Coochas

What I love about this thread is that the OP clearly does car stuff in an obsessive fashion. I can relate!

ShakeNBake

Ok, upgrading to the 4-channel axis 241Q encoder (was $40 on ebay) and running each camera on its own encoder channel made a massive difference in video quality compared to the matrix that combines all camera into one NTSC video. It looks as good as the backup camera on the X5. Pretty easy to setup the Axis as well. If you've setup a router before, it's about the same level of difficulty - the highest part being setting up an assigned IP for the encoder on whatever you are using for a wifi router.

I'm done - this seems like as good as it could get...and easy to expand to however many cameras I want beyond the three. The price is about the same. $30 for the wifi router, $40 for the (used) encoder, $15-20 for each camera, and 30ish for wiring and power distribution.

txhokie4life

Bummer -- I copied your previous method -- will have to see if that is good enough....

ShakeNBake

All three configurations worked. I think my X5 has a lot of RF shielding, so that could be why I had trouble with the wifi signal. I didn't experiment with a wifi repeater, but that is another option to boost the signal.

aryork

Shake: in the summer are you going to have overheating problems in your server room, err trailer, and have to upgrade your AC?

ShakeNBake

ShakeNBake

I'm installing a backup system for a friend at COTA this weekend, if anyone is interested in learning about it, please PM me. Cost is about $50 for a used 4 channel encoder off ebay, $110 for high powered outdoor 5ghz router, $20 per camera, $20-30 for wiring. It will be powered by the AUX circuit on the 7-pin wiring harness. Should be interesting....

txhokie4life

Have a link to the router?

What are you using for a display that is picking up the 5 Ghz?

How's the in motion ability? I have the 2.4Ghz router, but haven't been using it just yet as I hadn't decided what to use as my video receiver.

Mike

ShakeNBake

The router is an Omnitik 5 AC - which is a heavy duty, high power outdoor unit that can survive inside an aluminum trailer in texas. I had an indoor unit that failed pretty quickly with the NVH and temps, so I switched to this one. It's survived about 5000 miles now. I moved to a 5Ghz signal because even though you can get a strong 2.4 signal, you are competing with a lot of spectrum as you drive through residential areas. With 2.4 I could see the transmission speed slow down and the video get choppy, even with a strong signal.

Most modern apple products can use 5ghz 802.11ac, so the video display is an ipad or iphone running a Security Camera display app. I'm sure you could make it work on android with the right hardware.

txhokie4life

Thanks! BTW, I work for Apple -- so best not be found with Android gear :-)

M

ShakeNBake

Someone asked for instructions. I'm far from a tech writer, but here is what I put together for a friend.

https://docs.google.com/presentation...it?usp=sharing

batmanm3

Thank you for taking the time to reply and put this together.
I will attempt to replicate...

ShakeNBake

Ok, instructions are finished - at least first draft.....

https://docs.google.com/presentation...it?usp=sharing

F1CrazyDriver

Very cool and thank you for the documentation.

txhokie4life

Very nice ---

was there a reason that you moved away from this?

A composite video matrix for security cameras. Takes 4 x 480i signals and outputs one 480i signal with each video in it's own slot on screen all at the same time. You can mirror cameras, and choose from a few different layouts. There are a lot of "multiplexer" units out there, but this is the only one that will do 3 channel layouts properly. 12v power. $40


I have that --- but just bought the 5G router.

thanks,

mike