Turn your C8 Corvette PDR into a Dash Cam

This video will take you through all the steps to turn your C8 Corvette PDR (if equipped) into a Dash Cam. You can have the last several driving hours recorded. And it will overwrite the oldest videos (like in a loop) so you will always have your last several hours of driving.
TOOLBOX SOFTWARE LINK:
www.cosworth.c...
Here is a link to the Memory Card I have: amzn.to/3Ps7Phh
I think the Amazon price is a bit high. Best Buy has better price.
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[@20windman]

Used the PDR to send a video to my insurance company to prove a fender bender was not my fault. worked!

[@fentrai1942]

17 and just bought my first vette, thanks for the help!!

[@RobertMacCready]

It's a great ride. Welcome to the club.

[@fentrai1942]

@@RobertMacCready preciate it boss

[@Golyamkur]

32 hours of video left with 3% used for one hour. Good video, thanks.

[@TheMosinCrate]

What a lovely Alabama accent you have sir. (kind hearted humor.)

[@MattChristensen-zy2yr]

Ty. Helping a friend program his 2025 2LT

[@jasoncolemanarizonaloanoff1574]

Have had our C8 for almost a year and haven't used launch or the PDR. Only have put 1500 miles on it though. Ordered a Card tonight. This video was very helpful. We have a few other toys and that is why we don't drive it much but love love love the our C8!

[@RickHolland1968]

Great info Robert, thank you, just ordered an SD card off Amazon for my C8 coming in a couple weeks based on your info (glad I went for the 2LT).

[@RobertMacCready]

Excellent choice on the 2lt and you'll love the entire car. It is amazing.

[@TheBest-lw2de]

Thank you so much for this video it was so informative I just got my car and needed this!❤

[@RobertMacCready]

Glad to be of some help!

[@sparky98734]

Like your video Robert! Use a pen and paper, love it...keep up the good work. Pen and paper, means I didn't have to scroll the whole video multiple times for specs...your video, the best.

[@RobertMacCready]

Thank you for the kind words. It is appreciated.

[@braddoyle5788]

I always enjoy your straight forward info videos on the C8 operation.

[@RobertMacCready]

Thanks Brad. I try to stay on subject...most of the time!!!

[@mikejohnston8872]

Just got my c8 yesterday 2lt Silver flare metallic z51. Thanks for the info.

[@RobertMacCready]

Excellent!!!

[@bheyward11]

Robert this is another great video. I just picked up my Red Mist Metallic with silver stripes. I am putting my SD card today.

[@RobertMacCready]

Excellent on the new Red Mist Metallic with Silver Stripes. You'll also love the fact that you have video of the car (out the front) as soon as you start it. Now, if GM could just put the extra cameras on the car like the Tesla has...

[@johnfranzese147]

Thanks for the video! I just ordered the correct SD card and will set it up soon.

[@AaronCaserta]

Fantastic video! I needed this for my C8 NCM pickup this weekend :)

[@miketran3356]

Dang, I finally drive my vet after 15 months waited, first built of 2023. Thanks for the tips about Vet, hope to join your Vet event in one day since I’m in Clearwater/Seminole area.

[@RobertMacCready]

Got one coming up this Saturday July 9th, 8 to 10am Brownwood Paddock Square in the Villages, FL. Big local farmer's market going on the same time. Hope you can join us.

[@mikelevin4044]

Again, great video. I just wish I had my car so I could watch and use the info that you give.

[@RobertMacCready]

Thanks Mike! I will leave these C8 videos up so you can come back anytime and see them. And I hope you get your car soon!!

[@clydemurray8544]

Like the video, waiting to get my new C8, it has been built however it is on hold..for a rim issue with wheels.. I am watching video’s to learn as much as I can..my salesman is not familiar at all with the C8…again good video. I have watched many of your video’s so far👍

[@thevetters6456]

I did the same until I got my C8

[@RobertMacCready]

My car didn't go on hold, but it did take 15 months from the day I put a deposit down. BUT...it is worth the wait. I could have down without the strike and the virus.

[@Climber4KOMs]

THANKS! Very helpful video!

[@izzycamaro]

Great video. Thanks a lot.

[@RobertMacCready]

I'll be doing an update for the 2025

[@TheEdshemery]

Thanks for posting!

[@FatherOfHades]

Robert, i believe you can also customize the overlay in the PDR. You can remove the RPMs at the bottom for example.

[@RobertMacCready]

You are correct. Good point!!

[@jamesparkins9244]

Excellent review. Thank you.

[@kevinmcguinn200]

Keep up the great videos Robert! Hope your feeling well. I’m over near Clearwater but I’m often near the Villages for Open Enrollment to help people with their Medicare. Would love to grab a coffee sometime

[@RobertMacCready]

Yes, shoot me an email at [e-mail]

[@edmorse8654]

Another great video ty keep them coming!

[@RobertMacCready]

Thanks ed

[@Queenstaxes]

Love your explanation and the NEw england accent. Where did you get the Posters on your garage wall??? thanks

[@RobertMacCready]

I think I bought it at the Corvette Museum.

[@ddivinia]

Tint on the windshield is a good call. Cuts the heat down a bunch and should keep the dash from drying out etc. Nice video. D.

[@RobertMacCready]

My 1st time at doing the windshield and it really does keep the car cooler in the Florida sun. I would strongly suggest the lightest tint. AND the HUD works just fine too.

[@kenschreiner6465]

Thanks👍

[@harrygreen253]

Excellent video

[@RobertMacCready]

Thanks Harry!!

[@lapoints1]

Great video, very informative, and looking forward to others you may choose to present -- and also good to see a presentation by someone about my age.....

[@RobertMacCready]

Thanks for the kind words. Let me guess...you're in your late 20's....

[@lapoints1]

@@RobertMacCready Exactly! (about 50yrs ago....)

[@bobisermann6698]

Well done. Thank you. I just purchased the 256 card today. I guess I’ll be taking it back. I’ll look for those small numbers.

[@edmondsss123]

Thanks dude! Good job!

[@RobertMacCready]

Thanks!!

[@seana.4073]

Robert. A Class 10 SD card is the one the buy for this. It's for HD quality video.

[@marktiffany1575]

Very informative Thank you.

[@RobertMacCready]

Your welcome!!

[@BluEyeDevil1]

If I put PDR in automatic when I take my car to the dealer, can the dealer just erase what they don’t want me to see are hear, or is there a code I can use so only I can see and hear what is going on in my car while at the dealership for service. Because I know sometimes the dealerships like to Overly test drive and race against cars on the road.

[@RobertMacCready]

You could check to see if any recording has been made during the time your car was at the dealership. If there is none then I would figure that they turned it off during service. Best bet is to find an honest and reputable dealer. There are not many but there are some.

[@BluEyeDevil1]

Ok, thanks for quick response

[@kerry_glock]

I got my 2022 Red Mist Z51 HTC on 2/16/2022. I’m trying to set my radio stations and modes up and learn more about the car and operating it. I used your Vlog to assist me with the PDR. I immediately found my PDR didn’t recognize the SD Cards and both had 1s on them and were from different manufacturers so I don’t know if that was an issue or not. I’m not much of a tech person, but I wondered if they were junk or needed some further action. I took both cards into my home office and used my laptop to format the SD Cards. I then took both SD Cards out to the C8 and the PDR began to record the 2009 C6 that was in front of me! Yes, Success! Success! It looks like I will have 1000 minutes of recording time on this card, roughly a little over 16 hours and then rewrite over top. But a road test is off for now. Unlike Florida, the stones/anti-skid materials are still on the roads here in PA. So the C8 has only 4 miles on the clock. I had PPF and Ceramic Coating done, but I had to keep the car in the dealership showroom for 2 weeks until Blackout Tinting came with an enclosed trailer to take it to their shop. (FYI Blackout Tinting just opened up a shop in Hollywood Florida). The dealership was fine with keeping the car there because they receive only 1 to 4 allocations per year. Following the PPF & CC services being completed, BOT returned the car to my house on 3/4/2022. It’s beautiful, Justin, of the KZbin Channel Horsepower Obsessed put 4 pictures up on KZbin of the car about 2 weeks ago. It looks like it has received 2K Thumbs Up! Some people didn’t care for me having the Standard Wheels on the car, but I didn’t care to much for the other choices. I didn’t want to spend money on a selection I didn’t like, as I was thinking of looking to aftermarket wheels and seeing what wheels might be available on the ZO6. I don’t think I’ll be selecting the $20,000 ZO6 Carbon Fiber Wheels. If you go to his KZbin Home Page under the Community Header, my car is the 3rd picture down: the Red Mist C8 with the sticker in the windshield. There are 4 pictures if you go across from left to right. Justin is now a partner in the Blackout Tinting Hollywood Florida shop. He has a 2019 Black ZR1 and soon will be the owner of a 2023 ZO6. He had a 2020 C8, but sold it I believe for funds towards the purchase of the ZO6. I think he’s intending to go all in on the ZO6 build! ZO6 with ZO7 package and the Carbon Fiber Wheels. Yes, in some vehicles I do have gloves in the glove compartment. (Age 67 - old school I guess) Thanks for another great review. I just tripped across/watched a Vlog titled “The True Cost Of Living In The Villages, Florida.” I would love to have a home there, but the wife plans to be in her Medical Practice for a few years, so we are stuck in PA for several more Winters. I guess I will need to set the PDR to the silent mode, HIPPA Laws you know….. 🤔

[@RobertMacCready]

If you send me your email I will send you a "cheat sheet" for many of the commands for the C8. Email me at [e-mail]

[@kerry_glock]

@@RobertMacCready Thanks, will do sometime this Sunday afternoon. Look for an old Cop Show, you’ll know it’s me. lol

[@kerry_glock]

Now that I think of it (Retired LEO) PA is a two party consent State (PA is a Commonwealth to get technical), so both individuals need to be informed of being recorded: “Wiretapping Laws”. I hate to think of putting up some notification on my dashboard! 🤔🤬😳😂. I didn’t read the owner’s manual for that part yet, but I imagine the lawyers have it in there. I’ll look for that soon I guess.

[@maxfixlaptops]

Nice

[@Rambonmilo]

Good stuff 👏 👍 thanks for the info

[@davidfriese6552]

Thanks much for the info, was wondering what sd card is best and if format is needed? You have answered my questions. My c8 white htc has been built just waiting for it to get to the dealer. I have watch many of your videos thanks. D friese Quartzsite AZ

[@RobertMacCready]

I have a link, in the description, to a sd card I think works well. You can pop it in and it should work right off the bat. But if you see or get an error, you can format the card right off the menu screen. And nice to hear your C8 has been built. Won't be long now. Got to be exciting for sure!!

[@fernandohernandez3451]

Bob great video so useful

[@RobertMacCready]

Thanks Fernando!!

[@evolvedresponse128]

It would be cool if you could modify it to record from the front and back!

[@RobertMacCready]

Yes, it would. Or like a Telsa, have 360 deg camera coverage. That would really be nice. AND, in the Tesla, when someone gets near the car it starts recording.

[@Ob1Chosen1]

The 2023 model year now offers the PDR on 1LT trim

[@RobertMacCready]

Good info.

[@patstone2294]

Yup, agree with the 33.33 hours of taping before the PDR starts overwriting the data.

[@RobertMacCready]

Yup, now that's pretty good storage.

[@donkaye4168]

Couldn’t find the tool box that you were talking about

[@RobertMacCready]

www.cosworth.com/capabilities/digitalisation/pdr-software/toolbox-for-corvette/

[@donkaye4168]

Thanks

[@davidfriese6552]

Just got new c8 navigation will no open. I get a message that the sd card is removed makes no sense to me. Do I really need a card just for nav. Ps I have ordered the sandisk card you recommended. Need help thanks.

[@jeffersonc3455]

yes there is a supplied SD card in the arm rest that has preloaded maps for the gps from the factory.

[@PeteMusci]

Great Video, Answers a lot of questions. But you seemed to push that SD card in with your fingernail. How do you get it back out.? Is their enough left out to grip.?

[@RobertMacCready]

Yes, just push it in a bit and it pops right out.

[@TeamLasica]

Great video, I have had no idea on how to use the PDR until now. Now to review the videos on my PC, what program do I use?

[@RobertMacCready]

In the section below (click "show more") and download the tool box software. I have a link to the software.

[@romanhalanski2328]

Robert, do we ever have to reach up and wipe off the actual lens of the PDR? Does the lens get dirty or develop a haze as the inside of the windshield does over time? And if so, is it safe to 'wet clean' the lens as would be done on the sensor of a dSLR camera? My PDR videos seem to have less contrast and look like i'm driving through Los Angeles compared to when the car was new, now having over 26K on the odometer. If anybody has, or could have an answer, it would be you! Let us know. Roman

[@RobertMacCready]

Roman, Excellent question. Yes, the dash will give off gasses that will cloud your windshield over time AND the PDR camera lens. Damp cloth (water) should do the trick. So, clean the windshield and the lens cap.

[@kathleencartner8261]

Another great video Bob. If you do NOT want to overwrite the card, does the program tell you if the disc is full? Also, would it be possible to leave a small section of the windshield where the PDR records untinted?

[@RobertMacCready]

Good question. If you disable the overwrite feature I suppose it would stop when the card was full. And if Murphy's Law works correctly, that would be the time someone would back into you!!! And Yes, I've thought about having the tint guys cut a hole in the tint. AND I forget to mention that I think GM is missing the boat and should split screen with the Rear View Mirror Camera. That way, you would have both the front and the back of the car recorded. The video is there, they just have to merge it with the front view. Or better yet a 360 view of the car!!

[@charlesnjaka6495]

Does it record out the front only or does it have a rear camera also?

[@RobertMacCready]

Far as I know, just out the front.

[@brucethompson7799]

Does it record from the rear camera when in reverse?

[@RobertMacCready]

Good question. I don't think it does. It would be nice if it recorded both the front and back (maybe a split screen)

[@kerrylittle3900]

Hey Robert. What is the proper setup on the PDR to record while you are away from the car? Say you were in a restaurant for an hour and your car is out of sight and someone messes with it or bumps it. So as a security camera I mean. Like all Tesla's have. Thanks.

[@RobertMacCready]

Very good question. Wish I had a good answer. As far as I know, there is nothing or no way you can turn on the video recorder from your fob. But you could push the alarm button on the bottom of your fob to start the car's alarm. Tesla has a great security system. Best I've seen anywhere. If you even walk close to a Tesla, the parking lights flash to let you know you're being recorded. And I think it records 360 deg. Great system. Hey, maybe Musk buys GM and we get a great security system!!!!

[@kerrylittle3900]

@@RobertMacCready . LOL. I think Elon Musk has enough on his plate right now, but yes they do have good cameras for recording anyone near your car. Will also send you a message to your cell phone if something is going on.

[@michellenguyen4108]

can i use this card for my 2016 zo6 ?

[@JohnH1370]

PDR saved me. I am using it as a dashcam. AMAZON truck backed into me. Claim went to arbitration an they ruled in my favor

[@RobertMacCready]

That's great. I notice now that you can load your dashcam footage and you don't need the "reader" program. Just load it into your computer and you can see all you footage. Not sure when the changeover happened. I will do an update on this little reader/adapter that I use., But that's great that you beat the scammers.

[@teddyC8]

Thanks for the informative video . On the forums I see some had issues where the SD card had to be formatted on your PC and some didn’t have an issue . Did you have to format your disc first ?

[@RobertMacCready]

No Ted, my card was already formatted. BUT I like to format the card on the device I'm using so I reformatted the card using the PDR.

[@teddyC8]

@@RobertMacCready Got it , thanks for the quick reply

[@MisterStarQuality]

So a brand new card fresh out the store won’t work? Mines says no sd card available. How do I format it?

[@thomaspiazza5438]

Great Video .

[@RobertMacCready]

Thanks Thomas!!

[@vettemaniac2237]

Thanks for making the video Robert. I just inserted a card into my PDR for the first time, and got some great video of the front of my garage. By the way, I used a 128GB SD card with a "1" and "10" and the PDR likes it just fine. Didn't even require me to format.

[@RobertMacCready]

That's great!!!

[@Forever.Remain.Nameless]

It's the "10" tht matters....

[@danmitch1973]

My 2022 does not have the test speed button. It only has the format button which I hit. Guess I will find out if it works.

[@RobertMacCready]

Yup, I'm pretty sure it will. Nice to have a stealthy dash cam!!

[@davidfriese6552]

I have a new c8 I’m trying to find elevations on my gps, can’t find anything about elevations in the book. Thanks David AZ.

[@jimpowers5932]

Hey Rob, can I do this dash cam on my C7 ZO6?

[@RobertMacCready]

Good question. I'm not sure. I would try what I suggested on the C8 and try it out on the C7. Let me know if you have success or not.

[@griscruf]

Did you find this does work on the C7? I'm wondering if I should be looking to find a C7 with PDR

[@HmongUniverse]

Does it record from the rear camera too?

[@RobertMacCready]

No, but that would be nice if it did. You should email GM and tell them!! Tesla has that all figured out. Maybe Musk should buy GM and we'd get the video all around the car!!!

[@reggyeadiemdmba3182]

Bob, You mentioned an app that will allow us to video the recorded video from a smart device. What is the name of the app? Thanks for the great information!

[@RobertMacCready]

Yes, usually I put that extra info just under the video description where there is a "more" button in bold print. Click on the "more" and you can find it there. I'll also post it here: TOOLBOX SOFTWARE LINK: www.cosworth.com/capabilities...

[@RobertMacCready]

On the newer C8's you can take the card out of the car, plug it into your computer, and play the video on your computer.

[@bhazel69]

does the car come with a sd card?

[@RobertMacCready]

Mine didn't. I can't speak for all the other C8 owners but I kinda think they didn't get one either. You have to buy your own. But after thinking about it, if they gave you one it would probably have little memory. I'd probably junk that card and get one with more memory.

[@shoobidyboop8634]

I too turned mine on full-time record, but am bummed it only records front view. Anyone know how to record rear view also? So many youtube videos of people doing rear end crashes.

[@TheMustangStampede]

what tint level did you go with on front windshield?

[@RobertMacCready]

I went with the lowest level of tint. What I was really looking for was the UV protection.

[@MrKalrich]

70%? Lower number equals darker film/less light through.

[@bhazel69]

Can you watch the video on the screen in the car or do you have to take out SD card and put into your computer??? Thanks

[@RobertMacCready]

You should be able to watch it in the car!!

[@kathleencartner8261]

Bob, I steer with my feet and use the PDR while I enjoy a cocktail and shrimp appatizer- is that bad?????

[@RobertMacCready]

I think it has to do with the water in Virginia.

[@stevedakolios8117]

33.3 hours recording time

[@bhazel69]

Can you watch your video on the in car screen or do you have to take the SD card out and watch on your computer?

[@RobertMacCready]

Think you can watch it on the PDR screen.

[@thevetters6456]

My answer is 33.33 hrs.

[@RobertMacCready]

Yes, I like your answer. Thanks!!

[@jimstephens9271]

3 hours

[@darksideblues135]

17 minutes. Juat turn it on and you are done.

[@RobertMacCready]

Some do come already formatted but I like to make sure with a format on the device the card is working in. My choice!