Help with Reverse Camera!

[atmurray]

Hi Guys,

I'm the one who made that diagram for the 24 Pin i144 connector.
I've been thinking about setting up the reverse connector myself for a while now but haven't gotten around to it.
I'm pretty sure Ric is onto something here, the system definitely supports an automatic reverse camera as there are options for it in the service screen. (I think it might have even been an optional accessory when I purchased my car?).
Incidentally, to get to the service screen:

• turn acc on and press accept the nag screen.
• press audio button
• turn auto off off
• press the middle of alternating sides of black screen 3 times each in this order:
  left, right, left, right, left, right
• the dealer diagnostic menus will then be displayed

From here (includes youtube demo): http://legacygt.com/forums/showpost.php ... tcount=176

The back of my unit does look different to the one in the forester Ric posted, however I definitely have that 8 pin connector (and it is currently unpopulated).
I'm going to try and track down the female connecter and see what I can work out... when I get some time!
The other thing we need to work out is what video source the unit expects for the reverse camera. I know the Aux Video in can be switched between PAL and NTSC, but I have a feeling that the dedicated reverse camera input expects only one of these. I personally won't be buying a camera until I work out which (I'll use something else with video out to work out what it expects).

Good luck guys!

[Ric]

I'm going to try and track down the female connecter and see what I can work out... when I get some time!

Note that Tim-M in Canada is selling made up cables here: http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin ... post624466

The other thing we need to work out is what video source the unit expects for the reverse camera. I know the Aux Video in can be switched between PAL and NTSC, but I have a feeling that the dedicated reverse camera input expects only one of these. I personally won't be buying a camera until I work out which (I'll use something else with video out to work out what it expects).

Most digital cameras now have a video out which can be switched between NTSC and PAL. Useful for testing

[Posseltperformance]

I have reason to believe (from past research into this) that the dedicated port will only accept NTSC. If you try pal you get a Black and white split screen fuzz ball. Good luck and keep us posted

[sphell]

Have a look at this post someone called muzza (from Melbourne!) put on a Forester board a few months ago:

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin ... avi-51351/

He's saying the factory reverse camera goes via a seperate 8 pin connector!

Is this the same unit?


I found it via this topic: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showpos ... stcount=11

Ric I think you have nailed it there....that's the same unit. If you look at the 4th picture down in this thread, you can see a vacant white port on the back of the headunit which is obviously where the camera video input goes in. Now where to get that plug???

[Ric]

He mentions making up a plug using some pins bought from Jaycar.

[Digital]

thanks for the help guys!

this sounds complicated Doug:

"Cheap alternative connectors:
The cheap/easy way to connect the camera is to find some mini square crimp pins -in Australia you can get some suitable ones at Jaycar called PCB sockets(0.9mm) - part HP-1260 for $3.60, but you will also need to insulate them with 1mm shrink-wrap as the pins in the socket are very close together. We soldered the wires in first then crimped, then shrink wrapped.
I think in the USA possibly suitable pins are called "Telephone butt connectors" at Radioshack for $1.99. (see BonesDT's post at NASIOC - he used them on the same socket in the Clarion unit for cheapie Aux-in MP3 mod) forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25769094

Assuming you want to connect a reversing camera with a stock RCA output (I used a Kenwood CCD-2000 with an interlaced scan signal, 1Vp-p/75ohm, I'm pretty sure most car cameras you get will do this) you will need to get an in-line RCA socket and connect 2 wires from it to the PCB pins to put into the unit - there is no co-axial input obviously. Best to twist the pair of signal wires to reduce interference - see pic, sorry it's a bit fuzzy - damn phone camera.

The other connection is the enable or pull up to tell the unit to look for the reversing camera and overide the screen - this just needs to be a short length of wire to goes to an eyelet that you can put under a handy screw on the side of the Navi chassis.(see pic).

Connections:
The socket, as viewed from the rear has pins numbered like this:
Top: 4 3 2 1
Bottom: 8 7 6 5

The "enable" or pull up goes on pin 6 and the other end goes under a screw on the side of the Navi chassis -ie: earth.

The signal wire from the Co-ax/RCA goes to pin 1, the shield goes to pin 5.

I recommend you connect your camera power, earth and reverse light wires to your camera power box down the back LHS of the car under the rear quarter trim(at the trailer connector) and just run the coax/RCA plug forward up to the Navi. I actually tapped into power, earth and reverse in the loom at the back of the Navi and put the camera box behind the climate control area but in hindsight i'd connect down the back."

[Ric]

These are the contacts from Jaycar he's talking about:

http://jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID ... =HP%2D1260


I guess he's just pushing them over the pins in the radio connector, so there is no plastic shell holding them in position. That's why he needed the heatshrink tube around each one to insulate it.
If that bloke in Canada has a source of the correct connectors, it would be worth trying to buy a box of them

[Digital]

thanks for that Ric

I contacted Tim the guy that makes the plugs he's selling them for $20US + $7 shipping.

if anyone wants one let me know and maybe we can save on shipping....

[Roddez]

Gents,

Don't forget about RS Components, Farnell and Altronics. Unlike Jaycar and Dick Smith, they stock a full range of electrical components.

They may well have the plug that you are looking for.

[Digital]

update guys, i contacted Tim from Canada and paid for his plug. Got it yesterday and last night immediately ripped out the head unit to chuck it in.... works a treat!! now pops up automatically when i chuck it in reverse. even has the 'check your surroundings' text on the screen!

thanks Ric for putting me onto this guy!

[Ric]

That's a win

Ok, so for the record, so that is the correct location to feed the reverse camera in to an MY08 with the factory SatNav unit. I'll start a topic in the "Walkthroughs" forum to keep a track of this.

[SVXdc]

On that H0010AG100 "Cord Convert" cable, which pin does the Purple/White wire go to? (labeled "No used" on Subaru's instructions)

I'm also making the rear camera harnesses for this type of AVN (as well as the similar one in newer Imprezas and Foresters). E-mail or PM me for more info.


For the older-style Legacy/Outback/Liberty nav unit, I spent hours looking over the schematics and writing up information about the rear camera input. I determined that you need to connect to 3 pins on the square Molex socket. See my posts starting here (post #21 in that thread on LegacyGT.com).