Android tablet with GPS AND ability to accept signal from rear camera

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PSLog

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Master Geek

Topic # 242929 20-Nov-2018 14:07

Is this possible?

Android tablet (pref 10") with GPS, running a satnav app for navigation
PLUS
The ability to accept either a wired or wireless connection to a rear view camera.

Would prefer an off-the-shelf solution, without having to organise complicated data or cabling conversions.

d3Xt3r

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Reply # 2130417 20-Nov-2018 14:57

The Xiaomi Mi Pad 4 (4G version) has GPS and is well spec'd with reasonable pricing and excellent community support (custom ROMs etc). It's only an 8" screen though, if you want a 10" you could get a Huawei MediaPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab - both of which are difficult or impossible to root, and IMHO having root is a must for in-car tablets. You may not need it now, but maybe you'll want to do some more automation and integration in the future, in which root access will be really handy (lets face it - car infotainment/automation is a never-ending hobby :P).

As for the rear view camera, what sort of camera do you have? If it's a standard car camera then you'll need a RCA <-> USB OTG adapter, but if you're using a standard USB camera then there are USB webcam apps that you can install to display the live feed.

There's some discussion here: Installing a tablet as a backup camera monitor in my car [XDA Forums]

- alternatively-

You could go for an Android Auto head unit - they integrate well with vehicle systems, including rear-view cameras. Something like the Sony XAV-AX100 or Kenwood eXcelon DNX694S will work well, but they're pretty pricey. They also support Apple Car Play so your Apple buddies won't be left out if they want to share their music etc.

PSLog

222 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 2130488 20-Nov-2018 16:02

Thanks for that reply.
It looks like there are a few out there who want a big display AND the ability to interface with a camera - but obviously not enough demand for someone to make a plug and play solution.
Even the geek in the link decided it was going to be "too hard" - and I'm not a geek.
So it looks like it might have to be separate units.

richms

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Reply # 2130566 20-Nov-2018 18:48

I have a cheap 5.8GHz video reciever from gear best that plugs into anything with USB host on it, and then FPVviewer app will show the output of it. Apparantly you can use some easycap video capture dongles in the same way to get a wired composite video signal into an android device.

Wouldnt be automatic but I only need the reversing camera when backing up to the trailer so is a workable solution with the 2.4GHz transmitter that came with my backing camera swapped out for a 5GHz one. I used to have the 2.4GHz one connected to the number plate lights so switched the lights on to get it to transmit when needed, but found that the 2.4GHz one was messing up bluetooth somewhat in the car so finally got around to poking a feed from the reverse lights thru the rubber cable conduit thing to the boot lid to power it. Then swapped it to the other transmitter so I could use the phone reciever instead of the crappy LCD screen in a rear view mirror that the camera set came with.

This is what I have as a reciever. Also there is quite a bit of other video on 5GHz that it picks up, They are made for quadcopter FPV use but I have had security cameras and peoples sky boxes show up when scanning on it. The transmitter was some generic looking board with cables on it. Made sure it was happy with 12v tho as many are 5v only ones. Cant recall where I got it from but probably aliexpress.

Richard rich.ms

PSLog

222 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 2130625 20-Nov-2018 20:36

Thanks for that, richms. So it looks like it can be done, if you have the tech knowledge.