rear view camera
 

When I purchased the TvOnNav in motion module,I also bought their AV Input Harness.I have found this harness very usefull as I have connected a Dvd player to it and it is working nicely(after follwing UcrewX5 article on the subject).In the Harness,I also have a cable to connect a Rear view camera and I would welcome any feedback from anyone who has done this!Should I install a oem camera or will any other camera work ?Does the camera also have Audio?......Thanks :thumbup:
I enclose some photos of Dvd player install in first aid kit box.

Looks good. I am interested in installing a rear camera as well.
My research has identified 3 ways of doing this:
- Use the BMW camera, which mounts under the hatch lip, next to the license plate.
- Use a camera mounted in a hitch cap.
- Roundel mounting. I've heard of some who have mounted a camera in the roundel, but I have not yet seen documentation on how that was done. I do understand that it involves cutting the rear deck lid to make room for the camera body, but it's hidden by the roundel after installation.

From a camera perspective, there are a few things to look for. The wider the angle the better and the lux (how well it can see in the dark).

Anyone have any recommendations?

cjett

The roundel method is pretty stealth. Several have done that already. X5Monkey metions it in his article Here

If it can see low enough, this is the way I am going to do mine. I plan to spend a few extra bucks and get one that has a very low lux rating.

A pic of X5Monkey's roundel:

http://www.xoutpost.com/images/articl...camRoundel.jpg

yea i like the roundel method myself.

I have the complete NAVTV setup with the rear view cam in the roundel. Installing the camera in the roundel is not difficult at all. Since the emblem is made of plastic, it is fairly easy to cut using a dremel tool. The camera comes with a small washer nut which screws over the emblem. Done! What took time was cutting into the metal behind the roundel. It depends of course on the depth of the camera and mine was just hitting it a touch so I had to cut a hole. The metal was SOLID and took time to cut with a dremel tool. I would use a hole cutting saw/drill if I was to do it again. Once I cut the hole, it was easy to run the wires under the plastic panels in the trunk liftgate. Wiring was a little tricky but not difficult if you know what you're doing. All you need is a relay that switches with the gear in reverse.

Works good but the camera from NAVTV is not the best out there, but it's not bad either. In sunny conditions, the pic is very bright but then again in low lighting it's very good. I haven't had a chance to compare it to others but I found the lexus cam to be very good. Let me know if you need any help. :thumbup:

Can you see the towbar area when reversing in to hook up a trailer?

That's my question too... how low or how close to the bumper can you see?

I have the factory camera on mine and the bumber is visible on the screen so you know when to stop.

Rob,
Since you have the OEM cam, do you think it is noticable? If you were in the car behind you, would you easily notice the camera?

I dont find it to be too noticable. (its noticable because I know it there).Ill try to post some pics later today.

The OEM camera is blatantly obvious. It is a big, black square looking thing attached to the top corner of the license plate. It is more expensive as well, but the advantage is that you see the rear bumper and ground immediately behind you. You may not notice a car parked a short distance behind you.

With an aftermarket camera in the roundel, it's hardly noticeable. Plus you get more of a wide angle view behind you. You can easily see what's directly behind the vehicle but you don't see the bumper. This is where my park distance allows me to judge the distance. :thumbup:

QUOTE Rob,
Since you have the OEM cam, do you think it is noticable? If you were in the car behind you, would you easily notice the camera?

Please forgive me NCX...as King has stated, it is blatantly obvious :loco:
I will still post pics later so you can make your own decision. :)

Rob, King,
Thanks for the info. I realize opinions will be different so I guess I'll have to see both and just decide from there. Really, this is mainly for the Mrs. who does not "do the backup thing" very well. She only drive's my X once in a while but I want to make sure she can see what she is about to back in to.

does anyone have pictures of the oem camera on their X5

NCX, here are some pics!

Rob, thanks a lot, that is really helpful. That angle seems to be about right.
Thanks again

NCX here are some more pics. With flash and without flash "obvious" and "blatantly obvious" as stated earlier. :rofl:

NCX, I just remembered that your X5 is black so it wouldnt be and noticable.

HA! :bustingup

Rob - Thanks for the rear pics. I think you are right... on black it would be less noticable. This is a viable option to the roundel method if I decide not to cut anything. Appreciate the photos... :thumbup:

Where is the front camera mounted?

I have TV on NAV kit with camera. I installed camera at the area for the tow hitch. It works well for me so far. I was concerned if it will get dirtier than other location, the reality is the camera has such short focal length, unless there was mud on the camera, it is hardly noticable the dirt at all. I posted some picture before during the snow season. I can try to find those pics and post them again.

Hzhao,what camera do you have?I have the TvOnNav AV Harness with the camera input wire,but didnt know that TVonNav also sell cameras!!!!

TV on NAV also sell the camera. I got everything from them and was very happy. I will post some pictures a little later.

Thanks.let me know if you are happy with the picture quality of the camera.How much did you pay for your camera?

I could not remember exactly the cost of the camera itself as I purchased the whole kit: TV on NAV unit, cable kit, camera, etc. The camera itself is not expensive at all. I had it since the first week that I purchased my X5 (March of 2004). Very happy with the quality.

Was asking you for cost of camera because I e-mailed TvonNav and they havent yet
replied!!!!Seems to be a regular problem getting any info from them, specially on tech support.......and I am a customer!Not fair having to ask UCREWX5 to intervene everytime we want some info from them(Parag),but well I am happy with what they sold me ,but it looks like I have to buy the camera somewhere else!

I would like to know how well the tvonnav cam does at night/low light situations. Anyone have pictures to show that?

Powers1,
Try again to email them again at [email protected]. I emailed them a second time today with a question, and got a return call within 10 minutes, and my questions were answered. So don't give up.

As for the reversing cam, it is listed for $199.00 $USD on the tvonnav.com website. I would ask Parag if he will do an x5world discount if you can get several people to order the cameras at once. Doesn't hurt to ask. It can be seen at the bottom of this page: http://www.tvonnav.com/gallery.html

There are plenty of other cameras to choose from... 12v cameras are available in every size, shape, lux, and resolution. Good luck finding the one that is right for you.

If I wasn't mistaken, Parag was the only one running the whole show for TV on NAV. It is understandable things could get backed up from time to time. I have serveral emails back and forth with him during my installation and he is very helpful, even went extra miles with my own mistake during installation. I am sure that you can get frustrated when you expecting a simple return email and phone call. Just try once again and detail your question in specific, hope we all getting to happy ending.

As for the night camera quality, it is a little weak compare the OEM one that I have on my Lexus. Part of reasoning was the AGC on the camera response time seems a little slow. It take few seconds to change the iris on the lens. For most of lit parking lots, it is OK. I am thinking maybe some high power reverse light bulb might help a little. I kept the way it is so far since I don't find myself in a total dark situation that often.

TV on Nav
 

In reading this thread has anyone been able to get a hold of the company sales or tech support in the past few months? I want to buy a setup from them but have half a dozen questions before I shell out my $1,000+.

A separate question for all the people that successfully installed the tv on nav system with oem backup camera, is there any other possible location for the camera other than the factory recommended site or the center of the roundel? Thanks.

TV on Nav is gone, sorry. They disappeared and you will need to find another source for your TV module. There are many mouting options for the camera. Check with Tom @ EAS (board sponsor) about a video input module as an alternative to the TVonNav system.

Thanks for the advice and heads up on Tv on Nav, though I find it amazing that they continue to run their website and they also have a new website advertising bluetooth setups for BMW's. Weird.

Does anyone have a complete parts list of what they bought from TV on Nav that I can use to do a complete install? The reason why I like their system the best is that the tuner doesn't get modified and the entire thing works well (or so I hear).

Please advise guys.