Video Camera With Laptop - Backing Safety/Precision

[ImagesThatSing]

I am thinking of setting up a small remote wireless video camera to be attached/removed during useage using a magnetic base to 1. Allow for lining up my travel trailer hitch, 2. for attaching to travel trailer and let me see behind the trailer for precision backing with a full view.



Has anyone put together such a system with a laptop?

Or does anyone have input and suggestions of products to use/locations/vendors?



Thank you for your help and suggestions.

 

[Casey Balvert]

Camping World has such systems. I don't think the B&W ones are that expensive. Just a little camera and B&W monitor.



Casey

 

[R-N-R]

GSevison ,



I am interested in doing the same thing. I found this on a quick web search wireless video camera



Again, I have not researched this yet, but is this what you had in mind?



Bill

 

[R-N-R]

You also mignt want to check into something like this



Bill

 

[ImagesThatSing]

Originally posted by Rock-N-Rammer

GSevison ,



I am interested in doing the same thing. I found this on a quick web search wireless video camera



Again, I have not researched this yet, but is this what you had in mind?



Bill

Yes Bill,

It looks like for $160 plus shipping ($100 for wide angle camera and goodies), and $60 for usb adapter to capture the video from the receiver to the laptop) a guy could be set up with only the mounting of a magnet to the back of the camera left to accomplish.





At this point, it looks like we are just looking for variations or better prices. Good Job!, and thanks for sharing

 

[ImagesThatSing]

Originally posted by Rock-N-Rammer

You also mignt want to check into something like this



Bill

On this unit which does the video transferring to the pc, one would have to have a video camera, and then either have it physically connected to this unit, or purcahse another transmitter. The video camera we have, but it seems maybe a bit bulky and hard to attach or tripod mount so a smaller camera with a wireless transmission might work a bit better.



Thanks for the idea.

 

[ImagesThatSing]

Originally posted by Rock-N-Rammer

GSevison ,



I am interested in doing the same thing. I found this on a quick web search wireless video camera



Again, I have not researched this yet, but is this what you had in mind?



Bill

The only thing I am seeing is that there is a power supply (which I didn't originally see) that connects to the camer which is battery powered. I thought the batteries would go right in the base of the camera. So depending, that might pose a bit of a challenge in terms of wiring, bulk, ease of attaching and removing with ease. I will have to think about that.

 

[R-N-R]

Yes, I see what you mean. I thought that the camera setup would need a receiver. My notebook has a video out (RCA) port and an s-video port, but it does not have a video in (RCA) port. How about "mounting" the camera to the trailer, perhaps with quick connects for the power? I did see another camera with a 4 hour battery (double As ??). So they are out there as well.



I've been using a FastHitch Mirror but they are only good after you get within a few inches of the connection.



Please keep us posted on your progress with this. I have a hensley hitch, so backing up straight on makes the hook up considerable easier. The camera we've been looking at was good for 100', it would be useful to move it to the back of the trailer as well.



Bill

 

[Todd G]

Why go to all the trouble of wireless? Just get a cheap USB video camera for a laptop (small) and glue that puppy to your bumper. Get an extension for the USB and run it to the cab. Use the software that came with the camera or Netmeeting to see the camera input. Under $60.

 

[JGK]

Keep in mind that using this set up will take a little getting used to. That is, if you back up using your rear-view mirrors, things are "reversed" (perceived steering wheel movements relative to direction the vehicle goes) as compared to looking backward over your shoulder. However, watching a screen sitting next to you or on your dash will be similar to using your mirrors, but actions will be as if you're looking over your shoulder.



It would be neat if you could flip the image so it was the same as your mirrors.



However the current approach is certainly do-able, but practice a bit before you get into a tight spot!



-Jay

 

[Fuzz]

I have just tried the X-10 wireless color camera. . I had one.

I fastened it to the ladder on back of 5'er,and use a small monitor that I had... . Didn't work too well. It was OK when stationary but

no good when moving. . jiggled a lot,suppose it was the antenna

bouncing. . I ran telephone wire from the battery in front of trailer to the camera. . BTW I took it off.

Here is some sites I found...

http://www.funddealernet.com/cartercam/cartercamcolor.asp

www.rearviewsystems.com (they seem to be the cheapest for a ready made setup)



This is a good site also. . I probably will try their wireless,I called them and t hey advised what they thought would work best. . (not the 39. 00 dollar one)

www.supercircuits.com

 

[Fuzz]

I can't seem to get the URL for CarterCam to come out right. .

It's www.funddealernet.com/cartercamcolor.asp

 

[ImagesThatSing]

Originally posted by Todd G

Why go to all the trouble of wireless? Just get a cheap USB video camera for a laptop (small) and glue that puppy to your bumper. Get an extension for the USB and run it to the cab. Use the software that came with the camera or Netmeeting to see the camera input. Under $60.

Well that is a good suggestion, however I have 3 considerations.



1. I already have a wireless 802. 11b wireless network built in to my notebook which I am using to link another computer and a couple of printers at home, and if I could find a solution that would use this protocol, that would be terrific.



2. I would like to use this not only to "hook up" but also to back my travel trailer into its spots. Each week when I go camping, I am blind backing, and while I get there eventually, I feel that if I could see, I could accomplish this more quickly, and more safely.



3. I would like the camera portable, removable, and not visible except when needed for aesthetic reasons.



I appreciate all of this thoughtful input, we may find a generally workable/and specifically workable solution as we put our heads together.

 

[R-N-R]

My situation is similar in that I am also already set up for wireless networking. How would you connect a camera to a PC without an access point? I've searched on web cams and 802. 11b cams and the models that I have found are too expensive my taste and they require networking components such as an access point and/or a router.



Bill

 

[ImagesThatSing]

"My situation is similar in that I am also already set up for wireless networking. How would you connect a camera to a PC without an access point? I've searched on web cams and 802. 11b cams and the models that I have found are too expensive my taste and they require networking components such as an access point and/or a router. "



Well, the more I think about this and we kick it around, the more I think that some sort of usb solution, or the aforementioned wireless solution may be the best.



While I have a WAP that I could take with me, things would begin to be cumbersome in the cab and storage. I am set up for 120v power with an inverter, but if a Wireless Access Point is needed, then things are too cumbersome. Also, my searches for cameras are the same as yours with between $269 to $495, large, 120 volt access needed so we are talking much more expense than even the above wireless solution. A good webcam made portable and magnetic attach, with a couple of long usb cords (assuming we are not going to lose signal strength and reliability with a 30 to 35' connection) will be maybe where I will research next.



Just learning as we go along.

 

[ImagesThatSing]

It looks like there is a 15ft limit without using special cables that begin to get expensive given the alternatives.



http://www.provantage.com/scripts/go.dll/-s/fp_22087



So one could probably do this economically for hitching up purposes, but to make usb available to the end of a say 30' trailer would take maybe 3 extensions @ $30 a piece which would seem to lead me to reconsider the first wireless solution above maybe.

 

[R-N-R]

I'm with you on learning as we go along... even after 16 years in IT! But hey, I've been in management for the past ten, so (according to my staff), I've forgotten everything usefull... LOL



I'm drawn back to one of the first solutions that I ran across with the wireless camera/receiver. I like the idea of moving it between the back of the truck or the trailer.



I imagine the the receiver is reasonably small, velcro to the carpet under the seat might work out ok. USB cord to the notebook.



For power:

I already use an inverter in the truck (GPS/Notebook).



1) Inverter -> short M/M extension cord -> outlet (cab) - "extension" wire (underneath) - outlet (rear bumper area).



2) "Extension" cord to the camera when "mounted" on the truck.



3) M/M "extension" cord between truck and trailer.



4) "Extension" wire from outlet mounted near the front of the trailer to an outlet near the trailer's rear bumper area





I like the magnetic mount idea as well, but I expect that it will have to be custom made by ourselves.



What do you think about all that?



Bill

 

[R-N-R]

Shucks (cleaned that one right up), I though that the camera had a 100' range, it must have been another model that I looked at.

 

[ImagesThatSing]

I am unsure about a couple of abbreviations, but for the most part I am thinking just like you.



I also use an inverter for power, but I think the camera is a battery run unit if I remember correctly.



So, I think the consideration might be: what are we going to do with the cord and the battery holder while magnetically attached to truck tailgate, or back of trailer. No other cords should bed necessary if I understand this wireless setup correctly.



I think as you do that the receiver is small, looks no larger than the camera and everything here is quite small. As to where to mount it I am going to take a look in a few to see what you are thinking and consider some options as well.



We will have to do the magnetic thing ourselves, but if it is light enough, simple magnetic strips on adhesive should serve that purpose.



So if I am misunderstanding the need for additional wires, let me know what m/m is standing for please.



And thanks for sharing ideas.

 

[R-N-R]

First, I thought that I would make sure that we are talking about the same camera... .



Sorry, I used M/M to refer to male to male plugs on the electric wire/cord. The wires amount to extending power outlets from the inverter to the back of the truck and trailer for the camera.



In the web page that I'm looking at, the XCam2 transmits 100'.



I would think that mag strips would be sufficient as well. We are talking about hooking up & backing into a site so vibration, etc... should not be a big issue.



I think I might need a larger inverter..... 300watts will not power a coffee pot (annual dry camp event).