Rear view cam setups?

[papasmurf]

I'm looking for something very OEM-looking. I'm thinking about drilling my spoiler and mounting an Alpine up there, but wanted to see the other options. I flat-out refuse to use a plate frame camera because they look stupid (sorry plate cam guys, I'm being honest). Money isn't really an object, but doing it right is. Suggestions?

[fullmetaljacket]

Bought the camera through ebay -

BMW 3 5 X5 X6 Series E46 Car Rear View Camera: eBay Motors (item 150472998891 end time Oct-26-10 00:21:08 PDT)

and installed it myself. Took me a day to run the wires through the tailgate and ceiling but it's all worth it. Now I'm confident when I back up. I have kids running around the house all the time.

Here's how it looks...







Hope this helps. Cheers!

[kevinflynn]

Some of the plate cams look very Stock.
BOYO VTL351 license plate cam.
No relay needed just run wire via tailgate and hook into Reverse light wire. Almost invisible. You can see it above the J in Jersey.

[chas3]

Originally Posted by fullmetaljacket

Bought the camera through ebay -

BMW 3 5 X5 X6 Series E46 Car Rear View Camera: eBay Motors (item 150472998891 end time Oct-26-10 00:21:08 PDT)

Hi everyone, first post here

Is that the exact camera you have purchased (same seller and camera model)?
I am asking because I would like to mount one too, but I am kinda confused on the required resolution/TV lines.

[patholiar]

Did you install this to your stock navigation? I have an E53 and looking at the 'how to' for installing the OEM backup camera...looks like a lot more wires. Does the stock nav just have a video input plug that will work for this or some more mods are required?

Originally Posted by fullmetaljacket

Bought the camera through ebay -

BMW 3 5 X5 X6 Series E46 Car Rear View Camera: eBay Motors (item 150472998891 end time Oct-26-10 00:21:08 PDT)

and installed it myself. Took me a day to run the wires through the tailgate and ceiling but it's all worth it. Now I'm confident when I back up. I have kids running around the house all the time.

Here's how it looks...







Hope this helps. Cheers!

[J.P.B.]

Does that license plate camera fits E53 ?

Thanks

[fullmetaljacket]

@chas3 - Is that the exact camera you have purchased (same seller and camera model)?
I am asking because I would like to mount one too, but I am kinda confused on the required resolution/TV lines.

Yes choose TYPE "A" (there are 2 types - A and B). Type a fits the light receptacle of the license plate and requires only a slight modification to secure the assembly. TYPE B is too think. Camera resolution is great. I'm satisfied. If your worried about NTSC or PAL, just let the seller know what you need. They have both systems.

@patholiar - Did you install this to your stock navigation? I have an E53 and looking at the 'how to' for installing the OEM backup camera...looks like a lot more wires. Does the stock nav just have a video input plug that will work for this or some more mods are required?

I installed this on my E53 so you can do it as well. There are basically 3 wires to connect: video wire (usually yellow and looks like the female of an rca cable), power (which you taps on the reverse light positive wire and ofcourse the ground wire) and the wire to power the LED light that replaces your license plate illumination lights (you tap this ofcourse on the power line of the previous license plate lights). So it's very easy because all of those wires except the video are right there in the rear part of your X. All you have to do is splice and tap.

I'm not using a stock nav, I'm currently using a rearview mirror monitor assembly that attaches to the rearview mirror. However, I'm upgrading to the Hualingan DVD GPS NAV unit...

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...9-e53-diy.html

I'm going to attach the camera here (which has a video input) and get rid of the rearview mirror monitor assembly. We'll post again soon. I will try try to install the hualingan this weekend and post some pictures if I finish the install.

@J. P. B. - Does that license plate camera fits E53

Yes it does. But there will be minimal mods you have to do to make it fit 100%. The camera has the same length and width but slightly different depth. so you have to modify the back part of the license plate light receptacle to fit the whole assembly. But it's really an easy mod. just cut the back part and fit the assembly.

[hideyoshi]

hey patholiar,

If you would like to install your backup camera to your stock lcd screen your going to need a video interface kit. If you look at the E70 forum there is a huge post about it. The interface for your pre 2010 X5 has a no cut or splice connection. All hooks up with wire harness. they are running 400+ on the e70 area, but I have 3 units I aquired if you would like one. 200.00 plus shipping. Had a camera as well, but someone grabbed it with the first interface i sold. PM me if you would like it. I can forward you details and insruction as well. BTW camera still need to splice into somewhere to get power and ground. can be found on ebay.. HTH

[mrBrigante]

Originally Posted by kevinflynn

Some of the plate cams look very Stock.
BOYO VTL351 license plate cam.
No relay needed just run wire via tailgate and hook into Reverse light wire. Almost invisible. You can see it above the J in Jersey.

wow thats impressive how subtle it is............install sounds like a breeze too

[chas3]

Originally Posted by fullmetaljacket

@chas3 - Is that the exact camera you have purchased (same seller and camera model)?
I am asking because I would like to mount one too, but I am kinda confused on the required resolution/TV lines.

Yes choose TYPE "A" (there are 2 types - A and B). Type a fits the light receptacle of the license plate and requires only a slight modification to secure the assembly. TYPE B is too think. Camera resolution is great. I'm satisfied. If your worried about NTSC or PAL, just let the seller know what you need. They have both systems.

Got it. And about the camera case chop: did you cover the chopped part with liquid glue or silicone? I am worried that cutting into the case would make the camera prone to water infiltration.

The new license plate light, next to the camera, is it a LED or standard light? I am asking because LEDs are known to trigger light errors on the OBC. Also, did you check if the light looks different from the other license plate light? LED or smaller bulb might make it look different (as in brighter or dimmer).

According to older threads, everybody advices to get the NTSC version. Does that apply to European cars too, or US deliveries only?

Regarding the wiring, did anybody successfully try to connect the camera to the OEM TV module pinouts? I found various DIY on this method and I would like to go that way.