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Accessing dashcam footage on mobile

Gigaset GS4/Android 11; I can access all USB sticks and their files, but not my dashcam - 'Cannot read USB'. I cannot alter USB settings for this connection as there is no connection! I would like to be able to retrieve a dashcam video clip.

Is this possible to achieve?
 
With external USB drives and such, those are purely storage media. With something like a dashcam, unless it has a setting to switch its internal storage to be detectable as just storage media when connected to other devices, the odds are you'll have to check if the manufacturer of your dashcam provides an Android app. There are some generic dashcam/webcam apps that 'might' work too, but there's a lot of proprietary restrictions involved with most devices so it's pretty conditional. The thing is with Android to connect with a lot of external devices you'll need an from the manufacturer. It's not like with a Windows PC where you just install a driver, with Android you don't install drivers/firmware for device support, those are part of an app. And then with some devices it's the app you use to interact with it.

When you're using one of your USB sticks, are you just plugging it in directly to your Gigaset or are you using a USB OTG cable/adapter?
 
svim - I much appreciate your reply, thanks.

Firstly I doubt there is an 'app' as the dashcam was not an 'expensive' one, but I will search. It has 2 settings, 'PC Cam' and 'Mass storage', and storage is the one I select to download to my windows PC.

I would like to explore your mention of 'generic' dashcam apps - where would I search, please?
 
If you go to the website of manufacturer that made your dashcam it should have a reference if they have Android and iPhone apps available, or just use the Google Play Store app and do a search for your dashcam model. If that doesn't work out do a Play Store search for 'dashcam' and 'webcam'. That will result in a lot of choices of proprietary and generic apps that might work out for you.

But just a thought about those two settings. Typically 'mass storage' should make your dashcam appear to be storage media to your Gigaset the same way as it does with your PC. Try using a different USB cable, or get one that specifically supports OTG.
But there is also just a compatibility issue involving external devices, if there is some kind of proprietary driver that's required this dashcam model, you might not be able to access it directly from your phone. Mounting external USB devices with an Android device isn't the same nor as extensive as a desktop computer. External devices often require apps for such things. You might find it easier to just copy video files to your PC and then transfer them to your Gigaset from your PC.
 
"You might find it easier to just copy video files to your PC and then transfer them to your Gigaset from your PC." - Yes, not an issue. I want to be able to download the dashcam clips without a PC when I am mobile.

Confusion reigns (as with all tech ;) ). I currently use a USB A to USB C adapter https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B071G6NLHJ/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza which allows me to read all my USB sticks. I assumed it would also work on the dashcam, but not. I read somewhere that an 'OTG cable' has the ID pin grounded. Is my adapter an 'OTG' device or do I need an OTG cable - or is it possible I will never be able to read the dashcam on the mobile;)?

Nothing on the manufacturer's site or Play.
 
Well the underlying issue that has to be taken into account is every time you try to connect any external USB device to your phone there's an exchange of signals between your phone and that external device. There is a small, limited in purpose logic board inside every USB stick and that's what the installed Android OS in your phone communicates with -- your phone detects the device, and brief exchange of signal occur to validate that USB stick is storage memory, and then the OS tries to mount the device so you see it show up in the GUI. The same thing should happen with your dashcam when its set to mass storage. But in that validation exchange if there's a proprietary driver or some other service required for that particular device (the dashcam), it can be a problem. Again, with Android that's typically requires us to install a provided app (the driver or firmware is inclusive to the app). But apparently you're left with a dashcam that doesn't have its own app. You can try one of the third-party generic apps that might work out, that mass storage option is at least a good sign but it's still a big 'maybe'. If you transfer a lot of those captured video files on your dashcam and can't find a working solution, it might be better to buy a dashcam that advertises it is Android-compatible. If you only do this every so often, I'd just stick with transferring dashcam >>> computer >>> Gigaset. Or buy a different OTG adapter or cable. They are most definitely not all the same, compatibility is going to be a hit or miss, trial and error matter.
 
Many thanks for all your attention. I have ordered an 'OTG' cable now to see if that works.

Current procedure is dashcam >>> computer when I need a clip but I was looking for a way to grab any needed clip when I am away from a computer. I foolishly thought it would be simple...;)

I will report back IF successful.
 
Does your dashcam use a removable micro-SD for storage? Because many of these cams and go-pro type devices do use micro-SD. If it is micro-SD, you can remove it from the dashcam and insert it in your phone, and view the videos that way, no PC needed.
 
Now! Why didn't I think of that...................... Brilliant. A bit of a fuss but worth a try after I 'fail' with the new cable.;)

I've actually got a long-held SD card reader with USB out too. Excellent!
 
UPDATE: It was your prompt, svim that cracked it! New OTG cable did not work as I wished. So, I put the Dashcam SD into the phone. It did not see it. SD card had been 'formatted' in the dashcam. but I thought why not reformat in the phone?

Everything then worked, including (so far) the dashcam in recording mode, but I need to check over time. Dashcam clips loaded into the phone and played via the VLC app.

A brilliant nudge towards the solution - thanks.
 
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