SD Card Compatibility and Recording Time

SD Card Compatibility and Recording Time

Chigee dashcams and Displays support microSD cards up to 256GB capacity. To ensure stable recording and safe file storage:

  • Required standard: U3, V30 (minimum sustained write speed: 30 MB/s)
  • Not recommended: U1, V10 (minimum sustained write speed: only 10 MB/s)
    • Using these cards may result in corrupted files, video loss, or even card damage.
  • Even with a U3 V30 card, if the card is physically defective or degraded, the system may still report “insufficient write speed.” Always make sure your card is genuine and fully functional.

👉 We strongly recommend choosing reputable brands such as Samsung, SanDisk, or Kingston, and avoiding low-cost unbranded cards.

⚠️ Note for devices without dashcam function:
If your Chigee Display does not include a dashcam feature, you only need a standard, smaller-capacity SD card. This card is only used for OTA updates and does not require large storage space or high write speeds.

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Why Cards Above 256GB Are Not Supported

Chigee devices do not support 512GB or 1TB SD cards, mainly due to:

  1. System Compatibility Limits – The dashcam firmware and file system are optimized for SD cards up to 256GB. Larger capacities may not be recognized or could cause formatting failures.
  2. Performance Stability – Ultra-high-capacity cards are more prone to speed drops when fragmented. This can result in unstable recording, especially for continuous high-bitrate video.
  3. Reliability Concerns – In real-world testing, 512GB and above often fail under long-term dashcam use. To ensure consistent loop recording, the system restricts maximum capacity to 256GB.

Recording Time Reference by Resolution & Card Size

The following values show approximate recording durations based on resolution, frame rate, and card size. Actual results may vary slightly depending on scene complexity and bitrate.

  • 1080P / 60FPS (Independent Output)
    32GB ≈ 3.4 hours, 64GB ≈ 6.8 hours, 128GB ≈ 13.6 hours, 256GB ≈ 27.3 hours

  • 1080P / 60FPS (Fusion Output)
    32GB ≈ 6.8 hours, 64GB ≈ 13.6 hours, 128GB ≈ 27.2 hours, 256GB ≈ 54.6 hours

  • 720P / 60FPS (Independent Output)
    32GB ≈ 4.2 hours, 64GB ≈ 8.4 hours, 128GB ≈ 16.8 hours, 256GB ≈ 33.6 hours

  • 720P / 60FPS (Fusion Output)
    32GB ≈ 8.4 hours, 64GB ≈ 16.8 hours, 128GB ≈ 33.6 hours, 256GB ≈ 67.2 hours

  • 1080P / 30FPS (Independent Output)
    32GB ≈ 6 hours, 64GB ≈ 12 hours, 128GB ≈ 24 hours, 256GB ≈ 48 hours

  • 1080P / 30FPS (Fusion Output)
    32GB ≈ 12 hours, 64GB ≈ 24 hours, 128GB ≈ 48 hours, 256GB ≈ 97 hours

  • 720P / 30FPS (Independent Output)
    32GB ≈ 7.8 hours, 64GB ≈ 15.6 hours, 128GB ≈ 31.2 hours, 256GB ≈ 62.5 hours

  • 720P / 30FPS (Fusion Output)
    32GB ≈ 15.6 hours, 64GB ≈ 32.2 hours, 128GB ≈ 62.5 hours, 256GB ≈ 125 hours

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Independent Output:
Each camera module saves video files separately (e.g., front camera and rear camera each has its own video track). This provides maximum flexibility for reviewing or editing footage but requires more storage space.
Fusion Output:
Footage from multiple cameras is combined into a single video file. This reduces file size, but you lose the ability to view each camera’s footage independently.

Key Notes

  • Once the storage limit is reached, the system automatically overwrites the oldest files (loop recording).

  • Always format a new card inside your Chigee device before first use.