FAQs

How to format your memory card?

Windows;

• Put the SD Card in to your computer either by using a built-in card reader or by connecting your camera/recorder by USB.
• Go to your Start Button (bottom left of windows) and click on “computer” or “my computer”.
• When you plug the card in you will see a drive appear.
• Right click on the icon and click on “Format”
• Click “Quick Format” and then click “Start”
• Wait for the card to finish being formatted and carry on using the card as normal.

If after this process you are still having problems then it *might* be an indication the memory card is starting to fail. SD cards only have a limited amount of read/write cycles and they can go wrong. It is also possible the customer may have purchased a substandard SD memory card. We recommend at least CLASS 6 branded SD cards for use in RoadHawk cameras.  A class 10 is highly recommended for the RoadHawk HD.

MAC;

• Insert your SD memory card into your computer’s SD slot or SD card reader. Mac OSX should recognize it automatically.
• Open up the Disk Utility Application and select the SD card. Select “Erase” from the sub-menu. Choose “FAT” from the re-format menu.
• Wait a few minutes for the format process to fully complete. Once finished, a notification will alert you.
• Refit the card in your camera

My camera is not locking on to GPS?

• It can take up to 10 minutes in certain circumstances to obtain a GPS signal the first time the camera is used or if the camera has not used for a long period of time.
• Some vehicles have heated windscreens or special coatings that impede GPS signals. In most cases though there should be an area near the middle of the screen where the camera will operate correctly. Experiment with relocating the camera if the problem persists.
• RoadHawk HD owners can use the external GPS antenna to get a stronger signal.

I cannot see Google Map display when playing back the video on computer?

• Virus killing software and some Firewalls can block the RoadHawk viewing software from talking to Google Maps. If this happens to you, go in to the settings of your virus software and ensure RoadHawk is not being blocked.
• The computer must be connected to the internet to show the Google map.

The LED’s are not turning off when the camera is powered down?

• Check the fuse in the power cable.
• If not above, it may require a firmware update.  This only affects early cameras. Please contact info@roadhawk.co.uk and we will help you to update the cameras firmware.

The camera chimes every few seconds even when not moving?

• This is normally related to a memory card fault. Formatting the memory card will probably resolve this (look above to see how to format your memory card).
• Formatting the SD card will erase all the data and put the camera back to factory default setting.

The 2 LED’s on my camera keep flashing?

• This is the camera telling you it has detected a memory card problem. Please format the memory card.

My camera creates lots of “Event” files?

• Vehicles with hard suspension or if the quality of the road surface is poor then the camera will naturally make a lot of “Event” files. This is normal operation for the camera and should be of no concern.
• You can change the sensitivity of the camera in the setting menu using the RoadHawk software.
• If you do not want the camera to make these “Event” files you can put the camera in to “infinite” mode using the software. “infinite” mode will record video on a constant loop but will not create “events”.

The camera is not powering up?

• Check the fuse in the power plug.
• Check to see if your accessory socket is working with other devices.

The time on video is incorrect?

• GPS enabled cameras obtain time and date from the GPS signal. The camera needs to lock on to GPS before it can set the correct time/date.
• You must set your time zone using the settings menu in the RoadHawk viewing software.
• The software doesn’t allow for the difference between Daylight Savings and British Summer time.  This needs to be activated manually via the software.
• On non GPS enabled cameras, the time and date is set manually using a text file.
• Setting the time & date can be found in your user manual.

There is a reflection of video on windscreen?

• This can happen if the lens is too far away from the windscreen. The adhesive mount works best for getting the lens as close to possible to the glass.
• Ensure the windscreen is as clean as possible. Be aware that filming directly into the sun can reduce video quality.

The camera continues to record even when I turn the ignition off?

• Some vehicles have accessory sockets that remain LIVE even when the ignition is off. In this case, you should remove the power cable from the socket when you are not using the vehicle.
• Hard wiring kits are available should you want to have the camera wired to the ignition of the vehicle.

There is no audio on playback?

• By pressing the “M” button on the DC-1 it will enable/disable audio. The camera will remember which mode it is left in.
• With the HD, this setting is dealt with in the software settings.
• RoadHawk Ride audio only works when the vented end cap is fitted.
• There is a sliding mute button on the RH720.

I cannot view the video?

• Are you using the correct software? – for example the RH-2 files need the RH-2 software to view the files.
• You can download any of the RoadHawk software from the RoadHawk website.
• For RoadHawk HD, RoadHawk 720 and RoadHawk RIDE we recommend using FREE software called VLC to view your video files. This can be downloaded from

I cannot send the footage to the insurer / broker as it was overwritten?

• For cameras with G-force sensors, have you checked both the normal recording and event files for the footage?
• It is the responsibility of the insured to ensure the card is removed and as soon as possible.  If you believe the data may be overwritten, power down the camera and remove the memory card.  If you have a spare use that for the rest of your journey.
• In some cases due to the way information is overwritten onto a memory card, using certain recovery software, it is possible to recover some data that may have been overwritten.

Why do I need to send the footage as the incident itself wasn’t captured?

• Even if the actual event wasn’t captured, other information such as the direction of travel, location of the vehicle, speed and G-force prior to the incident will assist the insurer / broker, particularly against spurious and exaggerated claims.

I have a MAC why can’t I view the video?

• Max OSX is only compatible with RoadHawk 720, RoadHawk RIDE and RoadHawk HD cameras.
• You can use VLC on MAC to view the video files from the RoadHawk DC-1 camera but you will only get video and audio.
• The RH-2 is only compatible (using the bespoke software) with a PC.

How much video will my memory card hold?

• See Recording Times Chart (pg6)