Rear View Camera and Console Monitor don't play well together.

GulfCoastFighter0 · June 09, 2009, 07:19 PM

Iâ€™m having trouble with my home made rear view camera system and I certainly hope someone here can help. I purchased a rear view camera for $12 and an overhead console for $20. I installed both in my Winnie, but the monitor in the overhead will not pick up the signal from the camera. I can watch a movie on the monitor, and can view the camera on the regular TV. Both work with anything else, just not each other. I even purchased a signal booster thinking that maybe the camera produced a weak signal but it made no difference. The camera is not wireless, and I purchased a quality RCA cable. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Clyde9 · June 09, 2009, 10:17 PM

Okay, The signal from the camera, is it RF or is it Video? When plugging it into the TV, which you say works fine with it, is it plugged into the Video Input? Does the monitor have just Video in, or Video and RV in?

Jack

GulfCoastFighter0 · June 09, 2009, 11:16 PM

Camera is RCA Video output, monitor is RCA video input. I can use the same cable from the camera to any TV (RCA video input) and it works fine. Same cable from the VCR/DVD/Antenna to the monitor works fine.

Clyde9 · June 09, 2009, 11:29 PM

Does the monitor have two inputs, Video and RF?

ibdilbert01 · June 09, 2009, 11:51 PM

Maybe a NTSC or PAL issue. Some monitors will support both, some will not. Your TV more than likely supports both. If your camera is PAL, then your monitor/console will need to be compatible with PAL devices.

http://www.chinavasion.com/ntsc_pal_explanation.html

Arberg0 · June 10, 2009, 12:36 AM

just a thought here guys you say they will not play with each other but you can view on other devices i think you will find its as simple as a channel issue with that monitor Old type VCR and cams use either channel 3 or 4 as there viewing channel but who is to say what channel that monitor is on look at the back for a switch or a RF/trimmer control

arberg0

Clyde9 · June 10, 2009, 02:04 AM

That is the issue I was trying to figure out. If you are trying to watch RF (radio frequency) on a video input (ntsc, or pal, or hd), it simply will not work. Regular Video (interlaced, or not, does not matter) is not RF. They simply do not mix. I was a TV broadcast engineer for 20 years. That is why I was asking about the type of signals he is dealing with.

Anyway, If you want to call me, I did email my number to you. I do believe I can help you.

Jack

GulfCoastFighter0 · June 10, 2009, 07:00 PM

I'm not ignoring you guys, I've just been replacing the transmission and oil cooler lines due to sudden leaks! The monitor only has one input, no channels or input to select. I'm checking on the other things that were mentioned between my other projects. Thanks for the information I've received so far. I'll post when I've had a chance to figure out the information that was mentioned.

GulfCoastFighter0 · June 13, 2009, 11:26 AM

I didn't find out about the format for either the camera or monitor, but did manage to get the monitor to receive a signal by running the camera through my old VCR, then to the monitor. I never got a picture, but did break the "no signal" message. I'm just going to use my 5" portable TV for the camera monitor and move the overhead to the upper bunk for the kids to watch movies on rainy days.

GulfCoastFighter0 · August 09, 2009, 11:43 PM

Now that I"m all caught up, I'm visiting this project again. The camera is PAL format, and the monitor apparently doesn't support it. It works great as a small monitor for the kids to watch movies, but not for my back up camera. Now, I'll see which I can replace cheapest, the camera or the monitor! Darn addictive e-bay!

tiinytina · August 10, 2009, 09:08 AM

monitors are not TV's and vice versa.... you need an S-video cable I think but not positive.

Tina

Clyde9 · August 11, 2009, 10:27 AM

Looks like you have this thing under control now. You have discovered that the camera output is not NTSC, rather, it is PAL format. If the Camera does not have internal switches to change from PAL to NTSC, and some DO!! then the only recourse is to use a PAL monitor or NTSC camera.

PS. Let us know in this post what you do to remedy the issue.

Jack.

GulfCoastFighter0 · August 13, 2009, 06:07 PM

Which device I can get cheap first is how I'll fix it. I'll be sure and let you know, but it may be a bit! Thanks again for all your help!

GulfCoastFighter0 · September 09, 2009, 11:34 AM

O.K. Jack, I purchased a el-cheapo rear view camera on e-bay (Elang Eye 305) and it fixed me right up! It has a nice wide view and a distance scale displayed on the monitor. I'll get the thing mounted up and take a picture of the display soon. Thanks again for the help.

Clyde9 · September 09, 2009, 08:46 PM

I am always glad to help!!

Jack

GulfCoastFighter0 · October 19, 2009, 05:13 PM

I finally completed the install of the new camera! I mounted it to the bottom of the rear brake light assembly, the switch next to the ignition switch, the monitor in place of the rear view mirror,and it's working great! Nice deep view, from 3 feet behind the rig, way back down the road!

Clyde9 · October 19, 2009, 08:00 PM

Congratulations, it looks great!

Jack