Backup Cameras in Vehicle Safety Systems, Part 2

Understand driver safety systems and integration so you effectively assist clients in choosing the best backup camera for their uses.

WORDS BY DAVE MACKINNON

In the last issue, we talked about the importance of choosing high-quality cameras for your clients’ vehicle safety solution upgrades. In this issue, we are going to look at some of the options available to display that camera image in a fashion that is safe, intuitive and reliable.

The Importance of Reliable Driver Safety Systems

If you want to sell safety solutions, it’s essential to take the category seriously. Just as you’d take the time to plan a bespoke audio system upgrade and installation, safety systems deserve similar attention to detail.

A backup camera system is considered a passive safety device. Unlike parking sensors or blind-spot monitoring systems that attract the driver’s attention with an audible alarm, it’s the responsibility of the operator to remember to look at the monitor to reap its benefits. As such, it’s paramount that the system operates without any input from the driver. As soon as the vehicle is in reverse, the camera image should display automatically. No switches or buttons should be needed, as this can lead to the driver forgetting to use the system.

There are essentially three solution categories: an OEM infotainment system display, an aftermarket source unit or a stand-alone display.

Displaying a Backup Camera Image on an OEM Screen

Thanks to companies like Brandmotion and Axxess from Metra Electronics, there are a multitude of options available to connect an aftermarket backup camera to the factory-installed screen in the dash of most late-model North American and many imported vehicles. In most cases, these interfaces not only handle the video integration, but they also trigger the display automatically by monitoring the data bus in the vehicle. While most systems allow at least a single camera to feed a signal to the screen, some allow for as many as four cameras and can serve as a blind-spot monitoring system and forward-facing parking assistance solution. If your client has a heavy-duty or lifted pickup truck, a forward-facing camera is an excellent way for them to see what’s in front of the vehicle when parking or maneuvering. Likewise, if they have a lowered car or one with an expensive front air dam or splitter, a camera can help prevent damage from parking curbs and steep driveways.

Many interfaces include the ability to monitor the steering wheel angle information on the vehicle’s data network and overlay dynamic guidelines on the camera image. If you are installing a system with this feature, budget an appropriate amount of time to ensure it is calibrated

The Axxess AXAC-FD1 interface allows you to add up to four cameras to many Ford vehicles. Reverse and turn-signal trigger detection is handledby monitoring the CAN Bus. The interface also includes fourprogrammable camera control wires so that it can be used with anaftermarket radio.

The Sony XAV-AX210 multimedia receiver includes three camera inputs. You can select from Normal or Reverse views and adjust the position of theon-screen distance marker overlay from the setup menu.

The Pioneer DMH-WT8600NEX features a 10.1-inch floating display and has a dedicated backup camera input. The video connection from the Auxiliaryinput can be assigned for use with a second camera for blind-spot orforward-facing vehicle safety solutions.

properly. The same goes for systems that overlay distance markers on the backup camera image.

Aftermarket Source Units with Backup Camera Inputs

Most aftermarket multimedia receivers include a rear-vision camera input and a trigger wire that will activate the display. Before offering this as a solution to your customer, you’ll want to research how you are going to provide the trigger signal. In most cars and trucks, you can tap directly into the reverse light wiring to provide the +12 volt needed to make the image display on the radio. Some vehicles don’t supply a constant 12 volts to the reverse lights. The manufacturer may modulate the positive or ground connection to vary the brightness of the light or, in the case of LEDs, supply only as much voltage as is required to activate the lighting. You’ll need to measure both the power and ground to confirm this and implement a relay or switching solution to produce the signal the radio needs.

Many installers have run into issues when attempting to power the camera from the reverse light signal. If you have to run a trigger wire from the radio, you may as well spin a power and ground wire with it to ensure the camera has a nice, clean, stable voltage. If you are getting noise in the camera image, a dedicated power feed is a good first step in resolving the issue. You’ll also want to decide if the camera should be powered by ignition or only when the vehicle transmission is in reverse. Some cameras require a second or two to power up. You don’t want the driver to have to wait to see what’s behind them. If your client wants to activate the camera display manually to check a trailer, it should be powered by a feed from the vehicle’s accessory circuit.

An issue that’s crucial to test when offering an aftermarket source unit as a camera display option is timing. Make sure that the radio is designed to display the image almost immediately upon starting the vehicle. Some radios employ stand-alone video switching circuits that deliver near-instant operation. Others rely on the microprocessor to handle switching, and the radio needs to finish booting for these to work. If the camera can’t be displayed in a second or two after starting the car, you may want to offer a different option.

Stand-Alone Safety Camera Displays

If your client’s vehicle doesn’t have a display or an aftermarket source unit, then you will need to provide a standalone solution. The monitor option that changes the overall appearance of the interior the least is a replacement rearview mirror that includes a screen. Most of these mirrors have traditionally included a 4.3-inch screen that illuminates through the mirror when activated. More and more companies are offering mirrors with large seven- and nineinch displays that fill the entire surface. While these widescreen options are great solutions for backup cameras, they are equally suited for installations in trucks and vans where the visibility out the back window is blocked completely.

The second option for a display is a stand-alone monitor. While not really suited for most daily-driven vehicles, they are commonplace in commercial applications like tow-trucks, snow removal vehicles and delivery trucks. Screens are available from small 3.5-inch units to

7-inch and larger units. Many have multiple inputs so they can be used with cargo cameras and forward-facing collision avoidance solutions.

Commercial Camera Applications

You may have noticed that I mentioned delivery vehicles, tow trucks and snowplows. These and many more commercial applications are prime candidates for camera-based systems, along with digital video recording systems. Often you can combine both into a single solution for these clients. Reach out to local companies with fleets to find out if you can provide them with a solution that will help reduce the potential for accidents and possibly result in a reduction to their vehicle insurance cost.

Bring Clients to your Store for Free

Of course, you will want to make sure your business is listed on the Vision Zero Automotive Network website. Vision Zero is working with retailers like you to help eliminate accidents and fatalities by educating consumers about the different technologies available. If you’d like to apply to have your facility listed on the VZAN. ORG website, fill out the form located here: https://vzan.org/become-a-supporting-partner. There is no cost to submit a request or to have your store listed.

Dave MacKinnon has worked in the 12-volt industry since 1988 in almost every capacity, including roles as a Retail Salesperson, Installer, Sales Representative, Technical Trainer and Product Development Manager for some of the largest car audio companies in the world. He started his writing career in 2000 as the Technical Editor of a Toronto-based car audio magazine and has reviewed more than 450 products.

Formally trained as an Electronics Technician, Dave is considered an industry expert when it comes to explaining how mobile audio components work, and he has crafted thousands of articles to share that knowledge. He’s currently the Head Writer for 1sixty8 media and the Editor-in-Chief at BestCarAudio.com. The opening image in this article was used courtesy of Extreme Audio in Mechanicsville and Midlothian, Va.

The Pioneer DMH-WT8600NEX features a 10.1-inch floating display and has a dedicated backup camera input. The video connection from the Auxiliaryinput can be assigned for use with a second camera for blind-spot orforward-facing vehicle safety solutions.

The Brandmotion FullVIEW FVMR-1000D is a 9.66-inch mirror with a super-HD 1980 by 320-pixel display. The system includes aSony-sensor-based backup camera, and there’s a forward-facing camerabuild into the back of the mirror. The video feed from both cameras isstored on an included 32GB micro-SD card.