Back up camera image quality

Oh, yeah I dont blame you. I have to check mine now. I assume lined up since I never noticed a problem.

 

The camera isn't in the center of the truck. That is why its offcenter. My 4runner factory location for the camera is about 4-5 inches to the left of center which made the view way off. The camera in our trucks is in the tailgate handle and it's off a little, but not as bad as the 4runner. To center the lines, you would have to move the camera. The license plate cam would be one way to do that, but it is really worth it? I use my cam to hook up a trailer and I use the ball to center it under the trailer and not the lines. It's perfect every time.

 

Yeah, I did notice that it's off centered from the middle of the truck. Which makes me now wonder if it's software related and maybe the grid can be moved somewhere in the settings. I'll call my contact at the dealer this morning and see what they have to say. I'll keep you guys posted. It's not a huge deal, but if there's a way, why not, right?

 

The camera lines if they are fixed, are turned on my connecting two wires together in the camera wiring harness. At least I know that is how it worked on the 4runner, because I installed it. It would be nice if they were centered and some vehicles are, but the Tundras aren't but I have seen worse.

 

Ok. Gotcha. So if the grid can't be moved, at least there's a way to remove it all together. I'll probably end up doing that if it can't be moved. It's basically pointless if it's not cantered, in my opinion. Plus, that gives me an excuse to get the pop n lock, lol.

 

Pretty sure you can just change the camera. When I had my stereo system installed, they fried my factory camera. The one they replaced it with is light years better than what was on there. It’s way better than the one on my wife’s 2019 platinum Sequoia also.

 

regarding the center line on the camera image, yes, the camera is off center on the truck; however, the camera is off center in my wife's car as well, yet the lines aren't. I'm sure there is a way to adjust. At least, BMW has found a way to do it. Speaking of BMW cameras, man, I'd love to have the camera system from her car in my truck.

 

Let me clear a few things because I got confused reading this. The factory camera has no options or adjustments at all. No turning on or off lines, adjusting angles, etc. (maybe you could shim it a bit).

Aftermarket camera is 12v, not 5v like factory. They have options like lines on and off, grid, etc if you buy the right one. You can retrofit an aftermarket camera to stock radio if you rerun power and splice the composite video signal wiring (again if you’re using factory headunit) or if you are using an aftermarket headunit it will have the composite video plug to just land it directly.

That was a run on sentence but whatever. The highest composite video resolution you will find on a composite camera is probably 480i. It still sucks. So don’t sweat it because it’s work to change it and it’s not going to be great no matter what you do.

 

I guess that's why I never noticed a problem. I do the same but I guess autopilot that I couldn't even describe what I did until you called it out.... i only use to make sure nothing behind me or line up a trailer.

I agree it isn't the best comparing to others but way better than what I had on my 01 xterra..

 

Digging up this old thread because this sucky camera has driven me nuts for 2 long years. I decided to buy this and give it a try:
https://www.mastertailgaters.com/pr...dra-backup-camera?_pos=1&_sid=2ece3dc94&_ss=r

It has 600tvl and based on this comparison picture I am guessing the OEM one is closer to 300:
https://www.lorextechnology.com/images/articles/support/tvl-camera-examples.jpg

I'll repost with an update if it is any better and if I run into any install issues. It looks to be easy to swap out.

 

Beerdude77, Please do. I hate mine. I think a good mod would be to somehow mount a small air nozzle next to it to blow water off of the lens. At night backing up in the rain, worthless.

 

Available lighting is main issue for most poor quality reverse cameras. More reverse lighting always helps. This is on my short list:
https://www.vleds.com/shop-products/lp-series/lpr-reverse-72-w.html#product-review-form

 

I think a reverse lighting upgrade definitely helps at night. I upgraded my reverse lights to Headlight revolution LEDs and it certainly helped but the picture on my screen always looked washed out. I installed the above referenced camera today and unfortunately the one I received was a dud. It was completely blurred and from what little I could make out the picture was inverted (still waiting to hear back from the seller on that). Luckily it was an easy install and de-install. Upon reinstall of OEM camera I got to fooling around with the Kenwood head unit I installed a long time ago and realized I had the brightness turned all the way up from before my install of the reverse light upgrade

I turned it back down to neutral and turned up the contrast some and it definitely made a big difference in the day time view. Haven't had a chance to see if it improved the washed out look I was seeing at night but based on what I saw today I think it may be improved too. If I ever hear back from Tailgate Masters and get a replacement I will update this post. I would still welcome more clarity even with the improvements I made in the the setting changes I made today.

 

here is another option for reverse lighting.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/all-new-xtr-license-plate-reverse-light-system.62878/

 

From what I've seen before, usually the inverted image is something they do on purpose depending on where the camera is put, and you cut a wire to flip it back.