Industry News

One of the most commonly asked questions by our customers is whether the camera system is CMOS or CCD. A common misconception is that CCD is better than CMOS, though in some camera systems this might be true, a carefully crafted CMOS chip can actually present a nicer image than the same camera with a CCD sensor. Before we get into why this is true lets first explain a little bit about each technology.

CCD (Charged Coupled Device) and CMOS (Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) are two different technologies for capturing digital images. Both types of imagers convert light into electrical charge and process it into electrical signals. With the CCD each pixel's charge is transferred through a single output node (most common) to be converted to voltage and sent off as an analog signal. This simple architecture has proven itself over the years to be the most reliable in quality because it is not using additional resources to make the conversion and can dedicate the entire pixel to image capture. CMOS on the other hand is much more complex in that each pixel has its own charge to voltage conversion and the sensor includes other processes such as amplification and noise correction, which in turn can reduce the area available for light capture. This CMOS conversion process is where chip manufacturers have the leeway to either make a superior sensor, or just a run of the mill. This is determined not only by the quality of the base chip itself, but more importantly on how the chip is programmed.

For some people, when they look at a car they just see a car. For other people, when they look at a car they see an expression of individualism and craftsmanship. For the latter group, automotive customization is the art and science of bringing their vision to life.

You don’t need a new vehicle to make a statement. All you need is a little imagination and ingenuity. Fortunately if you live on the East Coast, there are plenty of custom auto shops that can take a vehicle and turn it into a masterpiece in motion. From restoring classic cars to award-winning sound systems, they can do it all.

Auto Design NYC - New York City

On a tragic day in 2002, pediatrician Dr. Greg Gulbransen was moving his SUV from the street to his driveway when he accidentally backed over his two-year-old son, Cameron. Ultimately, Cameron died from injuries he received in the accident. And Cameron is not alone. Two children die every week in backover accidents and many more are injured.

In larger vehicles especially, like trucks and SUVs, the blind spots are too large. If a small child gets behind a large vehicle, he cannot be seen by the driver. That is why backup cameras are such an important safety feature.

Sick of reading the same old boring car blogs? Car and truck enthusiasts rejoice! We have rounded up our top four favorite automotive blogs for your reading pleasure, and you are bound to find an article here that piques your interest. Get your car culture fix with these top automotive blogs.

Backup cameras are so effective at preventing accidents that they are becoming mandatory for car manufacturers by 2018. However, many trucks, SUVs, and other vehicles aren't equipped with them yet, and still more only include them in higher-level pricing packages.

If your vehicle doesn't have a backup camera, you can still take advantage of this life-saving safety feature by installing an aftermarket camera that's compatible with your vehicle. This installation must include a connection to an existing power source.

If you're interested in By adding a backup camera to a vehicle that doesn’t have one, you're making a wise decision for yourself and everyone else on the road. By May 2018, "rear visibility technology" will be mandatory in every new lightweight vehicle, thanks to a 2014 mandate by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The federal agency took multiple studies into account, including their own cost-benefit analyses and extensive crash tests, and verified what the auto industry already knew: that backup cameras prevent an overwhelming majority of low-speed collisions.

Camera Source introduces a way for Ford owners looking for a way to interface the factory 4.2" radio screen with a rear view camera. Now available for Ford truck but will soon be available in a complete package across several models.

The kit comes complete with the 4.2" radio interface device, tailgate emblem camera system for F-150, and all the necessary wiring. The best part is that the system is completely plug and play and doesn't require dealer activation of any kind! The interface module simply plugs into the back of the 4.2" screen and all the camera connections are made directly from the module's T harness, which means no cutting of factory wires. When the vehicle is powered on for the first time it will activate the rear camera program that already exists in your current screen so you can enjoy all the factory features without breaking the bank.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has indicated that approximately 17,000 injuries and 200 deaths occur annually as the result of a backup accident. Additionally, 44 percent of these fatalities happen to children under the age of five. This is primarily caused by the fact that young kids can be difficult to see, and they also do not understand the risks that are associated with playing behind a parked vehicle. Unfortunately, the higher your automobile is, the harder it will be for you to see anything behind you without assistance, and this can be problematic for Jeep Wrangler owners.

How can I Protect Myself and Others?

Being behind the wheel when a fatal accident occurs can lead to a long list of legal, social and mental health issues. Therefore, it is best for everyone to take steps to help reduce their odds of dealing with a tragic incident. For example, many vehicles come with additional safety equipment to help drivers identify any potential hazards that are behind them. However, even if your car does not currently have these features installed, it is now possible to choose from a variety of backup camera systems such as those offered by Camera Source.

We have once again brought a new camera solution to market that allows truck owners to replace a burned out or stolen factory rear view camera. This time it's for the 2010-2013 GM Sierra and Silverado lines where the new camera kit will replace the factory tailgate bezel and camera assembly with a new plug replacement camera system. This camera utilizes a Super CMOS sensor, the latest in camera technology, and is pre-mounted in a factory GM tailgate bezel for a fit and finish that looks factory - but at a fraction of the cost. This new kit also gives current GM truck owners (with factory camera) an option to install a camera with the added safety and convenience of parking guidelines. Our parking guidelines were inspired by those found on most of the new cars produced by major auto makers, providing that OEM look that our customers demand.

For years farmers have been hauling millions of tons of grain and hauling large equipment without a simple way to monitor grain bins and blind spots. Technology has skyrocketed in the agriculture industry to the point where farmers can literally put a combine on "autopilot" and monitor crop yields in real-time. That same yield data can be downloaded and used when fertilizing the following spring allowing for additional fertilizer in low yield acreage and less where the soil was producing a good crop. There is no doubt that this technology has saved farmers thousands and has applied a true science to what was once a one size fits all type of application.