What is CVBS_OUT_1 on an android head unit used for?
Will the android headunit still work if I don’t connect CVBS_OUT ?
What connects to the CVBS OUT?
Yellow panel socket
You can find CVBS OUT 1 and sometimes a CVBS OUT 2 on the rear panel of an android headunit. The CVBS OUT connectors are universally coloured yellow in the centre of the RCA socket when mounted on a rear panel.
Bunch of connectors
Your android wiring loom may have a bunch of RCA connectors and one is labelled CVBS_OUT. While several will be coloured yellow, there will be only one CVBS_OUT_1 and possibly a CVBS_OUT_2.
Mentioned in the manual
The manual may mention connecting CVBS_OUT but does’t identify clearly enough due to a monochrome print or poor quality text. The CVBS_OUT will be a yellow RCA connector. Look for tags on the wiring loom for small labels marked V_OUT or VIDEO_OUT.
Not common
CVBS_OUT is not a very common rear connection on an android headunit.
Your headunit may not be equipped with video out on the yellow connector.
What does CVBS_OUT_1 mean?
CVBS stands for Composite Video Baseband Signal. It is used for sending analogue video signals over a relatively cheap coaxial cable.
CVBS_OUT is CVBS Output. This way the android headunit can send analogue video signals to an external device, usually a display monitor or screen.
CVBS_OUT_1 the number 1 identifies the CVBS OUT when there are more than one, typically the maximum number of CVBS_OUT on an android headunit is Two. (CVBS_OUT_1 and CVBS_OUT_2).
Connecting devices to CVBS_OUT
You can connect any analogue display that has a CVBS_IN connector. This can be anything from a CCTV monitor to a large LCD TV. Your display device will need to be CVBS (composite input) compatible for CVBS OUT to work. You can identify a TV or Monitor that is compatible by looking on the rear or side of the screen for a ‘Composite’ or ‘Component’ input, a yellow RCA marked ‘in’ or a SCART socket. Special SCART plugs can adapt to provide composite input.
To link the android headunit RCA/Phono yellow female CVBS_OUT to the displays RCA/Phono yellow female CVBS_IN, use an RCA jack lead, that has a yellow male phono at each end.
Problems with CVBS_OUT
There are times when CVBS_OUT on your android head unit is confused when it should output a video signal. It is a common misconception that all android headunits with a CVBS_OUT connector will always output the screen image.
Some android headunits, particularly those with mechanical drives will only output a video signal when the drive is in use. But this is not a rule as many mechless android headunits won’t output all the video all the time bit a similar looking android headunit will function as expected.
The advice for the buyer is to ensure that the video output on the CVBS_OUT connector will function as you need it to, before purchasing the android headunit. There is no secret setting to fix the CVBS_OUT problem if it affects your model.
