Hi all
Bought an RCA front camera as I was hoping I could use the f-cam app to get front and rear camera views and to get the front camera on for 10 seconds after reverse as per the option for the front camera in the factory settings.
So had a pig of an afternoon running the cables and what not but the only way I get the front cam view on display is by the AVIn app which isn’t ideal as it kills the radio and also seems to stall and affect the head unit.
Selecting front in the fcam app shows a warning of missing input and if you set it to activate after reverse the same occurs.
It’s strange for the unit that have the option of this function without actually doing it via the video in feed, Do I need another harness for this specifically for cam input??.
Here is the back of my unit. Can’t do the soldering to the board mod, but hoping there’s an easier way considering it’s part of the operating system.
Danno1975 said:
Hi all
Bought an RCA front camera as I was hoping I could use the f-cam app to get front and rear camera views and to get the front camera on for 10 seconds after reverse as per the option for the front camera in the factory settings.
So had a pig of an afternoon running the cables and what not but the only way I get the front cam view on display is by the AVIn app which isn’t ideal as it kills the radio and also seems to stall and affect the head unit.
Selecting front in the fcam app shows a warning [emoji615]️ of missing input and if you set it to activate after reverse the same occurs.
It’s strange for the unit that have the option of this function without actually doing it via the video in feed, Do I need another harness for this specifically for cam input??.
Here is the back of my unit. Can’t do the soldering to the board mod, but hoping there’s an easier way considering it’s part of the operating system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't the front camera meant to be on usb?
hans.vinkers said:
Isn't the front camera meant to be on usb?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, only for dvr, I have that and it’s working well. But it doesn’t work with F-cam
Also noticed today that the rear f cam app is reversed ie left is right, but when reversing the view is correct. Can’t find any settings for the f-cam app.
Danno1975 said:
Hi all
Bought an RCA front camera as I was hoping I could use the f-cam app to get front and rear camera views and to get the front camera on for 10 seconds after reverse as per the option for the front camera in the factory settings.
So had a pig of an afternoon running the cables and what not but the only way I get the front cam view on display is by the AVIn app which isn’t ideal as it kills the radio and also seems to stall and affect the head unit.
Selecting front in the fcam app shows a warning of missing input and if you set it to activate after reverse the same occurs.
It’s strange for the unit that have the option of this function without actually doing it via the video in feed, Do I need another harness for this specifically for cam input??.
Here is the back of my unit. Can’t do the soldering to the board mod, but hoping there’s an easier way considering it’s part of the operating system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you connected power to the RCA front camera? I do have a switch on my car to give/cut power to front camera itself.
If I don't power it up I get warning sign as well.
Hello! did you solve this problem? Im having the same issue
I have been spending the last week or two reading nearly everything in these android head unit forums. I have but one suggestion I cannot seem to find anyone who has tried it. I will be testing this method out shortly my self. But have you considered a 4 way video splitter. I have no experience with fcam app btw. Also I would mention that I have spent most of my time trying to find threads or posts of people who have used factory front/rear , 360 cameras for parking assistance. So far most seem to only use back up cameras or front camera for DVR(dashcam). American market brands of these types of splitters are 100-300$ usd aliexpress chinacom versions are 20-50$ I will be buying a china version when I get ready to order parts.
Was a solution ever found to this problem?
I am in same situation.
I have "fcam" app but it only shows reverse picture, can't workout which pins are for front camera so running front camera through AVin ....like above this is not ideal
Did you ever figure this out? Currently dealing with the same scenario.
I sorted it by buying a different head unit.. I now have a brosmartek 8227L and front camera works as it has its own input connection. It holds front camera image for 3, 5 or 8 seconds after forward gear is engaged after reverse
Hi to all,
I have the same problem and I found the solution..
So I found this diagram into the forum (https://forum.xda-developers.com/android-auto/android-head-units/vw-head-unit-android-10-t4132083)
As you can see there is an input for f-cam (No9) but if you see the plug (radio cable) the specific pin have no cable.
You must connect a cable for video with a new cable connected to pin No9 and you must also take the cround from another connection (I took it from No40) and with this two new cables you can creat a new female RCA for the F-Cam..
I hope my solution to help you...
simosk78 said:
Hi to all,
I have the same problem and I found the solution..
So I found this diagram into the forum (https://forum.xda-developers.com/android-auto/android-head-units/vw-head-unit-android-10-t4132083)
As you can see there is an input for f-cam (No9) but if you see the plug (radio cable) the specific pin have no cable.
You must connect a cable for video with a new cable connected to pin No9 and you must also take the cround from another connection (I took it from No40) and with this two new cables you can creat a new female RCA for the F-Cam..
I hope my solution to help you...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hello, i am now attempting to do the same , what plug did you use on 9 ? and the one for 40 ground you just took it from slot 40 but where does it go on 9?
I have a PX5 head unit running Android 8.0 Oreo. I’ve already connected a rear view camera that works great, but I’d also like to connect a front view camera. I’ll be connecting the camera to the composite/CVBS AV IN video input.
I don’t expect any problem using it simply as a front view camera by launching the AV IN app to view the video signal, but I was wondering if it is possible to use the same video signal for the DVR dash cam app (I know the quality won’t be all that great, but still)?
Also, the AV cable harness of my head unit includes a red ‘CAM POW’ wire. I haven’t measured yet, but perhaps somebody knows if it gets 12V when the radio is on? Otherwise I’ll have to look for a different 12V source. I’ve already enabled the ‘Front cam’ option in the Factory settings and I’ve set the ‘DVR’ option to ‘USB+CVBS’.
Nobody? :crying:
The cam pow wire will output 12v when the F-cam app is open (or when reverse gear is triggered via the reverse wire).
I don’t know of a way to use that video for the DVR app, and moreover the front/rear cameras typically have a voltage converter from 12v to whatever lower voltage the camera itself uses. This is integrated either into the camera or on the wire somewhere and it warms up very quickly. The camera isn’t meant to be on all the time as a result because it overheats and can stop working.
The DVR app is made to receive a signal from a certain type of USB camera only afaik. You can find them on AliExpress too.. then again I gotta check my settings, because I’ve never messed around with it.
vassandrei said:
The cam pow wire will output 12v when the F-cam app is open (or when reverse gear is triggered via the reverse wire).
I don’t know of a way to use that video for the DVR app, and moreover the front/rear cameras typically have a voltage converter from 12v to whatever lower voltage the camera itself uses. This is integrated either into the camera or on the wire somewhere and it warms up very quickly. The camera isn’t meant to be on all the time as a result because it overheats and can stop working.
The DVR app is made to receive a signal from a certain type of USB camera only afaik. You can find them on AliExpress too.. then again I gotta check my settings, because I’ve never messed around with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see, thanks for the detailed reply!
I’ll forget about using this camera as a dash cam.
Do you know if the CAM POW wire also outputs 12V when the AV IN app is open? Or is it just when the F-Cam app is open (and set to the front cam)?
jorisvervuurt said:
I see, thanks for the detailed reply!
I’ll forget about using this camera as a dash cam.
Do you know if the CAM POW wire also outputs 12V when the AV IN app is open? Or is it just when the F-Cam app is open (and set to the front cam)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a good question.. I haven't tested. I'll try tomorrow and tell you the result. I'm going to lean towards no though, because otherwise anytime that AV-in would be open my rear/front camera and parking system would turn on, which would be inconvenient if watching some AUX video in source (like a console).
vassandrei said:
That's a good question.. I haven't tested. I'll try tomorrow and tell you the result. I'm going to lean towards no though, because otherwise anytime that AV-in would be open my rear/front camera and parking system would turn on, which would be inconvenient if watching some AUX video in source (like a console).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, thanks!
Another question...
My head unit only has two (yellow) RCA video inputs.
One is labeled 'CAM VIN', to which my reverse camera is connected.
The other input is labeled 'AUX VIN' (also a yellow RCA).
Is my assumption that F-Cam uses the 'AUX VIN' signal correct (so, the same signal that is shown in the AV IN app)?
jorisvervuurt said:
Awesome, thanks!
Another question...
My head unit only has two (yellow) RCA video inputs.
One is labeled 'CAM VIN', to which my reverse camera is connected.
The other input is labeled 'AUX VIN' (also a yellow RCA).
Is my assumption that F-Cam uses the 'AUX VIN' signal correct (so, the same signal that is shown in the AV IN app)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright so I tested and the AVIN app has no effect on the CAM-POW pin, because my parking sensors and rear/front cameras definitely don’t turn on when I open the avin app.
Cam-VIN is your reverse camera in most likely. It will show when you give the reverse pin 12v and thereby activate the reverse camera app (or open the f-cam app and switch to rear view mode via the button on the screen).
Aux vin is what the AVIN app shows, and is not tied to any power pin as far as I know.
F-cam in is separate from those two and the connector isn’t always present on all units. You might have the f-cam in pin on a second AV connector that doesn’t have any plugs included for it (for instance on my unit f-cam in is on a small 8 pin connector next to my main av connector which I had to make my own cables for)
Check the front parking camera mod thread on here, I posted pictures of what my Witson unit looks like.
vassandrei said:
Alright so I tested and the AVIN app has no effect on the CAM-POW pin, because my parking sensors and rear/front cameras definitely don’t turn on when I open the avin app.
Cam-VIN is your reverse camera in most likely. It will show when you give the reverse pin 12v and thereby activate the reverse camera app (or open the f-cam app and switch to rear view mode via the button on the screen).
Aux vin is what the AVIN app shows, and is not tied to any power pin as far as I know.
F-cam in is separate from those two and the connector isn’t always present on all units. You might have the f-cam in pin on a second AV connector that doesn’t have any plugs included for it (for instance on my unit f-cam in is on a small 8 pin connector next to my main av connector which I had to make my own cables for)
Check the front parking camera mod thread on here, I posted pictures of what my Witson unit looks like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much!
I've checked the other thread and I may be in luck with the 8 pin connector.
Mine's also a Witson unit: http://www.witson.com/en/displayproduct.html?proID=102131570
I don't have a photo of the actual unit in my car, but according to Witson's product photo it does have the 8-pin connector:
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I currently have my reverse camera connected to CAM VIN (video signal, yellow RCA) and the +12V to the brown REVERSE wire on the main ISO harness.
That brown REVERSE wire gets +12V when I manually change gear to the reverse gear (otherwise it's at 0V, I've measured it), but clicking the reverse camera button in F-Cam doesn't get me +12V on that wire.
If I understand correctly, you have both your front view camera and your reverse camera connected to the red CAM POW wire on the AV-harness?
Does the radio output +12V on the red CAM POW wire when you manually change gear to the reverse gear AND when clicking the reverse camera button in F-Cam?
If so, I'll have to change the wiring.
As for the 8-pin connector: what is it called and where can I order the correct harness?
Thanks again for all the useful info!!!
jorisvervuurt said:
Thank you so much!
I've checked the other thread and I may be in luck with the 8 pin connector.
Mine's also a Witson unit: http://www.witson.com/en/displayproduct.html?proID=102131570
I don't have a photo of the actual unit in my car, but according to Witson's product photo it does have the 8-pin connector:
I currently have my reverse camera connected to CAM VIN (video signal, yellow RCA) and the +12V to the brown REVERSE wire on the main ISO harness.
That brown REVERSE wire gets +12V when I manually change gear to the reverse gear (otherwise it's at 0V, I've measured it), but clicking the reverse camera button in F-Cam doesn't get me +12V on that wire.
If I understand correctly, you have both your front view camera and your reverse camera connected to the red CAM POW wire on the AV-harness?
Does the radio output +12V on the red CAM POW wire when you manually change gear to the reverse gear AND when clicking the reverse camera button in F-Cam?
If so, I'll have to change the wiring.
As for the 8-pin connector: what is it called and where can I order the correct harness?
Thanks again for all the useful info!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reverse wire is meant to receive 12v+ into the head unit as a signal of you having changed gears. It's typically hooked up to your reverse light (as it turns on when you switch into reverse).
and YES! The CAM POW wire outputs 12v BOTH when in reverse gear (triggered by the reverse signal wire receiving 12v) AND when opening the f-CAM app!! It's actually super cool because not only is it an automatic parking assistance system (for both front and rear) but you can totally check either camera at ANY time, even during driving, or being stuck in traffic. It's quite fun
Yes, I currently have both my front and rear camera powered by the CAM POW wire. I did use a relay though, so as not to overload the one pin (because I have a video-based parking sensor system installed on both the front and rear as well).
The 8 pin connector -- I have no idea what it's called. I just dug around through my old head unit connectors from my other car and found one that was the same size but wider. I cut it so that it was 4 pins (instead of something like 16). So, if someone else knows what those types of connectors are called, that would be helpful.
vassandrei said:
The reverse wire is meant to receive 12v+ into the head unit as a signal of you having changed gears. It's typically hooked up to your reverse light (as it turns on when you switch into reverse).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My head unit has two brown REVERSE wires; one on the main ISO harness and one on the AV harness. The one on the AV harness never outputs +12V, as it is the trigger wire. The REVERSE wire on the main ISO harness however, does output +12V when I manually select reverse gear. This is done through the CANbus system. My reverse camera is not connected to the reverse light wiring.
vassandrei said:
and YES! The CAM POW wire outputs 12v BOTH when in reverse gear (triggered by the reverse signal wire receiving 12v) AND when opening the f-CAM app!! It's actually super cool because not only is it an automatic parking assistance system (for both front and rear) but you can totally check either camera at ANY time, even during driving, or being stuck in traffic. It's quite fun
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds great! I’ll be measuring some of these wires soon, as I’m probably going to change the wiring. It’ll be particulary useful to read license plates of cars that are ‘bumperklevers’ as we call them in Dutch.
vassandrei said:
Yes, I currently have both my front and rear camera powered by the CAM POW wire. I did use a relay though, so as not to overload the one pin (because I have a video-based parking sensor system installed on both the front and rear as well).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, okay. Will that also be necessary when connecting two simple cameras, of which one has four white LEDs? I guess they won’t use that much power.
vassandrei said:
The 8 pin connector -- I have no idea what it's called. I just dug around through my old head unit connectors from my other car and found one that was the same size but wider. I cut it so that it was 4 pins (instead of something like 16). So, if someone else knows what those types of connectors are called, that would be helpful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aha, okay. I’ll ask the seller of my radio.
@vassandrei I have just (without taking the radio out of the dashboard) measured the red CAM POW wire on the AV-harness.
Good news! Normally, the wire reads 0V. When I open the F-Cam app - no matter if the front or back camera is selected - it reads +12V. This is also the case when the reverse gear is selected, even when the F-Cam app is not opened.
Note that all of the above is working without having the reverse trigger wire connected to the reverse light positive; all through the CANbus system.:laugh:
I’m going to change how my reverse camera is connected, as it right now only gets power when I select the reverse gear.
Bad news! :crying:
I just took my radio out to see if it has the 8-pin connector.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t actually have the connector installed, though it does look like everything on the PCB in place; it’s just the connector that wasn’t soldered on during production (probably to save cost).
I could open the unit and manually solder a connector on, but I assume that will void my warranty...
jorisvervuurt said:
Bad news! :crying:
I just took my radio out to see if it has the 8-pin connector.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t actually have the connector installed, though it does look like everything on the PCB in place; it’s just the connector that wasn’t soldered on during production (probably to save cost).
I could open the unit and manually solder a connector on, but I assume that will void my warranty...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awww man that sucks! I would still consider soldering.. the warranty isn’t worth much (huge pain in the butt to send for repairs anyway ). The convenience and novelty are worth it for me
vassandrei said:
Awww man that sucks! I would still consider soldering.. the warranty isn’t worth much (huge pain in the butt to send for repairs anyway ). The convenience and novelty are worth it for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I’m definitely considering soldering directly to the board (I’m quite experienced in soldering so that is no problem at all). Instead of ordering through e.g. AliExpress, I ordered the radio through Icebox Auto in the UK, so should I need the warranty, it shouldn’t be a very big problem as I also live in the EU (The Netherlands).
I’ve emailed them to ask about soldering to the board. Preferably, I’d solder the correct female connector to the PCB, but I haven’t found the name of the 8 pin connector so far. :crying:
Here’s a photo of how my radio looks from the back:
jorisvervuurt said:
Yeah, I’m definitely considering soldering directly to the board (I’m quite experienced in soldering so that is no problem at all). Instead of ordering through e.g. AliExpress, I ordered the radio through Icebox Auto in the UK, so should I need the warranty, it shouldn’t be a very big problem as I also live in the EU (The Netherlands).
I’ve emailed them to ask about soldering to the board. Preferably, I’d solder the correct female connector to the PCB, but I haven’t found the name of the 8 pin connector so far. :crying:
Here’s a photo of how my radio looks from the back:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah the one to the left of the circle hole is it. I can even see the bits of solder on the pads! I would solder a wire directly to the board, not bothering with connectors
vassandrei said:
Yeah the one to the left of the circle hole is it. I can even see the bits of solder on the pads! I would solder a wire directly to the board, not bothering with connectors
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, it really looks like they just saved on production costs and figured we wouldn’t need the connector. Soldering wires would work too, though I prefer the connectors to be as they would be from the factory. I’ve been looking around the internet and it looks like it’s a 2x4p PHB wire-to-board connector with 2.0mm spacing. Not entirely sure though, but they look identical...
Will keep this thread updated once I hear from Rob at Icebox Auto. :good:
By the way, which pins are needed for the F-CAM RCA-in? I assume ground and signal, but which ones are they on the 8-pin connector?
jorisvervuurt said:
Yep, it really looks like they just saved on production costs and figured we wouldn’t need the connector. Soldering wires would work too, though I prefer the connectors to be as they would be from the factory. I’ve been looking around the internet and it looks like it’s a 2x4p PHB wire-to-board connector with 2.0mm spacing. Not entirely sure though, but they look identical...
Will keep this thread updated once I hear from Rob at Icebox Auto. :good:
By the way, which pins are needed for the F-CAM RCA-in? I assume ground and signal, but which ones are they on the 8-pin connector?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the way I have it on mine:
vassandrei said:
This is the way I have it on mine:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, thanks for the clear picture!
Today I went ahead and took out the radio (again); this time including the wiring...
I've rewired the rear view camera, so that I can enable it even while driving forward.
I've modified the AV-harness so that I have two +12V wires (with bullet connectors) coming from the CAM-POW wire. See attached photo.
Almost all preparations for a future front-view camera are finished. Modifying the radio's PCB is the only thing left to do, but I'm gonna wait for Icebox Auto's response regarding the warranty.
It's kind of funny to enable the rear view camera while driving forward. :silly:
@vassandrei An additional question regarding the CAM-POW wire:
Do you know how much current (mA) the CAM-POW wire can provide?
As you can see in my previous post, I’d like to connect two cameras to the CAM-POW wire. One of those cameras has 4 white LEDs built-in. How does a relay setup look and when is it needed? Or will two cameras work just fine?
Hi There,
I have installed a generic android 10.1 - 2GB (RAM)+32GB (ROM) unit and have an issue with the reverse camera.
When in reverse, screen blanks out but no image.
I have had the unit and the camera replaced and have had 2 experienced installers look at the problem but no fix.
Does anyone have any suggestions to fix the problem?
Also, do you think a 12V DC Kit Power Relay Filter Rectifiers Capacitor may help?
Thanks in advance
Bondibiz said:
Hi There,
I have installed a generic android 10.1 - 2GB (RAM)+32GB (ROM) unit and have an issue with the reverse camera.
When in reverse, screen blanks out but no image.
I have had the unit and the camera replaced and have had 2 experienced installers look at the problem but no fix.
Does anyone have any suggestions to fix the problem?
Also, do you think a 12V DC Kit Power Relay Filter Rectifiers Capacitor may help?
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The radio shows the blank black screen because the radio gets no video signal.
This can be related to 2 different things:
Missing 12V power at the camera.
Measure the cam connection for ground and +12V if your reverse gear is activated.
If there is missing something, you need to follow the cable and check the connections.
The fact that the black screen is shown, tells us that the radio itself is connected correctly.
Wrong CAM-In port used.
Check if you really used the CAM-In and not the Video-In connector
The capacitor is normally not helpful if you don´t get a video signal.
You don´t tell us in your posting how the power is provided to the cam. So that may help for further investigation.
rigattoni said:
The radio shows the blank black screen because the radio gets no video signal.
This can be related to 2 different things:
Missing 12V power at the camera.
Measure the cam connection for ground and +12V if your reverse gear is activated.
If there is missing something, you need to follow the cable and check the connections.
The fact that the black screen is shown, tells us that the radio itself is connected correctly.
Wrong CAM-In port used.
Check if you really used the CAM-In and not the Video-In connector
The capacitor is normally not helpful if you don´t get a video signal.
You don´t tell us in your posting how the power is provided to the cam. So that may help for further investigation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The power to the cam is provided by connecting the positives from the camera to the reverse light positive input and the negative earthed. This is then connected to the android head unit, video input and the reverse cable.
Bondibiz said:
The power to the cam is provided by connecting the positives from the camera to the reverse light positive input and the negative earthed. This is then connected to the android head unit, video input and the reverse cable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you check that the Cam is connected to the CAM-IN connector at the unit?
...and did you measure the voltage delivered to the cam?
Which car are you driving? Does it have LED back lights?
Does the cam deliver a picture if you connect it directly to +12V instead of using the back light?
Without measuring, there is no need to answer from your side. This is mandatory to step forward.
i have the same issue. reverse camera show during installation but after few hours no image. only can see the lines. i connect the rca to my tv.it show reverse image .
I already wrote it in another topic. You need to use search instead of a new topic.. I don't know which car and which head unit. I had a VW Golf 6 powered by the reversing light and there was interference, stripes across the image. There are suppressors for powering from the reversing light, also on AliExpress. But the better option is mine. I found a pin on my main unit directly for powering the backup camera, which has 12v when I put it in reverse. It works perfectly, without interference or problems. I have a Can-Bus system. I'll put the pin-out of my unit here. Maybe it will help you.
And what about the black image after putting it in reverse, either there is no 12v power supply for the camera, or the input for the camera is incorrect.. use the cinch Reverse Cam input, do not plug into the cinch Cam-in this it is used for the front camera. Another option is to set the main unit for the backup camera, maybe the system is NTSC and it is set to PAL, or vice versa, depending on where you come from. Another option is to set the input of the backup camera type AHD, and the camera is normal, SD, I I tried the AHD type (better quality) and the picture was black. Inform us.
I got some issued on my android car head unit. No video input, on reserse.
Usinf canbus cable pink for electricity.
Check the video here :