Anybody thought of a blind spot camera?

MDLarson · 04-04-2005, 06:56 PM

See, it'd be easier to glance down at your built-in LCD than to crank your neck around like everybody else does on the road... I'm wondering if anybody's implemented a wide angle camera and had that going as they drive down the highway?

Obviously it's a big safety concern, and I'd be pretty nervous to actually trust it before I just merge on over, but what do you guys think?

I have heard of people mounting cameras to the rear of their car for backing up...

shotgunefx · 04-04-2005, 07:10 PM

I've got a Savv RV5000 camera for that purpose.I'm working on replacing my gauge cluster with a touchscreen. My car has a bad rear visibility so the idea is that the rearview feed will be an underlay behind the "gauges". I've played around with fitting and whatnot, but it's not installed yet.

TimmyM · 04-04-2005, 07:31 PM

Once my work van is repaired I plan on first installing a backup camera, then a front camera then maybe side cameras. I need the backup camera because the law requires either cross view mirrors or some sort of rearview camera on a van my size.

I'm going to be looking into some sort of video recording of all the feeds. A lot of business are do that for insurance reasons. If you are in an accident it can come down to your word against theirs. Having a video of the accident might help out.

MDLarson · 04-04-2005, 07:43 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by TimmyM

I'm going to be looking into some sort of video recording of all the feeds. A lot of business are do that for insurance reasons. If you are in an accident it can come down to your word against theirs. Having a video of the accident might help out.

Heh... that's a nice idea! If it's a real bad accident, the video you just recorded could end up destroyed unless you have a "black box" idea, or you have one of those crazy mobile broadband connections in which you could upload your video or something.

Of course, I'd be a lot less worried about that particular scenario if your van is the size of a semi truck, which it sounds like yours is!

I don't know if you're looking at Mac or not, but on a separate project, I'm spec'ing out an IP camera security system for a new building running SecuritySpy. It does pretty much what you're describing. Of course, there are probably several PC apps that do the same thing.

shotgunefx · 04-04-2005, 08:02 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by TimmyM

Once my work van is repaired I plan on first installing a backup camera, then a front camera then maybe side cameras. I need the backup camera because the law requires either cross view mirrors or some sort of rearview camera on a van my size.

I'm going to be looking into some sort of video recording of all the feeds. A lot of business are do that for insurance reasons. If you are in an accident it can come down to your word against theirs. Having a video of the accident might help out.

Like to see what you come up with for the multiple sources. I've got 2 tiny cameras embedded in "spots" in the cabin. I'd like to be able to record all three digitally. I'm going with linux so it limits my choices a bit. I suppose I could use a security vcr if I have to, but I'd prefer it integrated. I was looking at some new dual usb encoder on slashdot a couple weeks ago that wasn't too expensive. I'll have to dig up the model info.

TimmyM · 04-04-2005, 08:33 PM

I don't plan on going with USB, probably something like this, http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW. I believe it comes with software that records. I plan on trying to embed it in CF or maybe try and use the TV option in RR, or just run in the background while driving and bring it forward when I need to back up.

I'm assuming that I'd just save the video to the HD. If I'm involved in an accident that is so bad that it ruins a HD I think I'll have more to worry about then the HD.

This will be going into a 2 ton step van, simular to a UPS van.

Funny part of it is, my original quest was to make a reverse camera for this van which lead me to this site, now it doesn't seem to be as importaint.

i noticed the auction I linked above says it supports linux.

scott_fx · 04-04-2005, 08:53 PM

you could have them triggered by your turn signals...

TimmyM · 04-04-2005, 10:24 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by scott_fx

you could have them triggered by your turn signals...

Wouldn't the camera blink on and off?

KyleYankan · 04-04-2005, 10:36 PM

not if you hooked it to the switch.

scott_fx · 04-04-2005, 10:49 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by TimmyM

Wouldn't the camera blink on and off?

yes, if you wire it directly to a relay. but if you put a delay circuit of some sort on there as long as it gets the 'bursts' of 12v then it'll stay open

make sense? sorry if it doesn't i'm working on 3 hours of sleep right now. let me know if you need a better explanation

ysutarko · 04-04-2005, 10:50 PM

check this out

http://www.globalsources.com/gsol/I/...7840/22553.htm

MDLarson · 04-05-2005, 09:33 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by ysutarko

check this out

http://www.globalsources.com/gsol/I/...7840/22553.htm

Those seem really odd to me. Do they actually have mirrors on both sides of the video screen? (cause that looks kind of tacky)

shotgunefx · 04-05-2005, 10:12 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by joshthepilot

Well if they didn't, they really wouldn't be "rear view mirrors" would they? A camera isn't wide enough to get it all including backseat passengers.

Actually, some of them have a pretty wide field. The Savv I have has something like a 140-150 degree horizontal view angle.