MB Sprinter - HIKVISION reversing camera

Reading time 5 minutes

Updated - October 10, 2024

Replacing the rear view camera of the MB Sprinter from 2019 onwards with a PTZ camera from HIKVISION makes sense if the built-in camera has failed or only provides a gray muddy image.

The camera installed here only provided an actual environment near the bumper in extreme sunlight, just useful for maneuvering / parking. Otherwise, only schematic images were provided.

I had already installed the HIKVISION cameras at home, but also on the motorhome, precisely because they deliver an excellent, high-resolution image, even at night. That's why I chose the HIKVISION camera DS-2DE2A404IW-DE3 (2.8-12MM) for the MB Sprinter. The camera can be supplied with operating voltage via PoE (48 V DC switch or POE adapter DCDC converter) or 12 V DC (vehicle electrical system).

This is not a WLAN camera, but a pure network camera. WLAN is generally ruled out for metal bodies (Faraday cage), which is why wired network cameras should be used.

Dismantling the original MB camera

The camera can be removed quickly by loosening just four Torx screws and disconnecting the two plug connectors (video and power supply). After lifting the camera off the roof of the Sprinter, the cables are visible and the plug connections are accessible. A tubular cable guide protects the cables from chafing on sharp metal edges. A welcome feature: the camera's network plug connection fits through this opening.

As the original housing is now missing and therefore only the rubber insulation between the roof and housing remains, the simplest way to cover this and seal the cable gland so that it is weatherproof, is to neatly remove the part resting on the rubber seal from the rest of the housing and then screw it back on, deburred.

Mounting the HIKVISION camera

The camera should be flush with the trailer coupling, otherwise the bumper.

If you have installed a luggage rack or PV modules, you can use a crossbar to mount the camera using two aluminum L-profiles. Otherwise, a suitably bent aluminum sheet about 3 mm thick is a good choice. The leg supporting the camera should be about 150 mm (or longer, but then choose a thicker sheet to avoid vibrations) long, the part pointing downwards towards the roof should be about 120 mm high and the part pointing backwards, parallel to the roof surface and used for mounting on the roof should be about 60 mm long (allows the use of 4 self-tapping screws).

The length of the individual legs of the aluminum bracket must be measured so that the camera can be positioned as described above. It should not be mounted directly above the roof-mounted auxiliary brake light in order to ensure an unobstructed view of the bumper or trailer coupling on the one hand and not to be outshone by the brake light on the other.
If necessary, the top of the rear light must either be masked in black or tinted from the inside if the light is causing glare.

A 2 mm soft rubber plate can be used to seal the screw connections or the mounting plate can be glued to the previously cleaned roof surface to save drilling holes.

The network cable is fed from the inside through the aforementioned pipe feed-through, connected to the camera-side coupling and the remaining (unused) cables coming from the camera are insulated with self-sealing insulating tape.

Now push the cable back into the body until it forms a slight downward curve (dripping water) and wrap the piece of cable that has just disappeared into the tube with insulating tape until it is as thick as the original cable of the dismantled original camera.

The rubber "plug" surrounding this is cut cleanly at one point with a cutter knife, pulled off the old cable and placed on the wrapped area to finally press it into the "tube".

It should be "pressed in" with some effort in order to achieve an appropriate seal. If the cable can still be pushed back and forth in the plug, the corresponding point must be wrapped further with insulating tape until the cable is firmly seated in the plug.

Setting up the HIKVISION camera

When logging in for the first time, the login password is set by entering it twice. You will then be taken to the live view of the camera and can get a first impression of the playback quality of the camera.

Add user

Under System - User Manage users gives you access to the user list, which you can use to create a new user by clicking on Add in the top right-hand corner of the menu bar.

In the following menu, first enter the user name, then enter the password twice. For the user type, select "Operator" from.

The list of authorizations shows all selectable options. As a rule, select "Select all" and save the entries.

Configure time sync

Under System - System settings - Time settings an NTP server for automatic time setting or manual time synchronization can be selected.

Set video stream

The settings can be found under Video & Audio accessible. With a wired connection (computer with monitor), the maximum settings can be used. With a WLAN connection between the router and tablet or cell phone, the frame rate, maximum bit rate and profile may need to be adjusted (reduced) in order to achieve smooth playback of the video image.

Configure network

The network configuration is carried out under Network - Basic settingsand the other submenus. If you can manage with DHCP, you do not need to make any further adjustments here. Otherwise, IP, subnet mask, DNS, ports, etc. can be configured here.

Set presets

Presets can be defined under Event - Events and serve to quickly change perspectives. the following five have proven their worth:

• Preset 1 - Function as a normal rear-view mirror
  Adjustment so that there is just a strip of sky at the top of the
  The edge of the picture remains visible, everything else reflects the traffic situation.
• Preset 2 - Function as a parking or coupling aid
  The bumper can still be seen at the bottom of the picture,
  Also trailer coupling and close range
• Preset 3 - Intermediate area - (optional) - covers an area of general interest
  (e.g. when parking) that you want to keep an eye on
• Preset 4 - Left-hand bumper end in the bottom right-hand corner,
  to cover the left-sided visible/side area
• Preset 5 - Right-hand end of bumper in the bottom left-hand corner,
  to cover the left-sided visible/side area

Image reproduction

The video stream can be played back on a cell phone or tablet. IP CamViewer has proven to be the ideal app. The Pro version, without advertising, supports almost every commercially available camera, including PTZ functions, video and audio.

Here, in the settings under "More" to set the mirroring of the camera image (swap right-left) in order to achieve a rear-view mirror-adequate image reproduction. Otherwise, the rear-facing camera will display the driver's right-hand side as left-hand side and vice versa.

As the cell phone or tablet receives the video stream via internal WLAN, a smooth video result can be determined experimentally using the video parameters in the camera settings. It is advisable to use the 5 GHz band in order to achieve the highest possible data transfer rate.

Tablet as rear-view mirror

As the rear-view mirror in the MB Sprinter only shows the rear wall anyway, you can stick a tablet directly onto it. Double-sided adhesive tape is suitable for this, such as that from Finnbach. This is used to fill the entire mirror surface in three layers and the back of the tablet is glued to the last layer. First make sure that the mirror is aligned vertically and horizontally. Then plumb the approximate center with your fingers, keep a distance of about 2 cm from the edge of the glass at the top and then press the tray firmly against the adhesive surface.

The new rear-view mirror can now be swiveled into a position suitable for the driver.

Tablet as a navigation device

As the tablet can also fulfill other functions, it is ideal as a navigation device, with the respective additional functions that many people have learned to appreciate from time to time due to the financial savings potential ;-).

MagicEarth (free of charge) and Sygic (subject to a charge and linked to the installed device via an individual ID) are favorites. Clearly laid out, with worldwide map material, good traffic guidance and lane assistance, speed warning, etc., they show you the preferred route to your destination.