I found this magic device which plugs into (now defunct in all cars) TV tuner which automatically switches to the reverse camera when you put the car in R, and back into home screen once you go out of reverse. It takes a standard cvbs aftermarket camera signal, and uses the reverse light 12v as trigger for the switch to tv tuner (reverse camera) and back.
It seems a bit expensive for what it is but if anyone is willing to give this a try here you go:
https://www.caraudio-systems.de/rl-mfd1_eng.html
Audi A8 D2 oem style reverse camera
Re: OEM-like reverse camera solution for RNSD owners.
I have purchased the adapter, i could not wait to take a peak inside:
I will install it and report back soon.
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Re: Audi A8 D2 oem style reverse camera
Some progress, I have installed the adapter as per instruction and automatic switching does occur but i get a blank screen.
I have sent a support request to manufacturer. I think my cam might be too high resolution but camera requirements are not listed in the installation manual..
I have sent a support request to manufacturer. I think my cam might be too high resolution but camera requirements are not listed in the installation manual..
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Re: Audi A8 D2 oem style reverse camera
Slightly more progress made on the MFD1-Skoda DX front.
I managed to get a late 2004 model MFD-1 unit from a golf, I tested its reverse camera capability by putting 12v on the vid-on pin of the din connector at the back and it switched to camera view successfully.
I then proceeded to put on the Skoda DX front panel on the VW MFD-1 guts and it worked succesfully:
The next step will be a visit to MJ's to see which ( if any) RNSD's can do the same.
I managed to get a late 2004 model MFD-1 unit from a golf, I tested its reverse camera capability by putting 12v on the vid-on pin of the din connector at the back and it switched to camera view successfully.
I then proceeded to put on the Skoda DX front panel on the VW MFD-1 guts and it worked succesfully:
The next step will be a visit to MJ's to see which ( if any) RNSD's can do the same.
Re: Audi A8 D2 oem style reverse camera
Just some more info..
I kept having issues with the camera switching working intermittently. It turns out having the gala wire connected back at the head unit was causing this, it was blocking Video in Motion/Camera switching.
Cutting this wire has permanently solved this, although in the future i will put a relay on this wire so that relay disconnects it when the car is in reverse. This way I will still get the speed sensitive volume, and the camera will continue to always work.
I kept having issues with the camera switching working intermittently. It turns out having the gala wire connected back at the head unit was causing this, it was blocking Video in Motion/Camera switching.
Cutting this wire has permanently solved this, although in the future i will put a relay on this wire so that relay disconnects it when the car is in reverse. This way I will still get the speed sensitive volume, and the camera will continue to always work.
Re: Audi A8 D2 oem style reverse camera
Interesting unit, I have something similar but it's very old and not that reliable. Made by T-ERA IIRC, long defunct.
How much is this unit, I can't see any prices? I might want to replace mine.
FYI my S8 never came with a TV, but that's actually irrelevant, RNS-D just needs a TV input (RGB I think) and presence signal on that unusual/rare DIN-style connector. The unit basically converts the CVBS camera signal to RGB and raises the appropriate signal to say TV input is there.
Knowing what I do now I can't see any way that it could automatically switch an RNS-D to the camera when reverse is selected. Mine is sort of semi-automatic (explained how long ago on the Prestige/A8Parts forum) but the way an RNS-D works limits what you can do.
GALA doesn't cause me any problems though, but the camera does switch off as you speed up - unless I press my override button which does (I think) cut GALA.
How much is this unit, I can't see any prices? I might want to replace mine.
FYI my S8 never came with a TV, but that's actually irrelevant, RNS-D just needs a TV input (RGB I think) and presence signal on that unusual/rare DIN-style connector. The unit basically converts the CVBS camera signal to RGB and raises the appropriate signal to say TV input is there.
Knowing what I do now I can't see any way that it could automatically switch an RNS-D to the camera when reverse is selected. Mine is sort of semi-automatic (explained how long ago on the Prestige/A8Parts forum) but the way an RNS-D works limits what you can do.
GALA doesn't cause me any problems though, but the camera does switch off as you speed up - unless I press my override button which does (I think) cut GALA.
Re: Audi A8 D2 oem style reverse camera
The link in the first post is for the actual manufacturer of the device.
Link to a reseller with price is here:
https://audiotechdirect.com/atd-cik-274 ... la0I4BFJR1
So far i have manage to get the MFD-1 to fuly work oem-like with this.
I was unable to test it properly in a D2 as i had the RNS-D powered up on a bench just with the TMC module plugged in. I didn't manage to get RNS-D to switch to reverse cam view with 12V applied to the Vid on pin.
As I'm now looking after the 'yellow turd' S8, i will pull the head unit out and apply 12v to the appropiate pin to see if it switches to rear camera view justl ike MFD-1.
As far as Gala signal, a i used a relay to cut off gala only in reverse, so it all works properly.
Link to a reseller with price is here:
https://audiotechdirect.com/atd-cik-274 ... la0I4BFJR1
So far i have manage to get the MFD-1 to fuly work oem-like with this.
I was unable to test it properly in a D2 as i had the RNS-D powered up on a bench just with the TMC module plugged in. I didn't manage to get RNS-D to switch to reverse cam view with 12V applied to the Vid on pin.
As I'm now looking after the 'yellow turd' S8, i will pull the head unit out and apply 12v to the appropiate pin to see if it switches to rear camera view justl ike MFD-1.
As far as Gala signal, a i used a relay to cut off gala only in reverse, so it all works properly.
Re: Audi A8 D2 oem style reverse camera
I've seen stuff online that suggests the auto-switching on reverse only works with certain MFD versions in certain modes.
If you do get it working with an RNS-D I really do want to know how!
And yes I've also used relays when I had a more complex setup (with Digital TV among other things) but I've simplified a lot and the rear view camera is now the ONLY add-on. So that's all (several actual boxes) just switched on by the reverse signal.
(Details way back when in the "other" forum, but basically reverse turns on the camera, a video transmitter (in the boot lid) and receiver (below instruments in the dash) and the video interface (CVBS to RGB))
Mine is "semi-automatic" in that if I leave the RNS-D in TV mode and it loses the TV (i.e. camera) signal it reverts to whatever it was before, usually for me Navigation, or if driving locally radio or CD. In that state if I stop and reverse the camera kicks in automagically.
If you do get it working with an RNS-D I really do want to know how!
And yes I've also used relays when I had a more complex setup (with Digital TV among other things) but I've simplified a lot and the rear view camera is now the ONLY add-on. So that's all (several actual boxes) just switched on by the reverse signal.
(Details way back when in the "other" forum, but basically reverse turns on the camera, a video transmitter (in the boot lid) and receiver (below instruments in the dash) and the video interface (CVBS to RGB))
Mine is "semi-automatic" in that if I leave the RNS-D in TV mode and it loses the TV (i.e. camera) signal it reverts to whatever it was before, usually for me Navigation, or if driving locally radio or CD. In that state if I stop and reverse the camera kicks in automagically.
Re: Audi A8 D2 oem style reverse camera
In the case of the MFD-1 head unit, I would get the switching working 100% of the time when i had it powered on a bench.
Once in the car, switching would stop working after 15mins of the car being idle, and instantly if i drove the car straight away.
Disconnecting K-Line took care of the first issue, and putting a relay on the Gala signal took care of the second... Don't even ask how long it took me to figure this out..
I have various RNS-D firmware and firmware editing tools so its not a matter of how, but when
Once in the car, switching would stop working after 15mins of the car being idle, and instantly if i drove the car straight away.
Disconnecting K-Line took care of the first issue, and putting a relay on the Gala signal took care of the second... Don't even ask how long it took me to figure this out..
I have various RNS-D firmware and firmware editing tools so its not a matter of how, but when
Re: Audi A8 D2 oem style reverse camera
Now I'm getting interested!Ronin wrote: Sat Mar 29, 2025 5:17 pmI have various RNS-D firmware and firmware editing tools so its not a matter of how, but when
I'm sure I read somewhere that was the only way it was going to work automatically.I vaguely recall updating some firmware on an RNS-D years ago, I think that was just to get the highest resolution on the map display as it was running an earlier version that maxed out at 0.1mi not 0.05mi.
I suspect Video-in-motion is a similar conundrum, though simpler to overcome and I'm no longer interested in it anyway (even though I now have that option installed!). I've tried various methods with commercially supplied kit but the ONLY way that actually works is to cut the GALA signal. All the other mechanisms just don't do the job on an RNS-D.