Front camera advice

[ZBoater]

I'm wanting to install a front camera, primarily to help me park. I'm not really interested in watching DVDs or messing with the GPS while driving, so I'm finding the cost of the popular solutions a bit off putting.

I'm also considering a Livewire tuner, and I understand it has camera input. So, here's my question - would it be possible to install a front facing camera and route it to the Livewire tuner and use it during parking maneuvers? Assuming the Livewire is semi-permanently installed somewhere?

Anyone use the video input feed of the Livewire? How do you activate it?

Thoughts on my poor mans plan?

 

[gwpfan]

sub'd - I haven't done it, but if it weren't for my factory front camera that's likely what I would do as I have a Livewire for my Eco. I will likely tune the Raptor as well, but I want a few more miles on it.

I have a buddy that bought a camera for $14 that works quite well and tied that into his aftermarket stereo/DVD. A tuner and a camera combo I would think would be pretty cost effective. My only other concern is when one goes in for service to pull down the Livewire and yet have the front camera wire hanging out. Might be a bit suspicious, that is if your concerned about the warranty. I tried doing a quick search on what other monitors look like but can't seem to find one quite like the Livewire, but if you did a suction cup mount it may not matter much.

The other thing that does have me yet reconsidering is when driving and using the factory front camera its kind of odd looking down at the center console and driving. I would think it would be a lot better having a window mounted setup.
Also this would need a clarification as from the SCT website "Rear View Camera Input
The Rear View Camera Input Connector is built-in to the Livewire TS OBD-II Cable for easy connection of most aftermarket Rear View Cameras!"

 

[ZBoater]

Yeah, I guessed that if it can receive a rear view camera input, it won't know the difference between that and a front camera input, but I'd feel better if someone has done it already. If not, I'll break new ground! I'm curious how one turns the camera on and off.

I'm thinking of mounting the Livewire using a Proclip angled mount right where that little useless cubby hole is on the passenger side. It will be next to the nav screen.

Yeah, I also wonder if the dealer would buy the "hey, it's a front camera monitor!" line. I mean, I can use the Livewire to read ODB data and not tune, right?

(If they buy that, I'll sell them a really big bridge in San Francisco. Cheap...)

 

[ZBoater]

Wow, I've done some digging and can't find much. I did find someone complaining they had to turn on the camera manually rather than have it come on automatically in reverse, which for us works since we want a front camera. There's a "reverse camera" button on the main screen, which I'm guessing you hit and voila!

The camera input is a single RCA jack on the Livewire cable, so this should be straightforward. I'm looking at a Proclip mount to mount this semi permanently.

Is the cable long enough to route to the ODB port from here?

And can someone please tell me the dimensions of the Livewire TS? Amazing that info is nowhere to be found.

 

[ZBoater]

Or maybe this one.

 

[cbs001]

I have done it through my NAV. Put a $200 aftermarket camera and routed it through my aftermarket NAV. Just flip my first up-lifter switch and have image. Great for off-roading, but a life savor when parking. You should be able to run it to any screen that has the proper input.Not sure if about livewire.

 

[The Car Stereo Company]

why does a tuner have a camera input? im not sure how that would work.

 

[ZBoater]

why does a tuner have a camera input? im not sure how that would work.

Don't know. It's one of the "features" of the Livewire TS tuner. It's a 4" screen device with no physical buttons. It has an RCA video input, and is advertised as compatible with most aftermarket rear view cameras.

I'm spending the extra $ on the Livewire because of the touchscreen, the logging ability, and the different gauges I can display while driving. The camera input is just one feature I figured I could use to display an aftermarket front facing camera, since I don't have any front camera at the moment. From some YouTube videos it seems that you hit the "home" button on the Livewire, and right in the middle of the screen there's a "camera" button. Pressing it displays the camera feed being fed into the Livewire's RCA input. It's PERFECT for what I want it for, just to aid in parking.

If it doesn't work, I'll try plan B.

Here's a video.

The Livewire TS is the latest release from SCT Performance here at SEMA 2012 - YouTube

 

[gwpfan]

The Livewire's OBDII cable is plenty long enough. I actually wrap it around my steering column once to use up the extra slack.

 

[ZBoater]

The Livewire's OBDII cable is plenty long enough. I actually wrap it around my steering column once to use up the extra slack.

Thanks! After some thought I think the best spot for this is on the left. It's going to be at a higher position closer to eye level to where I won't have to take my eyes off the road as much, and it's plenty out of the way. The included suction mount would work, but it prefer a Proclip mount for a fixed, neater look. They have three flavors for the F150, so I'm thinking this one.