With an HDMI or AV output on a dashcam, it is possible to ‘clone’ the dashcam's image to an external monitor or built-in LCD screen. This way, you can watch the saved images back on another monitor or TV or show the dashcam image on a (built-in) LCD screen in the car. By no means all dashcams have an HDMI or AV output, so check the specifications before purchasing if you want to use the function.

Mini and Micro HDMI

In most cases, a dashcam with HDMI out function involves a Mini or Micro HDMI port. This is a smaller version of the standard HDMI plug that goes into your TV. Using a special Mini HDMI cable, you can connect the dashcam via this HDMI port to a TV or other monitor with HDMI input. The HDMI will display the dashcam's image in large format on the TV so you can view saved footage in high quality.

AV

An AV (Audio Video) port is a standard audio and video connection that allows you to connect the dashcam via an AV cable to, for example, the car's built-in LCD screen or other monitor with AV input. AV is a bit more common than HDMI but the quality is slightly lower. However, for most built-in LCD screens in the car, the quality is more than enough to display the image clearly.

Some dashcams also have an AV-in port, this is for connecting any rear camera. The AV-in is usually thinner (2.5mm) than the AV-out (3.5mm) and this does not allow the image to be displayed on another monitor.