Reverse camera setup
Discussion
Hi folks, not particularly savvy with video stuff, so forgive the vague nature of my question.
Basically I've got a new head unit for the car coming which has a little colour video screen built in to the face ( 3 inch widescreen
) which apparantly can be used for a variety of purposes, one of which is reverse camera.
Now I don't know how it'd connect, but can someone give me some insight as to what camera I'd need for this and what to do with it in terms of connecting it up.
Can you get small bullet cameras that do colour that would be suitable?
I'm looking to make a little bracket so i can have it sat just under and beyond the back bumper so as to avoid any drilling, would I need to get a waterproof one and would I need a wide angle one to be effective as a reverse cam?
from the spec it seems it's an AV input, is this a common one? any ideas what else it could be used for (if anything)? was thinking maybe get some recording funtionality with some bullet cams for track days but perhaps something like a mini laptop is better for that.
Cheers
Stu
Basically I've got a new head unit for the car coming which has a little colour video screen built in to the face ( 3 inch widescreen
) which apparantly can be used for a variety of purposes, one of which is reverse camera. Now I don't know how it'd connect, but can someone give me some insight as to what camera I'd need for this and what to do with it in terms of connecting it up.
Can you get small bullet cameras that do colour that would be suitable?
I'm looking to make a little bracket so i can have it sat just under and beyond the back bumper so as to avoid any drilling, would I need to get a waterproof one and would I need a wide angle one to be effective as a reverse cam?
from the spec it seems it's an AV input, is this a common one? any ideas what else it could be used for (if anything)? was thinking maybe get some recording funtionality with some bullet cams for track days but perhaps something like a mini laptop is better for that.
Cheers
Stu
I assume it's composite video input is it? Can you check the manual? Normally a yellow photo socket if it is. Don't know too much myself, though obviously wideangle will be an advantage, though positioning and angle will be critical to see whats happening and reduce dirt on the lens to a minimum. Under the spolier pointing down? Don't forget it will need power as well (feed off boot light switch?) I assume the head unit is intelligent enough to flip the signal left-right otherwise it'll be a nightmare to use and you'll be turning the wheel the worng way all the time...
I did this recently with my Landrover.
Took a bullet cam and mounted it into the rear cross member (bit of a lash up until I get a roof rack in a couple of weeks when I'll mount it up high to see over the rear mounted spare wheel).
Ran a thin video screened cable to the head unit and connected it through the RCA connector.
In addition I had to extend a cable from the head unit to the reversing switch so that the head unit switched the display automatically as soon as the car was put into reverse.
From a power supply point of view, the bullet cam I was using needed a 12v supply so I took a feed from the reversing lamp wiring (well it is at the back of the car) to feed the camera when it was put into reverse. It is also likely to save the bullet camera life as it's not working all the time. Works a treat and the video signal is there as soon as the display on the head unit has switched to the rear view angle.
Took a bullet cam and mounted it into the rear cross member (bit of a lash up until I get a roof rack in a couple of weeks when I'll mount it up high to see over the rear mounted spare wheel).
Ran a thin video screened cable to the head unit and connected it through the RCA connector.
In addition I had to extend a cable from the head unit to the reversing switch so that the head unit switched the display automatically as soon as the car was put into reverse.
From a power supply point of view, the bullet cam I was using needed a 12v supply so I took a feed from the reversing lamp wiring (well it is at the back of the car) to feed the camera when it was put into reverse. It is also likely to save the bullet camera life as it's not working all the time. Works a treat and the video signal is there as soon as the display on the head unit has switched to the rear view angle.
You want a bullet cam with a 2.9mm or 3.6mm lens. 2.9 is widest. These chaps do good quality waterproof bullet cams: www.actioncameras.com
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