5 ms·

We're just getting to replacing the rear-view mirror with a camera. It will be a while before the windshield becomes (augmented) display.

by arbie 8y ago

cptskippy 8y ago
Most backup cameras are rubbish. 320x480 CMOS sensors with very poor low light performance and several hundred millisecond latency. Even the Model 3, whose backup camera is amazing the first time you see it, isn't that great in low light conditions. I'll be really sad to see cameras replace mirror on cars.
- wil421 8y ago
  Are you sure it’s the sensors and not the infotainment display? I had a 2016 model of a car and just got the 2019. The display was significantly updated for 2019 and it has a noticeable improvement over the older model. I am almost positive they are the same backup camera. The higher resolution screen shows better detail and light. I’ll look up the part number on Mopar when I get home but I’m sure the sensor is the same.
  - cptskippy 8y ago
    It's entirely possible that the poor image quality is the display but the poor low light performance is definitely the sensor.
- randyrand 8y ago
  My car has backup lights. They're white and illuminate really well. I can see way better on the camera than with my own vision surprisingly. Chevy Suburban ~2012
  - cptskippy 8y ago
    That's probably the simplest solution to low light visibility issues. Cars already have reverse lights, making them illuminate the area behind the car seems like a lower cost solution to the problem.
NikolaNovak 8y ago
>>We're just getting to replacing the rear-view mirror with a camera And I wish we wouldn't; on average, 2019 cars seem to have far worse rear and rear-corner visibility than 2005 cars, and cameras are no replacement. They are either too low res, too narrow of a FOV (minimizing situational awareness), and even if they are perfect, 2 minutes driving in slush/mud/rain makes them useless. /grouch grouch grumble grumble :) In all seriousness, I see value of cameras complementing visibility (especially for low-height obstacles when reversing), but the current trend of replacing visibility leads into far less overall safety.
- jharger 8y ago
  I agree so much with your assessment here. I just rented a 2018 Nissan Maxima, and I was really surprised how small the rear and rear side windows are. I felt like I could barely see anything when it came to changing lanes. I also nearly scraped the side into a family member's car, because the backup camera didn't show the other car at all, and I couldn't see around me enough to tell that I was inches away from it.

We're just getting to replacing the rear-view mirror with a camera. It will be a while before the windshield becomes (augmented) display.

by arbie 8y ago

We're just getting to replacing the rear-view mirror with a camera. It will be a while before the windshield becomes (augmented) display.

cptskippy 8y ago

Most backup cameras are rubbish. 320x480 CMOS sensors with very poor low light performance and several hundred millisecond latency. Even the Model 3, whose backup camera is amazing the first time you see it, isn't that great in low light conditions. I'll be really sad to see cameras replace mirror on cars.

wil421 8y ago
Are you sure it’s the sensors and not the infotainment display? I had a 2016 model of a car and just got the 2019. The display was significantly updated for 2019 and it has a noticeable improvement over the older model. I am almost positive they are the same backup camera. The higher resolution screen shows better detail and light. I’ll look up the part number on Mopar when I get home but I’m sure the sensor is the same.
- cptskippy 8y ago
  It's entirely possible that the poor image quality is the display but the poor low light performance is definitely the sensor.
randyrand 8y ago
My car has backup lights. They're white and illuminate really well. I can see way better on the camera than with my own vision surprisingly. Chevy Suburban ~2012
- cptskippy 8y ago
  That's probably the simplest solution to low light visibility issues. Cars already have reverse lights, making them illuminate the area behind the car seems like a lower cost solution to the problem.

NikolaNovak 8y ago

>>We're just getting to replacing the rear-view mirror with a camera And I wish we wouldn't; on average, 2019 cars seem to have far worse rear and rear-corner visibility than 2005 cars, and cameras are no replacement. They are either too low res, too narrow of a FOV (minimizing situational awareness), and even if they are perfect, 2 minutes driving in slush/mud/rain makes them useless. /grouch grouch grumble grumble :) In all seriousness, I see value of cameras complementing visibility (especially for low-height obstacles when reversing), but the current trend of replacing visibility leads into far less overall safety.

jharger 8y ago
I agree so much with your assessment here. I just rented a 2018 Nissan Maxima, and I was really surprised how small the rear and rear side windows are. I felt like I could barely see anything when it came to changing lanes. I also nearly scraped the side into a family member's car, because the backup camera didn't show the other car at all, and I couldn't see around me enough to tell that I was inches away from it.