Reverse camera query: USB webcam or mini "spy" camera?

**SamDude** · 12-17-2004, 05:26 AM

Originally Posted by andyhardy

The spycam receiver can be wired into a relay to switch on - if your TFT has auto switching on then perhaps it might automatically switch to reverse when the reversing light is on? (using the signal from the reverse gear switch at the selector).

That way you can have it fully automated - although wiring in a switch would be good so you can keep an eye on the bloke behind you even when not reversing!

Thanks Andy,

Could you also wire the switch signal to the reverse light? My Golf is a manual, so the gear selector option is a no-no...

**Big Zack** · 12-17-2004, 06:08 AM

Originally Posted by SamDude

Could you also wire the switch signal to the reverse light? My Golf is a manual, so the gear selector option is a no-no...

I think that would be easier than trying to tap into to gear selector switch. Just run a wire from the +12v that goes to one of your reverse lights to a relay switch to control whatever you want.

Also... I have been testing a composite cam connected via a "Y" cable to the aux-in on my USB WinTV box (so I can record w/ the hauppauge software) and directly to the aux-in of a standalone monitor for "no-waiting" backup video. So far, so good.

- Z

**SamDude** · 12-17-2004, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by Big Zack

I think that would be easier than trying to tap into to gear selector switch. Just run a wire from the +12v that goes to one of your reverse lights to a relay switch to control whatever you want.

Noted.

Also... I have been testing a composite cam connected via a "Y" cable to the aux-in on my USB WinTV box (so I can record w/ the hauppauge software) and directly to the aux-in of a standalone monitor for "no-waiting" backup video. So far, so good.

Nice...

Questions that 'got lost' when we moved to page 3:

Originally Posted by SamDude

Thanks Hoss...

How much power does a composite camera draw? (+/- for a USB webcam?)

Are there any particular (wide angle) camera's which work well for the price?

Any hanging around eBay?

Thanks again.

**andyhardy** · 12-17-2004, 07:54 AM

The spycam's take bugger all power - the one I have ready for my car runs off of a 9v battery (the rectangular one with both terminals on the same end). You can wire it up permanently to a 9v source if you can find one - I can't remember exactly but I think the receiver runs off of 9v DC as well, so you'll need to arrange for some sort of power adapter to drop the voltage down in your car or something similar - I've been quite slack with this part of my install so I haven't got that far yet.

Cheers,

Andy

**SamDude** · 12-17-2004, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by andyhardy

The spycam's take bugger all power - the one I have ready for my car runs off of a 9v battery (the rectangular one with both terminals on the same end). You can wire it up permanently to a 9v source if you can find one - I can't remember exactly but I think the receiver runs off of 9v DC as well, so you'll need to arrange for some sort of power adapter to drop the voltage down in your car or something similar - I've been quite slack with this part of my install so I haven't got that far yet.

Cheers,

Andy

Hmm....

Looking on eBay, this runs off 6V and doesn't have a receiver - its wired directly to the screen/monitor.

Is your's a wireless setup or is there something I'm missing?

**Skipjacks** · 12-17-2004, 08:35 AM

The advantage to regular webcams is that they are cheap and I already have 2 of them. The best hardware to use for me is the stuff I already have and don't have to pay more money for.

**SamDude** · 12-18-2004, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by SamDude

Are there any particular (wide angle) camera's which work well for the price?

Any hanging around eBay?

*bump*

**Imagex** · 12-18-2004, 09:49 AM

This may help some of you, microsoft has a free video sample program that will display web cams and you can run as many windows of it as you like just set the input to a differant cam, also you can flip the image for reverse cams.
The progam is : amcap.exe