Comparison reversing Cameras

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.

Regular method and installation location provided by the camera design.

— Universal. This method of installation can be called "outdoor" — the camera is placed on a stand screwed to a particular surface, and the body is completely outside. This option is generally universal and can be used regardless of the brand of car, although there are standard cameras (see below) with such an installation.

— Mortise. Cameras installed in specially made sockets for them. Usually they have a round shape, and for installation it is enough to drill a hole of the appropriate diameter in the body of the car. Also, usually, they are universal.

— Screw. Cameras designed for screw mounting (hence the name). They are quite simple and easy to install — it is enough to make a hole for a screw in the case, and the required hole diameter is noticeably smaller than for mortise models. Most often they are universal.

— License plate frame. Devices that are license plate frames with built-in reversing cameras. They are convenient in that they do not require special installation work — the structure is simply placed instead of the standard frame, on the same mounts. At the same time, note that frames for numbers can have a different format and, accordingly, the size and configuration of fasteners; this point must be clarified...before buying.

— In the license plate cover. Cameras mounted in the license plate light. Often they have in their design not only a camera, but also a lamp for illuminating the numbers. License plate shades on different cars have a different design, respectively, models of this type are made mostly standard (see below).

— In the boot handle. Models that are a boot handle with a camera installed in it and mounted instead of a complete handle. They are made only regular (see below).

— The emblem. Models of this type can represent both separate cameras built into the "shield" and emblems supplemented with cameras and installed instead of the factory emblem. By definition, they are only regular (see below).

— In the grille. In the vast majority of cars, the engine, and, accordingly, the radiator is located in front; accordingly, this option is typical for front-view cameras (see "Type of view"). Most of these models are standard (see below).

— At the stoplight. Optics is made in the form of a brake light. Usually, such cameras are made for a specific make and model of a car. The device itself is installed in place of one of the regular brake lights (right, left or centre). At the same time, during the installation process, it is not necessary to make holes in the body elements or turn off the license plate light. The camera in the brake light housing does not violate the integrity of the design of the stern, concisely blending into the image of the exterior.

The technology by which the matrix is made is the photosensitive element of the camera.

— CMOS. Also known as CMOS; both of these entries are abbreviations of the same term, only in different languages (English and Russian). Without going into details, it is worth saying that CMOS matrices are notable for their low cost, compactness, good image processing speed and low power consumption, however, due to the design features, they are prone to the appearance of noise in the image, and therefore somewhat lose CCD in terms of image quality.

— CCD. CCD-type matrices (CCDs) are somewhat more complicated and more expensive than CMOS, but they provide better image quality, including in low light conditions — in particular, due to the low level of noise. This is due both to the low level of heating during operation, and to the uniform light sensitivity of each pixel (whereas in CMOS it can “walk” a little).

— HCCD. A variant of the CCD technology described above, featuring improved sensitivity and even better picture quality in low light.

The resolution of the frame taken by the camera in video mode, in pixels — in other words, the size of the picture in dots horizontally (first digit) and vertically (second digit). It should be taken into account here that in the case of reversing cameras, the recording in pixels describes only the frame on the camera matrix itself; to describe the "picture" coming to the connected screen, the designation in television lines (TVL) is used. This is due to the fact that the video signal is transmitted in an analogue format; See Video Resolution below for more on all of this. Here we note that with the same resolution in TVL and the same viewing angles, a camera with a higher resolution in pixels will produce a clearer, more detailed image. But HD reversing cameras, and even more so Full HD units.

Although modern electronics are dominated by digital standards, car reversing cameras still use an analogue signal transmission format. This is due to compatibility requirements: such video allows you to use fairly simple screens. And although its quality loses to digital, it is quite enough for most of the tasks facing this class of auto electronics.

An analogue video signal has a size in horizontal and vertical dots. But since the number of vertical dots has a strictly defined number of 625 (in the PAL and NTSC colour system), resolution is usually indicated only by the number of horizontal dots (TV lines).

In fact, this parameter describes the quality of the image that is displayed directly on the screen connected to the camera. There are models with a value of 480, 500, 520, 540, 560 TVL and even higher resolution in TVL. This is important for models with wide viewing angles (see below). On the other hand, in order to use all the features of a camera with numerous TV lines, a screen corresponding to these features is also required; For more details on compatibility with the screen, see specialized sources.

The viewing angle characterizes how wide the area of space is captured by the camera lens: the larger they are, the wider the field of view, the more space is in the frame. In most modern models, it varies from 120° to 170°; this allows good visibility of almost the entire rear hemisphere. There are 180° cameras and even more; they will come in handy if visibility is important to you not only from behind, but also on the sides. But note that some manufacturers indicate the angle horizontally, while others — diagonally.

At the same time, it does not always make sense to chase wide angles. Note that the larger the viewing angle, the more distant, reduced the image looks, the more distortion occurs at its edges. In addition, wide viewing angles require high resolution, which accordingly affects the price of the camera; if the resolution is low, the "picture" may look blurry and small details will be lost on it.

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 lowest ambient light level at which the camera can provide a normal image without additional illumination. In modern models, this indicator varies on average from 0.01 lux (clear night at a quarter moon) to 3 lux (deep twilight).

The lower the minimum illumination, the better the device handles with low light. However, note that in the absolute majority of cases, car cameras at night are used together with car lighting devices: front ones (see "View type") — with main headlights, rear ones — with reversing lights. Therefore, this parameter is rather general reference or even advertising information, rather than a really significant characteristic.