I think you are confusing grey scale palette vs. color palettes… in a 8-bit system, there are in fact 256 "possible shades" produced with each pixel. But in a color system- what you see are shades of THREE DIFFERENT pixels (Red, Green, Blue) placed next to each other that blend to make an overall perceived color to the eye.

So, in a 8-bit COLOR system, there are 256 possible shades of the Red pixel; 256 possible shades of the Green pixel, and 256 possible shades of the Blue pixel- which then the eye TOGETHER blends and perceives as one of 16.8 million colors (256 x 256 x 256).

Which is way more than sufficient to differentiate green from brown.

8-bit graphics processing was all the rage in the 1980's- and by the 1990's, you would be hard-pressed to still find 8 bit color video processing on even the cheapest stuff. I cannot fathom that 25 years later, Acura would be saving any money or even being able to find a supplier to provide the same graphics hardware that was in the original IBM- pc!

I would think that something else is going on.

 

We have a weird smoky cloud cover today (adding a pinky/brown tinge to everything outside), and I noticed that my grass is now blue but the shrubs are now green.

This has got to be the weirdest camera I've ever seen...

 

Hi,
Images from the rear view camera are very similar to a security camera I have on which you can switch on/off an IR filter to switch between night dans day view.
Without the IR filter, in day light, colors are like crazy...

Maybe the camera is an IR sensitive one, but Acura didn't wanted to add a complex IR cut filter switch for daylight.
This may explain also what not all greens are equal... as IR is shifting colors differently from one element (trees for example) to another (trash box).

 

I experienced the same color issue with mine.

 

Sorry, but how did you get 256 levels/shades for each RGG color?
To my knowledge 8-bit means 8 levels for each RGB color (only 4 levels in Blue). 8x8x4 = 256 different color combinations.

 

Unless you really like watching trees/grass from your reverse camera, there is no reason to ask why the colors are different. Your camera is to act as a guide to reversing. You still use your mirrors and peripherals to reverse. If you wanna see true green, put your car in P (Park), get out of your premium car and enjoy the true colors of the outside world.

People are way to reliable on technology it's ridiculous.

 

I think that the point is that this is very strange.
The camera on my 3G is very good and things are their normal colors.

I rarely use it to drive backwards (or to enjoy nature), but rather for proximity when backing into a parking spot when the car in the slot behind me pulls in too far...or to be sure nothing or no one is in my path (child/pet).

 

From what I was able to find on Internet, it may be
- Bad "hue" setting on video input - it may be great to be adjustable.
- Not enough power sent to camera. If it is the same as some low-cost CCTV cameras, these cameras are showing strange colors when voltage is too low - or if wire is too long and they are facing a voltage drop issue.

About the no IR-filter idea, I have to test with my security camera to see if I have the same colors. If this is the case, it could be possible to add an external IR-filter in front of the rear camera to recover good colors.

 

I recently traded in my 12' Base TL for a 15' V6 TLX w/Tech. I have not noticed the issue with the camera colors but I noticed something else that is kind of annoying. There is a delay in the camera start up. I have to sit there for over 5-10 seconds for the guidelines to show up when going into reverse.

Does this happen to anyone else? Not sure if it's related to when it tries to connect to bluetooth or something else.

 

Yep, happens to me but it doesn't bother me. Green showing as brown is a little annoying.

 

The "Hue" problem you mention would only be valid on analog video systems. Digital video is not encoded, has no subcarrier and has no hue setting.

The voltage problem you mention again is for analog tube cameras.

You also do not want to add an IR filter because the whole idea is you want the camera to work at night.

Unless you plan on using your back up camera as your primary for your next big production and ya just need that magic hour shot don't worry about the color on the screen. The whole idea of the camera is to make sure a little kid is not behind the car when backing and it works perfectly for that.

 

It's no biggie but fact remains that the TLX has a worse back up camera in terms of sharpness/resolution, colour fidelity and night sensitivity than any current Honda. Which is not what one should expect of the supposed superior product. Someone cocked up on the design, they are committed to the production, and can't be bothered to rectify it, as it would cost money. And reckon it doesn't hurt sales. Which is probably true.

 

Are you sure it is a digital camera ? I can't find any information on it. But most low-cost back-up cameras on internet are analog ones.

 

worst camera ever on a 42k plus car

 

I do not need an HD view of the back while reversing so I am ok with it. If there was an option for a standard camera or an HD one for an extra $100 I would have chosen the standard.

 

Looking for a 4K cam myself.

 

I second Replayman0's reply. The camera does not have IR cut filter. It is a common trick to improve the low light performance in rear view cameras. In surveillance cameras there is a mechanical IR-cut filter that switches based on ambient light level. This is a no-no for automotive as all mechanical devices are prone to failure.
The cameras that do not have IR cut filters show the IR spectrum and a very common problem is incorrect representation of foliage color. I will take incorrect foliage color over low light performance anyday. The green trash cans look green because there is no emission in the IR spectrum for that pigment but chlorophyll present in the leaves emit in the IR spectrum.
This has nothing to do dynamic range or bit depth etc. Most sensors have a decent tone mapping algorithm that can map higher dynamic range for 8 bit viewing.

 

Maybe a film like this can "restore colors" as eye can see them, but lost of definition will be noticeable.

One advantage to this IR view is for example if a black cat or dog is passing behind the car by night, a normal car camera will not see it. But without IR cut, in Acura you will see it !
Only for these saved lives, I can deal with these colors.

 

Same problem still? We have same issue

 

I have a 2015 tlx advance. Did you solve the camera issue green showing brown

 

Only attempt would be to try adding an IR cut filter to restore "as eye see" colors. But you must find the good filter and find a way to put it protected from external elements....
Another solution would be changing the camera.

 

Purchased a TLX in Nov 2015 but after a week i noticed the issue about green grass color showing brown grass. I thought i could adjust this but apparently not. I called five dealership in the area but none of them has heard of this issue. I called the owner of the dealership i purchased the car and told him of my concern. He contacted Acura and I was advised that this is a KNOWN ISSUE and Acura is working in it. Fyi

 

I totally agree with you. Just found out from the horses mouth ACURA that this is a KNOWN ISSUE and that they are working for software update.

 

I do think it is the camera sensitivity to things like infra-red. For example, it picks up the green of my plastic garbage can quite clearly, but the grass it is sitting on (which is also quite green) shows up as brown. Wild.

 

I had a 2016 MDX loaner for a week while my TLX was being repaired. I did NOT see any brown for green with the MDX (like my TLX did every morning as I back out of my driveway); however, the backup image and Navi display did not seem nearly as clear or bright as in my TLX- despite me adjusting the image brightness, etc.
Overall, I greatly prefer the display in the TLX as compared to the newer MDX.

 

Would getting an HD or 4K camera installed fix this issue? I understand the display has something to do with this as well, but if getting an HD or 4K camera helps, I'll do that. I still love the car, just want a slightly better back-up camera... New TLX owner here....

 

2015 TLX: Brown grass in the camera - July 2016
2016 RDX: Green grass in the camera - July 2016

 

Had a 2016 RDX loaner, observed the same thing. (So it is not the grass!) But this is really not an issue for me. I do not intend to publish the images from the rear view camera, just use to avoid hitting things when I back up.

 

Nor for me. I don't spend a lot of time in reverse...

 

We bought two Acuras last year, both 2017 model year. The TLX has this issue, the RDX does not. Both cars have the Advance package. In the daytime it's annoying, but in the night time the performance of the camera on my TLX is significantly worse than on my already RDX. That means it's not just a color reproduction issue, but it actually causes safety issues with using the TLX backup camera at night. Shouldn't be like that for a $50k vehicle over multiple model years.

 

This is quite sad to hear. I have recently had my 2017 TLX serviced to swap out the rear-view camera with no change in the appearance of green grass as brown in bright Florida sunlight (blistering UV index). I do recall not seeing brown grass before (perhaps in another life?)

Will definitely look in the rear view camera when my lease comes up next year in the 2020 model.