Hi all,
I had a closer look at the sat nav in the later model P38s, with a bit of jointing wires and a spot of soldering it is possible to add a reverse camera (or anything else that uses composite video) to the system. Sorry about the lack of photos, I no longer have the rangie any more, but I've tried to write it up as best as I could.
The aim here was to get a camera to switch on when the range rover is in reverse, then back to the sat nav for normal driving.
First off, the screen uses RGsB for an input, individual red green and blue channels with the video sync on the green channel. This means you can either connect composite to the green channel and enjoy video with a green tint, or get a converter for full colour. I chose to go the full colour route.
Here's the proof of concept on the green channel:
![Image]()
I bought a component to RGsB converter off ebay. It was $50 from the US, but by the time I had paid shipping and import duty it was about £75, by far the priciest component of the project. It runs off 5V DC, so it's powered from the cigarette lighter 12V feed at the bottom right of the boot through a standard USB charger adapter.
![Image]()
To get video into the screen, pop out the sat nav computer in the boot, and disconnect the 2 connectors. The one with the video signals is the blue plug (C1349 in Rave).
![Image]()
Pin 5 - Green
Pin 7 - Red
Pin 10 - Blue
Pins 14, 15 and 16 are video ground.
I cut the wires and soldered on RGB component leads to both the wires coming from the sat nav plug, and to the sat nav screen. This is where the signal would get intercepted.
![Image]()
![Image]()
With the soldering done, the sat nav computer can be plugged back in and put back in its slot. As the video isn't connected yet, the display should just show plain white.
I stuck the reverse camera in the handle between the numberplate lights, and routed the power and video cable up through the tailgate, and through to the main car with the rest of the wiring at the top right of the window.
![Image]()
This gives a great view of the towbar, which is probably the only reason to have a camera on one of these.
Unfortunately, this is where the pictures get a bit thin. The circuit to get it all up and going consisted of 3 separate RGB sockets, 2 inputs and 1 output.
Input 1 - original Sat nav computer
Input 2 - composite to RGsB converter
Output - To screen.
I used 3 relays, one for each colour channel, which were activated by 12V from the reverse lights. The way this was configured was so the sat nav computer was connected while the relay was off, then switched to the reverse camera when the reverse lights came on. I stuck it all in a small plastic box and hid it under the side panel, there's loads of room. I'll see if I can dig out the schematic I drew when I get back to my computer.
The end result was this:
![Image]()
![Image]()
In theory, this could be adapted to work with a dvd player, assuming it used composite out. To get audio it would probably be easiest to get an aux adapter for the CD changer loom and plug it in there, I never had time to dabble with the sat nav speaker.
Hope this helps anyone wondering if it was possible, I know I can't have been the only one!
Link to the converter (or one similar):
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=120332220654&alt=web
I had a closer look at the sat nav in the later model P38s, with a bit of jointing wires and a spot of soldering it is possible to add a reverse camera (or anything else that uses composite video) to the system. Sorry about the lack of photos, I no longer have the rangie any more, but I've tried to write it up as best as I could.
The aim here was to get a camera to switch on when the range rover is in reverse, then back to the sat nav for normal driving.
First off, the screen uses RGsB for an input, individual red green and blue channels with the video sync on the green channel. This means you can either connect composite to the green channel and enjoy video with a green tint, or get a converter for full colour. I chose to go the full colour route.
Here's the proof of concept on the green channel:
I bought a component to RGsB converter off ebay. It was $50 from the US, but by the time I had paid shipping and import duty it was about £75, by far the priciest component of the project. It runs off 5V DC, so it's powered from the cigarette lighter 12V feed at the bottom right of the boot through a standard USB charger adapter.
To get video into the screen, pop out the sat nav computer in the boot, and disconnect the 2 connectors. The one with the video signals is the blue plug (C1349 in Rave).
Pin 5 - Green
Pin 7 - Red
Pin 10 - Blue
Pins 14, 15 and 16 are video ground.
I cut the wires and soldered on RGB component leads to both the wires coming from the sat nav plug, and to the sat nav screen. This is where the signal would get intercepted.
With the soldering done, the sat nav computer can be plugged back in and put back in its slot. As the video isn't connected yet, the display should just show plain white.
I stuck the reverse camera in the handle between the numberplate lights, and routed the power and video cable up through the tailgate, and through to the main car with the rest of the wiring at the top right of the window.
This gives a great view of the towbar, which is probably the only reason to have a camera on one of these.
Unfortunately, this is where the pictures get a bit thin. The circuit to get it all up and going consisted of 3 separate RGB sockets, 2 inputs and 1 output.
Input 1 - original Sat nav computer
Input 2 - composite to RGsB converter
Output - To screen.
I used 3 relays, one for each colour channel, which were activated by 12V from the reverse lights. The way this was configured was so the sat nav computer was connected while the relay was off, then switched to the reverse camera when the reverse lights came on. I stuck it all in a small plastic box and hid it under the side panel, there's loads of room. I'll see if I can dig out the schematic I drew when I get back to my computer.
The end result was this:
In theory, this could be adapted to work with a dvd player, assuming it used composite out. To get audio it would probably be easiest to get an aux adapter for the CD changer loom and plug it in there, I never had time to dabble with the sat nav speaker.
Hope this helps anyone wondering if it was possible, I know I can't have been the only one!
Link to the converter (or one similar):
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=120332220654&alt=web
