DDPai M6 Plus

DDPai M6 Plus

The DDPai M6 Plus is a unique dash cam made by the Chinese manufacturer DDPai.  DDPai cameras appear to be popular in China and are starting to gain some popularity in Western countries.   This dash cam is a bit different from other dash cams currently on the market.

The camera is based on a HiSilicon Hi3516D processor and Omnivision OV4689 CMOS sensor.  HiSilicon processors which have been traditionally found in security cameras but we are starting to see more dash cams with these processors now.

This processor / CMOS combination allows for recording 1440p at 25fps, 1296p at 30fps or 1080p at 30 fps.  Bit rate is approximately 10.5Mbps.  Video quality during the day is very good and at night it is good.  Most owners are quite pleased with the video quality from this camera.  For night time, the video is brighter than many other dash cams but not as sharp as some other dash cams like the A119.

The camera also has numerous unique features.  The M6 Plus comes with a magnetic mount which allows for easy removal and attachment of the camera to the base (base is stuck to your window via 3M adhesive).  A small remote button that you can attach to your key chain, is provided as well.  When pressing the remote button, the dash cam will save a 10 second clip (5 seconds before the incident and 5 seconds after) and sends this video to your smartphone automatically via WiFi.

The M6 Plus comes with time-lapse parking mode which records 1 fps while the car is parked.  Hence it is constantly recording while parked unlike cameras with buffered motion detection parking mode.  Note that parking draws the same amount of power as if the camera was operating normally.

The camera also has WiFi, G-Sensor and built-in GPS.  A CPL filter is optional.  Build quality is quite good and the camera has a simplistic design with no screen and only 3 LEDs on the camera (Power = red, Recording = Green, GPS Receiver = Blue).  There is a small reset button as well.  Since the camera has no screen, setup must be done via the free mobile app (Android or iOS).  Also note that the camera has Chinese voice prompts only which some owners may find annoying.  Note that downloading the video clips via WiFi to your phone will save the files on the phone’s internal memory not on a phone’s SD card if available.

The size of the camera is small at 64mm x 33mm x 65mm however it is not the most discreet camera.  The brownish color, red ring around the lens and mounting mechanism, make it a bit more noticeable than the black shaped “wedge” cameras.

One other item to note is that 250mAh Lithium battery instead of a capacitor.  While this may not be ideal for hotter climates, the camera appears to have thermal protection which shuts down the camera in case it gets to hot.  Also be aware there is no PC or OS X app to view the videos with GPS data (video can be viewed with a PC or OS X device but GPS data will not be included).  Only the android or iOS apps can be used if you want to view videos with GPS data.

Dual Camera Capability

While the DDPai M6 Plus is a single channel camera, you can combine it via Wifi with the DDPai Mini 1 to work as a dual camera system.  (NOTE: The Mini 2 or another M6 Plus will NOT work as a dual camera system – apparently you cannot have 2 cameras with the same processor for this to work).  This essentially creates a wireless dual camera set-up.  You can pair the cameras by putting the remotes next to each other and clicking both 5 times.  This is the first camera we have seen that allows dual connection via Wifi eliminating the need to run a cable from the front camera to the back camera (you will still need a power source for the rear camera though)

Known problems

Vibration over bumps

Some owners have indicated the camera vibrates and makes a noise when going over bumps.  This appears to be due to the magnetic mount not being as secure as some fixed mount dash cams. 

Connection Issues

Some owners have complained of connection issues with the Android and iOS apps.  Some potential solutions to this problem include:

  • Reboot the phone and reset the camera (small reset button near the SD card slot)
  • Disable the mobile data on your phone

Sample Videos

Day Video

Night Video

Should I Purchase?

The DDPai M6 Plus is a unique dash cam given its magnetic mount, minimalist styling and decent video quality.  Overall it is a good choice for people who would like to install / remove the camera easily from the vehicle (i.e. to prevent theft).  Video quality is respectable but be aware of the drawbacks before purchasing (configuration via the app only, no desktop player, Chinese voice prompts, not the most discreet styling).  Price of approx $120 is not the cheapest but the camera does provide many features not found elsewhere.  Reliability has not been the greatest for this camera for some owners which is a concern.  Worth a look if you can live with the drawbacks

See what other owners have to say about the DDPai M6+ on our forum.

Firmware

Note that firmware can be updated automatically with the Android or iOS app for this camera.

Specifications

Detailed Specifications

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Camera Type Single Channel
Form Factor Hanging - Square
Country China
Processor HiSilicon Hi3516D
CMOS Front Omnivision OV4689
CMOS Rear N/A
Channels 1
Screen No
GPS Yes
G-Sensor Yes
Wi-Fi Yes
Parking Mode Timelapse
Lock Files Auto or Button
Max Resolution Front 2560×1440p (Quad HD)
Front Frames Per Second 25
Max Bitrate Front (Mbps) 10.5
Max Resolution Rear N/A
Rear Frames Per Second N/A
Max Bitrate Rear (Mbps) N/A
Video Format MP4
Compression H.264
Diagonal Viewing Angle Front 140°
Diagonal Viewing Angle Rear N/A
SD Card Type MicroSD
Max Size (Spec) 128GB
Max Size (User) 128GB
Size Front (mm) 64 x 33 x 65
Size Rear (mm) N/A
Mount Adhesive
Power Supply 5V
Operating Temp -20°C to 70°C
Battery 250mAh
Error Notification Audio
Swivel (To Record Side Windows) Yes
Apps Android, iOS
Cloud Connectivity No
Release Date Jun 2016
Unique Features Magnetic Mount
Timelapse Parking Mode
Advantages WiFi
Magnetic Mount
Good video quality
Disadvantages No desktop player
Chinese voice prompts
Not the most discreet styling
Final Word Unique dash cam with magnetic mount and decent video quality. Has some drawbacks (no desktop player, Chinese voice prompts, not the most discreet styling)

Published: Jan 23, 2017

DDPai M6 Plus - DashCamTalk
DDPai M6 Plus

The DDPai M6 Plus is a unique dash cam with magnetic mount and decent video quality. Check the drawbacks before buying.

Product SKU: DDPai M6 Plus

Product Brand: DDPai

Product Currency: USD

Product Price: 120

Price Valid Until: 2023-01-01

Product In-Stock: SoldOut

Editor's Rating:
5.8