Video/NAv Hack Accomplished..., Also rear camera info Options

[Rickie Cruz]

Thats Crazy bro!! I can't wait to do this mod

[d-pak]

1x TH08FW connector - $8.63
Composite Video Cable from pile of cables in basement - $0
Making your first mod before your get your GT-R - Priceless

Thanks to Adrey and NickTO for the information, of course.

A coupe of Notes:
- If you will be using a standard composite video cable, there is no connection for PIN 2 - SHIELD, unless your composite video cable has an overall shield
- Again with a standard composite cable, you will need to combine the connections to PIN 7 - AUDIO GND, by splicing together the RH GND and LH GND
- When reading the PIN out locations, PIN 1 is the top left when looking at the connector from the pig-tail end, and not the other way round.

Attached thumbnail(s)

 

[d-pak]

Is adding the JDM backup camera going to be a simple plug and play that will allow the camera to come on automatically when selecting reverse?

Okay, so I have done a lot of research, and I could use some feedback from Adrey and NickTO, seeing how I don't yet have my GT-R, so I can't easily start looking for connectors.

The BAD news:
The US GT-Rs do not seem to be pre-wired for the Backup Camera at all. In fact the wiring diagrams don't even have any reference to specific signals (see below) that a backup camera function needs. Ugh!

The GOOD News:
Comparing the GT-R's wiring diagrams to my Infiniti G37 that does have a backup camera, there are points where a stock backup camera can be added, and I am really hoping that Nissan didn't go through the added expense of having a completely different set of wiring harness just for US models without the Camera. For example (this is where I need Adrey and NickTO's help);

-->The Infiniti Camera Control Unit (CCU) has inputs/outputs to/from the ACC unit, Display Unit, Steering Angle Sensor , Multifunction Switch, BCM, ECM, AV Control Module, Backup Lights, iPod Connector, Rear Video Camera, etc. When I take a closer look at the the connection from the CCU to the Display Unit, PIN 12 & 14 are used. On the GT-R's diagram pin 12 & 14 have nothing connected and are undocumented. Likewise, CCU connects to AV Control Module via PIN 40, and pin 40 is not connected or documented on the GT-R.

This leads me to believe that if one orders a CCU and Camera, it should be a simple plug in, unless those missing/undocumented cables are clipped, in which case, one should be able to splice into the system, overall I'd say out of 32 pins on the CCU, maybe 12 splices into the existing system, to/from the sensors and screen. No biggie. I really the the function, where if you turn the steering wheel while in REVERSE, yellow lines show the expected path of the vehicle. Corny but cool.

The WORK AROUND:
We could use the cable mod that Adrey posted, splice a micro relay/electronic switcher into the Video Input such that:
--> When the Reverse Light is turned on, the relay is triggered to turn on 4 outputs - bypass Video Feed from iPod to Camera, by-pass Parking brake sensor and Vehicle Speed Sensor (the last are in fact the nav-bypass mod) and send a trigger to the AUX input of the AV Control Module. This will make the screen show the backup camera input, while not needing to switch the the AUX input of nav sceen manually. Upon getting out of reserve mode the inputs/by--passes would be resorted. I can pick that relay up for $5 at the most, then it's a matter of running cables in the car.

Now only if I had the car, I could get this done in a day.

Thoughts?

This post has been edited by d-pak: Aug 23 2008, 09:00 AM

[Arch5]

ok seriously MODERATORS.

please add a section of DIY and How to's on the NAGTROC.ORG forum.... things like this are going to start rolling in and it'll be the best way to keep them organized. as time goes on, more and more people will add them, and i believe we'll all be grateful of this section when we're having trouble, say, replacing the shocks, and we need to search - with perhaps no avail, or WORSE YET, post another thread to inquire about it...


thank you!

by the way, brilliant job on hacking the machine... i'll pm you!

There is already a place for tutorials such as this. The "Wiki" link at the top is where this information will be put as it comes in. Josh (Toykilla) handles all of that (including the 350z-tech.com Wiki) so just be a little patient. Members are able to update the Wiki too, so feel free to start adding things.

Make sure to click the 350z-tech link above to see what it will eventually look like. There's a TON of information there.

[NickTO]

Thoughts?

I have a strong suspicion that that Rear View Camera Control Unit module from the 09 Maxima is identical to what the GT-R need. I need to look into it a bit more, however this is what I'm lead to believe when I compared both AV systems and how the GT-R rear view camera control unit is hooked up.

Further to that, the Reverse Lamp wiring diagram on the GT-R shows that its lighting circuit from the AV head unit also has an extra wire running directly back to the head unit from the Lamp BackUp Relay. Here's the catch, that wire running back from the backup lamp wire relay, is documented on the relay end of the GT-R eWD, but not on the AV end of the wiring diagram. So this leads me to believe that its use was intended for the reverse camera on/off operation.

You are right that there is some wiring missing, mainly the video input wiring from the camera to the AV head unit. And possibly the steering sensor / speed sensor and CanBus inputs into the rear view camera control unit in the trunk. At the same time, the input plugs into the head unit are eerily similar to that of the 09 Maxima system and the pins used in the maxima system are just 'not documented' on the GT-R.

I'm looking into this further with some help from another overseas Nagtroc member here that has the backup camera kit installed in his GT-R and he's been very helpful and looking at getting the JDM wiring diagram for the kit scanned.


More to come later!

[NickTO]

1x TH08FW connector - $8.63
Composite Video Cable from pile of cables in basement - $0
Making your first mod before your get your GT-R - Priceless

Thanks to Adrey and NickTO for the information, of course.

A coupe of Notes:
- If you will be using a standard composite video cable, there is no connection for PIN 2 - SHIELD, unless your composite video cable has an overall shield
- Again with a standard composite cable, you will need to combine the connections to PIN 7 - AUDIO GND, by splicing together the RH GND and LH GND
- When reading the PIN out locations, PIN 1 is the top left when looking at the connector from the pig-tail end, and not the other way round.

Great Work, looks really clean! I made mine quit a bit longer because it'll be mounted in the arm rest. Glad I could help with the info.

[kungura]

There is already a place for tutorials such as this. The "Wiki" link at the top is where this information will be put as it comes in. Josh (Toykilla) handles all of that (including the 350z-tech.com Wiki) so just be a little patient. Members are able to update the Wiki too, so feel free to start adding things.

Make sure to click the 350z-tech link above to see what it will eventually look like. There's a TON of information there.

can we get a www.GTR-TECH.com/wiki ?? i'm kidding... thanks for the info

[NickTO]

D-Pak,

I've looked into it a bit more. I'm convinced now that the Camera Control Unit (CCU) on the Maxima and G37 are identical. The wiring diagrams are spot on for both vehicles, but even moreso for the G37 (there's a 40pin offset with the Maxima and GT-R, but it's the identical pinout and connector on the G37) with the GT-R.

Pin 12 (composite +) and 14 (ground/shield) are indeed the composite input pins directly on the AV Display Unit.

As for using a micro relay, I don't think you would need one at all.

Pin 40 on the AV control unit (AVCU) that goes all the way to the CCU acts as the "Camera-Connection Recognition Circuit". The CCU sends 5VDC to the AVCU when it's connected. That's how the head unit knows how to switch the Display Unit to the rear view camera. The rear view camera is activated by the CCU tapping on the Backup Lamp signal.

My current thought is that the AVCU will automatically switch to the rear view camera if it's hooked up. A quick way to verify this on the GT-R would be to apply 5VDC to pin 40 on the AVCU and putting the car in reverse. The Display Unit should go blank (since there would be no video signal on pin 12/14 of the Display Unit).

The remaining pins on the CCU hook up to the CANbus and the Camera.

As far as I can make it out, in order to get a back up camera on the GT-R, you would need the actual camera that fits the license frame. That may be the same as the G37, I'll verify. And the additional piece of wiring loom between the AVCU and the CCU. The CCU that's installed in the trunk should be the same as the '08 G37.

I've mapped the pinout on the CCU on the GT-R, and like you, I find that all the corresponding pins on the GT-R end are just 'undocumented', but I suspect active.

Here's the pinout for the CCU:
Pins on Camera Control Unit:

5-6-7-8: To Rear Camera 4-3-2-1
11,12: Video Signal to Display Unit 14,12
14: Camera-Connection Recognition To AVCU 40.

17,18: CAN Bus Data Line Splice onto AVCU pin 49,48

19,20: CAN Bus Data Line Splice onto AVCU pin 50,51
31: Ground
32, 30: ACC/ON
22: Back-Up Lamp Switch activation, splice onto AVCU 37

Finally, here's the side by side wiring diagram of the GT-R (left, no camera input) and G37 (right pin 12/14 on the display unit), it gives away the identical hardware.

[d-pak]

I am glad that everything you have said above makes sense, I'd rather go stock than have to mod and splice . As soon as I get my GT-R, which should be 2 weeks out (tech training next week, car is at dock), I will see the wiring and order a 09 Maxima or G37 CCU and Camera, that will be a start.

Thanks, NickTO.

[Adrey@Specialize...]

Forgot to add: the 2x Pack connector J-48817-127 retails for $26.75 at TechMate.

I guess you also forgot to mention that is does not come with and pins nor wires attached to it. All it comes with is the connector by itself, and they dont sell the pins.

[NickTO]

I guess you also forgot to mention that is does not come with and pins nor wires attached to it. All it comes with is the connector by itself, and they dont sell the pins.

Close, but no cigar. The connectors come with 6" pigtail wires already in the plug, complete with pins.


But thanks for making me clarify it. If you actually look at the part url I posted above, it's also mentioned in the description:
http://www.nissantechmate.com/detail.aspx?id=783

CONNECTOR PIGTAIL POPULATED WITH 6” WIRE
(NOTE: 2 PER KIT)


And they do also sell the pins, techmate sells just about everything.
http://www.nissantechmate.com/detail.aspx?id=817

This post has been edited by NickTO: Aug 27 2008, 07:55 PM

[mc tuner]

I mounted the video plug ( red/white/yellow) inside the top of the glove box next to the ipod plug. With this input, you will have the option to view any video source you want (ex. ipod w/composite cable, ps2, rear or any onboard camera system)

Hi,
What about GTRs not equiped with the IPod Plug in the Glove Box?

[Kunani]

So sweet! Thanks Adrey! Of course, I had to bother Adrey cause mine didnt work... because I didnt read the instructions he sent with it which says my parking brake needs to be on.. LOL! All works great, looks good! This is a hands down must have easy plug in install.

[FikseGTS]

thanks for the great info.... I did the nav hack in my M45 and installed a Mac-Mini using the M45's built in video inputs, I could browse the web, use itunes, front row, iphoto, videos, etc.... since I have the ipod interface in my GTR, I probably won't do it, but here was the setup....

http://www.dragtimes.com/gallery/2006-Infi...-Mini-Front-Row

not sure where the mac-mini would fit in the GTR?

[d-pak]

I posted this in the proper sub-forum, but thought I'd update here as the masses visit this sub-forum more.

Link

Next up Backup Camera Install.

[BostonGTR]

Great job on the instructions!

[Adrey@Specialize...]

I posted this in the proper sub-forum, but thought I'd update here as the masses visit this sub-forum more.

Link

Next up Backup Camera Install.

i guess it works, but i would rather not hack up my glove box that way. Id rather keep my oem looking with oem parts..

[Adrey@Specialize...]

http://cgi5.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll

[YS1978]

adrey

how difficult is the installation?

[Comatose]

Thought I'd add my 2cents here as I would love to see progress made! I'm currently looking at integrating a rear-view cam in my g37, and I may be in more or less the same boat as many of you. Several options had been mulled over including ones mentioned in this thread (Retrofitting OEM camera/ccu/etc, tapping into aux vid in line).. you may want to take a peek at this thread here for other ideas:

http://g35driver.com/forums/tech-07-sedan/...w-camera-8.html

In summary:
- retrofitting (oem camera/ccu, etc) is expensive, and there are alot of unknowns with regards to wiring and whether it will work in the end.

- working with aftermarket cameras, theres several solutions:
a) tapping into the aux video-in is the easiest, but inconvenient to have to switch into auxmode

b) aftermarket video switchers, converting a composite video line (from the backup camera) to vga output (tapping into the rear of the headunit to override video when in reverse) would more that likely work. I believe the converters cost ~200.

c) If there is a composite video line in the back of your headunit (as used by oem setups with backup camera support), you may be able to tap directly into this (bypassing the need for a video switcher) -- however its not confirmed whether this will work or not at the moment. On the non-nav units of the G37, these lines are not documented (and I haven't poked around in the back recently to see if they actually exist or not)..