2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:41
The number of cars on the roads is growing exponentially. There are fewer and fewer parking spaces. At the same time, manufacturers are increasing the dimensions of passenger cars, thereby reducing their ability to maneuver in the parking lot. This leads to emergency situations when reversing. Installing a rear view camera on the car will help solve this problem.
What is the camera for
Auto designers often sacrifice visibility for the sake of the appearance of the car. This is especially true for rear-view mirrors. Each car has its own "dead zone" - a place where visibility is limited or absent. In addition, small obstacles in the form of curbs, tensioned chains, tow bars of other cars cannot be seen when driving backwards, even in mirrors with good visibility.
The solution was found in the form of installing parking sensors - devices that work on the principle of sonar. The reflected ultrasound is received by the transducer, indicating the distance toobstacles. However, this method is not suitable for everyone. Despite its effectiveness, it is not informative enough.
The visual information provided by the car camera is more meaningful. Looking at the monitor, you can understand the location of the machine relative to other objects. If we talk about regular rear-view cameras, then in addition to the position, they show the dimensions of the car on the screen and correct them relative to the steering wheel. That is, when reversing, the driver sees how the car will pass between obstacles if it starts to maneuver.
How to choose a camera
The first thing to understand when choosing a car camera is that conventional devices are not suitable here. Case in specific operating conditions:
- The camera should show the image at minimum illumination.
- Resistant to high humidity and low temperatures.
- Because the image is formed behind the driver's back, it must be mirrored when broadcasting.
- The rear view camera must have a tool that allows you to determine the distance to objects. The role of such a tool is a frame or guide lines indicating the dimensions of the machine.
- The camera is installed on the bumper or mounted in the license plate. Therefore, it must have an appropriate mount.
The device must comply with standard rear view camera wiring diagrams. Schemes may differ depending on which device the image is displayed on:monitor, 2 din radio, video recorder.
Not bad if the camera will have infrared illumination. This option will help improve image quality in low visibility conditions.
Which matrix to choose
There are two types of matrices in rear view cameras: CCD or CMOS. Each of them has both advantages and disadvantages. For example, CCD is better in the dark, while CMOS has better performance and lower cost. Almost all modern cameras have a CMOS sensor.
What are the ways to install cameras
There are several standard places where you can install a rear view camera on a car. The choice of location depends on various factors:
- Car body type. It has been noticed that some types of bodies, for example, a hatchback, are more prone to rear end contamination than the same sedan. Therefore, in this case, the higher the camera is installed, the better.
- Ability to connect a standard rear view camera. For installation, a device is provided that replaces the standard rear number plate lighting. However, these cameras are not available for every car model.
- Universal fastener. It allows you to install the fixture on any plane.
- Installing the camera in the plate under the license plate. This method has proven itself in cases where the place where the number is installed is not covered with mud when driving.
There are completely specific installation methods from the category of tuning. For example,the trunk lock cylinder is removed, and a camera is installed in its place. In this case, the locking function of the lock is taken over by an electric drive.
What are the image output devices
Some devices used in the car are already capable of displaying images. It can be a 2 DIN radio with a rear view camera or a DVR. The requirements for these devices are simple: they must have a video input capable of receiving NTSC or PAL video signals.
There are also interior mirrors with a built-in monitor, which can display the image from the video camera.
The downside is the small picture. Transferring the image from the rear view camera to the recorder also has this drawback.
Video camera resolution
Despite the fact that modern monitors can display video in Full HD resolution and above, the rear view camera is limited to a resolution of 628 x 582 pixels. This is due to two reasons:
- The camera matrix forms an image, the processor converts it into a digital signal.
- After the signal is transmitted, the receiving device encodes it into an analog color television signal. PAL, NTSC standards are initially limited to low resolution.
Theoretically, it is possible to transmit a video signal in digital form to a receiving device. But in this case, car radios, video recorders, car monitors will have to have a built-in computer for video processing, which is significantlywill increase the price of the device.
Installation of two cameras
Some car enthusiasts don't realize how much space their car takes up in space. It is difficult for them not only to park in reverse, but also in front. For these drivers, the solution may be to connect 2 rear view cameras. Only one of them will be mounted in the front bumper. In this case, the rear view camera connection scheme will change.
The circuit will additionally have a five-pin relay that will switch the signal from one camera to another.
When the car is moving forward, the relay will output the video signal from the front camera to the monitor. When reversing, the reverse signal lamp energizes the relay and it switches. Then the video signal starts coming from the rear camera.
Besides, there are monitors with two video inputs. Such devices are designed to connect two video cameras and are able to switch between them. The main thing here is not to confuse the inputs. The front camera is connected to white, constantly broadcasting the image. The rear camera is connected to yellow, which is triggered when reverse gear is engaged. At this point, the monitor switches the image from the front to the rear camera.
If there is only one video camera, then it does not matter which connector it is connected to.
Another important point: when connecting the front camera, the mirroring function must be turned off.
What materials and tools will be needed for installation
To find outwhat tools will be needed, you need to determine the amount of work. If a wireless camera is installed that connects to the interior mirror, then tools are only needed to install the camera in the bumper or on the number plate. This option is good for simplicity and speed of installation, but has one significant drawback - interference from extraneous sources of electromagnetic radiation.
If a rear view camera is connected to a Chinese radio, then you need to find out what video standard it can work with. It may happen that it works with PAL, while the camera transmits an NTSC image. In this case, you will either have to change the radio, or additionally connect the monitor.
For a wired connection, you will need to partially disassemble the interior and trunk. Therefore, you will need several types of screwdrivers, special blades - clip-on clips. Wires, terminals, connectors must come with the camera. Also, the kit should contain instructions and a diagram for connecting the rear view camera to the image output device circuit. In addition, you will need: electrical tape, pliers, wire cutters, heat shrink tubing, soldering iron and solder.
Classic camera connection
Connection of Chinese radio tape recorders to the rear view camera is done in a simple way that does not require specific knowledge. Power for the camera comes from the positive wire of the reversing light. Minus can be taken from any convenient place. Therefore, when the reverse gear is engaged and the reversing lamp lights up, it automatically starts workingcamera. And it also turns off when the reverse gear is disengaged.
There is one nuance in this connection. Some radios and monitors with a diagonal of 7 inches and above have a different rear view camera connection scheme. The circuit, in addition to standard connectors, additionally includes an excitation wire. If the camera cord does not have it, and the characteristics of the radio or monitor require it, then the excitation cord is made by connecting the wire with one side to the plus of the reversing lamp, and the other side to the reverse wire on the radio.
The excitation wire performs the switching function. Even if the monitor or car radio 2 din with a rear view camera has a permanent connection to the positive wire, they remain inactive until a signal is given on the excitation cord.
Connecting a reverse camera to a tablet
Many drivers use smartphones and tablets as navigators. In this regard, the question arises: is it possible to display an image from the rear view camera on Android on a tablet?
Using a tablet as a camera monitor is a rather specific task. After all, the tablet does not have a standard video in connector.
Several years ago there were devices that allow you to capture and convert an analog video signal. This device is called EasyCAP. It is the size of a flash drive and plugs into the USB port of a tablet or smartphone.
It should be noted that EasyCAP works withtablets with Snapdragon, Tegra, Allwinner/BoxChip processors. And does not work on devices with MTK processors.
EasyCAP software is constantly updated. To work, the device requires Android 6.1 and above.
Conclusion
After installing a rear view camera, the process of parking a car is greatly simplified, especially if it has large dimensions. The installation itself does not pose any difficulties: it is enough to have clear instructions for connecting and a little experience in handling equipment. But if there is no confidence in the correctness of self-installation, there will always be specialists who are ready to help cope with this task.
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