Problem with Bumblebee backup camera

SeattleYates · #1 10-23-2006, 11:59 AM

I recently bought a backup camera system (the bumblebee camera @$149 and VSM kit @$425) from EAS. I had it installed by a local shop with whom I've been very happy in the past. When I first turn on the X5, the Nav screen flickers several times, and when I put the car in reverse, it periodically flashes/flickers, and the camera image is only visible intermittently (i.e., sometimes it's just a blank screen). But more disturbing is the fact that ALWAYS when the car is in reverse, there are white flickering horizontal lines across the screen...like the ones in this photo (which happens to be during a "black" period when no camera image is visible). Note: in the photo things look blue, but that's just the low-light photo - the screen is really black with white lines across it.

Is this normal? Is the problem/solution something obvious to any of you? Bad installation? Defective equipment? Any help would be appreciated!

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Sudesh · #2 10-23-2006, 12:22 PM

Not sure if this will help but is your camera PAL or NTSC? The screen can be adjusted to suit both types. I had a problem like this with my DVD and all it turned out to be was, I had the screen programmed to pal instaed of NTSC.

GeneArch · #3 10-23-2006, 01:01 PM

I also get the screen flicker when I start the car... after that it goes away.

I'm wondering if the flicker is normal? it's a pretty straightforward hookup, so I'm not sure what could be done. When I put it in reverse, everything is fine.

Kris@modmynav · #4 10-23-2006, 01:14 PM

SeattleYates, did you install the Relay?
I had the same problem without the relay, but it's all fixed after installed relay

ncx · #5 10-23-2006, 01:15 PM

Did you use a relay? You are not using a PAL camera by chance are you? Also, check with Powers1. He had an interference issue that sounds very similar to what you describe. He may have some helpful info.

More info: http://www.xoutpost.com/group-buys/12...ghlight=camera

chusteveb · #6 10-23-2006, 01:31 PM

I have the exact same set up from EAS. My installer told me that he too had a problem with the reverse camera. The problem we had was the wire from the VSM that connects to the vehicle's reverse signal wire that lights up the reverse lights needs to be fed via a relay. The reason being is that the reverse signal wire from our X5 is a pulse signal. Not sure why, but I was told that if we could watch the reverse lights in a slow 'frame-by-frame' session that it would result in a pulse like behavior. Regardless, you can still use this reverse signal wire to turn on a relay using it to power up the reverse cam when the X5 is in reverse.

Hope this helps.

Tom G. · #7 10-30-2006, 04:28 PM

Just got off the phone with Bruce, it may have to do with a noisy power source or bad ground. I'll speak with his installer later this afternoon to troubleshoot.

Possible problems would be incorrect DIP switch settings, noisy power/bad ground or something else. We'll get it figured out today.

Eurosport · #8 10-30-2006, 04:31 PM

now that is customer service ;p

Tom G. · #9 10-30-2006, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sudesh

Not sure if this will help but is your camera PAL or NTSC? The screen can be adjusted to suit both types. I had a problem like this with my DVD and all it turned out to be was, I had the screen programmed to pal instaed of NTSC.

The cameras are NTSC.

SeattleYates · #10 10-30-2006, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eurosport

now that is customer service ;p

I have to agree. This is my first experience dealing with EAS, and I'm impressed. Tom was willing to spend quite a few minutes on the phone with me trying to get to the bottom of this issue, and is very willing to speak to the installer to continue digging into it.

I often say that a good business may produce/sell good products, but the real proof of a company's "character" is revealed in the way they deal with problems that arise (which inevitably happens with any business)...

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