Camera DVR for all cameras

[wg123howard]

We keep getting new dings on our MH and recently watched a guy weed eating at an RV park and he threw a rock into the side of the freshly repainted compartment door. This may also be great for when some idiot decides to merge into the side of the MH.

I would like to add a DVR to plug all the cameras into (rear and 2 side mirrors) to record what is going on and why all the dings. Has anybody done this on a classic (2014)? I know where the camera controller is located so I just need to know how you plugged the cables in/tapped them. The cameras have 4 and 6 pins. It looks like the side cameras are always on but not sure. Where did you mount the DVR? Make model of DVR? Any other special items?
Thanks,
Bill

[DarkSideJeep]

Originally Posted by wg123howard

We keep getting new dings on our MH and recently watched a guy weed eating at an RV park and he threw a rock into the side of the freshly repainted compartment door. This may also be great for when some idiot decides to merge into the side of the MH.

I would like to add a DVR to plug all the cameras into (rear and 2 side mirrors) to record what is going on and why all the dings. Has anybody done this on a classic (2014)? I know where the camera controller is located so I just need to know how you plugged the cables in/tapped them. The cameras have 4 and 6 pins. It looks like the side cameras are always on but not sure. Where did you mount the DVR? Make model of DVR? Any other special items?
Thanks,
Bill

My coach has Cameras Left side, Left turn, Right side, right turn, front, and back. I would like to find DVR system as well.

[Poppedclams]

Use 2 ring doorbell cameras they work great. Stay charged over a month.

[brobox]

A couple of $30. Wyze cameras, recommended by Voltdoc several years ago will solve your problem. $99 a year for cloud storage and add you own SD card backup. Place the cameras anywhere you like to view any part of the coach. I have one facing my ebikes when we park. That one is battery powered and more expensive, but I can use it anywhere there is wifi. Set one on each mirror to view and record the sides of the coach.
Another brand I am using is ANRAN sold on Amazon, a battery camera is about $30, no cloud, just SD card storage with great daily playback. I have these on a commercial building, they have better antennas for receiving wifi. Also have great Christmas sale prices.

[DarkSideJeep]

Fokes, please keep in mind that we are looking for solutions for recording the cameras already present on our coaches while the coaches are in motion. Solutions with stick on cameras might work while parked will not be durable enough to withstand driving down the road at 70mph.

[BZTS561]

I bought an 8 channel (you only need 4 but most units will come with 8) DVR off Amazon with a 1 Terabyte hard drive. It also came with an app that allows me to monitor my cameras from wherever I am (providing the motorhome has internet access). The 1Tbyte hard drive allows for continuous recording with 3 day history before it starts to overwrite the oldest recorded video. When on the road I have 360° recording around the motorhome, in the event of an accident I have recorded video of the event. On my phone I can monitor the cameras and receive notifications when there is activity in close proximity (you can set the range and sensitivity).

Installing was easy, I found a location near the camera cables under the dash and my cables had the same connector as the DVR. If not, there are adapters that can be easily found online or at a local tech store.

[brobox]

Originally Posted by DarkSideJeep

Fokes, please keep in mind that we are looking for solutions for recording the cameras already present on our coaches while the coaches are in motion. Solutions with stick on cameras might work while parked will not be durable enough to withstand driving down the road at 70mph.

The OP was asking about camp ground security. Not traveling. Portable cameras can be moved to the BEST angle for where parked. Just another idea to solve a problem. The OP has a Classic which does not have 360 degree traveling capability that can be recorded..He also asked about adding cameras, portable is the cheapest solution. And can easily be changed as technology improves. The 360 cameras on my 21 are already outdated as is the monitoring setup that is currently being replaced and waiting for parts. That alone is $1,330. vs a $30 portable camera for camp ground use.

[DarkSideJeep]

Originally Posted by BZTS561

I bought an 8 channel (you only need 4 but most units will come with 8) DVR off Amazon with a 1 Terabyte hard drive. It also came with an app that allows me to monitor my cameras from wherever I am (providing the motorhome has internet access). The 1Tbyte hard drive allows for continuous recording with 3 day history before it starts to overwrite the oldest recorded video. When on the road I have 360° recording around the motorhome, in the event of an accident I have recorded video of the event. On my phone I can monitor the cameras and receive notifications when there is activity in close proximity (you can set the range and sensitivity).

Installing was easy, I found a location near the camera cables under the dash and my cables had the same connector as the DVR. If not, there are adapters that can be easily found online or at a local tech store.

What DVR did you use? I have an XITE camera controller shown below. I assume I would need to use a splitter on each individual camera feed to hook up to the DVR.

[jeff.herren]

A few years ago, there was a thread that dealt with this exact undertaking. Simple DVR and splitter wires was the outcome. The DVR needed an inverted power source or an AC to DC converter. Search up top in this thread and you should be able to find it.

[voltdoc]

Originally Posted by brobox

The OP was asking about camp ground security. Not traveling. Portable cameras can be moved to the BEST angle for where parked. Just another idea to solve a problem. The OP has a Classic which does not have 360 degree traveling capability that can be recorded..He also asked about adding cameras, portable is the cheapest solution. And can easily be changed as technology improves. The 360 cameras on my 21 are already outdated as is the monitoring setup that is currently being replaced and waiting for parts. That alone is $1,330. vs a $30 portable camera for camp ground use.

Agree, and my wyze cams work fine traveling down the road too. And most of them are not even fastened down. This one is just placed against the inside of the windshield, no sticky stuff or magnets needed - video: https://photos.app.goo.gl/xr3PV4HRin7M3Mv1A
You do need to turn off the IR night lights if placed inside of the glass, but the night vision on these is very good even without it.




I'd love to have a DVR and 360 camera setup, but until I get around to it, the Wyze cams are a good and useful alternative. I'm even thinking of permanently mounting one of the newer models that can take the weather at the top of the rear cap so I get a secondary rear view.

You do need to have a good wifi setup on board to use this approach successfully.

[brobox]

Originally Posted by voltdoc

Agree, and my wyze cams work fine traveling down the road too. And most of them are not even fastened down. This one is just placed against the inside of the windshield, no sticky stuff or magnets needed - video: https://photos.app.goo.gl/xr3PV4HRin7M3Mv1A
You do need to turn off the IR night lights if placed inside of the glass, but the night vision on these is very good even without it.

You do need to have a good wifi setup on board to use this approach successfully.

I just took one of the new v3's up to the MH to use for a dash cam. It was on sale for $28. I still think of yours catching the FedEx truck backing into you. With one of these for a dash cam, I never have to worry about the key being on, etc. It's on and recording 24/7 even while in storage for a possible break in.

[Lt Dan]

Originally Posted by BZTS561

Installing was easy, I found a location near the camera cables under the dash and my cables had the same connector as the DVR. If not, there are adapters that can be easily found online or at a local tech store.

What type of connectors do your cameras have? The camera systems with RCA type connectors making a splitter was easy. Mine has Mini S-Video connections and I've tried a couple of times to find and/or make splitters and haven't had any success. I've seriously been considering this setup:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0994GJSSS

[Captc]

RVS Rear View Safety has them from basic to GPS tracking ones.

They have one with the screen I am looking at to replace my current screen that the resolution is not very good.

https://www.rearviewsafety.com/safet...uct_types=5788

[bentjm]

Originally Posted by DarkSideJeep

What DVR did you use? I have an XITE camera controller shown below. I assume I would need to use a splitter on each individual camera feed to hook up to the DVR.

Those are Fakra connectors.

You can get all kinds of adapters for them. I have done some research, but have not done anything yet.