Thread: Switching another camera on to the D4 screen

Has anyone done any research into switching the rear camera to a van-mounted camera in a digital surround-camera system? MY12 D4s seem to have the same system as my MY12 RRV where the cameras are 4-wire LVDS/LIN system.

An option would be to switch inputs to the monitor between the image processing module o/p and a NTSC van camera, switched by reverse lights and possibly manually too, not that I've ever felt the need to see what's behind when not reversing.

It appears that when switching to a van camera input instead of the surround camera module input that the touch screen requires the van camera to be PAL format. It still has to be proven but is logical considering that the native format for the touch screen is PAL that changes to NTSC for a fixed reverse camera, i.e. one that is not part of the surround camera system, but does not change format if the reverse camera image is supplied through the surround camera module. The touch-screen still switches to video feed when reverse is selected and the surround camera module selects full screen reverse camera image and adds lines if they're enabled.

A camera sold as NTSC shows as flickering image on my touch-screen's video input with or without reverse gear selected. It appears to be the same touch-screen fitted to at least some D4s.

Edit: Scrub the above! Definitely NTSC, as determined using a proper Pentax digital camera that can o/p either NTSC or PAL and NTSC works regardless of whether in reverse or not yet PAL provided the same angled, flashing/rolling display as the NTSC (not!) reversing camera.

Originally Posted by Nod

.... switch a cabled reversing camera on my van onto the D4's screen. Didn't want another screen on the dash / rearview mirror....

I am working towards doing something similar for a van we have ordered.
However, I'm looking at switching signals with a simple dash mounted rocker switch.
This will allow me to access the D4 camera even with van attached, allowing visibility of drawbar.
Or potentially plug in a front camera & switch to that when not towing (unlikely thought bubble).

Anyway, here's what I think is required to achieve this arrangement.


Switch similar to what I used for the voltmeter switching:


One concern I have is the length of the cables to get to dash.
It's only a video signal but I'm not sure if the signal degrades over longer cables, like voltage drop?
I could use a wireless switch instead with the module located in the back, similar to this thread:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-disco...-switch-2.html


Any feedback welcome ....

Cheers,
Scott

Howdy Scott, I think that it will work fine. My van camera picture is better quality that the factory camera (due to the camera resolution). There is no noticeable noise. The cable from camera to relay (near rear roof light) is about 8 metres (through 2 plugs/sockets). Running to a switch would only add a couple more metres of foreign cable.

The only comment would be use a SPST switch, so one camera is always switched through... no centre off.
Gordon

Thanks Gordon. I thought SPST switches were either on or off, so no good for switching between feeds. Will have to do some research.

Scott

Howdy Scott. Sorry,just re-learned the same lesson as when I put the switch down the back to switch in the trailer LED light resistors...

.... it is hard to find a "pretty" toggle switch with changeover contacts.... there are lots of ugly ones!
Gordon

Found 2 examples:
http://www.ozautoelectrics.com/hella...lack-7563.html
http://www.ozautoelectrics.com/hella...tch-black.html