[Zermatt]

Simple Goal: Install an OEM Front Bumper Camera

Many of us with F3x and F8x wish we had a front parking camera.
Thus far, the most common solution is to install a front camera connected through an iDrive interface system such as the BimmerTech MultiMedia Kit or the Cruz Interface System (MRVBM-77).

These multimedia kits are a bit overkill especially for those of us that already have back up cameras and arent looking to add a variety of additional video inputs/outputs.

These kits are needed to connect a composite camera video to stream into the iDrive. The BMW OEM cameras use a 4-pin LVDS data line (4 conductors plus the cable shield). Two carrying CAN bus signals and two carrying Video signals. (while less common, other cameras such as few BMW FLIR thermal cameras also have two additional wires for ground and +12V). The 4-pin LVDS data lines used with the cameras are the same as the USB wires. BMWs with the 360 view camera system use an ethernet data line.

Im not aware of any OEM camera integration kit available. However I have an idea that Id like to try and curious if others have any input.

My idea is essentially to build a video distribution switch using isolated relays to effectively switch on-demand between the rear camera feed with an OEM front camera using two DPDT relays.

Essentially using two relays to simultaneously switch the rear camera (4 conductor) feed with the feed of a bmw front bumper camera (also 4 conductors).

Perhaps consideration should be taken if different oem cameras have different resolutions. If so, an identical rear camera could be used for the front and a switch installed to trigger the two relays to flip between the rear and front camera feeds.

Would love to hear your thoughts and ideas on this!