Comparison Prime-X MCM-07 vs Prime-X T-011

The direction in which the camera should face when installed in the standard way. The main purpose of any camera is to provide visibility in "dead zones" that are inaccessible when viewed from the driver's seat directly or using mirrors. However, each type of overview has its own characteristics:

— Reversing camera. Rear-view cameras are an addition to the rear-view mirror, and sometimes completely replace it. Therefore, a prerequisite for this type of model is the ability to work in mirror image mode (see below). Also in our catalog, this category includes universal models that support both direct and mirror modes, and are capable of working both from the rear and from the front.

— Front view camera. A distinctive feature of this variant is the operation in direct image mode (see below).

— Camera for a specific Dashcam. Additional cameras for a specific type of car dashcams (a certain model or family of devices for video recording of what is happening on the roads). Such cameras will come in handy for expanding the horizons of the recorder, which does not provide the presence of auxiliary overview modules, but the technical possibility of their connection is realized.

Car models for which this camera is standard.

Reversing cameras can be created both in the form of universal devices and for specific car brands. The key advantage of the second option is ease of installation: the camera is designed for a specific “seat” (like a boot handle, license plate light, etc. — see “Installation type”) and does not require special tricks for installation. Yes, and connecting the "eye" to the on-board network and the screen, usually, is also not a problem. At the same time, such devices are usually produced for one car model, at best — for 3-4 similar models; installation on a "non-native" machine is often even more difficult than mounting a universal camera. It is also worth noting that the choice of standard cameras for each particular machine is rather small — definitely less than the range of universal models. Therefore, there is a high probability that this type of camera, which is easy to install, will not be suitable for some of the parameters (for example, resolution).

Now on the market for such car brands, reversing cameras: Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, Honda, ...>Hyundai, Jeep, KIA, Land Rover, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Peugeot, Porsche, Renault, Seat, Skoda, Subaru, Suzuki, SsangYong, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo.

Standard installation method and location provided for by the camera design.

- Universal. This installation method can be conventionally called “external” - the camera is placed on a stand that is screwed to a particular surface, and the body is completely located outside. This option is generally universal and can be used regardless of the car brand, although there are standard cameras (see below) with this installation.

- Mortise. Cameras installed in specially made sockets for them. They are usually round in shape, and for installation it is enough to drill a hole of the appropriate size in the car body. Also, as a rule, they are universal.

— Screw. Cameras designed to be installed using a screw mount (hence the name). They are quite simple and easy to install - just make a hole for a screw in the body, and the required hole size is noticeably smaller than that of mortise models. Most often they are universal.

— License plate frame. Devices that are frames for license plates with built-in rear view cameras. They are convenient because they do not require special installation work - the structure is simply installed instead of the standard frame, on the same fastenings. At the same time, it is worth considering that frames for numbers can have different formats and, accordingly, the size and c...onfiguration of fasteners; This point must be clarified before purchasing.

— In the license plate light. Cameras mounted in the license plate light. They often include not only a camera, but also a lamp to illuminate the license plates. License plate lamps on different cars have different designs; accordingly, models of this type are made mostly standard (see below).

- In the trunk handle. Models that consist of a trunk handle with a camera installed in it and are mounted instead of the complete handle. They are made only by regular ones (see below).

- In the emblem. Models of this type can represent either separate cameras built into the “nameplate” or emblems supplemented with cameras and installed instead of the factory emblem. By definition, they are only regular (see below).

— In the radiator grille. In the vast majority of cars, the engine and, accordingly, the radiator are located at the front; Accordingly, this option is typical for forward-looking cameras (see “View type”). Most of these models are standard (see below).

- At the stop sign. The optics are made in the form of a brake light. As a rule, such cameras are made for a specific make and model of car. The device itself is installed in place of one of the standard brake light headlights (right, left or center). At the same time, during the installation process there is no need to make holes in the body elements or turn off the license plate light. The camera in the brake light body does not violate the integrity of the design of the stern, laconically blending into the image of the exterior.

The colour system refers to the format in which colour information is transmitted in an analogue video signal. In modern reversing cameras, the European PAL system or the American NTSC are most often used. It makes no sense to describe them in detail — suffice it to say that for the normal operation of the camera you need a radio tape recorder (or other device with a screen on which the image is displayed) with support for the same colour system. However, incompatibility in this parameter is not fatal — with such a connection, the image will only turn from colour to black and white (in extreme cases, its overall quality will slightly deteriorate).

The format for displaying the image on the connected screen. For each type of review (see above), there is a different option that is optimal.

— Direct. The traditional way of displaying an image: the user sees on the screen the same thing that the camera lens "sees" in front of him, with the same arrangement of the details of the situation. Simply put, if some object is located to the left of the centre of the camera's field of view, it will also be visible on the screen on the left side. All front view cameras work this way.

— Mirror. In this mode, an image is displayed on the screen that is “mirrored” horizontally — roughly speaking, one in which “left” and “right” are reversed: an object to the left of the camera lens will be visible on the right side of the screen, and vice versa. All cameras with a rear view type work in a similar way. This is due to the fact that in an ordinary rear-view mirror the driver sees exactly the picture inverted horizontally; therefore, in order for the sides of the picture on the screen to correspond to the usual view in the mirror, the image coming from the camera has to be “mirrored”.

— Direct / mirror. Cameras capable of operating in any of the picture modes described above. Usually, these are universal models (see “Installation”), which formally refer to the rear view type in our catalog (see above), but also allow front view.

- Auto exposure. The presence in the camera of the function of automatically adjusting the shooting parameters to the degree of illumination of the scene caught in the frame. Exposure in the classical sense is the amount of light perceived by the photosensitive element of the camera; it can be changed by opening and closing the aperture of the lens, as well as by adjusting the shutter speed of each frame. If the range of these adjustments is not enough, a change in the sensitivity of the matrix can also be used in digital devices. Either way, an underexposed image will look too dark, and an overexposed image will look too bright; both are unsuitable for viewing. However, the process of manually adjusting all the parameters is rather troublesome and obviously inappropriate when driving in a car, especially since the illumination of the picture in the field of view of the lens can change in a matter of seconds. Therefore, most modern cameras have an auto exposure function. Thanks to it, the device itself sets the parameters to the optimal level and changes them when the illumination changes. Note that such automation is not ideal, but in the vast majority of cases it is quite enough for normal visibility on the screen.

- Auto white balance. The camera has an automatic white balance correction function. Despite the name, this balance concerns not only white color, but also the overall color gamut of...the image coming from the camera. Without going into details, its meaning can be described as follows: each type of lighting (sunlight, overcast day, fluorescent lamps in the garage, street lights, etc.) needs its own white balance settings, otherwise the colors in the image will look unnatural - too warm or too cold. Auto-correction, on the other hand, relieves the user of the need to adjust the white balance manually - the device itself determines the type of lighting and reconfigures. At the same time, given the specifics of the purpose of the rear and front view cameras, this function is rather a pleasant addition than a practically significant point - after all, it is not the colors of visible objects that are usually decisive when maneuvering, but their location in space.

— Parking labels. Possibility of displaying by the camera on the connected screen of parking marks — a special scale which is superimposed on the visible image in a special way. Such a scale plays the role of a rangefinder: the distance to the object visible on the screen can be estimated by the mark near which it is located, this greatly simplifies maneuvering in tight conditions. In addition, in some models, it also helps to evaluate the dimensions of the visible openings in width. True, for an adequate display of parking marks, the camera must be installed quite accurately - at the optimal height from the ground and at a certain angle to the horizontal; in regular models (see "Installation type"), this usually does not cause difficulties, but universal models may require ingenuity and painstaking work. We also note that even with an ideal installation, the accuracy of the parking marks will be far from absolute. However, they can be a very useful addition to a "clean" camera image.

- DVR function. The ability to shoot not only in the mode of broadcasting an image to a multimedia screen, but also to record the situation around the car on an external data drive. The DVR function is implemented in advanced models with a separate data processing unit, the design of which provides a slot for a memory card for storing captured video materials.

- Top view. The top view gives you full control over the situation around the car and makes it easier to maneuver in tight spaces. Also, the top view allows you to better see obstacles in blind spots and improves the safety of reversing parking in tight spaces. This feature is found in surround view systems. The projection of the top view is formed by processing images from cameras dispersed around the perimeter of the vehicle.

- Water protection. The presence in the design of the chamber of protection against moisture ingress. This feature is almost mandatory for outdoor models, as they will inevitably be exposed to rain, snow, spray from wheels, etc. In some cases, the manufacturer even indicates the level of this protection. However, even without it, you can be sure that nothing will happen to the camera even in the rain.

- Remote control. A remote control is included with the camera. Unlike conventional household devices, wired remote controls are most often used in automotive electronics; reversing cameras are no exception. This is due to the fact that the wire in the car is often not only cheaper, but also more convenient than an IR sensor or a radio channel. We also note that this function is usually found in premium models that have additional features - for example, switching the viewing angle.