USB for dashcam exFAT vs FAT

[enolam]

I'm sure this has been asked and answered but I can't find the answer here. I searched for a good USB for dash cam and Sentry according to recommendations on this forum. I don't need it for music. I ended up purchasing a 64 GB thumbdrive https://www.amazon.com/Transcend-JetFlash-Flash-Drive-TS64GJF710S/dp/B00LFVIUGY and formatted it according to instructions on this forum. I did not have the option for FAT rather only exFAT. According to Google, " exFAT is a modern replacement for FAT32—and more devices and operating systems support it than NTFS—but it’s not nearly as widespread as FAT32.." Once formatted (not using the fast format option), I added the TeslaCam folder and plugged it into my car. Nothing appeared on the screen. Does anyone have any insigt or suggestions?

 

[Knightshade]

If using windows you will need to download and use a 3rd party utility to format it FAT32 since the native windows tool won't let you do that on something larger than 32GB.

 

[bedoig]

You must format as FAT32.

 

[enolam]

If using windows you will need to download and use a 3rd party utility to format it FAT32 since the native windows tool won't let you do that on something larger than 32GB.

Thanks! Do you know what I need to download?

 

[jkcheng122]

There's a thread on this that provides links to the 3rd party tools. I don't remember the name off the top of my head.

 

[whatthe2]

Thanks! Do you know what I need to download?

LMGTFY

 

[mazers]

Here is a great link for USB storage using the dash cam and sentry mode: USB Flash Drives for Tesla Dashcam | TeslaTap
Thanks to TeslaTap for creating this.

 

[derekmw]

I used rufus. But on Win10, you can also just do it from command prompt. In any case, like people said, it must be FAT32.

I am using a microSD card (256GB). I was struggling at first with it, it kept getting corrupt even on different firmware versions with the car. Finally tracked it down to be the usb adapter I was using. I switched to another adapter and now it works fine.

I suggest not using a USB stick but instead a high speed write microSD card as USB sticks are not meant to do continuous writes.

 

[enolam]

I was able to format it as FAT32 and still nothing happens when I put it in the car. Help!

And... Are there a bunch of low level Google employee trolls on here suggesting to Google "LMGTFY" every comment posted on this site? I'm seeing it on so many threads. So annoying!

 

[Knightshade]

I used rufus. But on Win10, you can also just do it from command prompt. In any case, like people said, it must be FAT32.

I am using a microSD card (256GB). I was struggling at first with it, it kept getting corrupt even on different firmware versions with the car. Finally tracked it down to be the usb adapter I was using. I switched to another adapter and now it works fine.

I suggest not using a USB stick but instead a high speed write microSD card as USB sticks are not meant to do continuous writes.

The vast majority of USB sticks and SDcards are using exactly the same technology

 

[bedoig]

LMGTFY

 

[mazers]

Remember that you need a 'TeslaCam' folder also.

 

[derekmw]

The vast majority of USB sticks and SDcards are using exactly the same technology

technology may be the same but they aren't built for a purpose like a dam to do continuous writes, which is why many Specialist have warranties that are closed if used for that purpose. forever sd cards are designed to handle this.

Reliable Sentry/TeslaCam Flash Drive | LivingTesla

"many flash drive warranties specifically exclude dash cam use!"

so you have a chance of buying a USB thumb drive, experiencing failure... they're cheap enough to probably not care about going through the hassle of a warranty claim but i rather use the sd card knowing it should withstand this type of use better.

 

[SoundDaTrumpet]

If you have access to a Apple Mac, (or a friend's) you can natively format to FAT32 any size you wish. Since you are not interested in music (partitioning), this should be easy. Using a 256GB low-profile mini Sandisk Ultra Fit USB 3.1 Flash Drive, and it works fine. (On a minor technical note standard form factor sticks perform better). Native partitioning the drive into two or more partition (for music) on the Mac is possible, but at a greater hassle.

 

[Knightshade]

technology may be the same but they aren't built for a purpose like a dam to do continuous writes, which is why many Specialist have warranties that are closed if used for that purpose. forever sd cards are designed to handle this.

Reliable Sentry/TeslaCam Flash Drive | LivingTesla

"many flash drive warranties specifically exclude dash cam use!"

Most SDcard warranties have the same exclusion


For example-

Samsung

Warranties provided herein do not extend to any use of the product for or with continuous recording instruments or any other write-intensive devices, including without limitation security cameras, surveillance systems, dashboard cameras, black box cameras, internet protocol/network cameras, continuous recording set top box devices, continuous data logging devices like servers, dedicated devices for benchmarking tests, or the primary drive for certain devices, and any other excessive use(s).

There's nothing "magic" about being an SD card rather than a USB key.

It's LITERALLY THE SAME THING in a different form factor.



If they use high endurance flash (as a VERY FEW specific products do like the Endurance Pro line from Samsung) they will last longer than the type most vendors use in most of their SD cards -and- USB keys.


That said- even the cheaper ones are good for many years before they hit their rated # of read/write cycles if you buy a decently large one (say 128 or 256 GB)... I've provided the math in other threads on this.... but the average American will have changed cars before they use up the write cycles on even an average large key or SD card.

 

[SageBrush]

The vast majority of USB sticks and SDcards are using exactly the same technology

I wondered about this.
Are they using the same memory ICs, in the same topology, and the same firmware ?

Since even within the USB stick offers we know that important differences exist, your comment is not convincing. My suspicion is that it is advisable to buy a good quality, modern drive.

I just bought a 64 GB flash drive from SanDisk for $11. I hope my investment in quality pays off
My intent is to reformat it once a month. I have to do some maintenance on my car -- right ?

 

[WileyTheMan]

I wondered about this.
Are they using the same memory ICs, in the same topology, and the same firmware ?

Since even within the USB stick offers we know that important differences exist, your comment is not convincing. My suspicion is that it is advisable to buy a good quality, modern drive.

I just bought a 64 GB flash drive from SanDisk for $11. I hope my investment in quality pays off
My intent is to reformat it once a month. I have to do some maintenance on my car -- right ?

I highly recommend purchasing an inexpensive SSD, which is designed more for heavy rewrites. It's not bulletproof, but is more reliable than the memory used in USB/SD tech.

 

[SageBrush]

I highly recommend purchasing an inexpensive SSD, which is designed more for heavy rewrites. It's not bulletproof, but is more reliable than the memory used in USB/SD tech.

I thought about this option but I was not sure if my drive+enclosure was within the Tesla USB power specs.
Perhaps someone more ambitious than me could route power cabling to the 12v outlet, although I do not know if the 12v is active all the time.

 

[derekmw]

I highly recommend purchasing an inexpensive SSD, which is designed more for heavy rewrites. It's not bulletproof, but is more reliable than the memory used in USB/SD tech.

That seems like good advice. I am not sure on @Knightshade's statements since I can only go off of what I read and manufacturer's recommendations. I even called Samsung and their tech support told me that they recommend SD card over their USB drives for continuous writes. Maybe as @Knightshade stated though, it's negligible for how long it will take before one fails over the other.

 

[WileyTheMan]

I thought about this option but I was not sure if my drive+enclosure was within the Tesla USB power specs.
Perhaps someone more ambitious than me could route power cabling to the 12v outlet, although I do not know if the 12v is active all the time.

No external power supply needed. I was not certain about it myself to start, but I am able to plug in a 2.5" SATA to USB enclosure with my SSD directly to one of the ports in the console, and it's been running fine for the past month.