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

[sowilde]

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]

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

 

[Unicorn Rancher]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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 Plug In Launcher) 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]

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).

 

[nativepod]

Hey guys,

I'm starting to research doing a similar thing in my new T5, did you solve the issue with connectivity for a reverse camera?

 

[Catalin NASTAC]

Can we find a bluetooth webcam? If we can find one, we will power it only when in reverse, and it will pair automatically with the tablet. Using an application like AutomateIt, we can launch a specific application when it pairs, so voila. But where to find a bluettoth camera? I was thinking at one like this: Looxcie LX1 Wearable Bluetooth Camcorder 0859781002006 | eBay. But we nned something good in low light....

 

[Rodrigo Miyamoto]

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.

I'm not sure it works, but maybe you can use some of these OBD devices to know it the vehicle is in reverse. There are some bluetooth options.

 

[Rodrigo Miyamoto]

I saw in your video that you have optical input. You could take advantage of that using a hdmi audio splitter to get surround sound directly from Nexus 7. It will work only if the media you're playing have surround sound, obviously.

 

[Rodrigo Miyamoto]

Just saw this video on youtube.

 

[Nicholas Allen]

I'm toying with a similar idea, again in a T5.
If going down the wifi route, there are a number of ethernet/wifi digital I/o modules about. All that would then need would be a small app to monitor the input for the signal from the reversing lights.

 

[PlanetPluto7]

A usb cam might be more reliable than Bluetooth if it will work on the N7. Why not just run the app so the camera is in the last run apps? Then it would always be there when you want it.

 

[4ucam]

You can get a WIFI backup camera, and use your Android phone as display. It is WIRELESS.
Check the demo video out, and see how this Backup Camera for Android works
backup camera for iphone android - live demo, day/night/signalRange - YouTube

 

[Andy Tzeng]

New NEXUS 7 had embedded UVC driver on Android 4.3 OS.
That means uvc webcam can directly plug into your Android 4.3
And it will also work without "ROOT"

Please download apk "dashcam" from google play

1. For backup camera (RCA output camera)
FEBON100 UVC CVBS grabber card

2. For HD HDMI car recorder camera (720p hdmi)

 

[ronfish20]

So im planning to do the same, though I haven't decided which tablet i want to use. My plan for the reverse camera is this ~ using the camera (link above - 4ucam) and its wifi adapter, I power them off the reverse lights, with a secondary switch for full time operation. When the reverse lights come on, it begins to transmit wifi. Nexus connects automatically, I then have an app-based trigger (automateit.apk) to launch the reverse cam. App

 

[guntus1]

Did you ever get the 4ucam to work? Is there an issue with being connected to two WiFi networks? One for tethering will cell phone and the other for the camera?

Also could you achieve this by using a wireless 2.4ghz camera with an EasyCap instead?