Amazon camera issues

[Heretoserve]

Hello, all.

I am part of a charity that provides free meals to disaster victims. In addition to our bumper pull sleeping camper, we also have a 32' mobile kitchen. This is pulled by a 2011 Chevy 3500. The chevy had a horrible factory tailgate camera that the display was about 2" square in the rear view mirror.

We bought a new camera system from Amazon that allows for 2 cameras (so we could put one on the back of the mobile kitchen) in addition to the bumper. We also upgraded the camera in the tailgate handle. The problem we are having is that the tailgate camera has an rca plug and the new dual camera system has an rv style 4 pin connectors. I tried buying an adapter (rca to 4 pin) but still get no video. I have not found a tailgate camera that uses the 4 pin connector.

Does anyone have a suggestion for me to try? Im starting to think the cameras use different video formats and that is why it wont show. The new system came with a small camera but installing it where it looks at the tongue is impossible, the only place to put it would be around the license plate and that doesnt see the weight distribution hitch.

I can post the models of my cameras but didnt know if that was allowed. I dont want anyone to think I am trying to sell them or spam people.

Any help much appreciated.

 

[NY_Dutch]

Go ahead and post the camera models since they're relevant to the problem. It's no different than one of us posting the make and model of our RV's water heater when we have an issue.

 

[Heretoserve]

Camera link

RCA to 4 pin adapter link

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

We don't know if the video signal from the tailgate camera is compatible with the new display. The Amazon display is hi-res (1080P) while the new tailgate camera is an unknown. It's a good guess that the tailgate camera is incompatible.

You didn't include the spec for the tailgate camera but the fact that it has an RCA plug suggests it uses a Composite Video signal, which is analog tv. The hi-res Amazon display is surely digital.

 

[Heretoserve]

We don't know if the video signal from the tailgate camera is compatible with the new display. The Amazon display is hi-res (1080P) while the new tailgate camera is an unknown. It's a good guess that the tailgate camera is incompatible.

You didn't include the spec for the tailgate camera but the fact that it has an RCA plug suggests it uses a Composite Video signal, which is analog tv. The hi-res Amazon display is surely digital.

I found the link for the tailgate


Tailgate camera link


specs show:

Product information​

Features & Specs

Screen Size	0.33 inches
Compatible Devices	Monitor
Voltage	12 volts
Optical Sensor Technology	CCD, CMOS
Lens	Wide Angle
Real Angle of View	120 degrees
Connector Type	RCA
Optical Sensor Size	0.33 inches
Field Of View	170
Video Capture Format	MP4
Lux rating	0.1 lux
Video Capture Resolution	1080p

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Hopefully somebody with more video knowledge than I will jump in here. At a guess, the MP4 digital format is what the camera puts out via the RCA plug.Better than composite video analog, but still may or may not be compatible. It claims to be compatible with your truck, but I think you are using the aftermarket monitor rather than the OEM truck monitor.

 

[Larry N.]

You might tell us about the monitor you are using, perhaps at least the model number. It's specs need to be similar to those of the camera you posted about. In other words, as you suspect it's more than the wires and connections that have to be considered.

 

[gwinger]

It's possible the OEM camera had 12 volt power and video on the same cable.
Similar to the OTA antennas used on RV's.

 

[Heretoserve]

You might tell us about the monitor you are using, perhaps at least the model number. It's specs need to be similar to those of the camera you posted about. In other words, as you suspect it's more than the wires and connections that have to be considered.

The only model I do I have for it is the link I posted. I don’t see one on the unit.

 

[Heretoserve]

It's possible the OEM camera had 12 volt power and video on the same cable.
Similar to the OTA antennas used on RV's.

The tailgate latch camera did have a 12v wire which I wired (as in instructions) into the tag light. We are sure that the are on and power is running to the camera.

 

[Kirk]

We are sure that the are on and power is running to the camera.

So if wired in parallel with the tag-light, the light will tell you that power is available. I assume that you have the lights turned on.

 

[Larry N.]

The only model I do I have for it is the link I posted. I don’t see one on the unit.

But that's for the camera, so with no information on the monitor it's hard to offer any thoughts.

 

[Heretoserve]

So if wired in parallel with the tag-light, the light will tell you that power is available. I assume that you have the lights turned on.

Yes lights are on and tag lights are illuminated

 

[Heretoserve]

But that's for the camera, so with no information on the monitor it's hard to offer any thoughts.

I will look tomorrow for additional model numbers on the monitor tomorrow after church.

 

[bigbAZ]

It's possible the 4 pin to Siamese adapter is bad or incorrectly wired, not uncommon. I've even bought a 7 way to 6 way umbilical cord that was wired incorrectly, and had a less than 100% success rate with packaged video/power baluns. Looking at the reviews for the adapter you linked there are a high number that said it didn't work.

I had an EWAY tailgate handle camera with a 4 pin but I don't recall if it used an adapter or not. Everything I needed came with the kit. I do know that the connector needed to be firmly plugged in and I had a bit of trouble with it until I finally taped it up after plugging it together tightly.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

The monitor link you posted describes a complete video system with its own pair of cameras and makes no mention of an interface to plug in some other camera. Nor does it mention any sort of standard video interface, e.g MP4 or DVI. How are you attempting to connect this other tailgate camera?

Was there any sort of instruction or tech manual that came with the monitor/camera package? It sure looks like it is designed to simply be mounted, i.e. put the cameras in the desired spots and the monitor on the dash.In other words, not a component system where you can mix & match to build your own system.

 

[Heretoserve]

Here is a picture of the only label on the monitor

To answer Garys questions about how I am attempting to connect the tailgate camera to the new system:
The tailgate camera has a RCA cable with a red and black wire attached. The red cable was wired to the reverse light (so it comes on when truck is put in reverse) and the black to ground. The RCA cable was attached to the system with a separately purchased adapter (link above, it connects an RCA to a 4 pin).

The only reason I am trying to use the tailgate handle camera is because of its location, and where it is looking (at the hitch and tongue of the trailer). If I mount one of the two cameras that came with the new system to the tag or anywhere on the bumper I cant see what I am hoping to see. The second camera that came with the new system will go on the back of the mobile kitchen.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

The point is that you have replaced one of the cameras designed to work with that monitor with another that may or may not be compatible. Connecting the wires is the least of the concerns when matching up video (or any other) interfaces. It's not like using a different light bulb! The camera has to speak the same video language as the monitor and so far there is no evidence that the monitor uses any known video standard.

The lack of any identification of the protocol (signal type) used on the monitors input usually means it is proprietary.

You need something like this, a monitor that can accept MP4 video from a back-up camera as well as a second video device.

 

[Larry N.]

ROHS appears to be the brand, model R4, but I've not found much online yet, except that AliBaba seems to keep showing up in the search. I'm out of time at the moment, but I'll look later, when I get a chance.

Gary brings up a good point- you might also comment on whether you are trying to use original wiring on the vehicle or if you've replaced some wiring (beyond the adapter cable). But video = video is often not true, as Gary mentions above. There are several standards out there for video, many not mutually compatible, and there are also proprietary "standards" which doesn't help at all.

I'll check back when I have time.