Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

Reversing Camera Install

Discuss your latest mods or ideas, and anything to do with the BMW X5 (E53).
Post Reply
X_V
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2016 2:02 pm
Location: Perth, Western Australia

Reversing Camera Install

Post by X_V » Sat Jul 30, 2016 6:48 am

Hi all,

I was considering doing the reversing camera install after reading the wonderful information Sanj and others have provided here...
http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,86.0.html

But whilst waiting for my NTSC camera to arrive, I came across an awesome Raspberry Pi/PiBUS Project (http://pibus.info/index.html). It was such an easy and painless install, I now have Kodi running and controlled from the factory boardmonitor. Sound quality is great when playing FLAC audio files and the kids love being able to watch TV or Movies loaded on the Raspberry Pi. Boot up time is also very quick ~ 20secs from unlocking the car. I just plugged the camera in without having to worry about relays etc. The PiBUS switches over automatically when you select reverse. If you don't have the factory bluetooth module you can even use the speech button on the steering wheel to manually trigger the camera on. To secure the PiBUS, I used one of the brackets off the CD Changer and attached it to an enclosure with the Raspberry Pi/PiBUS inside. As you can see, wires and cables tucked away and enclosure nice and snug without looking too "Ghetto" ;)

Turned out to be a great project for about $200 AUD, OK not as cheap as doing a camera only install but you get so much more! I thoroughly recommend it to those considering a camera install, have the prerequisite hardware and looking to get a better audio/video setup with the factory system. The best part is I have the choice of simply unplugging and re-plugging the CD Changer back in if I choose to sell the car without the Rasberry Pi/PiBUS system although it might actually help the resale value a little :)
Image
Image
2006 X5 E53 3.0D
Sports Suspension
Australian Version

Post Reply