Blackvue dash-cam problem

[Bern Oulli]

Recently bought a Blackvue DR400 G dash cam. Installation was a breeze. Went for a test drive with good results. Part of the software on the PC allows you to see where you went on Google maps. So far so good. I deleted the video files that were the result of my test drive. Following another drive I replayed the new journey and got a warning message as follows:

This web site needs a different Google Maps API key. A new key can be generated at
http://code/google.com/apis/maps/documentation/javascript/v2/introduction.html#Obtaining_Key

Went there, did that and generated a new key. Nowhere does it say what to do with it, and nowhere on the Blackvue forums is this problem mentioned. Without this key, the google map viewer simply shows a white screen.

Ignoring the Google Maps problem is OK, the video replays perfectly.

So what's going on and how do I fix it? I'm kinda hoping that the gurus on this site just might know, preferably in words of no more than two syllables!

[Milo Minderbinder]

https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/javascript/tutorial#api_key


?????

[Bern Oulli]

Thanks Milo. Further delving into the firmware reveals two html files wherein the API key would seem to go. Some hacking is called for when I have a moment or three. Seems that the replay software regards itself as a web-site. I shall report back.

[fysmd]

Full HD ºí·¢¹Ú½º Àý´ë°*ÀÚ, ºí·¢ºä(BlackVue) (http://bit.ly/14we3Nh)

[Bern Oulli]

fysmd. Yes, thanks. Updating the firmway seems to be the way to go. Unfortunately, for the last few days, blackvue.com website has been inaccesible, and now suddenly it isn't (inaccesible that is). Within the original software downloaded onto my PC there are two .html files, neither of which have a "key", nor is it obvious where or how the key should be inserted, so I haven't tried. I have downloaded the update but not yet installed it so I shall have to see how that works.

[dgenem]

English software link that works is here. (https://www.blackvue.com/en/contents/sub3.asp?mode=view&serboardsort=&page=1&idx=996&search=&searchstr=) I had to update it as well.

[Lon More]

Thanks for the link.

[unclenelli]

It might work if you download the full Google Earth instead of using web-based Google Maps.

[Bern Oulli]

I have the full Google Earth but Blackvue doesn't use Google Earth, it uses Google Maps. Anyway, I finally found the link (thanks dgenem), and everything is hunky-dorey again. Overall, a good bit of kit. As an aside it is amazing the things you see when watching the video that you don't remember seeing whilst actually driving. I guess that proves something - I'm not sure what.

[Lon More]

I seem to have banjaxed the system.
Software is shown as the latest update, but firmware is "not available": going for the updates doesn't help. Where can I find the original firmware?

[Bern Oulli]

Lon More.

Allegedly here. (http://www.blackvue.com/en/contents/sub3.asp?page=1&serboardsort=&search=&SearchStr=)However a word of caution. Despite the enticing words "English Version" I would suggest downloading it onto a separate SD card, although by the sound of it your original is bolloxed. That URL by the way comes from the website blackvue.co.uk. Other than that I don't know.

Best of luck.

[Lon More]

Thanks, seen that but couldn't find the firmware for the 400. It's on a CD that came with the Camera. Found the rest of the gubbins but not that. I tried asking the company, but they're not very helpful

[Bern Oulli]

Lon. Try BlackVue - Software Updates - DR300/ DR400 Range (http://www.blackvuehd.co.uk/Blackvue_software.php) and scroll down the page to BlackVue DR400G-HD - Latest Firmware - 26/2/12. The link takes you to Blackvue .com which is quite often inaccessible for some reason. Last time I tried it took nearly a week before the link worked.

[Lon More]

The problem was the original driver was corrupted and although I found the box and cables the installation CD had vanished.
I managed to get a link to download it from Blackvue UK then used the updates linked from here and it's working again.
At the moment trying to hardwire it into the car, avoiding CANBUS. It seems to work on a switched circuit for the rear screenwipe. Now all that's needed is a set of toriz drivers to add an earth. The whole car looks put together with them. Being a luddite I've only just got away from Whitworth to A?F spanners.

[Bern Oulli]

Glad its working OK. Mine is simply plugged into a dual adapter for the cigarette lighter thingy. One uses the other port for the sat-nav.

[Lon More]

I've got it hard wired. I hate wires dangling everywhere plus I forget to turn things of.f Simply tucked the cable behind the screen rubber, into the fuse box and piggy-backed off a switched circuit, the rear windscreen Wiper.
Sat. Nav. was a factory fit, and everything else seems CANBUS protected.