Frontview (or multi-view) 720p camera for Model S

[BearBu]

Hi there! After 3 months testing , trouble-shootings, struggling. We finally made an after-market (non-Tesla camera) 720p camera to be displayed onto the 17-inch screen with our digital video switching board.

Our video switching board can take maximum 3 video channels input, and then output up-to 3video channels to the vehicle 17" TFT screen. Which means we can add 1 front-view camera, 1 side-view camera, altogether with the original rear-view camera to do some customizations / combinations of display modes (switching) to the 17" TFT screen, such as:

- front-view only
- rear-view only
- front-view + rear-view
- front-view + side-view
- rear-view + side-view
- front-view + rear-view + side-view

we have just tapped display protocol and got the first image today, will try to make more updates from time to time.

P.S: I am sure Model X takes the same video signal too, so we will try to test with Model X later

 

[artsci]

Hi there! After 3 months testing , trouble-shootings, struggling. We finally made an after-market (non-Tesla camera) 720p camera to be displayed onto the 17-inch screen with our digital video switching board.

Our video switching board can take maximum 3 video channels input, and then output up-to 3video channels to the vehicle 17" TFT screen. Which means we can add 1 front-view camera, 1 side-view camera, altogether with the original rear-view camera to do some customizations / combinations of display modes (switching) to the 17" TFT screen, such as:

- front-view only
- rear-view only
- front-view + rear-view
- front-view + side-view
- rear-view + side-view
- front-view + rear-view + side-view

we have just tapped display protocol and got the first image today, will try to make more updates from time to time.

P.S: I am sure Model X takes the same video signal too, so we will try to test with Model X later

With all due respect, if the photo you posted of the touchscreen is an example of the camera images, you have a very long way to go. The distortion make the images almost useless.

 

[BearBu]

Thanks for the reminder! Our chipset can manipulate the fisheye distortion too. Will post more pics later on.

Really appreciate!

 

[BearBu]

1st front view image after fisheye distortion correction

 

[Exiom]

Following this post to see how this goes and the price it will end up...

It would be nice to double up as a dashcam too depending on camera positions...

 

[BearBu]

Following this post to see how this goes and the price it will end up...

It would be nice to double up as a dashcam too depending on camera positions...

For DashCam solution , it’s ideally the Dashcam comes with the built-in forward viewing sensor (2-3Megapixel) with 1080p60 encoding capability, and specifically equipped with the external A/V (HD resolution) in outlet for rear-view camera recording. We can make a converter that taps and converters the video signal from the stock rear view camera and then transmit the 720p video signal to the mentioned DashCam thru the normal AV (RCA) cable. Also, you will see what you see from your LCD panel as usual (which means the video converter does not affect the original video signal from rear view camera to the LCD panel

For this video converter board , I should better post in a new thread later on

 

[artsci]

Wish you success in this endeavor. When the idea is more fully developed and ready to purchase I may be your first customer.

 

[GatorGuy]

What will be the method for switching from rear to front camera?

There is definitely interest in a product like this.

 

[BearBu]

What will be the method for switching from rear to front camera?

There is definitely interest in a product like this.

The switching is done by software. I am thinking to add a RF module to the board so that the switching will be implement by a small button thru RF.

Btw, as the front view camera is also a fisheye (we insist to use fisheye because of the 180degree super-wide viewing angle), the advantage of fisheye is that we can customize some funny and indeed practical display modes for each of the camera (front and rear camera), for example : topview (birdview), superwide angle , normal angle , combined view (super wide angle + topview) etc....

Hope I am not going to far and complicated, here attached a picture of a combined display mode (super wide angle + topview ) from the front fisheye camera

 

[GatorGuy]

I would recommend reconsidering the fish eye. We don't need 180 degrees in the front. The biggest concern is hitting low objects that we can't see below the hood. Fish eye distorts these distances and makes the purpose worthless. In the back we need 180 degrees to see objects coming from the side. That isn't an issue in front.

 

[Exiom]

I actually think fisheye for 180 is good because it also helps with those tiny carparks and you can check for traffic before pulling out... my BMW has this function.

 

[BearBu]

I would recommend reconsidering the fish eye. We don't need 180 degrees in the front. The biggest concern is hitting low objects that we can't see below the hood. Fish eye distorts these distances and makes the purpose worthless. In the back we need 180 degrees to see objects coming from the side. That isn't an issue in front.

Thanks for the input, there are some pros and cons for fisheye. But for seeing the low objects/obstacles in close distance, the bird-view mode is the perfect one. Therefore, we have made the bird-view mode, or even combined view (birdview + superwide angle). The birdview mode can only be made from fisheye camera. Normal narrow angle camera is simply hard to generate the birdview mode

The below Youtube like is the multi-view mode (I made for Toyota spade for my friend) for backup / rearview, that's the same implementation for forward looking / frontview

 

[BearBu]

yea, because you are in Hong Kong, Model S / X is too big to drive in Hong Kong

I actually think fisheye for 180 is good because it also helps with those tiny carparks and you can check for traffic before pulling out... my BMW has this function.

 

[BearBu]

just got a 720p frontview camera from a supplier and they said this camera having better WDR function than the original Tesla rearview camera. Will install this front camera at the front grill (maybe somewhere under the Tesla logo) for the frontview testing, will post pics or upload youtube video for sharing.

 

[BearBu]

Installation of the front view camera, just attached the camera under the car plate with the 3M tape, and then do some basic wiring to the main console







Front view image from the screen , you can see the bottom part is the front bumper. The current viewing mode is super wide angle (180degree)




Will make some image customization of the front image such as bird view , combined super wide view + birdview later

 

[BearBu]

Live video of front view camera

 

[GatorGuy]

Any ETA on release?

 

[BearBu]

Any ETA on release?

probably mid to end July if everything goes well and smooth

 

[BearBu]

Here is the block diagram for better functional description of this project FYI.

 

[Akikiki]

Impressive, As for the side view, do you plan or its it possible with your switch to put side by side left/right views on the touchscreen? (Both at the same time for blind spot views?)