Laptop as rearview monitor?
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From: New Jersey, near New York City
Laptop as rearview monitor?
I usually travel with a laptop because it serves many useful functions on the road and elsewhere: GPS navigation, entertainment for the kids (DVD player, etc.), and it's a computer! Now that I will be towing a 32' travel trailer, I thought it could also serve as the monitor in a rearview vision setup. Does anyone know of a turnkey package which works this way? I guess I could put a wireless camera on the back of the trailer and a television tuner card in the laptop, but I would rather not reinvent the wheel. I have enough square ones as it is! 
'People of Wal-Mart' 2010 finalist
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From: Oklahoma/Texas
Im not sure what the range is on running USB cables, but you might be able to get away with something from Logitech that is wired or wireless. If you go wireless, you will need to supply power.
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From: Oregon
I wanted to do the same thing using my Laptop display. I could not find anything that was simple and reliable enough. I bit the bullet and went with a 7" external LCD display monitor, that has 2 aux inputs for VGA, that plugs into my laptop. I used Voyager cameras and cables. Now I can scan between PC and camera 1 and 2. Works real well plus laptop can be folded up and on floor or hidden in center seat storage.
http://www.xenarc.com/product/index-monitor.html
http://www.xenarc.com/product/index-monitor.html
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From: McKinney, TEXAS
fredbert,
I wonder if a Bluetooth wireless camera would work. If you laptop does not already have built in Bluetooth, you can add it for about $30. You can buy a USB plug-in that is a Bluetooth transceiver (it sticks out about as far as on of those little memory chips do, no cables or big boxes). The range is supposed to be about 30', some times more.
The camera that you can buy for the new Edge A2 in cab monitor system is wireless and can plug into a trailer hitch for power or you can power it seperatetly. I don't know if it is Bluetooth tho.
~Rob
I wonder if a Bluetooth wireless camera would work. If you laptop does not already have built in Bluetooth, you can add it for about $30. You can buy a USB plug-in that is a Bluetooth transceiver (it sticks out about as far as on of those little memory chips do, no cables or big boxes). The range is supposed to be about 30', some times more.
The camera that you can buy for the new Edge A2 in cab monitor system is wireless and can plug into a trailer hitch for power or you can power it seperatetly. I don't know if it is Bluetooth tho.
~Rob
Proprietor of Fiver's Inn and Hospitality Center
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From: Sarasota, Florida
A few trips with the laptop, GPS, wires, stuff all over was enough. The laptop stays in it's case unless I am hopelessly lost. I do keep the small GPS handy in the cab.
If you really want to do this, do a search on rv.net. A guy there has a website setup where he installed a computer in his rear seat hidden storage, wireless camera on the trailer, gps, everything, all tied into a LCD screen and small keyboard. Pretty sharp.
If you really want to do this, do a search on rv.net. A guy there has a website setup where he installed a computer in his rear seat hidden storage, wireless camera on the trailer, gps, everything, all tied into a LCD screen and small keyboard. Pretty sharp.
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For cheap and simple????????
I bought a little wiresless camera and monitor setup from all places. WALMART
Has a 300'+ range I believe, only black and white. Can monitor 4 channels (so can have up to four cameras)
Was cheap, about $115 U.S
System is either battery operated or has 110 transformers for both units.
I will use it to monitor livestock that is calving/foaling etc. in the barn from the house. And may also use it to monitor valuable livestock in the trailer from the cab of the truck. Has some sort of night vision deal on it too.
Worth considering.
I bought a little wiresless camera and monitor setup from all places. WALMART
Has a 300'+ range I believe, only black and white. Can monitor 4 channels (so can have up to four cameras)
Was cheap, about $115 U.S
System is either battery operated or has 110 transformers for both units.
I will use it to monitor livestock that is calving/foaling etc. in the barn from the house. And may also use it to monitor valuable livestock in the trailer from the cab of the truck. Has some sort of night vision deal on it too.
Worth considering.
Thats MR Hoss to you buddy!
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Central Texas
Just something to check into....but this could be considered illegal in Texas:
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/directo.../pr081903b.htm
Here's the full statute if you care to decipher it:
Having a video display that is visible from the driver’s seat is illegal. SB 209 expands the definition of video receiving equipment to include digital videodisc players, videocassette players or similar equipment. This equipment may be used only if it is located so that the video display is not visible from the operator’s seat.
Here's the full statute if you care to decipher it:
§ 547.611. USE OF CERTAIN VIDEO EQUIPMENT AND TELEVISION
RECEIVERS. (a) A motor vehicle may be equipped with video
receiving equipment, including a television, a digital video disc
player, a videocassette player, or similar equipment, only if the
equipment is located so that the video display is not visible from
the operator's seat.
(b) A motor vehicle specially designed as a mobile unit used
by a licensed television station may have video receiving equipment
located so that the video display is visible from the operator's
side, but the receiver may be used only when the vehicle is stopped.
(c) This section does not prohibit the use of:
(1) equipment used:
(A) exclusively for receiving digital
information for commercial purposes;
(B) exclusively for a safety or law enforcement
purpose, if each installation is approved by the department;
(C) in a remote television transmission truck;
or
(D) exclusively for monitoring the performance
of equipment installed on a vehicle used for safety purposes in
connection with the operations of a natural gas, water, or electric
utility; or
(2) a monitoring device that:
(A) produces an electronic display; and
(B) is used exclusively in conjunction with a
mobile navigation system installed in the vehicle.
RECEIVERS. (a) A motor vehicle may be equipped with video
receiving equipment, including a television, a digital video disc
player, a videocassette player, or similar equipment, only if the
equipment is located so that the video display is not visible from
the operator's seat.
(b) A motor vehicle specially designed as a mobile unit used
by a licensed television station may have video receiving equipment
located so that the video display is visible from the operator's
side, but the receiver may be used only when the vehicle is stopped.
(c) This section does not prohibit the use of:
(1) equipment used:
(A) exclusively for receiving digital
information for commercial purposes;
(B) exclusively for a safety or law enforcement
purpose, if each installation is approved by the department;
(C) in a remote television transmission truck;
or
(D) exclusively for monitoring the performance
of equipment installed on a vehicle used for safety purposes in
connection with the operations of a natural gas, water, or electric
utility; or
(2) a monitoring device that:
(A) produces an electronic display; and
(B) is used exclusively in conjunction with a
mobile navigation system installed in the vehicle.
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From: Commerce, OK
I'm pretty sure that using it for a rear view mirror would be legal as is a GPS navigation system. I'v heard of video rear view systems being installed in motorhomes without any legal problems. The law is aimed at keeping drivers from being distracted by watching TV and movies etc. However there is always the danger of running into a cranky cop.
Edwin
Edwin
Thats MR Hoss to you buddy!
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,759
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From: Central Texas
Originally posted by FiverBob
If that rule is pushed, just about every diesel pusher MH is in violation.
If that rule is pushed, just about every diesel pusher MH is in violation.
Personally, I think they're primarily concerned with people setting up a laptop DVD player on their dashboard and watching a movie while they travel down the road. I wouldn't think a rear monitor would bother anyone....unless they thought it was something else. My intent was only to make folks aware.
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From: Sarasota, Florida
Originally posted by Hoss
Nobody asked you.
Nobody asked you.
I am sure that is the purpose, but it struck me that is quite restrictive. I think the navigation systems are worse than cell phones for distraction. Wonder when states will start banning them. I caught myself looking over and watching mine while driving down the interstate at 70 with 24,000 pounds of rig under me. Scary. One reason I took it out.
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From: Oregon
Originally posted by FiverBob
I think the navigation systems are worse than cell phones for distraction. Wonder when states will start banning them. I caught myself looking over and watching mine while driving down the interstate at 70 with 24,000 pounds of rig under me. Scary. [/B]
I think the navigation systems are worse than cell phones for distraction. Wonder when states will start banning them. I caught myself looking over and watching mine while driving down the interstate at 70 with 24,000 pounds of rig under me. Scary. [/B]
Most good GPS software have voice prompt directions plus will automatically re-route you if you take a wrong turn (If towing I make sure to set mine to not allow U-Turns). Before any road trip, I always program in all my waypoints before starting out or pullover to reprogram. Then its hands off and just listen when the lady calls my next turn, with an occasional quick scan of monitor to see where I am in relation to next city.
Back-up cameras and GPS navigation can add an element of safety and assistance if used properly. Of course anything can be abused by inattentive drivers fiddling with just about anything now a days while rolling down the road (shuffling CD's in and out or selecting music from MP3 attached device, dialing on cell phone, reading maps, GPS tweaking, etc. etc.)
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