[Brungle]

I'm in the process of ordering a video switcher box from bog, I already have a reverse camera and was thinking it would be quite cool to have a front mounted one also. It would be nice to split the video output from the front camera so that it goes to both the satnav screen display but also to some kind of recording device, which can be switched on/off/paused, or even setup to store the last hours drive or something then overwrite the oldest data clip with new footage?


why would I want to do this?

• useful parking aid
• nice toy, to record country road footage
• help with insurance claims should you witness or be involved in some kind of accident.
• front night vision may help visibility? (although i guess it would have to be a pretty decent camera to be any use for this. headlights might throw the night vision out a lot!)

so a few questions:

1. has anyone mounted a front camera yet and where abouts?
2. which power source did you tap into?
3. cable routing from engine bay to interior suggestions?
4. anyone know of a decent little RCA to SD/USB recorder maybe? (I will have a scout around now)

cheers

 

[Spank My Car]

Would be good for track days!

Doesn't one of the new Merc's have them in the corners of the front bumper? For pulling out in junctions? Handy on a long bonnet car...not so much with the Civic.

What about Bog's Numberplate Camera? fit it to the front? Or you could always Dash Mount it? Or a Roof Airscoop and hide it in there?? Custom build a new front Honda H badge and intergrate it in, or a flip up H with Camera underneith....I THINK I'M GETTING CARRIED AWAY NOW!!

 

[Brungle]

good idea on the number plate camera I wonder if they fit ok on the front bumper with it being curved?

 

[Bog]

Oh Rich... Don't get me started on this lol... I've been toying with this idea too

First problem was finding a suitable camera... Most on ebay are 'Reversing Cameras' and the image is flipped, so no good at the front...

I ordered one of these http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pinhole-Hid...712?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c21ffa290

Not had a chance to play with it, but un-like the reversing cams, it's not weather proof

Powering it is not a big issue nor is running the cable to the interior of the car.

Like you, I'd love to find a box that records and maybe adds so stuff to the image... This app for the iphone is pretty cool... something like that which displays on the Nav Screen. imagine that!

 

[Brungle]

love it

I just found this little gem too!

Stand Alone USB Mini-VCR, Records any Analog Video Input with Remote

I'm sure we can find something cheaper but you get the idea, could butcher this and have a fancy record switch mounted in the dash, maybe by the cig lighter

 

[Brungle]

oh and what is that iphone app called? (at work so no audio)

 

[Syx]

Augmented Driving. £1.99 and rated 2.5/5 on the app store.

 

[Brungle]

Augmented Driving. £1.99 and rated 2.5/5 on the app store.

thanks


just found a cheaper mini dvr option:
eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

 

[Spank My Car]

What about a just dash mouting the camera? Or would the image not be clear enough due to glare from the glass and the wipers not covering that area? Could always mount it on the back of the rear view mirror??

Loving that app! SHame the score is only 2.5/5 though...guess it must have a few bugs.

You think you could replicate something like that Bog??? (Go on...say yes!! )

No one fancy attempting making a Flip up H emblem then?

 

[Syx]

No one fancy attempting making a Flip up H emblem then?

Only if I can fit a missile in there to clear the road of people doing 40mph in 60mph zones! (Sorry, off topic!)

 

[Brungle]

What about a just dash mouting the camera? Or would the image not be clear enough due to glare from the glass and the wipers not covering that area? Could always mount it on the back of the rear view mirror??

would work ok I reckon and probably easier to install, footage might not be as cool though

 

[Syx]

So basically we're looking at our own version of a roadhawk?

 

[Spank My Car]

The front grill is a honey comb design right? You could you notch out a diamond shape/hole from that and mount that PinHole Camera Bog posted up (if it was waterproof). Would pretty much be completly hidden too.

 

[Spank My Car]

So basically we're looking at our own version of a roadhawk?

I've never seen that before, looks good!!

LORRY CRASH A90 ABERDEEN LIVE ON BOARD TRUCK CAM - YouTube

 

[Brungle]

So basically we're looking at our own version of a roadhawk?

not heard of that before but yeh that kind of thing but cheaper!

 

[Brungle]

Portable DIY Motion Detection Mini DVR Video Recorder | eBay

2gb limit on the card though and not sure it will auto overwrite old video or just fill the card up...

will keep keep looking.

 

[Spank My Car]

Car Front View Camera - 170°View Angle - Black - US$ 38.99


Over the shoulder Rally Style?
In Car Camera Packages for Race and Rally cars. In-car camera kits by 4Kam


Mirror/A Pillar?:
http://www.valeriideas.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/car_camera_start.jpg


Sneaky Design?
http://www.carsda.com/UploadFiles/2011-10/admin/2011102103335524344.jpg
ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

 

[Spank My Car]

I like this:
Front camera install - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

Or a simple set-up:
http://www.speedforsale.com/staff/files/FrontCameraR35GTR.pdf

 

[Syx]

I wonder how important the GPS is for speed etc?

 

[Neverhadone]

I do have a standalone Vision Drive black box in my car.
My advice is to get a decent camera that also has good night visibility (no IR leda needen: they don't work) and get something with at least HD-ready (1280x720) resolutions.
Due to the fish-eye lens license plates are hard to read with lower resolutions. High frame-rates are also a must have!