Forum Discussion

rvexodus's avatar
rvexodus
Explorer
Mar 23, 2018

Backup and Side View Cameras - Network IP Cam

Curious if anyone is using standard network ip cameras for backup, side view and even forward facing. I have a 43ft fifth wheel that I’d like to get a few really good camera angles. I hate to pay a $1000 for a system with another screen to manage. We already have a gps and iPad that we use when towing. To be able to use the iPad screen to view network cameras would be great.

Now a little disclaimer. We are already doing this with a few cameras on the inside. My wireless network is always on as well as my Mac mini which is running s program called security spy. This program aggregates multiple cameras into one stream which I can then view on an iPad whil towing or an Apple TV at night as a security device. So far it works great inside.

Outside is a different story. I’m trying to find some low profile cameras which also have good night vision. I can find one or the other but not both. I’ve had really good results stationary with an amcrest bullet camera which boasts a pretty long night vision viewing distance. Alternately I found a nice compact camera by la view that has so so image quality and night vision.

My goal would be to mount the cameras in the back, sides and on the roof angled forward as a birds eye dash cam.

Wanted to see if anyone else was doing this. Is this a silly idea? I am a gadget geek. Is there a better more simple option I should concider?

Thanks,

Kirk
  • SabreCanuck's avatar
    SabreCanuck
    Explorer
    Mar 26, 2018
    Interesting topic as being a techy-geek had thought of the same thing.. I haven't sourced anything as of yet but would LOVE to have a multi-camera option. One way to get around the issue of video quality is to go with a mix of wired cameras where you need them... No matter what happens, you are going to need a central point of connection for cameras and an local network to connect ipad/phone to view those cameras.. If you are running a LAN router, nothing stopping you from having one camera WIRED that is used for high speed motion and WIRELESS the other ones that would only be concerned with backing or when parked for security (low speeds).

    I agree and seldom discussed is a forward looking ROOF cam so I can see if that tree branch is going to rip anything off of the roof. Or maybe it's just better not knowing :)
  • rvexodus's avatar
    rvexodus
    Explorer
    Mar 24, 2018
    lynndiwagon wrote:
    They work fine, with some slight limitations. I purchased a used wifi router at a garage sale and set up a LAN (without internet connection) within the rig. Mounted a bullet style, outdoor IP camera on the back. Great picture, great night vision and was able to record motion video to an old laptop. It didn't work so well for viewing rear traffic while rolling down the road due to delay in camera circuitry, too much lag. The camera I used couldn't keep up with the rapid change in motion. Fun and pretty inexpensive to play with,


    We have a huge solar array, two large inverters in parallel and lithium batteries. Power remains on while towing. Therefore, our WiFi Ranger is on giving us a large WiFi range strong enough to reach the truck. We also have a Mac mini with software capable of recording and multiplexing the cemeras together. So we absolutely have a similair setup to what you have. WiFi signal is critical obviously otherwise frame rate and studdering video will occur. Some cheaper WiFi cameras have issues with quick movement. I’ve found armrest to be one of the better cameras in this department.

    I’ll definately have something to demo on YouTube in the next few weeks or so as we leave Arizona and head to yosimite.
  • rvexodus's avatar
    rvexodus
    Explorer
    Mar 24, 2018
    SugarHillCTD wrote:
    Similar to this? I found a Youtube video-

    https://youtu.be/6UIG-31UCFU


    Close but no smoke :) the devices are great if you want to use just one camera. They create their own hotspot. You connect your device to the cameras hotspot and launch their app and you get video. Great. If you only require one camera and you don’t mind that your iPad or iPhone is now connected to a hotspot with no internet.

    Our rv has WiFi while we tow. As long as there iis cell service we have internet. Normal ip network cameras connect to your existing WiFi and support more than just one camera. With the right software you can view multiple cameras at once (eg, 2x2, 3x3 etc). Again, I have this working with inside cameras but haven’t found the perfect outdoor camera.
  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    Mar 24, 2018
    Check out jbgtravels on you tube. Hes a long haul trucker (26 years on the road)....very religious and not the usual lunatic cussing and raving at other folks on the road. He's made 410 you tubes from 1-1-'18 to today and many before that of his travels around the USA.
    He runs a hat cam.....dash cam......left hand and right hand mirror mount cams mount tied into his big screen dash mounted receiver. He tried a roof mounted cam but it quickly got too dirty and was not a good idea to crawl up there in all kinds of weather.
    He also runs a drone when on his 10 hour breaks..... all tied together. What equipment he is using other than Sony XD300 cameras (I think) I have no idea.
    You can give him a call out and maybe more input on equipment.
  • lynndiwagon's avatar
    lynndiwagon
    Explorer
    Mar 24, 2018
    They work fine, with some slight limitations. I purchased a used wifi router at a garage sale and set up a LAN (without internet connection) within the rig. Mounted a bullet style, outdoor IP camera on the back. Great picture, great night vision and was able to record motion video to an old laptop. It didn't work so well for viewing rear traffic while rolling down the road due to delay in camera circuitry, too much lag. The camera I used couldn't keep up with the rapid change in motion. Fun and pretty inexpensive to play with,
  • rvexodus's avatar
    rvexodus
    Explorer
    Mar 24, 2018
    Thanks. I may just reach out to him. Network cams bring a whole new level of advatages over traditional backup systems. Really backup camera is such a limiting term. No reason we shouldn’t have a full view of the surroundings. I know there are some 360 degree systems out there which are intended to give you a Birdseye view. but they have a lot of maturing to do. I’m dabbling with some ideas myself. I actually happen to disagree. The products are out there. They just aren’t being packaged or targeted for RVers at the moment.

    Thanks again!

    Kirk
  • Chad_Heiser's avatar
    Chad_Heiser
    Explorer
    Mar 24, 2018
    I know of one person who is currently experimenting with this. He says it is possible but is not ready for production into the market yet. He is still working through some issues, but I am not familiar with what those issues are. His name is Jack Mayer and he has his hands in various RV related fields. He recently started a company called RVHLifestyles. I would contact him to see where he is at with his project.

About Fifth Wheel Group

19,006 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 29, 2025