Very low cost backup-camera using WiFi cameras?

Question

I thought I had successfully posted to another thread, WiFi Monitors for interior of camper It has not appeared, so perhaps I did something wrong. But, really, it deserves its own thread.

I have a small home-made trailer. I would love to have a back-up camera to use on my car, and also the trailer.

I am trying to make use of one of the very low-cost WiFi cameras now on the market. For example, the Wyse Cam HD, is only $25. There are even battery-powered ones with magnetic mounts, so it could be moved. These WiFi cameras are capable of sending video to my camera, via. P2P Protocol, but it has to go through my local WiFi router. the camera will not talk directly to my phone. The camera must pair with the WiFi router, and then my router sends the video to my camera over WiFi. I should also note that to pair the two together, they must connect to the manufacturer's server. But, theoretically, after that initial pairing, I don't need any internet access.

I have seen "USB WiFi Routers" for sale under $15. But, a lot of Chinese manufactures use technical English words incorrectly. So, I don't know if those devices would actually function like my home router. Furthermore, I would not be connecting that "USB WiFi Router" to a computer, just to a USB charger.

I was hoping the above would permit the WiFi camera to talk to my phone. If not, I wonder if any of the low-cost WiFi extenders would serve the same purpose?

Anyone have any ideas about this, or perhaps the correct hardware to give it a try?

-Joe

dford · Answer

There's no easy way of doing what you want to do with a WiFi camera. It'd be a lot easier on you to scan Ebay for an inexpensive wireless backup camera made to meet your needs. The camera needs to be able to send a "mirror image" of the view behind you or you'll be all screwed up looking at the picture.

Have a look at this system:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wireless-IR-Rear-View-Backup-Camera-Night-Vision-System-5-Monitor-For-RV-Truck/352253262122?hash=item5203ee392a:g:o18AAOSwVC5c3Q54

theczar · Answer

I actually put together a system that transmits through wifi to my iPad and it did not cost much. I put together the following two components:

Camera

Transmitter

These are not the sellers I purchased from since they are no longer available but products like what I purchased. The range is not going to work on a 30 foot trailer unless like me you get an extension between the camera and the transmitter to get it closer to your vehicle. It is not 4K video but sufficient for what you need.

note: not sure what is happening to the "Transmitter" link. I cannot clean up the extra text.

bumpyroad · Answer

DFord wrote:
The camera needs to be able to send a "mirror image" of the view behind you or you'll be all screwed up looking at the picture.

I used a baby monitor in my first RV as a rear view camera system and it was disconcerting to see those vehicles on the screen coming up my right/shoulder side. ;)
somebody here told me I could switch two wires but never got the nerve.
bumpy

garry1p · Answer

I have one like this only it came with extra wire for wired or wireless.

With the extra wire you can have the camera and display quite a distance apart with the transmitters/receiver with in range.
My set up $29 They have gone up now $32 /$40.

Camera..19ft extra wire..transmitter <14ft> receiver 19ft extra wire....display

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wireless-5-Monitor-Car-Rear-View-System-Backup-Reverse-Camera-Night-Vision-Kit/143178310680?hash=item215617a418:g:T~4AAOSwJm9ckKLg

cadcoke5 · Answer

Based on a misunderstanding of a thread I saw on the WYSE support forum, I purchased their $25 camera. I turns out that their camera demands access to the internet for both set-up and for reconnecting after loosing a connection. So, while you can get it to transmit video after unplugging the internet connection from your WiFi router, that will last only as long as everything is powered up. As soon as you power cycle anything, the connection has to be re-set by using the internet.

I doubt the technology demands this, and it is perhaps done both to make things easier for most of their customers, and to keep you connected to their company.

I also tried setting up my phone as a WiFi hot spot, thinking that the only data it would use, would be just the data needed to connect and log on. But, at least on my Note 4 phone, it would not work.

theczar, does your iPad have access to the internet? Is this perhaps necessary for your set-up to work?

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Very low cost backup-camera using WiFi cameras?

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