Video recorder PlayMe P400 Tetra: specifications, description, reviews

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Recently, quite often you can find car recorders that combine a detector and a radar. Such hybrids allow you to save not only finances, but also free space on the dashboard or windshield.

One of the new models of radar detectors PlayMe P400 Tetra has an impressive set of functions and, according to the manufacturer, can track the situation on the track, capture important moments and notify of all changes in a pleasant voice. At the same time, the cost of a hybrid gadget is very pleasant and affordable.

Below is a review and test of the PlayMe P400 Tetra, its advantages and disadvantages, as well as owner reviews and expert opinions.

Recorder equipment

The gadget comes in a standard white-blue cardboard box. On the sides of the package there is information about the characteristics of the DVR and the manufacturer.

Package includes:

• PlayMe P400 Tetra DVR.
• A cigarette lighter adapter that allows you to charge your device.
• Bracket for installing the gadget on the windshield.
• User manual for PlayMeP400 Tetra.
• USB to miniUSB cable.
• Fuse kit.
• Adapter for memory cards.
• A cloth to clean the optical eye.

Judging by the reviews of the owners of PlayMe P400 Tetra, the gadget's bundle is not bad - very extensive and includes everything you need. The mini-USB cable allows you to connect the recorder to a personal computer.

Design

The body of the PlayMe P400 Tetra is made of high-quality plastic with a matte finish, which is an advantage of the gadget. Fingerprints and other marks remain only on the front panel, where the lens is located. During active use, especially in the summer, there is a high dustiness of the case.

Distinctive design features

The dimensions of the gadget can hardly be called compact, despite the fact that the manufacturer tried to reduce them. The screen, lens and detector are located on the same skeletal branch, due to which the module with the display is located on one side. Despite this design, the dimensions of the recorder are still not small.

The gadget is installed easily and simply, without taking up too much space on the windshield and without compromising visibility. A well-made bracket allows you to quickly remove the device from the mount and hide it in the glove compartment if necessary.

Gadget interface

The video recorder is equipped with a regular screen, so all control is carried out through the keys located on the body. On the left side are the buttons forswitching modes, turning on the gadget, turning off the mute mode and other functions, above the display - managing the menu and basic settings.

In the upper part of the case there is a tray for attaching the bracket, in the lower part there is a microphone jack for recording what is happening in the car. The right panel contains the main inputs and outputs of the PlayMe P400 Tetra. Despite the rather unusual arrangement of controls and other connectors, you get used to them quickly, which is confirmed by the owners of this gadget.

Recorder performance

The PlayMe P400 Tetra firmware is based on the Ambarella A7 platform, which produces powerful processors for automotive equipment and gadgets. The characteristics of the chipset set make it easy to play videos and perform multiple functions at the same time at an affordable price.

The matrix in the recorder is a four-megapixel OmniVision based on WDR technology. Despite the fact that the broadcast image is clear and of good quality, it is difficult to call it ideal. However, all gadgets of the same price segment sin like this. The disadvantages of the camera include poor recognition of numbers of cars in front and the appearance of glare when shooting at night.

Control and shooting

Matrix capabilities are sufficient for ordinary shooting. Video recording is carried out at a frequency of 30 FPS with high resolution in MP4 format. In PlayMe settingsThe P400 Tetra storyboard can be boosted up to 60 FPS, however, this will negatively affect the video quality: it will drop to standard HD. Recording in FullHD resolution for five minutes takes about 500 MB on external media or on the hard drive of the recorder itself. On average, recording for one hour will take about 6 GB, which is not such a big indicator for gadgets of this type.

Recorder functions

PlayMe P400 is a hybrid gadget that combines the functionality of a DVR and a radar detector. The capabilities of the car device allow you to fix radar systems in time and record video.

The main module is a receiver that receives and recognizes signals from radars. The driver is notified about the presence of radar complexes and similar devices on the track in advance by means of an audio, voice or visual signal. The functionality of the detector allows you to detect not only conventional radars, but also guns and laser-type cameras that can be found on the roads of our country. After updating the base, PlayMe p400 Tetra is able to recognize even modern Strelka-type complexes.

Features of the radar

Despite the fact that not all tracking devices can be recognized by receiving the signal coming from them, the PlayMe radar detector is able to detect even such complexes as Avtodoria. The principle of operation of this system is based not on the emission of a signal, but on a comparison of vehicle data - numbers,structures, colors - at two points: the camera in the first point captures the necessary information, after which it compares them with similar information recorded by the camera in the second point. The average speed of a vehicle is calculated based on the distance between two points and the time it took the vehicle to cover it. If the allowable indicator is exceeded, the owner of the car is fined.

However, the Avtodoria complex has its weak point: the binding of each camera to the installed GPS beacons, which are easily read by the PlayMe radar detector. The gadget determines the location of the units of the complex in databases and warns the driver about their location. For the correct operation of this function, constant updating of the PlayMe P400 Tetra is required, since the location of the radar systems is often changed by the traffic police.

GPS module functionality

The capabilities of the GPS module of the PlayMe recorder are not limited to fixing radar systems and other tracking devices located on the tracks: it performs all the standard functions associated with GPS tracking. It is best to evaluate the functionality of the device after installing the software supplied by the manufacturer on a personal computer. The software allows you to view the records and photos made by the DVR, track waypoints and build new ones, evaluate the speed of the car and some other parameters.

The wide functionality of the DVR is useful when you get into an accident when you need to providetraffic police officers accurate information about the route of the vehicle. The information recorded by PlayMe will allow you to defend your innocence and resolve issues with the insurance company.

Platform and operating system

DVR control is simple and intuitive. There are no complex and specific sections in the menu and settings, so it is quite easy to understand the device, especially for those owners who have already de alt with such equipment. Incomprehensible nuances are described in detail in the Russian-language instruction manual.

During the operation of the gadget, its display displays not only the image from the camera, but also a list of the latest recorded tracking devices. When a particular radar is identified, a corresponding message is displayed on the screen with information about the distance to the device, vehicle speed and signal strength. If desired, you can activate a voice alert that will warn the driver to slow down.

In the reviews, PlayMe owners speak positively about the wide functionality of the hybrid gadget, separately highlighting the voice assistant, simplicity and convenience of settings and control.

As a result

Despite a large number of advantages, the PlayMe P400 Tetra DVR has its drawbacks, one of which is poor video quality. At the same time, the data recorded by the gadget is quite suitable for presenting to traffic police officers and insurance companies in the event of an accident. The radar detector hasgood characteristics and perfectly copes with its duties, fixing all the complexes on the way and warning the driver in a timely manner.

The dimensions of the DVR are a controversial point: in comparison with analogues, it looks very large and takes up a lot of space on the windshield. However, size is the main problem of almost all hybrid devices.

The PlayMe P400 Tetra hybrid DVR fully justifies its price and pays for it in just a few trips. Wide functionality allows the driver not to be afraid of a collision with tracking devices and radars, and a camera with a good resolution captures everything that happens on the track on the gadget’s memory card, recording good quality photos and videos.