360 camera for cars with an Android radio: how it works and how to install it

Parking in a narrow garage, pulling out of a bay with a van next to you or avoiding scraping your wheel on the kerb are everyday situations where a single reversing camera falls short. Premium cars have long offered a 360-degree view that shows the car from above, as if you were looking at it from a drone. The good news is that if you already have an Android radio in your car, you can add the same feature with a four-camera kit. In this guide we explain how it works, what you need and how it is installed.

What is a 360 camera and how does it work?

A 360 view system combines the image from four wide-angle cameras: one at the front (usually in the grille), one at the rear (above the number plate) and one under each door mirror. A processing module receives the four signals, corrects the lens distortion and stitches them into a single overhead image, the so-called bird's-eye view, in which you see your car in the centre and everything around it.

On the radio screen you can see that combined view alongside the image from a single camera (for example the rear one in split screen). The system turns on automatically when you engage reverse gear or switch on the indicator, and you can also open it manually from the screen when manoeuvring slowly.

What you need to install a 360 camera

• An Android radio with a CVBS video input: the vast majority of Android radios on the market have one, including our model-specific radios. It does not work with the car's factory radio.
• The 360 camera kit: it includes the 4 cameras, the control module and all the wiring.
• A reverse gear and indicator signal so the view pops up automatically at the right moment.
• Time and patience for calibration: without good calibration the stitched image looks distorted at the corners.

Advantages over a normal reversing camera

• You see the sides of the car, which is exactly where scrapes against pillars and kerbs happen.
• You also see the front, very useful in cars with a long bonnet or on garage ramps.
• When reversing out of a parking bay you see sooner what is coming from the sides.
• Dynamic guide lines show your path as you turn the steering wheel.
• The cameras are water- and dust-resistant and have improved night vision.

If you only want to see behind you when parking, a rear camera is still the simplest option: we cover it in our guide to the reversing camera. And if you want to see what is in front of you when pulling out of a blind junction, take a look at the one on the front camera.

What does the installation involve?

1. Fitting the cameras: the front one in the grille or badge, the rear one next to the number plate light and the side ones on the underside of the door mirrors, which have to be removed to route the cable.
2. Routing the cables: the four cables are run through the inside of the car to the control module, which is placed behind the dashboard or under a seat.
3. Connecting to the Android radio: the module is connected to the radio's CVBS video input and powered at 12 V.
4. Trigger signals: reverse gear and the indicators are connected so the view appears automatically.
5. Calibration: calibration mats or templates are laid around the car and the image is adjusted from the app until the four views fit together seamlessly.

It is a more delicate installation than a plug & play radio, because the mirrors have to be removed and the cameras calibrated. We recommend having it done by an experienced installer: it usually takes 3 to 4 hours of work.

Does it work alongside CarPlay and Android Auto?

Yes. The 360 camera is managed by the Android radio itself, not by the phone. Even if you are using CarPlay or Android Auto with the navigation open, when you engage reverse the radio switches to the camera view and, when you take it out, goes back to the screen you were on.

Frequently asked questions

Is it compatible with my car's original radio?
No. The system needs an Android radio with a CVBS video input. If your car still has the factory radio, the first step is to replace it with a CarPlay radio made for your model.

Is it shown in real time?
Yes, the panoramic view is shown in real time while you manoeuvre.

Can I install it myself?
If you have experience removing panels and mirrors it is possible, but calibration requires care. For a clean result, an installer is better.

Does it work on any car?
The installation is universal: it suits almost any car, SUV or van, as long as the radio is Android with a CVBS input.

How do I know if my Android radio is compatible?
Send us a photo of the radio or its back on WhatsApp and we will confirm it.

See the 360° camera for Android radio

Check out the 360° panoramic view camera for Android radio with its 4 cameras, module and complete wiring. If you don't have an Android radio yet, find the one for your car in the catalogue by brand or see all the options in parking cameras.