MCA-plus reverse camera input?

Hi,

As always I'm sorry about writing in English instead of German. Not versed enough in your language.

In the trying to use another reverse camera with my MCA, but when camera is powered on it does not show the image on the MCA display.

I've tested the camera, it works. I got the camera with my Junsun android head unit (see image).

Could the camera be sending the wrong kind of signal? The fakra - rca connection is working correctly.

Does the MCA head unit require some other "trigger" to show the reverse camera image, except that the camera powers on and sends a video feed to the MCA? I thought it just displayed anything feeding into it when the camera is powered.

Big thanks for any help!

Zitat von gobang

I assume the camera has wrong video signal format: AHD (Analog HD),

Ford needs CVBS (NTSC).

Some camera models have the possibility to change the video signal format by cutting some extra cable loop.

Thanks for your reply!

According to specs it's CVBS (when cutting the extra cable) I've tried both with and without, no luck.

Good idea though👍

Edit:

Ah, crap. I think it's PAL. I guess that's why it isn't working then.

Edit2:

Or it might support both PAL and NTSC, I'm unsure...

Zitat von Go4IT

The video-ADC in the MCA can handle both encodings, PAL and NTSC (and some more).

Thanks!

Strange, then it probably should work. I'll continue my search for a solution.

Edit:

Also if anyone has the pinout for the connector on the original reverse camera (the square connector), I would be very happy. Haven't found that yet.

Zitat von jofel

looking for that? https://mk4-wiki.denkdose.de/a…a/pinout_cam_pigtail_plug

Thank you so much!

I don't know why I have so much issues with finding things in the wiki, I'm usually good at that😅

Zitat von Go4IT

Why do you ask for the original CAM pinout? I assume that you connect your aftermarket cam direktly to the satnav Fakra?

I was going to try it on the bench but I soon realised that that wasn't possible. I read your other articles on the matter in the wiki.

I'm still trying to figure out why the aftermarket camera doesn't work when connected directly to the MCA unit. I'm thinking that the middle pin on the fakra connector is signal and the shielding is ground and shielding.

Zitat von Cosworth

If you direct connect your Camera to the MCA you also must connect the Reverse light signal to the camera + . Then the camera should switch on when you shift in Reverse.

Most aftermarket camera's that I know had to be connected like this.

Sorry my english writing is not the best.

Yup, thanks for the info👍

I know I'm just trying it out on my kitchen table before starting the install in the car.

Yeah, mine is something like that as well.

It's got a black (-), red (+), yellow(signal) and a white one that seems to be connected to ground, that you can cut to change video output. I've tried both with and without the white cable.

I hooked up the camera to another display I had laying around and that worked, just not sure why it isn't working in the MCA unit.

Zitat von gobang

But how the MCA is getting the info about activated reverse gear on the kitchen table?

Supposedly the MCA unit should display the video input whenever this is present. Since there is no pin for on the unit to tell it to switch to reverse view like on all the Android aftermarket units for example.

Zitat von gobang

Isn't the MCA getting the info about reverse gear activated via CAN I/F?

Not that I know of but that would explain my issue. I haven't gotten a straight forward answer when I've asked earlier (not on this forum). Only guesses. Thanks for pointing this out👍

Might be, but the Sync is completely different unit. I'm hoping you're correct though.

I'm guessing only Go4IT can tell us definitively 🙂