GM Begins Rolling Out HD Backup Camera Systems
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General Motors is upgrading the backup camera systems across its vehicle portfolio from standard to high definition (HD). According to research by GM Authority, a total of 11 GM models of the 2019 model year are equipped offer an HD rear vision camera, while another 11 should offer it for the 2020 model year.
The move from SD to HD adds more pixels to the screen and is somewhat analogous to moving from 720p to 1080p, albeit not precisely in those numbers (since auto screens utilize a different kind of resolution rating system than a television).
2019 GM vehicles with available HD backup camera:
- Chevrolet Blazer
- Chevrolet Camaro
- Chevrolet Malibu (both SD and HD, depending on trim)
- Chevrolet Volt
- Chevrolet Equinox (both SD and HD, depending on trim)
- Chevrolet Colorado (both SD and HD, depending on trim)
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (both SD and HD, depending on trim)
- GMC Terrain (both SD and HD, depending on trim)
- GMC Sierra 1500 1500 (both SD and HD, depending on trim)
- Cadillac CT6
- Cadillac XT4
2020 GM vehicles confirmed to offer HD backup camera:
2020 GM vehicles expected (but not confirmed) to offer HD backup camera:
The upgraded resolution is made possible by joining various factors, including the automaker upgrading the video processing systems for in-dash screens, and Chevy’s Monte Doran tells us that the end result is a crisper, clearer image.
Rear Vision Camera in 2020 Silverado HD
What’s more, the benefits of the upgraded resolution also carry over to the vehicle’s other camera-based systems, such as the 360-degree Surround Vision or the trailer-mounted systems on GM’s new pickup trucks, but not to the Rear Camera Mirror – which runs on an entirely different system that relies on a different camera and a different, in-mirror display.
For all those GM order guide sleuths out there, the SD rear vision camera is typically assigned the GM RPO code UVC, while the HD rear vision camera carries code UVB.
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| 2019 GM Vehicle | Backup Camera Resolution |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet | |
| Spark | SD |
| Sonic | SD |
| Cruze | SD |
| Malibu | HD1 |
| Impala | SD |
| Camaro | HD |
| Corvette | SD (2019 MY C7); HD (Mid-Engine/C8) |
| Volt | HD |
| Bolt EV | SD |
| Trax | SD |
| Equinox | HD2 |
| Blazer | HD |
| Traverse | SD |
| Tahoe | SD (2019 MY); HD (2020 MY) |
| Suburban | SD (2019 MY); HD (2020 MY) |
| Colorado | HD3 |
| Silverado 1500 | HD4 |
| Silverado HD | SD (2019 MY); HD (2020 MY) |
| Silverado MD | SD |
| Express | SD |
| Low Cab Forward | SD |
| Buick | |
| Cascada | SD |
| Regal | SD |
| LaCrosse | SD |
| Encore | SD |
| Envision | SD |
| Enclave | SD |
| GMC | |
| Terrain | HD5 |
| Acadia | SD (2019 MY); HD (2020 MY) |
| Yukon/Yukon XL | SD (2019 MY); HD (2020 MY) |
| Sierra 1500 | HD6 |
| Sierra HD | SD (2019 MY); HD (2020 MY) |
| Savana | SD |
| Cadillac | |
| ATS / ATS-V | SD |
| CTS / CTS-V | SD |
| CT4 | HD (2020 or 2021 MY) |
| CT5 | HD (2020 MY) |
| CT6 / CT6-V | HD |
| XTS | SD |
| XT4 | HD |
| XT5 | SD (2019 MY); HD (2020 MY) |
| XT6 | HD (2020 MY) |
| Escalade/Escalade ESV | SD (2019 MY); HD (2020 MY) |
Legend:
- SD: Standard Definition
- HD: High Definition
- Malibu: HD only on Hybrid and Premier models
- Equinox: HD only with optional Infotainment Package on LT, standard on Premier models
- Colorado: standard only on LT, Z71, ZR2 models
- Silverado 1500: included only with Convenience Package II on LT, LT Trail Boss, RST; standard on LTZ and Premier models
- Terrain: included only with Infotainment Package I on SLE; standard on SLT and Denali models
- Sierra 1500: included only with Preferred Package on SLE and Elevation; standard on SLT, AT4, Denali models
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One has to wonder why General Motors has been MIA in some basic features like a backup camera that foreign manufacturers have had for years; this speaks of the poor leadership at the top and another reason why the GM Board of Directors need to consider replacing Mary Barra with someone else.
This guy. They are not MIA. They are actually ahead of the curve here by upgrading SD systems to HD.
Retract your stupid comment.
I had no idea Barra made every decision at GM, I wonder what influenced her decision on the durometer of the fuel door bumper for the new trucks?
I think it should be slightly softer, not too much, just a little! ⚛
Right! What some of these guys don’t realize is that the CEO makes very few product decisions. Heck, they don’t even make decisions on the model line.
Then again, the CEO is responsible for putting the right people in place to make the right decisions. So the CEO is ultimately responsible…
Responsible for putting the person in the position to succeed and removing them if they don’t.
But not for that persons misses.
One must be responsible in their lives, because they are.
If an engineer screws up on a design or materials decision the CEO of the company cannot be held responsible for it.
It’s called a “Skilled Trade” for a reason.
GM back up cams are so awesome, on some models they will stay activated for a while after you shift into drive.
Actually GM was one of the first to offer back up cameras.
They started to offer them before the goverment talked about making them required.
About time! The quality on my 2016 Canyon is horrible! GMC is definitely behind the times. When will the Colorado/canyon get push button start! Something most high end vehicles have had for a decade
If Buick is supposed to be a “premium” brand, shouldn’t they be included with the HD backup cameras? I see Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac get some, but not Buick.
2019 should offer 4K options! Why? So you can also have a recording option in the event of vehicle crash or road incidents to provide to insurance or police when facts are disputed!
I’m pretty sure my Samsung Galaxy captivate that I bought seven or eight years ago had a better camera and display than my 2016 Buick does.
That’s good, I would hate to see you back your car up to the edge of the Grand Canyon, or Niagara falls to take vacation photos!
Then again, hey you with the selfie stick.
Please step away from the ledge.
Does the camera system have record functions and capabilities to download the video onto a computer
I would like to know if there is a way too.
can you get 360 camera on the Suburban?
The back up camera on my Chevy Bolt EV is a joke. At night, it’s a tragedy. Even cleaning it all the time, the picture quality is 1990’s. Pathetic lack of follow up on the car design especially on a feature used every single day. I’d give GM points for the Bolt design except all the major components that make the car move were sourced from Korea.
Same story with my Elr. 80k car with $10 camera. I’m not actually sure $10 camera off ebay would be worse, probably twice better.
can i swap out the low grade SD back up camera for a 1080 p HD camera on a 2019 gmc Denali ?
will the 1080 p work with my current system ?
I have a 2015 GMC Serria SLT, and a 2019 Yukon SLT, and I have taken both in to dealership for fuzzy, blurred backup camera’s, and I got the same story from the service manager, he said that there is nothing wrong with the camera’s or screen. I guess that I have to agree with him, because after driving several other GM vehicle’s I found that they were all blurred and fuzzy. I have family members that have Dodge, Ford, Honda and their’s are crystal clear. In my opinion the GM backup camera is totally JUNK !!
Yes! My husband has a 2020 F350 and his back up is leaps and bounds better than my 19 suburban. I literally cannot see anything backing up at night with it…. it is TERRIBLE.
I have a 2018 yukon with a crappy backup camera. It is useless at night and bad during the day. GM used 1970 technology on this it seems. I want to replace the OEM backup cam. Has anyone done this and if so how did you remove the original cam and what cam did you replace it with?
I know.
I have a2016 Mercedes e550 rag top, 2018 Rogue. 2918 terrain,
Had the pleasure of a few tents cars. Hyundai, VW Tegua, 2021 Mercedes Gs300, 2021 Bronco…all have crisp awesone and very responsive back up cameras.
My 2020 Tahoe sucks.
There must be an easy upgrade.
I see a lot of people complaining about their vehicles lack of updated features… I’m sorry, but I don’t believe 2020 features were available on your 2015 vehicle. If your unhappy with what you’ve got… trade up, or walk!
Actually my 2014 dodge has a much better rear camera than this 2018 Denali so yea, they had better stuff before. If you don’t know what you are talking about then walk.
Backup camera questions:
#1 can i swap out the low grade SD back up camera for a 1080 p HD camera on a 2019 ZR2? will the 1080 p work with my current system ? The night time view is so poor taht it is useless.
#2 when put in reverse at night the display turns to full brightness I have nit fiund a way to dim it! It us very bkindin
I scored a 2020 Tahoe with 6k miles due to trade ins for the new Body styles.
The back up camera sucks. Cleaned it, it’s new!
My 2018 GMC terrain company car is awesome.
I can park it on a gnats ass.
Is there an easy plug in upgrade? 2020 should not need much to get a better view..
‘AfterMarket’ solves everything – at a fraction of the cost.. way too much effort and stress on these topics.. HD Radios, Puddle Lights, LED replacements, Camera Kits (provided more degree in view).. all can be replaced. Its YOUR Vehicle, make it comfortable…
Sure, let’s buy a $70k vehicle and then put aftermarket parts on it since the original is crappy.
If you don’t like your vehicles features… then walk where you need to go and stop crying over menial crap!