A video pipe inspection system includes a video camera head with an optical sensor connected to a circuit for generating a video image signal representing real time images of scenes in view of the optical sensor. The system further includes a push reel that is rotatably mounted on a support frame. An elongate push cable is normally stored in continuous turns in the push reel. The push cable has a distal end operatively connected to the video camera head and a proximal end operatively connected to a central hub of the push reel. The push cable includes at least one conductor for conveying the video image signal from the camera head. The push cable has a predetermined resiliency and flexibility to permit the push cable to be unwound from the push reel in order to force the camera head a substantial distance down a length of pipe having one or more tight turns. A distance sensing module is mounted to the frame and includes two non-contact sensor pair for detecting an amount and a direction of relative motion of the push reel and for providing a video overlay signal representing a length of push cable that has been pushed into the pipe. An electrical connection is provided between the proximal end of the push cable and the distance sensing module so that the video overlay signal can be joined with video image signal from the camera head to provide an output video signal. The output video signal is transmitted via cable, RF or any other suitable manner to a video display unit that shows real time images of the interior of the pipe along with a visual indication of the length of push cable that has been forced down the pipe.