How to fit a backup / reversing camera to a (W204) Mercedes C-Class with Command.

[@craigjones9016]

Excellent how-to, Ian. I'm installing a similar camera with a 'stem' and putting it in where the mounting screw came out is a great idea. The one I've bought allows for adjusting the camera's angle so hopefully I can get the guidelines to align nicely with the parking lines at the supermarket. Also, I'm putting in a 10.5" Android screen. This is for a 2013 C-250 I recently acquired (with only 35K miles on it!), and should be an awesome update.

[@Chuckles1418]

Great example. Followed it to a T today and my sister in law now has a working colour reverse camera in her 2012 C250! A really neat job - thank you. Two things I learnt: 1) after removing head unit torx screws give the holes the screws have just come out of a solid tap with a Phillips screwdriver to knock the bosses down in their channels - they can stick 2) to create a pass through for the camera I used the same torx screw hole on the boot but I drilled it out to be able to pass the connector through easily.

[@robertrussell-ol6cu]

Great video and information Ian thanks. Fitted mine yesterday . Had a nightmare getting vents off but got there in the end . Also the tiny power wire we soldered better connectors to go into the fuse adaptor . Ended up with 2 15 amp fuses in the back of it too . Highly recommend getting another 1 metre extension as it was very tight and only allowed just enough slack for the movement of the curved boot struts which I taped the cables to. Thank I ended up spending 8 hours in the end but this was mainly on the trim removal etc and some dodgy bolts .I also forgot to leave the stereo bolts in slightly and to just push on them which added time . Thanks again still saved a fortune .

[@ianwestacott]

Trim removal especially the center vents were a nightmare for me too. Glad you got there at the end though 👍

[@mateuszbebenek6407]

​@@ianwestacott Any problems with camera after few Years?

[@maheshmistry5349]

Thanks for the Video, i fitted mine today, took about 3hrs to do. The vents were a pain in the bottom but came out. The hard bit was taking the stereo unit out- found another video which advised pushing down where the torx screws are- once you do that it was simple to remove. I used the same approach to fixing my camera too i.e. 3m tape with some extra superglue. Hoping it will hold. The power supply cable is a bit fiddly too and i am going to look at how best to connect that- currently just pushed into the fuse wire you recommend. Thanks for the video, it was really helpful.

[@bakrbrey1607]

Great Video! I was about to purchase a media unit that was going to sit between the camera and the head unit as this was the advice I was given. As you said, Mercedes quoted me 640 pounds without fitment. The media booklet that came with my vehicle (2012 c204) is for the Audio 20, Hence me looking for a media interface at 300 pounds. Then I found this vid, and figured I actually have the command system, looks and behaves as per your video. And now I am off to buy my fakra to RCA and do this gig over the weekend. you saved me money and time pal, thanks!

[@dragoslupu1799]

Bakr Brey , it works with aftermarket reverse camera ?

[@sran6333]

Thanks, fitted mine today- the video is very clear and helpful as it is but would like to add my 2p worth. I fitted the camera on the boot trim on the right hand side what looks like a blanking plate but in fact is a trim retainer. Drilled through the plastic and the camera was screwed neatly there. Also, while undoing the head unit torx, undo the bolts halfway, not fully and push them down

[@johnlang3233]

Great video Ian thanks - now gonna do it on my C350 estate.

[@KeviNissan]

Damn. The sound of That V8 😍

[@Nike_Mikey254]

Good video I’m installing mine this weekend !!

[@emiliyanhinev9511]

Fantastic!!! I fitted mine today! I used the same tools and the camera. The image is amazing! Thanks

[@Wardsite]

did you use the same camera? they are out of stock on amazon..

[@catalinhalic7183]

hello, how it works at night?

[@kynhaccongty5419]

You do so well. My car 250 sx 2014 w204 wants to do so, but in Vietnam the cost is high.

[@tombradley86]

Thanks so much for this video. I’m halfway through the install using all the gear you listed. It’s working! I’ve wired the camera through the same hole but the thread isn’t long enough to get the nut on the back of it to secure it. I think I’m just going to glue it in place or use some adhesive tape. What did you end up doing? It’s also worth mentioning that the camera came with an RCA extension cable in the box so no need for a separate one!

[@ianwestacott]

Glad to hear things have gone well. I had the same issue with the nut on the back, I ended up gluing it to the 3M tape that came with the camera. Seems to be holding well.

[@tanatchainanlom8441]

Very good video, Thank you very much bro

[@stevenwilson4623]

On the back i can see where the connector goes into the back of the stereo but where does the red cable go? The thin red one

[@ianwestacott]

If you're talking about the thing red cable connected to the RCA, I left it as is - as the command unit is configured to activate on reverse gear. Basically is wasn't needed.

[@davidgray6232]

Hi Ian. Did you ever adjust the guidelines on the camera so it better demonstrates the size of the car relative to the space you were going into?

[@ianwestacott]

Hi, I never adjusted the guidlines, felt like I never needed to - the angle has been fine for me.

[@christhompson6216]

My engineering menu is different to that and can’t find that HW setting section 😢 3:51

[@ianwestacott]

Looks like you'll have to go to Mercedes for an update.

[@keilandavis9123]

what you can do instead of wiring it to a fuse in the rear You can splice the two reds together so The yellow av has a red cable running from it And the additional cable with the earth and power connected Splice them two together and leave the black wire it’s not needed… No criticism at all, just another way Great video

[@aleksandarstojanovski1005]

Hi Ian, I bought most of the things and today I want to mount my camera. I'm having w204 from 2007 with Audio 20. You said that need some convertor for that model. Can you please suggest me what converter should I buy?

[@ianwestacott]

Hi, It's probably something like this - www.car-interface.com/vendita/en/interfaces-a-v-video-mercedes/1202-mercedes-ntg45-reverse-and-front-camera-input-interface.html. Might be worth searching on KZbin if there are any Audio 20 versions.

[@pitiwatkittiwimonchai4656]

Can i just need only rear camera and some of connector (wire) to done this for benz c200 2014.

[@hassaanhabib2418]

Hey, I am getting a gray dot distorted screen like the one we used to see on tv when no cable signal was there. Can you help please?

[@ianwestacott]

Sorry, I didn't experience this. Maybe the camera you have is not compatible?

[@stevenwilson8999]

when you were talking about not putting the connection into the back but said you didn't where did you connect it to i cant seem to see it in the video? i think its the yellow connection where does that go into?

[@ianwestacott]

If watch from around 08:25, it shows where the other end of RCA cable is attached to the back of the unit. It’s connect via a Fakra to RCA adaptor.

[@anharuddin5965]

Hi Ian, can you advise on how I can have the full screen rather than the back "back" banner at the bottom of the screen appearing.

[@ianwestacott]

Hi, that's down to the individual design of the camera afaik.

[@Mike-tm2tx]

What I noticed those guide lines don't change direction like they do on standard fit cameras

[@TraumaKit]

Hello, I have a question, Did you connect the red cables coming out from the long video cable somewhere? Or no need for them? Got a w212 its the same procedure.

[@ianwestacott]

The red cable is used to activate the camera, so you can wire it to the reversing light. I didn't need to, as the command system gave an option to activate the camera by reverse gear.

[@nicknick6960]

Does it point to low? The one i bought seems to point to low thanks

[@sayeedrehan]

Do you know if the video cable will work with an aftermarket carplay interface box? If I were to add one?

[@ianwestacott]

Sorry, I don't know. Not sure how reliable the aftermarket CarPlay boxes are.

[@lucifer9033]

Is that the V8? What a nice sound, I put the red wire on the backup light and it's bad, I think it needs to be constantly on 12v, not only when you go Rear. Thanks for the vid.

[@ianwestacott]

Yeah thanks it's the V8 (C63). Yeah don't wire the 12V to the reverse light, I ended-up wiring it to the fuse box slot for the cigarette lighter, as it's constant 12V. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXfdY5WMfaqEitE Don't get confused with the red wire connected to the RCA, which can be connected to the reverse light. Although I didn't need to to that as the menu gives the option to activate the camera when put into reverse.

[@MichaelBlanksonGolf]

Great work. Looks professionally done and definitely a huge money saver. Would be interesting to find out if it's cost effective to install parking/proximity sensors yourself? Is this something that could be done with a package that also includes cameras? Thanks

[@ianwestacott]

Michael Blankson there are aftermarket parking sensors available. My W204 has them as factory-fitted, so I only needed to fit the camera.

[@1234venkat1234]

hi ian westacott im from I have very limited resources out here , mine is the same model audio system but with the no card slot ... no DVD player reverse camera option and navigation ... but I wish to upgrade it so how can I do it ..kindly help me in this ..

[@MarcoPicca-v4p]

Hello sir I don’t have like this sect menu on my Mercedes w204 2014

[@peterklempar4104]

Hi I have question . I have the same radio but can't get working internet radio or google . Phone is connected showing vodafone and signal bars on the screen and that's it , using android phone Thx

[@frankadelson3082]

quick question, i just bought a backup camera for my 2008 c350, do i need an additional part to make it work? or is it plug and go.

[@ianwestacott]

All depends on whether yours has the Command or Audio 20 version. This Video is for the Command system, all items needed are posted in the description.

[@robertjohn2249]

Unless you have latest fw version of command this won't work. If you go to settings and see the analogue clock in the background you have latest fw and reverse camera will work with factory head unit. Ask me how I know this 😂 Was easier for me to just replace the entire screen with a android 10.25 touch screen to fit a reverse camera. Best thing I ever did because it makes the command unit almost redundant completely but it's nice to now have both working together. Best of both worlds.

[@ReniLlupa]

Hi Ian I wired mine up exactly like yours. On my 2014 e550. Im still getting a black screen. On my fakra i put it on the left empty connector and still nothing. Any suggestions?

[@ianwestacott]

Did you wait 24 hours, after select the method for the reverse gear? kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXfdY5WMfaqEitEsi=mEDN9hFl12QY74hz&t=166 other than that, maybe you purchased the wrong type of camera, PAL instead of NTSC or vice-versa?

[@MrMemo0325]

Hey my engineering mode is abit different than yours. we have the same clock and all but the mode interface is different. Any tips?

[@ianwestacott]

Without seeing your screen, I wouldn’t be able to see where you have to navigate to.

[@agustinquintas5894]

Can you remove check surroundings message ?

[@ianwestacott]

I don't think you can, I haven't checked to be honest - doesn't bother me that much.

[@Dio269]

Hi Ian, I have exactly the same car and year! i don't suppose if I buy the parts I could persuade you for a fee to plug mine in? im in North London but if not too far can travel! thanks Dio

[@johannesalbert7901]

Cool video! How do you know that you do not need an additional controlling unit and can directly plug the camera into the head unit? THX!

[@ianwestacott]

Hi, you need to know if your system is the Command system and not the Audio 20 version. This tutorial is for the Command system.

[@faridmohamed4731]

I want to ask how to update Command Software? My w204 facelift says software available for update but when i click for update it doesn’t , any tips? Do i need xentery? Or what?

[@ianwestacott]

Hi, I think you need to go to Mercedes if you can't do an OTA update.

[@amrmeligy3155]

I looked and i have analog clock but my engineering mode is different!

[@ianwestacott]

Do you have the W204 C Class, other than that you may not have the command system?

[@cai-x2592]

How would you know car system needs PAL or NTSE camera.

[@ianwestacott]

The UK uses a PAL system. With that being said, I had to purchase an NTSC camera. I wouldn’t be surprised that this is the standard regardless where you live, as this would cut down on Mercedes manufacturing costs.

[@aleksandarstojanovski1005]

Great work!!! It's a little bit noisy because of the wind and I didn't get well the part where you are fitting the camera on the boot plastic.. Did you manage to use the existing hole for mounting the camera without drilling the plastic. The screw of the camera looks bigger then the existing hole in the plastic.

[@ianwestacott]

Hi, I managed to use an existing torx screw hole to feed the camera cable through.

[@aleksandarstojanovski1005]

Great, thanks Ian for the info

[@aleksandarstojanovski1005]

@@ianwestacott I tried to mount the camera on the existing torx screw same as you, but the camera screw was too short. At the end I drilled the place where OEM camera is located.

[@harikumarmarar]

Command has the analog clock, so assume I have the correct firmware. but no options in the engineering mode HU settings about the camera. any idea or recommendations ?

[@ianwestacott]

You might have a different firmware version, which could have a different menu - try going through the whole lot.

[@Wardsite]

Great video, unfortunately the camera you link to is no longer available, any suggestions what other would work? there are lots of options on amazon but I don't want to get the wrong one!

[@ianwestacott]

Thanks for letting me know. It looks like there is an updated version of the camera - amzn.to/3nY5lqC

[@justtherighthand]

Ian, how did u remove the fakra cable from the housing? (The adapter; RCA to Fakra one)

[@ianwestacott]

There's a black plastic clip which allows you to fit the RCA adaptor at 08:44

[@anwarnanuhussain6827]

Gonna try

[@malipat5809]

Hi any idea how to tell if mine is a command or audio 20?

[@ianwestacott]

Goto www.mbdecoder.com and enter your VIN. A list will be returned informing what features your car has..

[@moonmc1047]

Is it possible to locate the cam at the center. It should b at center.

[@ianwestacott]

Not without cutting any holes in the boot, you can adjust the viewing angle of the camera to make it look centered. The car has parking sensors as well, so it's good enough for me.

[@denisnikolov60]

@@ianwestacott how can you adjust the viewing angle? My car's backup camera is also located in the same place but at the right side and I was wondering if there's any chance to adjust the viewing angle

[@ianwestacott]

Did you install the camera yourself? If you have the same camera as me, there is a button (mentioned at the beginning of the video) which adjusts the viewing angle.

[@denisnikolov60]

@@ianwestacott no I didn’t install it myself. Where can I find this button? Where is it situated?

[@moonmc1047]

@@ianwestacott yes there is. But the position is a bit far so that adjustment is useless. Like I said there is another one for this car that came attached to the trunk handle. That one yes is more suitable for this car. U just bought the wrong one.

[@Dia_dhuit]

Hi have you a link for this camera?

[@ianwestacott]

Hi, links to all parts used are in the video description.

[@lukametreveli6940]

Same parts and procedure works for mercedes c300 2013? I’m asking that because of fakra to rca adaptor you have linked below.part description says: MERCEDES C- Class W204 / S204 2007 - 2011 Any clue?

[@ianwestacott]

The important part is whether your C300 has any of these systems mentioned in the Amazon description: "Navigation System NX with Touchscreen, Comand APS NTG2.5 / NTG4 / NTG1" Mine is a '12 plate running a NTG4.5.

[@Mike-tm2tx]

What kit did you purchase? I too have the command unit. All I can find on the net is actual cameras..thanks

[@ianwestacott]

Hi, there's a link to the parts purchased in the description.

[@TraumaKit]

Thanks for your video buddy. I have done absolutely the same as you, but i have a black screen if i put the gear in reverse. The only thing im thinking now is, that the camera i purchased is PAL and im living in germany, my system is set to NTSC.

[@ianwestacott]

I had to purchase the NTSC version, so could well be the reason.

[@tas4092]

Hi I was wondering if you figured it out? I tested before I ran all the cables and it was working. As soon as i put the car in reverse, the camera came on. after running the cables and putting everything together i now get a black screen when I put it in reverse. have gone through and checked all the connections and they are good.

[@Joe_8N]

Would this work on a 114 blutec Mercedes Vito? Thanks

[@ianwestacott]

If it has the same Command unit as my W204, then most probably yes.

[@clydeyoung835]

Nice job 👍

[@antashton8784]

Great video I went to order the camera but the link is for NTSC camera not PAL. PAL is what we use here in UK/Europe. Did your camera say it was NTSC only? Thanks...

[@ianwestacott]

I’m in the UK and needed an NTSC camera. You can try PAL, but can’t guarantee it’ll work.

[@ivanlazarov3048]

Great job. Does this works on 2007 w221?

[@ianwestacott]

Sorry, I don't know.

[@jamesp1803]

Hi, installed mine today on my c204 C250 2011 Exactly how you have. Just left with a black screen. Any ideas? Cheers

[@ianwestacott]

What version of the camera did you purchase? Did you enable the camera in engineering mode?

[@jamesp1803]

@@ianwestacott hi mate, Figured it out. Bought the kit specified in your notes. Had to connect the power + (red) joined to the RCA with the power to the power + (red) of the 12v supply DC.

[@ikmo61]

Hi buddy. Just a random question, I have the exact same comand system in my 2011 c220 sport, I was wondering if you'd know what sound system it has? I.e Burmester or Harmon Kardon?

[@ianwestacott]

Mine is the Harman Kardon system.

[@thuseynli]

Does anybody kmow how to remove the back bar on the bottom of the monitor for full screen ? Or it is not possible ?

[@ianwestacott]

I don’t think it’s possible, it’s part of the software.

[@robmpulse]

Does anyone have links for parts that can be purchased for US folks?

[@ianwestacott]

If click on the links in description and change the address from .co.uk to .com, then it should work.

[@robmpulse]

@@ianwestacott unfortunately, that does not work

[@ianwestacott]

@@robmpulse strange, it's working for me. All I can suggest is to copy the text of the items in the description, and search for them on amazon.com

[@Tychymusic2]

Overall everything okay but better place for camera is on the right hand side on the end of the trim there is a little plastic thing which you need to cut off. Why ? Becouse in other place light from reg plate can be too bright specially when you have leds and you wont see nothing during night

[@achiko163]

Hello, great job👍👍 this camera out of stock, can you give us another camera link, or supported camera? For W204

[@ianwestacott]

The link to the camera in the description, is showing availability for me.

[@lukametreveli6940]

Well done.

[@proplayer002]

Hi could you fit for me plz

[@hennadiyaryekhov8564]

Hi. Great video. Where did you buy all parts, including camera? Can you please send me a link. Thanks and hope to hear from you soon

[@ianwestacott]

Thanks. Links to parts used are in the description.

[@sm7538]

Hi I fitted this to my w204 2011, for some reason the camera is black and white, there's no colour

[@ianwestacott]

The only thing I can think of is that you purchased a PAL camera when it should have been NTSC or vice-versa; or possibly you purchased a black and white camera? Double check the connections you could have a fraying wire or a faulty connection.

[@sm7538]

@@ianwestacott hi I bought the same camera but I will double check the wiring, thanks

[@bozidarnovak]

GREAT!!! can i ask you a question, please? I have bought a c class 2017, W205, but later i have realized that it has no parking sensors or reverse parking camera. the original mercedes parking sensors would require a new set of bumpers(not a problem), but the whole integration is. As far as the camera is concerned do you have any knowledge if it is a simmilar thing such as w204, or do i have a website where i can take a look? i have spent a lot of hours searching for it, but no thorough answer... If you have any information on this topic for w205, it would be a lifesaver... thanks in advance

[@ianwestacott]

If it's a Command system, you could try their website. www.commandonline.co.uk

[@xxjeruhhxx]

I have a 2013 c250 luxury. The hidden menu is quite different and the HW setting doesn’t appear. Will it still be compatible with the camera? Thanks.

[@ianwestacott]

The link to the camera should state what models it's compatible with.

[@ikissedmyghost2703]

So after you got it coded, you just swapped in the new instrument cluster and the rest is plug and play?

[@HasanAli-qr8lh]

Hi Ian, I have a different engineering menu and don't see the option for Rearview Camera anywhere. Is it different on a 2014 C 250? Is there a way to install a backup camera into the back of that model?

[@ianwestacott]

Hi, This video is for the W204 C-Class, I can't confirm whether the same applies for other models.