Hardware Hacking Projects for Geeks

103

6

6. How to Hack a Video

Periscope for Your Car

Cost

Time

Difficulty

$100–200

a weekend

moderate

Have you ever been stuck in traffic and wondered what was happening up

ahead, but could not get out of your car to look?

When backing into a parking space, have you ever wanted to see exactly

how far the bumper of your car was from the curb or from the car behind

you?

Have you ever been concerned about people walking behind you while

you’re backing out of a parking space?

Have you ever wanted to peek over the giant SUV you’re stuck behind?

When caravanning with friends, have you ever wanted to look out over traf-

fic to see where they are?

Build your own video camera periscope and these problems can be solved.

In this project, I will show you how to build a weatherproof housing for a

small, color video camera and how to mount it on the outside of your car.

When you’re done, you will be able to orient the camera to see what’s ahead

or behind the car. You will hopefully never dent your bumpers again!

Credits

All photographs copyright © 2003 Scott Fullam.

What You Need

• Color video camera

• LCD TV set with video input

• RTV sealant from local hardware

store

• Other items listed in Exhibit A

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