dubz ASPEC

does anybody know if i can i hook one up to an 05??

larrynimmo

the only one i know that has done it is active fellow AZ member "470hpGs400"...he should be able to tell you how...he has promised to post a "how to do" article on this subject

PHARR

Hi. I have also had a backup camera hooked up to my 05RL. I got an video interface from G-NETCANADA. COM. I then let a local audio installer install mine. I got a kenwood camera from ebay. I've had it for about 6 months and I love it. Their is several companies that offer the interface you just have to take time and look for what you want done.

dubz ASPEC

^^^ thanks PHARR, i'm gonna check that out. Does anyone know if i can use this module via the factory dvd player to play videos off the nav screen>?? or does it need a seperate dvd player?

CFoote

It needs a seperate DVD player to play DVDs....

The interface boxes are actually pretty slick, and I think you'll find they will work just as well (if not better) than the factory camera kit.

My plan is to get a license plate frame backup camera (http://boyovta.com/products/vtl200.html), drill a hole to run the wire, and then the Interface box (http://www.soundgate.com/index.php?r...usereferrer=1&) which hooks directly into the NAV system will hook into the camera.

You can find the camera for about $160 shipped, the itnerface box for about $260 shipped, so for about $400 you'll have a good setup.

Chris

PHARR

Yes the interface also allows you to hook a seperate DVD player up and watch movies right on the navi screen. I haven't done it yet cause I can't figure out where I would like my DVD player to be mounted. I'm kinda funny about drilling holes in a car that I paid over 49k for.

Chas2

There are two installations that I recall before.

One was on the driveline hump in front of the rear AC and one was in the rear armrest somehow, you pull it down, and there was the player.

There are pictures of the installations on the board, so you might find them searching with google.

PHARR

I seen those threads and the pictures. I believe one of those cars was blue with 20' wheels. The DVD player I was looking at has a changer and a tv tuner on it. I think my problem is I would rather it all be mounted like the navi system in the trunk.

Blazing GT

I got a quote for 750$ is that too much?

drolds72

This sounds like its a really easy addition for the '05. As I read some product instructions, the only part I could not envision is supplying 12v switched power to the interface. Anybody know if that is available in the trunk area, or did you run it from the fuse box?

PHARR

Ya know I'm not sure. I just remember the installer saying he would run what was called a splice from the reverse lights to the interface so when the vehicle is put in reverse the camera would be activated. I'm sure the power is supplied from the fuse box. The parts and labor only cost me about $600 all together. Here in central Texas it all depends on what they had to take apart.

CFoote

Would the NAV DVD ROM drive had a switched 12V wire? I might assume so? Anyone with a 05 service manual want to take a look?

Chris

PHARR

When I get the car back this evening I will look. I also remember being told about unhooking a wire from the car to the nav dvd rom drive and running it through the interface then back to the nav dvd rom drive Sorry for not having the details considering I made those guys explain every thing before they touched the car. The interface I bought had the instruction on how to do it yourself on the website. I printed them and took it to the audio installer.

drolds72

OK, There are a couple of wires that look like they need to be hooked up in addition to the 20 pin plug. One is switched 12v power. I checked the shop manual, and it looks like the rear sunscreen should have this. I think it was the green wire. The next wire is the trigger wire for reverse. This gets spliced into the brown reverse light supply. When the interface detects voltage, it will switch to the camera. And then I think its just a regular ground. I think I might give this a try!

CFoote

It should be a very easy mod....let us know how it goes. I'd love to get this done before the snow flies.

drolds72

Will do. I just ordered the interface from autotoys.com for $189, and if all goes well, I should be winning a camera for about $50 on ebay today.

CFoote

Cool deal. Does the interface on the autotoys.com site have adjustments for Contrast, Brightness, Color, etc? It looks like it does, but the pictures are not very clear.

drolds72

The picture of the interface is the exact same one that is shown on the gnetcanada site, which also has the installation instructions online. These show that there are bright, color, contrast, and tint adjusters. So, assuming it is the same unit, it should have those as well. I get it, and the Boyo vtl400 camera on Tuesday, so I will let you know for sure then! I am going to be very excited if I can do this myself for $280 all in!

PHARR

I was going to do it myself until I saw the work that went into it. Becareful boss man you may want to look in the trunk and start pulling the fasteners apart just to get a idea of what your looking at. Pay special attention to the trunk lid. Depending on how you mount the camera will depend on what you do. Mine is mounted just like the oem except closer to the liscense plate. That called for some drilling.The installers have my system behind the panel in the trunk for a more professional look. Good luck.

PHARR

Oh I forgot I have everything that could go with the interface. If you get the remote your going to be disappointed maybe. My camera works so good I didn't need the remove to change the contrast or anything else. When I use the remote I can't even tell if its working. I will probably take it apart when I add the dvd player and hook it up to that.

drolds72

thanks for the heads up. I am just going to be using it for the camera right now. I bought a cheap trim tool, and have already figured out how to remove all the panels I need to get at. (factory service manual is amazingly detailed) Looks like I have to drill a hole through the plate and through the lid. The Boyo harness looks like it has a grommet on it already for the hole, otherwise I will add one.

CFoote

Sounds like a plan! Let us know how it goes, I'll be very interested to see your results. I think you'll love it.

drolds72

I should get everything in Tuesday. I just realized that the camera may block access to the trunk release button. Not sure how that will turn out. I guess a plan B would be to get the Kenwood camera and install it off to the side, with the wire hole going next to one of the plate lights. Will report back Tues nite!

larrynimmo

just for what it is worth, i thought it was very difficult to fish the wires through the trunk support struts.

drolds72

well, I got the interface and the camera today. I figured out how to remove all the trunk panels without damaging any. Then, I found the reverse light wire, and the switched power supply for acc I. I put the camera in first. Very easy. I was able to use one of the small holes next to the plate mounting holes to run the wire thru. I had to open it up just a tiny bit with a round file, and it was plastic, so no worries about corrosion. I did remove the plastic trim that is chrome and is over the plate for ease of access. Getting the wire thru the hinge was pretty easy as well. I removed the hinge at the lid with a #25 torx socket and it exposed both sides to fish wire from.
Then I plugged in the harness and made the appropriate splices. No problem so far. Get back in the car, plug in the nav pin and everything worked-except for the fact the color was way, way off. Strong yellow tint for both the Nav and the camera. The little adjusters on the interface did nothing. I unplugged everything and Nav went back to normal. I am trying to contact seller, but having very little luck. Anybody have color issues with an aftermarket setup? All in all, this was pretty easy with the use of the trim tool and the torx socket to remove the hinge. That would have been next to impossible just snaking it through.

CFoote

Just curious how you made out with the picture problems you were having -- any luck in getting things resolved?

Chris

drolds72

Sounds like one of the color connections in the RGB harness is bad or loose. I am returning the interface for a replacement.

CFoote

Just curious, did you receive a replacement yet?

Chris

drolds72

Should be in the next few days. It was determined that somewhere the signal for "blue" in the RGB harness was being dropped, thereby making some goofy colors.

drolds72

Finally got my replacement harness in and installed. Unit works great! You can really see much more with the camera than just the mirror. I think this cost me $280 for the interface and an aftermarket plate frame camera.

CFoote

Good deal! Thanks for following up and letting us know what the problem was. Good to hear it works well and was worth the investment.

Chris