Nexus 7 Installed in Truck - How to get back-up camera?

**sowilde** · 08-20-2012, 11:10 AM

Hey fellow forum members.

Many of you recently watched a video i put together about installing a Nexus 7 in the dash of a truck.

Question for the forum....

We want to install a backup camera in the truck using the display of the Nexus 7. Most of the back up cameras are using a RCA video output. Any thoughts on how we can get the video output from the camera to display on the Nexus 7?

For those that haven't watched the videos yet (or want a refresh), here are the YT videos.

Part 1 - The Nexus Overview
[YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0o1zkqEuec[/YT]

Part 2 - The Complete System
[YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OovlaEEK3RA[/YT]

**NickA** · 08-20-2012, 11:13 AM

What about a wi-fi camera? It can be used as a backup camera and transmits video using wifi.

**Unicorn Rancher** · 08-20-2012, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by NickA

What about a wi-fi camera? It can be used as a backup camera and transmits video using wifi.

I was thinking bluetooth webcam off the shelf but wifi might be better especially if you can wire power.

**sowilde** · 08-20-2012, 11:40 AM

What app would we need to launch in order to see the video transmitted via WiFi? I imagine something similar to Skype...?

We would want the back up camera to appear when the car is put in reverse, so we would need the app to open fast... (we don't want to put the car in reverse and wait 5-10 sec for the app to load/video to connect).

**NickA** · 08-20-2012, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by sowilde

What app would we need to launch in order to see the video transmitted via WiFi? I imagine something similar to Skype...?

We would want the back up camera to appear when the car is put in reverse, so we would need the app to open fast... (we don't want to put the car in reverse and wait 5-10 sec for the app to load/video to connect).

Good point. I was thinking of those X10 cameras people use around the house. You can do split screens when you have more than 1 camera. Each camera has it's own IP address, and a mini web server. So you can point the browser to the IP address of the camera and see the video. So it should load fast. I'm not sure how you would trigger the browser to show when you put it in reverse though.

**Unicorn Rancher** · 08-20-2012, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by NickA

I'm not sure how you would trigger the browser to show when you put it in reverse though.

Good question. How does the OP plan to tell the Nexus the vehicle is in reverse? Can't use the accelerometer because you should look before you start backing up.

**NickA** · 08-20-2012, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by UnicornRancher

Good question. How does the OP plan to tell the Nexus the vehicle is in reverse? Can't use the accelerometer because you should look before you start backing up.

They would need to initiate something on the Nexus, or have an app created that all it does is listen on a specified port. When it sees activity then have it launch the browser with the appropriate IP address. But that still leaves the question of how to get that info to the Nexus. They can know when it's put into reverse, maybe tie into the 12v for the reverse lights. And that 12v can trigger a relay that does something. I don't know, just thinking out loud.

**sowilde** · 08-20-2012, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by UnicornRancher

Good question. How does the OP plan to tell the Nexus the vehicle is in reverse? Can't use the accelerometer because you should look before you start backing up.

It is a good question indeed. We are still brainstorming this and figuring out if there is a way to do it.
We had looked at plug in launcher apps (like the appropiately named app ) and have a relay or switch in line on one of the input connectors (usb/headphone/etc).

So the thought would be when the car is put in reverse, it completes the connection to input connector (like USB), launches the app which would display the video signal.

**Rizon216** · 08-20-2012, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by sowilde

What app would we need to launch in order to see the video transmitted via WiFi? I imagine something similar to Skype...?

We would want the back up camera to appear when the car is put in reverse, so we would need the app to open fast... (we don't want to put the car in reverse and wait 5-10 sec for the app to load/video to connect).

IP Cam Viewer (free or Pro version) would work great for many IP cameras, but I don't know how to make it automatically launch when you start to back up. I forget how many cameras the free version supports, but the Pro version supports as many as your device can handle (limited only by speed, network bandwidth, space on the device, etc).