Reverse Camera Issue - BMW 3-Series Forum (F30 / F32)

digitallust · 02-25-2013, 11:12 AM

Hi guys, something that has been annoying me for a while now is the poor reverse camera at night.. has anyone experienced any issues.

I think the lens focussing is perhaps faulty, sitting in a dark spot, car in reverse, foot firmly on the brake, the image goes from dark, to bright, dark, bright. It appears that it is trying to focus but cant... quite annoying when reversing at night when the screen goes dark.. anyone else experienced this?

During the daylight, camera is perfect.

Not sure if this link to a short vid of my camera will work... if it it does, will give you an idea what I am on about.

I was told it was normal... If thats the case, ill take the camera from my old G6E.

David328M-Sport · 02-25-2013, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digitallust

I was told it was normal

Of course it is NOT AT ALL normal. If this comment came from BMW, I find it very disappointing because it seems to be what so many people on this entire forum the world over are being told by BMW for real faults, when it is so very obvious it is not "normal".

My reverse camera does not exhibit those iris and/or focus changes at night or during the day. It may be somewhat 'noisy' (camera talk for grainy) at night, which IS normal, but to exhibit what your camera is doing is just plain WRONG.

No need for you to change camera or modules or whatever is needed to make the night picture stable, BMW must.

jctg · 02-25-2013, 04:03 PM

Have to concur with David there.

It is complete BS to say that was normal. God sometimes I just hate BMW dealers.

CKau · 02-25-2013, 06:19 PM

Hmmm.. I would be cheesed off too. That's a $700 camera!

J1n · 02-25-2013, 09:05 PM

Mine works fine it just swaps to "Night Vision".. it doesnt go off and on.. like it's freaking refocussing or something. Having said that.. it's nvr pitch black wherever I reverse.

ozorion · 02-26-2013, 08:21 PM

Speaking as a person that works with these sorts of cameras, what you're experiencing there is known as "strobing". The camera has an iris that it can open to let in more light or close to let in less, but it also includes ELC (electronic light control) to make minor adjustments to the lighting to improve detail. What can sometimes happen with PCB cameras like the one in the reverse camera of cars is that these two technologies can try to fight one another.

I doubt it's something that can be fixed without a service. When I handle cameras like this during my job that are strobing, we usually just replace them.

J1n · 02-26-2013, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozorion

Speaking as a person that works with these sorts of cameras, what you're experiencing there is known as "strobing". The camera has an iris that it can open to let in more light or close to let in less, but it also includes ELC (electronic light control) to make minor adjustments to the lighting to improve detail. What can sometimes happen with PCB cameras like the one in the reverse camera of cars is that these two technologies can try to fight one another.

I doubt it's something that can be fixed without a service. When I handle cameras like this during my job that are strobing, we usually just replace them.

Wow great technical insight

David328M-Sport · 02-27-2013, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozorion

we usually just replace them.

Exactly! and that's exactly what digitallust's BMW dealer should do without question.

digitallust · 05-21-2013, 02:06 AM

My F30 is back at the dealer for other issues, but they are stuck on this reverse camera issue, they have put in a new camera and still exhibits the same issue. Go figure. Apparently they are now looking at wiring etc.

KT_F31_EBII · 05-21-2013, 04:30 AM

poor camera batch? My 2009 Accord Euro reverse camera at night won't experience that colour loss issue.

How come car industry are so slow to catch up with general electronics. we pay premium for a $20 dollar camera that hook up with RGB cables to the screen at the front.

GoPro Hero is much better, one day we might just put an iPhone 4 and can still beat the quality of the reverse camera.

Just my 2cent opinion.

BMW should replace free of charge and address the issue.

02-25-2013, 11:12 AM	#1
digitallust Private First Class Drives: F30 BMW 320d Sport Line Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Kalgoorlie Posts: 114 iTrader: (0)	Reverse Camera Issue Hi guys, something that has been annoying me for a while now is the poor reverse camera at night.. has anyone experienced any issues. I think the lens focussing is perhaps faulty, sitting in a dark spot, car in reverse, foot firmly on the brake, the image goes from dark, to bright, dark, bright. It appears that it is trying to focus but cant... quite annoying when reversing at night when the screen goes dark.. anyone else experienced this? During the daylight, camera is perfect. Not sure if this link to a short vid of my camera will work... if it it does, will give you an idea what I am on about. I was told it was normal... If thats the case, ill take the camera from my old G6E. __________________ _________________________________________ 320d Sport line, F30 Alpine White,Black Dakota, Coral Red Trim, Brushed Aluminium, Sports Suspension, Sports Seats, Anthracite Headliner, Prof Sat Nav, Bi-Xenon, 18" 403M wheels, Reversing Camera, Side-view, Top View,Lane Change Warning, Lane Departure Warning,Anti Dazzle Folding Mirrors.
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02-25-2013, 06:19 PM	#4
CKau Second Lieutenant Drives: F30 328i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: sydney, australia Posts: 258 iTrader: (0)	Hmmm.. I would be cheesed off too. That's a $700 camera! __________________ 328i aus spec \|M adaptive suspension\|sunroof\|sport seats\|self parking\|extended display

02-26-2013, 08:21 PM	#6
ozorion Private Drives: F30 320d Luxury Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 55 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 320d [0.00]	Speaking as a person that works with these sorts of cameras, what you're experiencing there is known as "strobing". The camera has an iris that it can open to let in more light or close to let in less, but it also includes ELC (electronic light control) to make minor adjustments to the lighting to improve detail. What can sometimes happen with PCB cameras like the one in the reverse camera of cars is that these two technologies can try to fight one another. I doubt it's something that can be fixed without a service. When I handle cameras like this during my job that are strobing, we usually just replace them. __________________ 320d Luxury, Sapphire Black, Black Dakota, Music I/F, Pro Nav, Ext Connect, Sunroof, HUD, Lane Dep Warning, Rear Cam, Internet.

05-21-2013, 02:06 AM	#9
digitallust Private First Class Drives: F30 BMW 320d Sport Line Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Kalgoorlie Posts: 114 iTrader: (0)	My F30 is back at the dealer for other issues, but they are stuck on this reverse camera issue, they have put in a new camera and still exhibits the same issue. Go figure. Apparently they are now looking at wiring etc. __________________ _________________________________________ 320d Sport line, F30 Alpine White,Black Dakota, Coral Red Trim, Brushed Aluminium, Sports Suspension, Sports Seats, Anthracite Headliner, Prof Sat Nav, Bi-Xenon, 18" 403M wheels, Reversing Camera, Side-view, Top View,Lane Change Warning, Lane Departure Warning,Anti Dazzle Folding Mirrors.

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02-25-2013, 04:03 PM	#3
jctg Private First Class Drives: F30 328i Sport BSM Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Melbourne Posts: 125 iTrader: (0)	Have to concur with David there. It is complete BS to say that was normal. God sometimes I just hate BMW dealers.

02-25-2013, 09:05 PM	#5
J1n Major Drives: F30 328 MSport Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,256 iTrader: (0)	Mine works fine it just swaps to "Night Vision".. it doesnt go off and on.. like it's freaking refocussing or something. Having said that.. it's nvr pitch black wherever I reverse.

05-21-2013, 04:30 AM	#10
KT_F31_EBII First Time Bimmer Drives: F31 328i M Sport Estoril Blue Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 104 iTrader: (0)	poor camera batch? My 2009 Accord Euro reverse camera at night won't experience that colour loss issue. How come car industry are so slow to catch up with general electronics. we pay premium for a $20 dollar camera that hook up with RGB cables to the screen at the front. GoPro Hero is much better, one day we might just put an iPhone 4 and can still beat the quality of the reverse camera. Just my 2cent opinion. BMW should replace free of charge and address the issue.