reasonably immune from direct sunlight effects? I've tried mounting cameras inside the windscreen myself, and one of the hardest issues to deal with is reflections when the sun is directly on the windscreen.

EDIT - using the GPS coordinates given in your screenshot, I was able to independently locate the street -
222 Kailua Rd - Google Maps

I have a Limited with Nav; I'm guessing location and speed are from the camera itself, but that's just a guess. The change in speed doesn't have the same "smoothness" as my speedometer -- for example, in that intersection clip above, my speed jumped from 0 to 4 MPH back to 0.

Yesterday was the first time I removed the card and inserted it into my computer (macOS). Recognized it immediately and the files (MP4) were easy to locate in folders. The screen grab above was me using the preview function in macOS; no additional app required to even open the files. Resolution was 1920x1080, so standard HD.

Video was clear enough for me to see the rear license plate of the truck as it passed me. Also wide enough that I could see in the playback that he/she arrived to the intersection after me and didn't stop for the stop sign.

 

[TommyEffer]

I found a link to the installation instructions Dash cam

Thanks, that was perfect. Just what I was looking for.

I completed the installation this afternoon, only took about 40 minutes, would have been less if I was more confident about removing the roof console. That took me some time as I was concerned I would break it. It was difficult to remove the roof console, but the TSS Cover was easier. All 4 clips from the roof console did break and it came apart in a way that was not intended, but it wasn't broken. It was easy enough to put everything together again. I'm betting there is a hook type tool which would have made this much easier. The instructions referenced an installation template tool which I didn't have, but I did find a PDF template for the Sienna which worked fine.

Got everything put together and it works (whew!). Once it was installed, you download the Toyota Integrated Dash Cam app from the Play Store, then you turn on the dash cam wi-fi and connect your phone to the dash cam. On the first connection, you will need to change the wireless password and reconnect to it. Then you can adjust the settings and view live footage (very poor live streaming quality). The recorded footage looks good. You can access it via the SD card, or you can use the wireless connection to download it, but it is quite slow to download.

I like that you can set it to record audio or not, quickly and easily. I am also glad that it will monitor the vehicle while it's parked.

 

[qs933]

Looking through the “parking” folder, found videos of the Venza in the prep area of the distributor — must be right after they installed it. No idea what triggers a parking event, but it looks like the dashcam saves them in a different area from the rest of the footage and it isn’t subject to the same overwrite rules. My oldest non-event driving video goes back just a couple of days.

I changed it from a 16GB card to a 128GB card to store more regular footage without overwriting.

 

[Steerpike]

Looking through the “parking” folder, found videos of the Venza in the prep area of the distributor — must be right after they installed it. No idea what triggers a parking event, but it looks like the dashcam saves them in a different area from the rest of the footage and it isn’t subject to the same overwrite rules. My oldest non-event driving video goes back just a couple of days.

I changed it from a 16GB card to a 128GB card to store more regular footage without overwriting.

Wow, love the 'parking' aspect! Please post back after you get a sense of how it handles 'parking' (how long it records, etc). I presume it distinguishes between parking and being stopped by looking at the ignition state. The camera is so 'integrated' that I doubt it will be stolen if you are unlucky enough to be broken into - a huge advantage over 3rd party cameras. The downside is, there's no inside view (camera pointing inside the car - that would be useful for security). Very tempted to buy this just for the fun of it, but I really want to do timelapse videos, like this one

...
I completed the installation this afternoon, only took about 40 minutes, would have been less if I was more confident about removing the roof console. ...

Since you did the installation yourself, how much did you have to pay for the camera? I saw a price of $300 but that was, I believe, including installation.

 

[meatpixel]

The instructions referenced an installation template tool which I didn't have, but I did find a PDF template for the Sienna which worked fine.

Would you happen to have a link to the template PDF file? I just ordered the dash cam and I want to make sure I have everything ready before installation! Also, did you disconnect the battery before installing the camera? Thank you!

 

[TommyEffer]

Since you did the installation yourself, how much did you have to pay for the camera? I saw a price of $300 but that was, I believe, including installation.

I paid just over $300 with the wiring harness and Maine state tax. Not sure what the installation would have cost, but I would have been willing to pay $100 bucks but I expect the dealer would have been closer to $200 ... I will have to buy some replacement clips but that should be under $5. I hope 🙂

 

[TommyEffer]

Would you happen to have a link to the template PDF file? I just ordered the dash cam and I want to make sure I have everything ready before installation! Also, did you disconnect the battery before installing the camera? Thank you!

Sure. I am attaching it here with the Venza instructions so they are on one post. On the last page of the Sienna instructions you will find the template.

The battery. No, I did not but I should have. I started the project by simply trying to see how difficult disassembly was going to be and when I had it disassembled I thought I would be ok to just snap in the harness. I had no issue as a result but my heart skipped a beat or two when the headlights came on. I had also thought that I could have accidentally pushed the SOS button. I kept wondering afterwards what if. If I were to do it again I would take the 3 minutes to disconnect the battery ... But that's just me.

 

[MrCupcake2U]

I installed the dashcam yesterday. Overall the install isn't bad with one glaring exception: Getting the roof console off is difficult and nerve wracking. It takes a LOT of force to get it to come out and the shiny plastic trim panel will pop lose or break long before the base comes out. The instructions "pull down firmly" are laughable... I ended up using a wide panel tool to slip up behind the base and lever it out side to side. Definitely don't want to go through that again. On the upside none of the clips broke! The camera itself seems to be working fine and looks good. Ordered a 128GB Samsung Pro Endurance card it. The companion app is... sad... but it does the job.

 

[ChefBoiRC]

Thanks, that was perfect. Just what I was looking for.

I completed the installation this afternoon, only took about 40 minutes, would have been less if I was more confident about removing the roof console. That took me some time as I was concerned I would break it. It was difficult to remove the roof console, but the TSS Cover was easier. All 4 clips from the roof console did break and it came apart in a way that was not intended, but it wasn't broken. It was easy enough to put everything together again. I'm betting there is a hook type tool which would have made this much easier. The instructions referenced an installation template tool which I didn't have, but I did find a PDF template for the Sienna which worked fine.

Got everything put together and it works (whew!). Once it was installed, you download the Toyota Integrated Dash Cam app from the Play Store, then you turn on the dash cam wi-fi and connect your phone to the dash cam. On the first connection, you will need to change the wireless password and reconnect to it. Then you can adjust the settings and view live footage (very poor live streaming quality). The recorded footage looks good. You can access it via the SD card, or you can use the wireless connection to download it, but it is quite slow to download.

I like that you can set it to record audio or not, quickly and easily. I am also glad that it will monitor the vehicle while it's parked.

With the 4 clips breaking were things still tight/not loose when putting it all back together.

 

[Solidsamir]

Guys I had the cam installed but I’m having a hard time getting it to work properly. It seems I have to press the WiFi button and connect manually every time I get in the car. After some time it loses connection and the green led light stays on. When I try to screen record it says the cam is not in recording mode. Any insight?

 

[qs933]

Guys I had the cam installed but I’m having a hard time getting it to work properly. It seems I have to press the WiFi button and connect manually every time I get in the car. After some time it loses connection and the green led light stays on. When I try to screen record it says the cam is not in recording mode. Any insight?

Is there a reason you're connecting via WiFi to it every time you get into the car? You'd connect to it via WiFi to access the content stored on the card and set preferences in the app. Other than that, there's no reason to connect to it every time you get in the car, unless I'm missing something.

I've connected via WiFi maybe three times since I bought it. I've found that it's much easier to remove the micro SD card and view it on my computer directly vs. trying to download it to my phone via WiFi.

 

[Solidsamir]

Is there a reason you're connecting via WiFi to it every time you get into the car? You'd connect to it via WiFi to access the content stored on the card and set preferences in the app. Other than that, there's no reason to connect to it every time you get in the car, unless I'm missing something.

I've connected via WiFi maybe three times since I bought it. I've found that it's much easier to remove the micro SD card and view it on my computer directly vs. trying to download it to my phone via WiFi.

wow for some reason I thought I had to connect for it to work. I was getting frustrated cause I couldn’t see where the drive files were but I ended up finding them elsewhere in the app.

it seems to be working, however I cannot seem to use the live view function on the app.

 

[qs933]

it seems to be working, however I cannot seem to use the live view function on the app.

I’ve used the live view once, just to see what it did. Since you have to be connected to the camera via WiFi, in which case you’re sitting in the car and can see out the windshield, it didn’t seem like it had much of a purpose other than to test the camera.

 

[Steerpike]

I installed the dashcam yesterday. Overall the install isn't bad with one glaring exception: Getting the roof console off is difficult and nerve wracking. It takes a LOT of force to get it to come out and the shiny plastic trim panel will pop lose or break long before the base comes out. The instructions "pull down firmly" are laughable... I ended up using a wide panel tool to slip up behind the base and lever it out side to side. Definitely don't want to go through that again. On the upside none of the clips broke! The camera itself seems to be working fine and looks good. Ordered a 128GB Samsung Pro Endurance card it. The companion app is... sad... but it does the job.

What I find with these projects is - the FIRST time is a bitch, because you don't know what you are dealing with! Once you actually get the cover off, you can see exactly where the clips are, and that is a clue to where you needed to apply pressure to remove it. So what I always do is, take lots of pictures, when it's all in bits, so I know for 'the next time'. Now, since you've actually done it, can you tell is where the clips are exactly? Would that knowledge not have helped you be more focused in your pulling?

 

[vandel]

I found the OEM camera available on Amazon
TOYOTA Genuine 2021 & Newer Sienna & Venza Integrated Dash Cam w/Harness PT949-08210 & PT949-48210

I'm debating about installing it my self or just going through the dealer. I plan to add sound dampening to my Venza and this may be a good time to take the head liner out and add sound dampening to the roof. Somewhere I found diagrams where there already is sound dampening in the roof. Also I'm hearing clips in the cover for the A pillar are designed to break instead of just being pulled off.

Does anyone have any photos of these areas I can use as reference? I have seen videos of Rav4 and such, I'm asking if there are any specifically Venza.
Will the clips mentioned break or is there a way around it?
A preveouse post in this thread included a template for mounting the Dashcam in a Sienna. Will that template work with our Venza's?
What's your suggestion or thoughts on adding sound dampening? I have the XLE with the JBL and already see the sound dampening added with the JBL package is no where near the sound dampening I put in my last SUV

 

[tim.s]

...What's your suggestion or thoughts on adding sound dampening? I have the XLE with the JBL and already see the sound dampening added with the JBL package is no where near the sound dampening I put in my last SUV

I recommend starting a new thread just on your sound dampening questions - we need more direct discussions on that topic. And you're likely to get more responses from people with experiences, rather than hijacking a dash cam thread.

The Sienna dash cam question is discussed above, but I'd recommend just using the instructions for the MY21 Venza dash cam instead.

 

[Steerpike]

I recommend starting a new thread just on your sound dampening questions - we need more direct discussions on that topic. And you're likely to get more responses from people with experiences, rather than hijacking a dash cam thread.
...

I agree (separate thread would be good) - I just bought a box of Kilmat and I'm unsure how to proceed. I have photos of some of the headliner removal, so if you create a thread I'll post there.

 

[vandel]

I recommend starting a new thread just on your sound dampening questions - we need more direct discussions on that topic. And you're likely to get more responses from people with experiences, rather than hijacking a dash cam thread.

The Sienna dash cam question is discussed above, but I'd recommend just using the instructions for the MY21 Venza dash cam instead.

Sorry, "hijacking" this thread was not my intent.

The question I asked that pertains to this topic has not been answered in the above discussion. The Venza Installation Aid - Type B part number PT949-IAD0B mentioned in the Venza instructions I am not able to find. Will the paper template in the Siena instructions work as printed in our Venza's or are you finding it needs to be modified a bit?