How to install a camera on your new SMARTY Trend device

Want to make parking easier or have a better view of what's in front of your car? Connecting a rear or front view camera to your SMARTY Trend Android head unit is a fantastic way to enhance your driving experience. This guide will walk you through the process in simple terms.

What You'll Need:

• A SMARTY Trend Android head unit.
• An aftermarket rear or front view camera (make sure it has an RCA video output).
• The wiring harness that came with your SMARTY Trend head unit.
• The power cable that came with your camera.
• Wire strippers and crimping tools (if necessary).
• Electrical tape or heat shrink tubing.

Step-by-Step Connection Guide:

1. Identify the Camera Input on Your Head Unit Harness:

   • Look at the wiring harness that came with your SMARTY Trend head unit. You'll be looking for a yellow RCA connector labeled "CAM-IN," "VIDEO IN," or something similar. This is where the video signal from your camera will connect.

   • Example: Imagine a yellow plug sticking out from the bunch of wires. It might have a small tag that says "Rear Camera Input."

2. Connect the Camera's Video Output:

   • Your aftermarket camera will have a yellow RCA connector for video output. Plug this directly into the yellow RCA input you identified on your head unit's wiring harness.

   • Example: Take the yellow plug from your new camera and push it into the yellow plug on the head unit's wires until it clicks.

3. Connect the Camera's Power:

   • The camera needs power to operate. Typically, it has a red wire (positive) and a black wire (negative/ground).

   • Rear View Camera: The most common way to power a rear view camera is to connect it to the reverse light circuit. This way, the camera only turns on when you put your car in reverse.

     • Locate the positive (+) wire of your reverse light in your car's wiring.

     • Connect the red wire of your camera to this positive wire.

     • Connect the black wire of your camera to a good ground point on your car's chassis (a clean metal surface).

     • Example: When you shift into reverse, the reverse lights turn on. You'll tap into the wire that makes those lights shine and connect your camera's red wire there. The black wire can be screwed to a metal part of the car frame.

   • Front View Camera: You have a couple of options for powering a front view camera:

     • Switched Power: Connect the red wire to a wire that gets power when the ignition is turned on (like the ACC wire). This will keep the camera powered whenever the car is running.
     • Manual Switch: You can install a separate switch on your dashboard to manually turn the front camera on and off. In this case, you'd connect the red wire to the switch, and the switch would be connected to a power source.

4. Connect the Reverse Trigger Wire (for Rear View Camera):

   • Many SMARTY Trend head units have a specific wire that tells the unit when the car is in reverse, automatically switching the display to the camera view. This wire is often labeled "REVERSE IN," "BACK," or similar. It's usually a single wire (often purple or pink).

   • Connect this wire from the head unit's harness to the positive (+) wire of your reverse light circuit (the same wire you connected the camera's power to).

   • Example: Find the purple wire on the head unit's wire bundle and connect it to the same wire that makes your reverse lights turn on. This tells the Android unit, "Hey, the car is in reverse, show the camera!"

5. Ground the Head Unit:

   • Ensure your SMARTY Trend head unit is properly grounded. This is usually done through the main wiring harness.

6. Test the Camera:

   • Once everything is connected, turn on your car and engage reverse (for a rear camera) or activate the front camera (depending on how you wired it). Your SMARTY Trend head unit should automatically switch to the camera view.

7. Secure the Wiring:

   • Use electrical tape or heat shrink tubing to insulate all connections and prevent short circuits. Neatly tuck away the wiring to avoid any interference.

Connecting Original (Factory Installed) Rear View Cameras: Why It Can Be Tricky

Connecting the original rear view camera that came with your car to an aftermarket Android head unit like SMARTY Trend can be more complex, and sometimes it's not possible or very difficult. Here's why:

• Different Video Signals: Factory cameras often use different video signal types than standard aftermarket cameras. They might use LVDS, AHD, or other proprietary video formats that are not directly compatible with the RCA input on your SMARTY Trend head unit. Aftermarket units are generally designed to work with standard CVBS (Composite Video Broadcast Signal) cameras.

  • Example: Imagine your factory camera sending a digital signal in a specific language that the SMARTY Trend unit doesn't understand, as it's expecting a standard analog signal.

• Proprietary Connectors and Wiring: Car manufacturers often use unique connectors and wiring harnesses for their electronic components, including cameras. These connectors won't directly plug into the standard inputs of an aftermarket head unit.

  • Example: The plug on your original camera might have a completely different shape and number of pins compared to the RCA plug on your SMARTY Trend unit.

• Integrated Systems: In many modern vehicles, the factory rear view camera is integrated with other vehicle systems, such as parking sensors, dynamic guidelines that move with the steering wheel, or even the car's computer system. Simply plugging the camera into a new head unit might not allow these features to function correctly or at all.

  • Example: The lines that appear on your screen when backing up might not show up anymore, or the parking sensor beeps might stop working because the camera and sensors are linked to the original display unit.

• Power Requirements: The voltage and power requirements of the factory camera might be different from what the aftermarket head unit can provide or what an aftermarket camera typically uses.

When Connecting a Factory Camera Might Be Possible (But Still Challenging):

• Adapter Availability: In some cases, third-party adapters or interfaces might be available that can convert the video signal and connector type of a specific factory camera to be compatible with an aftermarket head unit. However, these adapters can be expensive and might not exist for all car models.

• Advanced Technical Knowledge: Connecting a factory camera often requires a deep understanding of automotive electronics, wiring diagrams, and potentially custom wiring. It's generally not a plug-and-play process.

In Conclusion:

Connecting an aftermarket rear or front view camera to your SMARTY Trend Android head unit is a straightforward process that can significantly improve your driving safety and convenience. However, connecting the original factory-installed camera is usually much more complex due to differences in video signals, connectors, and system integration. In most cases, using a compatible aftermarket camera is the simpler and more reliable solution. Always refer to the manuals for your SMARTY Trend head unit and camera for specific instructions and safety precautions. If you're unsure about any step, it's always best to consult a professional car audio installer.