Any progress on the Camera Source solution? Can someone break down exactly why this has not proven successful? And if not successful, why is it offered?

 

BLUF: If you want to add cameras to your truck you have to decide if you're willing to make the trade-off between factory radio firmware updates or the safety and convenience that all the cameras can offer. You also have to have an understanding that there may be bugs at first until everything is ironed out with your specific vehicle as historically there have been minor variations in factory configurations that needed to be addressed. If this is not something you're willing to deal with then adding cameras is not possible without adding an additional display that does not interact with factory wiring and peripherals. If you disable automatic radio updates and verbally instruct your dealer to NOT update your firmware the system works well, which is why we still offer it. However, you should understand how this system works completely before deciding if this is right for you so please read on for more info...

This post is going to explain what our solution is, along with why it's not working for some people. First it's important to understand how our cameras are integrated into your factory radio so let's start there. The reason you're looking for a multi-camera solution is because your truck didn't come from the factory with front and side cameras so essentially you want a mechanism that allows for multi-camera integration into your factory radio display. Since Ford doesn't produce a solution for adding this option you are forced to look into the aftermarket world for something that will seamlessly integrate and look like it was installed at the factory. Your Sync radio display does not have multi-camera firmware nor does it have the connections necessary in order to connect your aftermarket cameras, hence the need for an integration unit. This integration unit has a T-harness so that everything plugs right into the factory wiring harness at the back of your radio, then it has multiple camera inputs to allow you connect your cameras. From a hardware standpoint it's nothing more than a black box that plugs right in and provides the inputs necessary into your factory display - plug and play and aside from having to tear your radio out it's pretty simple to install.

Here comes the tricky part. Since you now have multiple aftermarket cameras connected to your factory radio screen you will need a way to control them (turn them on and off). As previously stated your factory Ford Sync system does not have firmware to control multiple cameras so this aftermarket interface module must add that functionality for you. It does this by producing an "overlay" that appears on your screen, which allows you to select any camera just by tapping the icon that's displayed. It also allows auto activation of cameras with turn signals and forward reverse etc.by interacting with your existing firmware. In order for the aftermarket interface module to do this effectively it must align exactly with the factory Sync firmware. If even one line of code in the factory firmware is different than what is programmed, the interface module will not function or possibly even cause other factory radio controls to act erratically. The aftermarket module is programmed to work with a very specific factory Sync firmware, i.e. SYNC 3 v2.2. The version is very important and if the factory firmware version changes it will completely mess up the code synchronization with the aftermarket interface module and likely turn it into a very expensive paperweight. In some cases even the interface module hardware is different such as between v2.1 and 2.2+. We (Camera Source) used to carry the Rostra piece and in many cases had to send the customer completely new hardware if they performed a radio firmware upgrade. In some cases it was a simple aftermarket integration module firmware update to force a change that once again aligned with the newly installed factory radio firmware.

Since some vehicles are set to accept 'over the air' updates the customer often had no idea the radio was being updated and then soon the cameras no longer functioned. In other cases the dealer updated it for them thinking they were actually doing them a favor when in fact they just caused a myriad of problems. In either case the factory firmware cannot be reverted back to what it was so now starts the process of finding a solution to make the integration module function again. Since the interface module is designed by Rostra we were completely at their mercy waiting for them to figure out a solution. To make matters more complicated you might have read about vehicle network security and how automakers are hardening their vehicle network code to make them more secure and hacker resistant. Though this is all wonderful in the name of driver safety it makes it way more difficult for the Rostra developer to reverse engineer the code, which is why it can sometimes take months to get an update after Ford forces a new firmware. The sad part is that from a user standpoint sometimes the radio firmware doesn't affect usability and only creates more problems when dealing with aftermarket products. Ford does not care what other peripherals you have connected to your system when they develop firmware updates.

We send a notice with the product that instructs the installer to disable automatic updates and emphasizes the importance of not allowing firmware updates to your Sync system. When the customer is able to ensure that no firmware updates occur the system works great and is a great addition to your vehicle.

Hope that helps!
Chris

camera-source.com
888-844-9763

 

Chris,

congratulations on having one of the longest most through posts on this website. I don't have an XLT but my family members do and I know they are looking at this thread for advice like many others.

I have a problem with two of your statements though.

1.
That's simply not true.

Lucas8888 proved any F150 owner can add a factory 360 camera system to their truck. In fact there is a 2003 F150 owner who is adding Sync 3 and the 360 system to their F150 lol. Your statement only applies to owners who want to buy your product. There are alternative and less expensive options out there, but I recognize you are a vendor and vendors offer better support then those willing to embark on self-installs using OEM parts.

2.
That's great, but the moment anyone disconnects their battery for any reason at all, Sync 3 will hard reset and enable auto updates again. I hope your warning to product owners covers all the cases / reasons why Sync 3 would re enable user disabled settings.

 

In all fairness, Chris' reply was specifically to a question from another member about " Any progress on the Camera Source solution?"

 

Hi, I was wondering if anyone else has any stories they are willing to share in regards to trying to installing a front camera. Again, I have an aftermarket, double din Panasonic unit(stereo) that allows for multiple video feeds on separate channels within the unit. I am happy with the Panasonic unit and I don't want, need or need to rewire Sync connections or hardware. Specifically, I am looking for front camera options, for an installation like mine, a non-SYNC application where it just needs to be installed and wired to a waiting input on an aftermarket unit.

After reading other posts and looking at parts, I was looking for stories of ;
1. What other owners have used for a front video camera including mounting options and wiring options for a 2015-2017 XL truck and
2. If anyone has used the tailgate emblem/camera base from a 2009-2014 F150, as a front emblem/camera, installing it on the grill, replacing the grill's emblem on a 2015-2017 XL truck. Or,
3. If anyone knows about any aftermarket replacement grills that have a front facing camera built in. Or,
4. If anyone has tried to install a 2018 front grill emblem/camera base onto a 2015-2017 XL truck's grill.

Thanks in advance for anyone willing to share!

 

Chris
Thanks for the detailed answer. Questions: Has Rostra completely given up or are they continuing to reverse-engineer? Does the corruption happen with any update, or just major changes that would take you to a new firmware version (2.3)?

 

@camera-source.com Chris can you help me get the settings button back on my Sync 3 screen. I have a 2015 which I upgraded to Sync 3 and installed the system with front/side cameras a while back. I am on version 2.2 and the button was there when the system was installed. The system cameras still function as before, however I no longer have the camera settings button when I push the Apps button on the bottom. It disappeared somehow.

 

"Thanks for the detailed answer. Questions: Has Rostra completely given up or are they continuing to reverse-engineer? Does the corruption happen with any update, or just major changes that would take you to a new firmware version (2.3)?"

Thanks for your question and sorry for the delay in my reply. Rostra continues to innovate these modules and as far as I know they continue production. However, we have switched to a new vendor, which we have had better luck with getting issues resolved. It's still a cat and mouse game so issues do pop up on occasion, That being said we sell several of these and most work great right out of the box.

You will most certainly have an issue if you let the truck do an auto-update to the firmware because the interface module is not programmed for the updated sync logic. Before updating, even minor updates, please check with us to ensure compatibility. If it's not compatible we will get you a new firmware for your interface module before you update your Sync system.

 

Best to give my support team a call so they can get you going again.

Please give a call to 888-844-9763 ext. 1. 0830-1630 central time.

Appreciate your business and sorry for the issue!

 

I called tech support. They gave me a number for Rostra, they haven't returned my calls.

I thought there was a programming procedure that was done after the components were installed, but I can't locate the original instructions. I thought maybe if I tried that programming procedure it may come back