Key Technical Terms You Need to Understand to Find the Best Reversing Camera

Today, there's a wide range of camera systems you can purchase if you are inclined to add a safety feature to your car. But with so many options to choose from, how do you know which reversing camera is the best? If this is your first time buying a rear view camera for your car, here are technical terms you should understand and be aware of to help you find the camera system that's right for you.

CCD

CCD stands for charge-coupled device. It is one of the two types of image sensors present in all types of cameras. One of the notable qualities of cameras with CCD image sensors is that they are more capable of producing better images. They are also more sensitive to light, which is a huge help when driving at night.

CMOS

CMOS is the other type of image sensor present in reversing camera kits. It basically stands for complementary metal-oxide semiconductor. Its light sensitivity tends to be lower than the light sensitivity of a CCD camera. In addition, it is more susceptible to noise. But on the brighter side, a CMOS camera generally has longer battery life as it consumes less power as compared to a CCD camera.

RCA

Sometimes called a phono connector or cinch connector, an RCA connector is what the camera system uses to transfer the audio and video signals being captured by the reversing camera to the monitor. It is basically composed of a plug and a jack designed for use with coaxial cable.

4PIN

Like the RCA connector, the 4PIN cable allows the monitor to render the images being captured by the reversing cameras for cars. But the difference between the two is that the 4PIN cable is more durable and can be exposed to the elements. What's more, it allows the monitor to power up the camera on its own so you don't have to connect the latter to a power source.

AV Input

AV input is basically the camera system's capability to receive AV (audio-video) signals from a device. The more the AV inputs the system has, the more cameras you can connect to the monitor.

12v/24v

This signifies the camera's operating voltage.

IR Night Vision

As the name implies, IR (infrared) night vision if a key feature that allows the reverse camera to capture and render images even during low light conditions. This is a huge help if you need to drive at night.

Male/Female Connector

A male connector has one or more exposed, unshielded electrical terminal or pins. It is constructed in a way that it can be inserted snugly into a jack or receptacle. A female connector, on the other hand, has recessed holes with its electrical terminals inside. It is built in a way that allows a plug with exposed pins or conductors to be inserted securely.

Share these key terms with your friends, for them to better understand too those technical terms in finding the right reversing camera.

How to Find a Good Reversing Camera

Having a reversing camera in your car can benefit you in more ways than you can imagine. For starters, it adds an extra layer of safety for you and your family. It helps you avoid unfortunate driveway accidents, too. And finally, it provides coverage for your vehicle's blind spots, thus, making it much easier for you to manoeuvre your car.

Today, rear view cameras are more widely available than before. You can easily buy a reversing camera kit online or from your favourite electronic store. Because many car owners find it necessary to install such an electronic device for their respective vehicles, there has been a growing demand for camera systems in many parts of the world, Australia included, over the last couple of years. This, among other reasons, pretty much explains why their popularity is sky-rocketing.

But for a first-timer, choosing a specific reverse camera system can be a confusing experience. With so many options to choose from, you might be at a loss on which camera you should pick for your car. But don't fret. There are things you can do to easily find a camera that's right for you. For starters, you can ask your friends and family for recommendations. If you know someone who has recently bought a reversing camera and he (or she) is extremely satisfied with his purchase, you can ask that person about the camera's key features and specifications so you can buy something similar for yourself.

Or, if you have lots of time on your hands, you can do your own research. Find out what makes a good camera system for the type of vehicle that you have. Don't forget to do research on the features and specifications that are quite popular among car owners these days. This will give you a pretty good idea of what sort of reversing camera kit you'll be getting for your own car.

Don't have the time to do an extensive research? Then why don't you get information straight from the horse's mouth? If you have a favourite online store that you have been frequenting for years, why don't you call them up or email them so you can make the necessary enquiries? With the store's recommendations, you can bet that you'll be able to identify the best and the most suitable reversing camera for your car. After all, the seller is the one that knows its products best.

Now that you know how to find a good reversing camera, you should give it a try. This will help you find best camera system that can make your travels a convenient and much safer experience.

Ambulances in Victoria Now Using a Reversing Camera

It seems that everyday car owners in Australia are not the only ones who are realising the value of having a reversing camera in their respective vehicles. Recent reports revealed that the paramedics in the state of Victoria are now equipping ambulances with camera technology. This is a clear indication that the use of such a life-saving gadget is now becoming widely accepted and popular in the country.

According to Ambulance Victoria, rear view cameras have already been installed in about 50 new ambulances across the state. This program is part of efforts to provide paramedics who are driving ambulances with a clearer view of the rear cabin. It was finally launched after testing the system in five ambulances in September last year. "This safety initiative has been undertaken at no additional cost following an extensive trial," said Elizabeth Punton, the organisation's operational logistics manager.

With the new reversing camera kits, Ambulance Victoria revealed that it was able to provide a much safer workplace for its paramedics.  It was also reported that the initiative is possibly the first time such a technology has been used to provide ambulance drivers with the opportunity to see the rear ambulance compartment when driving.

Paramedics were truly delighted with the development. Thanks to the camera technology, they can now breathe a sigh of relief because it will be much easier for them to manoeuvre their vehicles and help save people's lives. "Improved vision of the rear compartment of ambulances will improve security and aid communication between paramedics when patients are being treated and transported," added Punton.

With paramedics in Victoria recognising the value of installing rear view cameras in emergency vehicles such as ambulances, everyday car owners can certainly benefit from following their example. With the added safety provided by these electronic devices, it will definitely do you well to fit one to your car. Not only can it make getting in and out of tight parking spaces a no-brainer, it can help you avoid accidents as well.

So check out your favourite electronics and car accessories store and start looking for a reverse camera that would fit your vehicle. For a very small fraction of the cost of buying a new car, you can get your hands on a very useful electronic device that can help you save thousands of dollars and prevent trips to the emergency room in the future. So what are you waiting for? If you don't want to be a passenger of the Victorian ambulances mentioned above, it is certainly an excellent idea to install a camera in your vehicle.

3 Different Reversing Camera Options You Can Explore

These days, having a reversing camera is a must more than ever. With the increasing number of accidents that occur in one's own garage or driveway in Australia over the last few years, many road safety advocates and concerned citizens are encouraging the use of such electronic devices. After all, with a simple camera in your vehicle, you can prevent any untoward situation that might cause the loss of the lives of your family, especially your small children.

When it comes to reverse camera kits, today's buyers have a lot of options to explore and choose from. There are many types of cameras to be had, depending on your requirements or the make of the vehicle you drive. But no matter how big or small and narrow or wide your vehicle is, you can certainly find something that matches your fancy. Let's take a look at some of the camera options that are worth your time and money.

Wireless Cameras. Don't want to deal with wires? Well, you're in luck. These days, you can purchase a wireless reversing camera at a very affordable price so you can save time and effort. As the name implies, this particular type of camera kit doesn't need wires to transmit to the monitor the images the camera captures. Instead, the camera has an antenna and uses digital wireless transmission technology to feed the monitor with the images it captures. This camera kit brings you huge relief because you don't have to deal with wires and spend more time than necessary on the installation process.

Multi-Camera Kits. Believe it or not, there are reverse camera kits that allow you to use not one, not two, but up to four reverse cameras at the same time. This type of camera kit is definitely useful for those who own larger vehicles, like trucks, buses, or vans, as it fills in their blind spots. They also feature bigger monitors (some even measuring up to nine inches!) that let you view four camera angles simultaneously.

A camera system that lets you connect up to four cameras is also useful for those who love to travel on caravans. As you may know, these "homes on wheels" are difficult to manoeuvre because of their size. In addition, they are usually on the road during summer and autumn months, when the parking lots of camp sites, nature reserves, and national parks are filled to brim. With the help of such a reversing camera, you can easily get in and out of tight parking spaces and avoid hitting anything or anyone on your way in and out.

Camera Kits with Mirror Monitors. In case you don't have enough space on your dashboard because your car is not that big, there's a reversing camera option that's right for you. Introducing: camera kits with mirror monitors. Instead of a standard dashboard-mounted monitor, you get a monitor that resembles your car's rear view mirror. It even functions as an actual rear view monitor when the camera is shut off.

Get the reversing cameras that will fit the specifications that you need.

US Makes Installation of Rear View Cameras and Caravan 2 Camera System Mandatory

In the United States, having a caravan 2 camera system or any type of rear view camera is no longer just an option—it is mandatory. Just recently, American highway safety officials have passed laws requiring vehicle owners to equip their cars with reversing camera over the next four years. The move is reportedly part of efforts to reduce the number of people, especially children, who are hurt or killed in related accidents.

According to reports, more than 200 people in the US are killed when cars are reversing. Back-up accidents also injure more than 15,000 people a year. But the most unfortunate thing about these statistics is that most of these accidents involved small children and the person usually behind the wheel is their parents. This has prompted the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, to require people to install a reversing camera kit in new respective vehicles by May 2018.

Most vehicle owners and auto manufacturers often fight tooth and nail whenever NHTSA announces a new mandate, reports said. This time, however, many of them are more than happy to comply with the new directive. After all, for a very small fraction of the cost of buying a new vehicle, car owners can save lives with a simple caravan 2 camera system or a rear view camera. "NHTSA and others have shown, statistically, that a lot of lives can be saved by these systems," said Doug Newcomb, a US-based independent car technology expert.

Australian lawmakers can definitely learn something from their American counterparts in this regard. However, the national government has yet to implement a similar law here in Australia. While this may be the case, there have been a growing number of local car owners and concerned citizens who have been urging road safety officials to make the installation of reversing camera in vehicles mandatory.

Just in January 2014, Dr Brian Owler, president of the NSW chapter of the Australian Medical Association (AMA), have made calls for rear view cameras to be a requirement in new vehicles. According to Dr Owler, just like in the US, many Australian families have lost their children to driveway accidents that could have been avoided with a caravan 2 camera system.

Whether there is a law making the installation of cameras mandatory or not, it is still a good idea to equip your vehicle with a caravan 2 camera system. Not only can it protect your family and save them from untimely death and injuries, this inexpensive yet reliable device can also make parking vehicles in tight spaces much easier and convenient for car owners like you.