X7 Backup camera too dark?

ivinioX7 · 12-16-2023, 06:06 PM

Did anyone notice that the backup camera on the X7 is really dark at night? I have the camera contrast and brightness set to the MAX, but I have not been successful in getting a brighter image. When I put the car in reverse for half a second, the image seems to be brighter, but then the brightness reduces, making it difficult to see what's behind the vehicle. I compared the camera at night to my wife's 2018 Volvo XC, and the difference is significant.

Why can't we have a night vision mode like security cameras? It's not expensive anymore.

Some time ago, I watched a video on YouTube where a guy took apart an old camera and removed the red film that was installed between the lens and the processor, turning his camera into a night vision camera with separate infrared light. Could the same be done to a car backup camera with additional infrared lights installed? 🤷🏻&zwj;♂️

Orient330iNYC · 12-16-2023, 07:03 PM

What color is your car?

ivinioX7 · 12-16-2023, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orient330iNYC

What color is your car?

I have the dark grey.

Orient330iNYC · 12-16-2023, 08:45 PM

so on some bmws with lighter colors, the reflection of the license plate lights cause the camera to overcompensate and darken the image too much.

see here:
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1103426

easy way to test is to block part of the camera with tape.

ivinioX7 · 12-16-2023, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orient330iNYC

so on some bmws with lighter colors, the reflection of the license plate lights cause the camera to overcompensate and darken the image too much.

see here:
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1103426

easy way to test is to block part of the camera with tape.

Ooooh! I will give it a try tomorrow and report back. Thank you for the link.

PinkNinja400Guy · 12-20-2023, 08:40 PM

"I have the camera contrast and brightness set to the MAX"

Try setting the contrast to a *lower* setting. Counterintuitive, but high contrast will try to make the image have a big black-white difference so all the black parts will be make darker. Low contrast brings everything closer to gray, so the black parts get brightened.

12-16-2023, 06:06 PM	#1
ivinioX7 Private 31 Rep 75 Posts Drives: X7-M Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW X7 40i [0.00]	X7 Backup camera too dark? Did anyone notice that the backup camera on the X7 is really dark at night? I have the camera contrast and brightness set to the MAX, but I have not been successful in getting a brighter image. When I put the car in reverse for half a second, the image seems to be brighter, but then the brightness reduces, making it difficult to see what's behind the vehicle. I compared the camera at night to my wife's 2018 Volvo XC, and the difference is significant. Why can't we have a night vision mode like security cameras? It's not expensive anymore. Some time ago, I watched a video on YouTube where a guy took apart an old camera and removed the red film that was installed between the lens and the processor, turning his camera into a night vision camera with separate infrared light. Could the same be done to a car backup camera with additional infrared lights installed? 🤷🏻&zwj;♂️
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12-16-2023, 07:03 PM	#2
Orient330iNYC Brigadier General 1502 Rep 3,584 Posts Drives: 2023 X7 40i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wall St iTrader: (2)	What color is your car? __________________ Present: 2023 G07 40i ZDH/ZDU/ZMP/ZMQ/2NH/ZPK/ZPP/ZRC/300/3AC Past: 2013 335i 6MT ZMM/ZDH/ZTP/3AG/494/508 Past: 2016 F34 335i xDrive ZCW/ZDA/ZDH/ZTP/ZMP/2V5/5DL Past: 2019 G01 M40i ZDA/2VF/ZPP/ZPX/688/3AC
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12-16-2023, 08:45 PM	#4
Orient330iNYC Brigadier General 1502 Rep 3,584 Posts Drives: 2023 X7 40i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wall St iTrader: (2)	so on some bmws with lighter colors, the reflection of the license plate lights cause the camera to overcompensate and darken the image too much. see here: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1103426 easy way to test is to block part of the camera with tape. __________________ Present: 2023 G07 40i ZDH/ZDU/ZMP/ZMQ/2NH/ZPK/ZPP/ZRC/300/3AC Past: 2013 335i 6MT ZMM/ZDH/ZTP/3AG/494/508 Past: 2016 F34 335i xDrive ZCW/ZDA/ZDH/ZTP/ZMP/2V5/5DL Past: 2019 G01 M40i ZDA/2VF/ZPP/ZPX/688/3AC
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12-20-2023, 08:40 PM	#6
PinkNinja400Guy Captain 514 Rep 629 Posts Drives: '22 X7 M50 Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	"I have the camera contrast and brightness set to the MAX" Try setting the contrast to a lower setting. Counterintuitive, but high contrast will try to make the image have a big black-white difference so all the black parts will be make darker. Low contrast brings everything closer to gray, so the black parts get brightened.
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