Installation and Operating Instructions
3.1 Memory Card Installation
Insert a microSD card (32GB-512GB, U3/Class10/A2 speed recommended) into the memory card slot until it clicks into place. If a "Memory Card Error" appears, navigate to "System Settings", select "Format", and confirm to format the card. A "Successfully Formatted" message will appear upon completion.
Note: The dashcam requires high-speed memory cards (U3/Class10/A2). VANTRUE-branded cards are recommended. Format the memory card at least once a month. Do not insert or remove the memory card directly during recording to prevent loss of important video files.
3.2 Dashcam Installation
3.2.1 Mount Installation
Press the GPS mount firmly against the dashcam's connection port until it is securely attached.
3.2.2 Car Charger Cable Installation
Plug the car charger cable into your vehicle's cigarette lighter socket. The dashcam will power on automatically when the vehicle starts.
3.2.3 Determining the Installation Location
Before permanently installing the N5, power on the device and check the front lens view and angle to ensure it is suitable for your desired recording area.
3.2.4 Attaching Electrostatic Stickers
Once the installation location is determined, first apply the electrostatic sticker to the windshield. Choose a suitable position and clean the windshield thoroughly before applying. After peeling off the first layer, attach it to the windshield, then peel off the second layer.
3.2.5 Installing the N5 Host
Attach the N5 host mount to the electrostatic sticker. For increased stability, auxiliary adhesives can be used at the mounting position prior to installation.
3.2.6 Rear Camera Installation
The rear camera must be installed while the N5 is powered on. Securely attach the rear camera to the rear windshield. Ensure the installation avoids the defogging line. After installation, use a dust-free cloth to clean the lens. Verify correct installation by checking the screen print from outside the car (VANTRUE should be readable correctly). Note that the infrared lens is for the rear cabin camera, not the rear camera. The front cabin camera can be adjusted 45° up and down, while the rear camera can be adjusted 45° up and down, and the rear cabin camera 65° up and down.
3.2.7 Wiring
There are two main cables to manage: the car charger cable and the rear camera cable.
- Car Charger Cable: Use the provided VANTRUE pry tool to tuck the car charger cable into the A-pillar and windshield seal, routing it from the passenger side to the cigarette lighter.
- Rear Camera Cable: Route the rear camera cable from the front windshield to the rear windshield, following the vehicle's interior trim.
APP Download and WiFi Connection
3.3 APP Download
Download the VANTRUE APP by visiting the App Store or Google Play. The app allows real-time video preview, dashcam settings modification, zero-traffic file downloads, and video playback when connected via Wi-Fi. Note that GPS track playback and video sharing features require an internet connection, meaning the dashcam's Wi-Fi must be turned off for these functions.
3.4 WiFi Connection
The N5 dashcam's Wi-Fi automatically activates for 10 minutes and then turns off if unused. You can reactivate Wi-Fi via button combinations, voice control, or the menu. To connect, enable Wi-Fi on your mobile phone, open the VANTRUE app, click "Add Device", select "Nexus Series", choose the "N5" model, confirm the corresponding Wi-Fi name, and click "Confirm Connection".
Note: Ensure your phone's Wi-Fi is enabled before connecting. The initial Wi-Fi password is for the first login only; it is recommended to change it promptly for security. The default initial Wi-Fi password is 12345678. If forgotten, it can be reset to this default.
3.5 APP Connection Functions
Once connected to the app's live preview, the following functions are available:
- Video Preview: View live footage in full screen or switch between camera views.
- Video Playback: Access and play recorded videos and photos directly within the app.
- Video Download: Download videos or images to your mobile device. Downloaded videos can be played locally to view GPS track information.
- Snapshot: Capture still images during live preview.
- Mileage Statistics: Access and download detailed mileage information.
- Lens Correction Line: Adjust the lens balance using a precise crosshair to prevent video distortion.
- OTA Upgrade: Update the N5 dashcam's firmware directly through the mobile app (refer to section 4.2.12 for details).
3.6 APP Upgrade
To update the firmware via the app, open the "Vantrue" app, connect to the dashcam's Wi-Fi, and navigate to "Settings > Info > Detect New Version". Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm and complete the OTA (Over-the-Air) upgrade.
Note: For both file-based and OTA upgrades, the N5 must be connected to a power source. OTA upgrade downloads will consume mobile data.
Important Functions
4.2.1 Loop Recording
When the normal video folder reaches 70% of its total capacity, new loop recording files automatically overwrite the oldest ones. This ensures continuous recording without interruption during driving.
Note:
- The performance of loop recording heavily relies on the memory card's speed. Regularly format the memory card to prevent issues like excessive files or card aging.
- Periodically review loop recording videos to avoid important footage being overwritten.
- If loop recording is disabled, the video lock function will not work.
- When loop recording is disabled, each video segment is 20 minutes long, and recording will stop once the memory card is full.
4.2.2 Emergency Recording
The dashcam can manually or automatically lock recordings under specific circumstances. To manually lock a video, press the dedicated button to save the current video and take a snapshot. During emergency recording, you can also take a snapshot. The video will be saved in the emergency video folder, and photos in the photo folder.
Automatic emergency recording is triggered when the vehicle is hit or shaken. The dashcam detects the vibration and automatically locks the current video, saving it to the event video folder. You can also take a snapshot during this process.
Note:
- The sensitivity of automatic locking is determined by the collision sensitivity setting. Higher sensitivity increases the likelihood of triggering.
- Emergency video files occupy 30% of the total memory card capacity. Once this limit is reached, new emergency videos will overwrite the oldest ones. It is recommended to regularly review and save your emergency video files to prevent loss.
- Locked recording will not be triggered if loop recording is off or time-lapse recording is on (only snapshots are possible in these cases).
4.2.3 Starlight Night Vision in Parking Mode
This feature is set to On by default and is only active when the dashcam is in parking mode. It optimizes video recording in low-light conditions.
4.2.4 Monitoring Area
Users can define the detection areas for both the front and rear cameras on the N5 dashcam. This function is only valid in parking mode with motion detection enabled. There are 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X area options, with 5X representing the full detection mode.
4.2.5 Parking Mode
There are three ways to enter parking mode:
- Automatic: After parking the vehicle, the camera waits for 5 minutes to automatically enter parking mode.
- Manual: Long press the designated button to manually switch to parking mode.
- ACC Hardwire Kit: If an ACC Hardwire Kit (optional accessory, purchased separately) is installed, the camera will directly enter parking mode when the car's ignition is turned off.
Note on Parking Mode:
- To ensure proper functioning of parking mode, use a Hardwire Kit or another stable and continuous power supply. The ACC-Hardwire Kit must be a VANTRUE product.
- In hot and sunny environments (up to 60°C), it is recommended to use the collision detection mode or turn off the camera to prevent abnormal operation due to high temperatures.
- Time-lapse video recording and parking mode (including collision detection, motion detection, low bitrate mode, and low framerate mode) are mutually exclusive. Only one can be active at a time.
- All files recorded in parking mode (collision detection, motion detection, low bitrate/framerate) are saved in the "Normal" folder. Regularly check these files to prevent them from being overwritten by continuous recording.
Collision Detection (Parking Mode)
When collision detection is active, an icon appears on the recording interface. The sensitivity can be set from 1 to 5 levels. If collision detection is enabled and no movement is detected for 5 minutes, the dashcam activates collision detection and automatically turns off the screen. If the dashcam is off, it will start recording for 1 minute after detecting a shake, then record and turn off again. If the dashcam continues to be hit during collision detection recording, it will exit this mode and return to normal recording, restarting the 5-minute entry mechanism.
Motion Detection (Parking Mode)
When motion detection is enabled, a specific icon appears on the recording interface, indicating the dashcam is in motion detection mode. You can define the detection area within the "Motion Detection Area" function. When motion detection mode is activated, the dashcam enters standby, and the screen turns off after 3 minutes. Motion detection includes a pre-recording function that captures 10 seconds of footage before an object moves, combining it into the motion detection video. When motion detection recording ends, the dashcam combines the 10-second pre-trigger video with the 30-second post-trigger video to form a 40-second motion detection video. Note: Motion detection mode must be active when the dashcam is on; it does not function when the dashcam is off.
Low Bitrate Mode (Parking Mode)
When low bitrate recording is activated, a "720P 15FPS" or "1080P 15FPS" icon appears on the screen. The resolution switches to 1080P 15FPS or 720P 15FPS, and the recording duration is determined by the current loop recording setting. If the camera vibrates or moves, it will automatically exit this mode, wait 5 minutes, and then re-enter. Note: Low bitrate recording only functions when the camera is powered on.
Low Framerate Mode (Parking Mode)
When low framerate mode is selected, the camera records at 1FPS, 5FPS, 10FPS, or 15FPS, as chosen. For example, if 1 FPS is selected and the current video resolution is 30 FPS, the recorder generates a 30 FPS video per second. This mode significantly preserves video integrity and saves storage space on the memory card. The normal recording time can be calculated as: Time-lapse Recording Time (Sec.) x Recording Framerate FPS x Time-lapse Option.
Note: The time unit in the calculation formula is seconds. Low bitrate mode is similar to time-lapse recording, but there is a difference in the video filename suffix. Low bitrate mode also requires a stable power supply; the camera will shut down if power is lost. If an ACC-Hardwire Kit is used, the dashcam will enter parking mode immediately after the car is parked.
4.2.6 Privacy Mode
When activated, the N5's privacy mode retains only the last 3 loop recording files. For example, if a user selects 1-minute loop recording, after privacy mode is enabled, video files will be overwritten after the third 1-minute loop recording. Manually locked video files in privacy mode are saved in the event folder, with the same filename format as emergency videos.
Note: If loop recording is turned off, privacy mode cannot be started. Please format the memory card first when enabling privacy mode.
4.2.7 Mileage Statistics
The N5 dashcam records and analyzes driving time, mileage, altitude, driving speed, and other user information using GPS data from the driving process. Users can export mileage files via the app. Real-time preview can also be downloaded and saved locally within the app.
4.2.8 Voice Recognition
Users can control the dashcam using voice commands such as "Take Photo," "Turn On Wi-Fi," "Turn Off Wi-Fi," and "Lock The Video." Currently supported languages for voice commands include English, Japanese, Russian, and Chinese. Detailed voice commands can be found under "System Settings > Voice Content." Voice recognition offers options for Off, Low Sensitivity, Standard, and High Sensitivity.
4.2.9 GPS Function
The GPS function is activated by default, with the camera receiving GPS signals via the GPS mount. It automatically corrects the time and date based on your location and records the video's shooting location and the vehicle's speed at that time. To view GPS information, download and install the VANTRUE APP and the VANTRUE GPS Player, available for download at www.vantrue.net.
Note: The GPS connection should be established within 1 minute after powering on the device. If the GPS connection is not successful within 1 minute, please check if the GPS function is enabled on the device, if the GPS mount is properly connected, and if your environment (e.g., underground garage, densely populated residential area, subway, tunnel) is affecting GPS signal reception. Video files must be downloaded to a local folder and played back in the app to display GPS track information. The dashcam's Wi-Fi must be disconnected for GPS information to be displayed correctly; otherwise, the GPS data will appear empty.
4.2.10 Automatic GPS Time Correction
The dashcam's automatic GPS time correction setting is enabled by default. You can select your timezone, for example, GMT-08:00 for Los Angeles. If you are unsure of your location's timezone, you can connect to the Vantrue Cam APP via Wi-Fi and confirm that the automatic time adjustment function is active in the app.
Note: Automatic GPS time correction requires the correct timezone to be set.
4.2.11 Playing and Deleting Files
a. Viewing Files on the Camera
After clicking "Files," enter any folder. Once the video folder is open, you can press the 'V' button to select the next file and the 'X' button to delete the file during playback. To delete videos on the camera, press the emergency button in the file browsing interface to access the "Delete" menu.
b. Viewing Files on a Computer
- Connect the camera to your computer using the supplied USB-C data cable.
- Once the connection is successfully established, the camera's display will show an icon indicating data transfer. You can then browse the video files in the corresponding folder on your computer.
- Depending on your computer's operating system, the camera will appear as a removable disk or a removable folder.
- To view files on your computer, you can right-click to open the menu and delete them.
- Alternatively, you can use a USB card reader to access the memory card's information.
c. Viewing Files on the "Vantrue Cam" APP
After the camera is successfully connected to your mobile phone via Wi-Fi, you can access and manage data through the Vantrue Cam APP.
4.2.12 Updating the Firmware
There are two methods for updating the dashcam's firmware:
Upgrade Method 1: File Upgrade
Download the latest N5 software from the official VANTRUE website. Place the downloaded files in the root directory of your memory card. Reinsert the memory card into the camera. Once the camera is connected to a power source, it will automatically begin the update process.
Upgrade Method 2: OTA (Over-the-Air) Firmware Update
After opening the VANTRUE APP, you will receive a dashcam software update notification. Once you confirm the upgrade, the app will navigate to the OTA upgrade interface, and you can proceed with the update according to the on-screen guidelines.
Note: For both file-based and OTA upgrades, the N5 must be connected to a power supply. OTA upgrade downloads will require mobile data usage.
