Reverse Camera Fitting

[tc4332]

Hi All,
I am thinking about fitting a reversing camera that hopefully would work via the MMI when reverse is selected. SHMBO is not very happy with our A8 D3 'cos whenever she is in the car, driving or passenger, the parking aid fails (just a constant beep).
I have read quite a few posts that never actually end with a definite result. Some have suggested that it could be done by connecting a camera via one of the Aux video inputs on the analogue TV tuner, and then coding it with VCDS.
Has anyone managed to do this?
I do not fancy running a video cable from rear to front of car and using this http://www.xcarlink.co.uk/product.php?productid=58&cat=4&page=1 but again buying original Audi bits might well have to be the answer.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
BTW, today I fitted a Roadhawk DC2 forward camera with 8GB SD card, 128GB SDX card on order. And also fitted the TyrePal TB99 TPS with five sensors. Both working nicely.

[Delboy]

If you have a TV tuner already fitted then you don't need to run a cable all the way to the front, even if you did it's surprisingly easy to do.

The cheapest none factory option assuming you have a TV tuner would be a camera fitted in place of one of the number plate lights and have it connected to the AV input on the TV tuner.

That will need selecting in the MMI everytime and a pain IMO

Next route would be something like the Xcarlink you posted relitivley easy to do and works better than the above.

Last one is to go full OEM and fit all the original parts for the bendy line display with the correct camera in the boot lid grip.

I went with the full OEM option and like it but its not cheap.

[tc4332]

My Birthday present from the Boss was an AMI, fitted and working.
My Xmas present from herindoors is VCDS, up and I am playing with it.
My Xmas present to myself was a Roadhawk DC2 windscreen camera, fitted and working.
And I sneaked in a TB99 TPS with five sensors, also working.
SWMBO said my beloved A8 has had enough so the reverse camera will have to be an "El Cheepo" Senor!!
The problem with using the TV tuner Aux feed is as you say having to actually select it each time.
So it looks like one weeks pension will have to buy the XCarLink thingy, and we will have to manage without the bendy lines.
Unless someone knows better and comes up with a really cheap alternative.
Has anyone used the XCarLink?
Second thoughts, I could always buy the wife a red flag

[daviesbike]

Aux or AV 1 or 2 sadly dose not work. I have 3 different cameras off the net they all work perfect with the tv indoors but will not work in the car what so ever i think the frequency that it uses is different. I never did get to the bottom of it .. but i did conclude it must be oem or kufatec jobbie to work. I didnt mind the idea of manually changing to AV. Ment i could use it in moving traffic to see who is behind me better

[Delboy]

Hi Guy, you may have the same problem I had with the wireless streaming box.

For some reason the video input craps out, for unknown reasons but if you have a video input live while the av1 or two is selected then open the settings menu and select pal/secam or whatever it says and the video feed will start working again.

Its a tad annoying and TBH if you had to do all that faff to get a reverse picture up i think you would quickly tire of it.

As an alternative to the xcar link how about this http://car-solutions.com/en/car-vide...en-support.php

[Delboy]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Original-A...:SS:SS:GB:1120

[mattylondon]

Originally Posted by Delboy

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Original-A...:SS:SS:GB:1120

I see that is now sold.

Ray, did you buy this? If retrofitting to an early D3 you'll also have to fit a newer Control Unit (4E0919283) as you'll have A or B installed. Revision C or higher is needed for a reverse camera. Only found one on ebay.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-A8-S8...-/331407316804

[Delboy]

I never thought to ask but does your car have a tv tuner if not then I beleive you will need to add the fbas connector to it in order to integrate the rvc module or fit one that has the connector but that will require cp removal at a dealer.

Why would the parking aid need replacing Matt? Just curious

[mattylondon]

Originally Posted by Delboy

Why would the parking aid need replacing Matt? Just curious

Hummm... I can't actually give an answer. It was something at the back of my mind having read a thread on Quattroworld. I'll see if I can find it.

[mattylondon]

This is my assumption

4E0919283A - 8 sensors, no graphical support
4E0919283B - 8 sensors, no graphical support
4E0919283C - 8 sensors, graphical support, rear view camera support
4E0919283D - 8 sensors, graphical support, rear view camera support