Reverse Camera Fitting

mcs · #1 25th March 2015, 02:39 AM

I am going to try a graphic interface between the screen and the screen control unit. Someone locally makes a unit fairly cheaply (100 pounds or so) that will do it and cut the MMI feed when the car is reversing.

I have just needed a camera. What exact one did you get that replaces a license plate lamp?

Mike

snapdragon · #2 25th March 2015, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcs

I am going to try a graphic interface between the screen and the screen control unit. Someone locally makes a unit fairly cheaply (100 pounds or so) that will do it and cut the MMI feed when the car is reversing.

I have just needed a camera. What exact one did you get that replaces a license plate lamp?

Mike

I may be wrong but please double check the unit is LVDS as I have read on other sites.....
The MMI Control head take an LVDS video in - not composite.
The RVC unit outputs LVDS .
The TV unit outputs LVDS but the AUX in are composite.

tc4332 · #3 25th March 2015, 06:32 PM

The underlined words in the following text are links. Left click on them and your browser should open up another page.

I used this camera:-

CAMERA

I also bought from the same supplier:-

Tx/Rx Pair

When ordering the camera remember to select the PAL version. The NTSC one would work but you would have to change the MMI setting on the Aux channel you use. This camera worked out of the box without any faults.

I used the Tx/Rx to save running a video cable from the boot lid to the main body. There is also the possibility that I will purchase a CAR VIDEO INTERFACE or an X-CarLinK in the future to automate switching the MMI to reverse camera view on engaging the "Going Backwards Gear".

Any problems just ask.

tc4332 · #4 25th March 2015, 06:43 PM

The LVDS that some people are talking about is when you are connecting direct to the MMI.
Because I have connected via the now otherwise redundant analogue TV Tuner the camera output can be just composite using a yellow plug/socket that is already fitted. Just plug and play.

tc4332 · #5 7th April 2015, 07:55 PM

Right Chaps,
I managed to buy the X-Carlink, the seller knocked £50 off for me 'cos I phoned him and had a nice chat. The manufacturer has done some updates, both hardware and software. It now does all sorts of video to the MMI screen and can pass audio to the sound system. I only want it for automating the reverse camera operation. The supplier said that it might now work with my Chinese PAL camera, and yes it did.

Now fully fitted and working really well.

Camera and transmitter/receiver pair as above.
Camera and transmitter in the boot lid, both powered from reverse light supply. The LEDs in the camera body powered by number plate light supply.
X-Carlink powered by a permanent supply and by an ignition switched supply. It also needs a reverse supply, this I took from the reverse light supply by tapping into the loom in the left boot space and running the wire through the car to behind the glove box where the X-Carlink is located. The receiver for the camera transmitter is also located there and is supplied by the reverse supply.
SWMBO has not inspected it yet, but she will give it a good pass mark, really good colour picture, no interference and it switches on automatically. Whatever sound is playing carries on, only the video is replaced by the rear view.
Engaging the backing up gear just does it all for me.

Final cost just over £200.