Rear View Camera

[colin-yorkshire1]

hi guys,
just an update and a few more questions

parcel arrived this morning, not bad 6days from China, little oriental chap in a white van with China shipping wrote down the side, wow that's quick I said have you brought it all the way!!! "ha velly funney" he said, no they send, we deliver, most things take one week,

anyway got everything out must say I am impressed with the quality considering the price, looks the business.
given everything a try, brilliant picture,
however a couple of things seem odd, so here is the questions,
1, do all rear view cameras have that grid thing showing while they are on!! both cameras I have do it. "it is the cameras" as the screen show no grid on AV2 when pluged into the camcorder on playback.
2. if this is right, isn't the grid thing annoying while looking at what is behind the van!!!.
3, the viewer has 2 imputs AV1 and AV2, AV2 has priority, if both cameras are plugged in only AV2 shows,
when AV2 is unplugged AV1 then shows, this means does it not that when the van is attached and the cameras are working, selecting reverse will cut off the feed from the back of the van on AV1 and the viewer will only show the front of the van.(seen from the car) or am I missing something here!!!.
hope someone has some answers I've now got brain ache,

 

[Sproket]

Quote......
however a couple of things seem odd, so here is the questions,
1, do all rear view cameras have that grid thing showing while they are on!! both cameras I have do it. "it is the cameras" as the screen show no grid on AV2 when plugged into the camcorder on playback.

The one that I have does not show a grid on either view ( AV1 or AV2 )

2. if this is right, isn't the grid thing annoying while looking at what is behind the van!!!.

I Just have a nice clear picture ........

3, the viewer has 2 inputs AV1 and AV2, AV2 has priority, if both cameras are plugged in only AV2 shows,

If I unplug one of mine it just says no signal on the channel that is unplugged

when AV2 is unplugged AV1 then shows, this means does it not that when the van is attached and the cameras are working, selecting reverse will cut off the feed from the back of the van on AV1 and the viewer will only show the front of the van.(seen from the car) or am I missing something here!!!.

Both of my cameras are on the back of the van, if i connected the pick up wire to my reversing light / switch the system would switch to the reversing / wide angle lens, but I ain't doing that as i want to be able to switch between views when on roundabouts & in stop start traffic

hope someone has some answers I've now got brain ache,

Colin,
When testing the system that i had bought, I fastened the twin camera to the rear roof bar on my truck
This is a view with a 120deg lens when parked in a layby & looking back about 1/2 a mile

This is the same view but with the 70deg angle view ( It's the same view as the interior mirror )

Oh & this is the twin camera

 

[colin-yorkshire1]

hi Sproket,
thanks mate, explains a lot I have read the instructions again "only this time more closely" the viewer is of a automatic design with no input switch or controls,(exept for colour, contrast ect) and has 4 plugs.
1. (white) AV1 is the aux channel for watching streamed video like DVD (not recommended) or the rear view van camera,
2. (yellow) AV2 is the primary channel and auto switches to this "if the car rear view camera" is activated.
3. (red) power wire, is perminantly wired to viewer. with a 3amp fuse
4, (Black) audio input, for sound, from video or hands free kit, ect,
now if the van rear camera is connected to AV2 instead of AV1 it will not switch off when the car is in reverse so I can see the back of the van, but when unplugged the car rear view will still work on AV1 because there is no imput from AV2.
I think thats sorted now,
the cameras grid is a little more knotty, specification on both cameras clearly state "with reverse grid" so it seems I may have to buy another one without a grid for the back of the van,

bu**er,

 

[xtrailman]

What's the point of a grid?
Or is it the car reverse camera type?

 

[WatsonJohnG]

What's the point of a grid?
Or is it the car reverse camera type?

It shows how close you are when reversing

 

[colin-yorkshire1]

hi all,
yes John, (watson G) thats exactly the view "with lines/grid" I have ordered another one "without lines" for the van

 

[johnandrew70]

I have to say I wouldn't be without the camera now I have used it for the first on Saturday. I could see the cars directly behind me and in the lanes either side making it ideal when wanting to overtake and return back again and the other half says she enjoyed looking at it also haha.
kev if you are about I am staying at lemonford if you want to say hi.

John

 

[Sproket]

Well it seems to have gone all quiet at the back

.......

Gaga
Have you got yours sorted yet ?

John
Did the camera that you fitted the other week come up to expectations when you were away last weekend ?

 

[johnandrew70]

Well it seems to have gone all quiet at the back

.......

Gaga
Have you got yours sorted yet ?

John
Did the camera that you fitted the other week come up to expectations when you were away last weekend ?

it was great sprocket thanks. Of course the picture could have been in glorious 1080p hd but as long as I can see the cars it's all that matters.

john

 

[Gagakev]

I have to say I wouldn't be without the camera now I have used it for the first on Saturday. I could see the cars directly behind me and in the lanes either side making it ideal when wanting to overtake and return back again and the other half says she enjoyed looking at it also haha.
kev if you are about I am staying at lemonford if you want to say hi.

John

Hi John I will ask Parksy to give you my email.
You must have just had a little downpour

 

[Gagakev]

Well it seems to have gone all quiet at the back

.......

Gaga
Have you got yours sorted yet ?

John
Did the camera that you fitted the other week come up to expectations when you were away last weekend ?

Not yet Sprocket got all the bits and pieces now, but OH keeps taking me away,

but I have got 4 weeks before we go again
and it has to be on for then as we are away to Cotswold/Oxford area,

 

[johnandrew70]

I have to say I wouldn't be without the camera now I have used it for the first on Saturday. I could see the cars directly behind me and in the lanes either side making it ideal when wanting to overtake and return back again and the other half says she enjoyed looking at it also haha.
kev if you are about I am staying at lemonford if you want to say hi.

John

Hi John I will ask Parksy to give you my email.
You must have just had a little downpour

kev my email address is my username on here at sky dot com we are here until Saturday and here most evenings.

john

 

[Parksy]

I have to say I wouldn't be without the camera now I have used it for the first on Saturday. I could see the cars directly behind me and in the lanes either side making it ideal when wanting to overtake and return back again and the other half says she enjoyed looking at it also haha.
kev if you are about I am staying at lemonford if you want to say hi.

John

Hi John I will ask Parksy to give you my email.
You must have just had a little downpour

Sent

 

[johnandrew70]

I have to say I wouldn't be without the camera now I have used it for the first on Saturday. I could see the cars directly behind me and in the lanes either side making it ideal when wanting to overtake and return back again and the other half says she enjoyed looking at it also haha.
kev if you are about I am staying at lemonford if you want to say hi.

John

Hi John I will ask Parksy to give you my email.
You must have just had a little downpour

Sent

thanks for that Parksy, oh by the way I can't believe you won those Milenco mirrors I was in the issue before but not good enough to win the mirrors hehe.
john

 

[Sproket]

Seems to have gone all quiet at the back .........

Gaga,
Have you got yours sorted yet ?

Colin,
How is your camera escapade going ?

 

[Mel]

Must admit to not having read all this thread

so apologies if I am repeating a point; but did you see the Swift Hitch Magnetic camera on todays Caravan Channel. Looked very simple.
mel

 

[Parksy]

.........thanks for that Parksy, oh by the way I can't believe you won those Milenco mirrors I was in the issue before but not good enough to win the mirrors hehe.
john

Neither can I with that photo John

My photos have been in at least five issues, possibly more, I've also had one or two letters published and it's the only time that I've ever won anything

Don't give up, keep sending your photos in and who knows?

 

[colin-yorkshire1]

Seems to have gone all quiet at the back .........

Gaga,
Have you got yours sorted yet ?

Colin,
How is your camera escapade going ?

Hi Sproket, a little pragmatic I'm afraid but I have learned a lot in the last two weeks, it's all set up and working "sort of" it's a wonderfull piece of kit, when it's working, but so frustrating when it doesn't.
lessons learned so far.
1. mirror monitors reflect too much light,

so it makes the image seem dark, "like looking at a laptop screen in conservatory in full sun" polarised glasses makes this worse, adjusting the brighness and contrast to get the best image in daylight makes it too bright at night, also the extra weight added to the front of the standard mirror, gives a tendancy for the mirror to keep moving down especially after running over a pot hole

.

2. some cameras have parking lines "built in" fine for reversing but dammed annoying on perminant rearview.
ps. I now have 4, 3 "with lines" 1 without (for the van)

3. the cameras that fit into the numberplate light are a waste of space,
because in the daytime the view is restricted (because the view angle is lop sided due to "rear valance angle" and biased either left or right "depending on which light is used" ) although it gives a perfect view of the tow ball and socket

, at night unless reversing without lights, the image is foggy due to light pollution from the number plate lights.
I used it to reverse into my daughters drive at night and hit the gate post

ooops, i also forgot to mention that when it's raining the water droplets give a nice distorted double image effect "like looking though a gold fish bowl,

4. on a dry dull day in daylight with a "tailgate mounted" camera the image is superb and crystal clear once the mirror has been adjusted to eliminate the glare from the rear window,

thats as far as I have got just now not tried the van camera yet should be interesting I have mounted it central in the back panel above the plate "about 1mtr high" and using a 120degree angle camera with night vison,

 

[Sproket]

Hi Colin
I seem to remember when was reserching about rear view cameras that there was a problem with reflection & weight, but I also remember that one way of solving the reflection was by using a screen protector off a I pad & cut down to fit ......
Have a read here about how they did it

 

[johnandrew70]

I dont have the mirror monitor i have a 7 inch monitor that clips onto the vents on the dash, have to say that its brilliant when its not in use i take it off the vents and pop it into the arm rest cubbyhole i dont have any problems with glare from the sun either

the only problem i did find was that the sun reflecting from the cars behind onto the camera would make the image change to black and white.
The good thing with the monitor on the dash in the middle was the passenger seat driver (other half) could watch it so it kept her quiet

 

[colin-yorkshire1]

hi guys,
none of the problems I have uncovered are unsurmountable, and I will sort it out, the glare issue is the worst, but having said that the monitor only cost £22 and can be changed if all else fails, the hardest part was stripping out the interior to bury the wires, and devising a method of connecting and switching views from 3 cameras, 2 on car one on van, into the monitor.
once done I am sure this will be one very usefull bit of kit, especially the perminant view, from the back of the van, (not been able to see whats there) is one aspect of caravanning that has bothered me for a long time, and the ability to actually see the small trailer I sometimes use that dissapears when attached to the car.
I have been interested in rear view ever since it was first mentioned by (Watson Jonn G) eons ago, but was not convinced by the practicality and security issues, most of which were unfounded, but some aspects were totally unexpected in practice.
one of which is the light pollution when used at night? why are cameras fitted with IR lenses (so see in the dark) when in practice the reverse lights and side lights of the vehicle over illuminate the view causing foggyness.
numberplate cameras are totally useless unless used with the side lights off!! and even the boot mounted ones suffer to certain degree from the reversing lights over illuminating the view. maybe it's the cameras I have (sony cmos) as it has never been mentioned before, in any event experiments continue, I will have a better idea how the van one works when we *** down to south devon for a week in sept hopefully the other isses will be sorted by then,
any imput from others who use this kit would be welcomed. as I find scratching ones head doesn't help.
ps hows yours going Kev!!.

 

[Sproket]

Hi Colin
This is the view that i have with my monitor, the main camera has a 70deg viewing angle, which for me worked out to be perfect as the trucks & cars on the M/way are the same size in the mirrors & on the monitor screen, this was taken when parked up waiting at a level crossing, when i switched over to the reversing camera ( that has a 120deg viewing angle ) i could not see the white car parked behind me only the road, he was not even noticable in the mirrors, the screen protector is still on so the photo looks a little dark ..........
But the reversing one is great when reversing onto a pitch as it looks strait down the back of the van & out by about 10'

The reflection on the screen at the bottom r/h side is when the flash went off on my phone whilst taking the photo.....

 

[Gagakev]

hi guys,

ps hows yours going Kev!!.

Well Colin after starting this topic back in June finally finished the install tonight!!!!!
Couldnt decide on the route for the cable as dont have an offside awning rail and the curve of the back of the van dictated I couldnt go in through to the lockers above the bed so had to go across the roof and down the wardrobe and out to the A frame.
Used white conduit to protect the cables over the roof
Must say a big thanks to Sprocket as without his guidence this project would have been a lot harder, cheers mate.

Dont have rear veiw photo but will be the same as Sprocket's.

Cant wait to take it out on to the open road now

 

[johnandrew70]

hi guys,

ps hows yours going Kev!!.

Well Colin after starting this topic back in June finally finished the install tonight!!!!!
Couldnt decide on the route for the cable as dont have an offside awning rail and the curve of the back of the van dictated I couldnt go in through to the lockers above the bed so had to go across the roof and down the wardrobe and out to the A frame.
Used white conduit to protect the cables over the roof
Must say a big thanks to Sprocket as without his guidence this project would have been a lot harder, cheers mate.

Dont have rear veiw photo but will be the same as Sprocket's.

Cant wait to take it out on to the open road now

nice work Kev i knew you would get there in the end mate

 

[colin-yorkshire1]

Wow KEV, thats a good installation, and there was I thinking you were no good with electrics

, very proffesional. well done.
if mine worked half as well I would be a happy bunny. although I have gone for the simpler (temporary) option and I don't think my kit is a good , but it was cheap so you get what you pay for,
glare is the biggest problem matte pads dont help much I think it is the design of the viewer being a mirror thats the problem as the cameras work fine, but it is discreet and fully automatic, any view from the back of the van is better than none, and I can now see the small trailer "just" when towed, no pictures i'm afraid as the photobucket account is locked,for some reason so it is hard to explain what's wrong, will just have to keep experimenting for a solution,