Reversing Camera RCA Cable Run

[TBDL]

There are a few full tutorials on YouTube already, like those from AnubisZed/Dave. This is just a very quick video I took to show how I ran the RCA from the rear to front of the car with minimal trim panel removal or effort. Probably better to run it down the driver's side, I just happen to have all the bottom of the glovebox off already so I went for the path of least resistance and ran it down the passenger side.

[AnubisZed]

Nice one

[Christopher72]

Tim,

Do you notice any visual incongruity in having the camera offset to the right instead of centered? It appears you are using one of the cameras that replace a license plate light.

[flybobbie]

Basic question.
If i wanted say a rear view mirror on iDrive, could i fit a switchable RCA yellow plug input.
Is the feed to the iDrive a simple RCA type input like on say old video equipment.
Reason being roof down the mirror is just about useless due sky reflections.
Thought if i fit camera to windbreak i could have rear view on iDrive.

[AnubisZed]

Basic question.
If i wanted say a rear view mirror on iDrive, could i fit a switchable RCA yellow plug input.
Is the feed to the iDrive a simple RCA type input like on say old video equipment.
Reason being roof down the mirror is just about useless due sky reflections.
Thought if i fit camera to windbreak i could have rear view on iDrive.

In short, no!

In the video above it's using an MMI box for the input, in my video I was using the Android screen for the input. There are video inputs to the rear of the CIC headunit, these are the FBAS pins, BUT, these are normally used for the TV module or the video input from an iPhone connected to the Media Snap-In phone cradle. This can actually be used for a reversing camera with an emulator, but this would be switchable with the reverse gear only. I don't think that just turning the camera on would switch the screen image over, as the switching is canbus based.

This might be a daft question, but I've got to ask, are you sure your mirror is angled properly? Not turned for anti-dazzle (manual mirror)? I've never had an issue seeing out the back while driving with the roof down, either previously with my manual mirror or now with my Auto Dim mirror

[TBDL]

Tim,

Do you notice any visual incongruity in having the camera offset to the right instead of centered? It appears you are using one of the cameras that replace a license plate light.

Just seen this reply, sorry! Yes, it’s in the license plate light (camera comes all built into a replacement light) and I’m yet to be 100% sure, but I think you’re correct on the visual. Really just the guide lines, and I can turn these off if needed and just use the camera without liens on it, then I’m seeing behind me so I guess offset camera doesn’t make any odds.

Basic question.
If i wanted say a rear view mirror on iDrive, could i fit a switchable RCA yellow plug input.
Is the feed to the iDrive a simple RCA type input like on say old video equipment.
Reason being roof down the mirror is just about useless due sky reflections.
Thought if i fit camera to windbreak i could have rear view on iDrive.

I see you already have a great answer from AnubisZed on this now. Not much to add, I am indeed using an MMI box and that’s where the RCA interface is. It has one for a front camera too which can be activated by a menu button rather than needing an input like putting the car in reverse. Nothing to stop you putting a rear facing camera in that RCA and just opening it every time you get in the car (obviously you then lost the display of maps etc)

[flybobbie]

Rear view mirror is adjusted correctly, not dimmed, i mostly see sky.

[AnubisZed]

Rear view mirror is adjusted correctly, not dimmed, i mostly see sky.

That's very odd

The reason I asked was because if the knob is turned to the anti-dazzle position, but the mirror is then adjusted accordingly, it will look fine with the roof up, but as soon as the roof is down then you'll just see sky. And that is from experience

Alas I see no other way this can happen, unless it's a faulty mirror.

[sakamoto]

私のバンパーはMsportpkgなのですがバックカメラのRCAケーブルの通し片はまずナンバー灯から配線を入れてバンパー左へ針金などで共締めして送って行きます
次に反射板を外すと針金に共締めした配線が見えますので引き抜きます、バンパー内部に黒いグロメットがあるので外しますとトランク内部に配線を簡単に通せます。向かって左奥の内張奥にはシートベルトフックの下に繋がっているので室内に繋がります
画像が無いので難しい説明ですが慣れれば簡単です

[flybobbie]

So having fitted mmi box ZTUZauto, come with 3 camera inputs.
Fitted reverse, but number plate light cam looks silly offset so i need to make a bracket to fit centre and more under overhang.
Can now use mmi 2nd input, front cam. for a rear view mirror mode.
I will fit cam. somewhere behind wind deflector.

[flybobbie]

Rear view mirror is adjusted correctly, not dimmed, i mostly see sky.

That's very odd

The reason I asked was because if the knob is turned to the anti-dazzle position, but the mirror is then adjusted accordingly, it will look fine with the roof up, but as soon as the roof is down then you'll just see sky. And that is from experience

Alas I see no other way this can happen, unless it's a faulty mirror.

Yes mirror seems normally adjusted but you see sky and trees overlaid on rear view. Hard to see what's behind.
Reason why a cam looking back viewed on screen would be good.
Looks like i can do that now with mmi box.

[sakamoto]

It was written in Japanese so I will translate it into English.
After watching YouTube, I learned that the way to run the RCA cable for the backup camera is to run the wiring from the license plate light into the inside of the bumper to the left, then fasten it together with wire or something similar and tuck it in at the back.
Next, remove the left side reflector and pull out the wiring that was fastened together with the wire from the hole, and there is a black grommet inside, so if you remove it you can easily run the wiring inside the trunk and it is also waterproof. There are no pictures so it's a difficult explanation, but it's easy once you get used to it.

[flybobbie]

Just below the two wire grommet.
The one below is behind the storage box.
Push it inside out, falls on floor.
Then can cut it to lead RCA camera cable through.
I found i needed to remove the left light, not all bumper as in picture!

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