Nismo#1554

Howdy, I just installed an Alpine w900 head unit and an Alpine backup camera. The problem is that it doesn't switch automatically to the camera when I put the Z in reverse. Any idea what I should look into?

Also, I do have the correct wire tapped. The camera turns on when in reverse but doesn't switch automatically.

The alpine website makes it sound like it is supposed to auto switch. HALP!

duro78

iTrader: (6)

Yes when the hu is on and you put the car in revers its suppose to switch over to aux or back camera depending on how u have it set up. i have a pioneer so my wiring schematic wont help u

DavesZ#3

iTrader: (26)

Most HU/cameras have a wire that you have to hook to the back-up lights. That either powers the camera and/or triggers the HU to switch to the BU camera mode. My Kenwood required an additional setup change to make it take priority over other inputs. I could manually switch to the BU cam's video input before changing the config.

Spike100

Dave provides the answer. You must establish the physical connection (the backup light wire), and you must also configure the device to automatically switch to this video source (your backup camera input).

See page #54 of the Owner’s Manual for the INA-W900.

In the section entitled: Setting the Rear Camera Input

With an optional rear camera connected, rear video is output to the monitor. When the rear camera is connected, set this item to ON.

Setting Item: Camera IN
Settings contents: OFF/ON

See page #70 in the INA-W900's Owners Manual for additional settings information about switching your video source.

--Spike

Nismo#1554

I had the reverse wire tapped and had "camera in" set to on. Still it wouldn't auto switch. Anyways...

I figured it out. I didn't know there were two different Alpine cameras. I was sold the HCE-105 which uses a converter box to tap into the backup lights. I need the HCE-107D which plugs directly into the head unit and the head unit taps into the backup lights.

I just need to chuck my converter box and run a wire back up to my headunit for the reverse lights. That should do the trick, hopefully.

Spike100

^^ Hmmm… My understanding is the INA-W900 supports just about any backup camera including non-Alpine cameras. That’s the reason for using the converter box.

For example: Say you have a vehicle already equipped with a backup camera (as is the case with my Jeep Commander) and you want to swap out the OEM HU with the Alpine INA-W900. In this case you use the converter box to support the existing rearview camera. Of course the HCE-107D is a more elegant and simple solution, but I think you could use any camera you have. If I’m mistaken, I hope someone corrects me.

Question: Other than the camera snafu, how do you rate your Alpine HCE-107D?

I’ve looked at this unit and was very impressed with its LCD display which seems incredibly sharp and bright.

--Spike

Nismo#1554

Did you mean to ask about the W900? I don't have the 107D I have the 105.

Anyways, I got the camera working. I wired the deck to the reverse light without the converter box and all is right in the world.
The converter box just got me mixed up.

I think I need to beef up the ground on everything now. I get a whine when my car is in gear.

As far as the w900, I love it so far. It's easy to use and puts up a really good picture. I'll put up some pictures of it this weekend.

Spike100

^^ Yes, I did mean to ask about the W900 (cut and paste error strikes again ). Thanks for the input. I agree with your assessment. The controls for the unit are very intuitive; and the LCD screen is amazingly sharp and clear, and quite viewable under various lighting conditions.

Glad to hear you have the camera working. I’m looking forward to seeing your pictures. If it’s not too much trouble, please post a picture of the screen displaying the rearview cameras image.

About the “whine” noise: That could certainly (probably) be corrected with better grounds. But; if you have an external amp, it might come from noise picked up on the amp leads. Does the whine increase with engine speed?

Thanks for posting information (I’ve already learned a couple of things from your thread, and we’re not done yet).

--Spike

Nismo#1554

The whine is the strangest thing. It's not coming from my speakers but from the engine bay. I can only hear it when the key is in the ON position, the car is in gear, and not running. I take the car out of gear and the whine stops. It's the damndest thing I've ever heard.
As far as I can tell the sound is coming from under the plenum (or in that area). I think it may have started once I tapped into the break light. Any ideas?

Spike100

^^ This is an unusual problem. I’m not sure what’s going on here.

It doesn’t appear to be “alternator whine” since it’s independent of engine speed and only happens when the car is in gear.

Your statement: “I think it may have started once I tapped into the break light.”

Did you mean to say “backup light?”

--Spike

Nismo#1554

Ha. Yeah, I meant backup light. That would be one weird setup having the screen change every time I step on the brakes.

I'm going to rewire my setup and see if it helps anything. I'm not sure when I'll get around to it though.

Tomorrow after a quick detail I'll grab my roommates camera and get some pictures of the W900 in action.