Side view cameras?

H2O_Doc

I installed a new HU and between wanting to tinker with it more and not wanting my wife to merge into other cars so much, I got to thinking about side view cameras. I was thinking of running them into the video input of the HU. Does anyone know if I could use the turn signal to actuate the cameras or would the power oscillate on and off with the blinking signal (making this a not so good idea)?

SouthArk370Z

Great idea!

It should be fairly easy to find a module that will hold the output high until the input signal has disappeared for X seconds (off timer gets reset every time the input goes high). Set X to about 2 seconds. It would also isolate the camera from the flasher (maybe not necessary in this case, but nearly always a good idea).

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bigaudiofanat

Unless newer models are different, you are probably only going to be able to see one camera at a time, you would have to manual choose that video input as the only switch video input is reverse (front on some)

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H2O_Doc

Thanks, I was hoping you'd post (and thanks to SouthArk370 as well). I only want one camera displayed at a time. Now, as my name would suggest, I know some stuff about fish and bugs and (literally) pond scum; what I don't know is car audio and electronics, so please bear with me:

Does the HU display video when a camera plugged into the rca video in receives power? E.g. the HU doesn't really know when you've put the car in reverse, it receives a signal because when the car is put in reverse the camera is powered on and the signal is transmitted?

If that IS the case my logic is simply to power one of two side cameras when the turn signals are on and have the power off when the turn signals are off. I'd have to have a 3 into one rca cable or box, but because I only want one signal at a time, it doesn't sound too complicated (at least to a biologist ignorant of such things).

SouthArk pointed to maybe needing an off or on delay relay as the power presumably pulses from the turn signal (unless the lights are like my Christmas tree).

Is any of this feasible in both an electronic and practical sense?

RonRizz

I'm guessing the power pulsing with the turn signal could be easily resolved with a simple capacitor. Using a single video input for both sides would be accomplished with a y adaptor. Left turn signal triggers left camera, right triggers right, obviously; However...... This may wreak havoc on both head unit and cameras if the 4 ways were switched on, though. you would be feeding both cameras power, and 2 signals to head unit...Not a good thing. You would need to have some sort of safety in that regard.
I also have to wonder if the capacitor would interfere with the normal function of the turn signal. Interesting question.......

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H2O_Doc

Hmmm...good point that I hadn't considered. I'd like to make this work if it is simple enough, but it might be easier to hire some wee-folk to look out the back and describe what they see. I speak Spanish so I have multiple options.

SouthArk370Z

Do you really need a side-view camera on the driver's side? Using only a passenger-side cam would simplify things.

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H2O_Doc

No. In the end, this is much more about fun than need.

SouthArk370Z

Gotcha.

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Fountainhead

Hi WaterDoc,

You could rig your system to activate only the camera desired by using the logic level change of the turn signal activated, using a comparator and a diode/capacitor as a peak hold, your system could hold the left or right camera on showing the side you're turning on. You time constant would have to be adjusted to hold the input high between each blinker pulse, each pulse would charge the capacitor, and the diode would prevent the return on the voltage (to the cap not the blinker lamp) to a low state, the cap would remain charged as long as the blinker was pulsing. Of course this input would have to be very high impedance, on the order of 470K or so to prevent the cap draining too fast. This could hook to the comparator + input, and a lower voltage say 6 volts to the - of the comparator, so that when the blinker was off the comparator output would be low and that camera would be turned off, and vice versa when the blinker was on for that side.

This would require some circuit design, but surely you're not the first dude to think of this, so Google may be your friend . SouthArk was talking about the same thing more in a modular way though.

In Asia they have cameras with multiple angles, front bumper, back bumper, left, right, front corners, and even the most expensive ones have a fish eye lens on the top of the car and the system automatically stitches together all camera views so that in effect you're looking at the car from the top down. I've never seen this in person so I can't testify as to how good it looks in practice.
Good idea but I've found that glancing down at the dash during maneuvers in traffic is really dangerous. In Asia these cameras systems are typically used for navigating tight parking spaces and parking in general.

Good idea though!

H2O_Doc

I wonder if this would do it (assuming it works as advertised):

http://www.amazon.com/High-Kick-Digi.../dp/B009W4UJRE

Fountainhead

Hi WaterDoc,

That's not really a lot of information on that item, but you could be on the right track.

Fountainhead

Found what I was talking about.

Wholesale 360 around view driving and parking aid car camera system with video recording car dvr, Free shipping, $386.65/Piece | DHgate

H2O_Doc

Thanks much! And no worries, I am trying to teach my wife there is NO SUBSTITUTE for properly adjusted mirrors and proper driving technique. I do still like my gadgets, however : > )

H2O_Doc

Another possibility (although not-so-good reviews on Amazon):

http://kensonelectronics.com/portfolio-item/smtv400