CarPC.
03-12-2008 | 06:54 AM
#1
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CarPC.
Ok guys... First I searched for non-sub amp (4-channel) info and found nothing, then I searched for CarPC and found nothing on this forum???
First, the sound:
I do not have NAV but I do have Premium Sound. I want max volume to be way louder. Am I going to have to replace the speakers (5 of them right?) or can I just power them with my own 5-channel amp (or preferably 4-channel amp)? Should I replace the stock amp, or use my 4-channel amps speaker-level inputs and just insert it between the stock amp and the speakers? (NOTE: I will have a sub + sub-amp too)
Now the PC:
No CarPC people here? I was thinking I could install a 7" touchscreen on the bottom of the console - over the ash-tray part, in front of the stick, over the pass-air bag light (non-Nav has no CF slot). I could then run a dual-monitor skin that showed PC-Nav on the stock LCDs video-input with PC Audio/Control on the lower touch screen.
I would also like to investigate having the PC emulate an iPOD so I could use the stock controls, and/or replacing the stock LCD with a VGA-input touch-screen while retaining the stock interface on the video-input.
Does anyone have more info on any of this, or will I be pioneering the effort?
First, the sound:
I do not have NAV but I do have Premium Sound. I want max volume to be way louder. Am I going to have to replace the speakers (5 of them right?) or can I just power them with my own 5-channel amp (or preferably 4-channel amp)? Should I replace the stock amp, or use my 4-channel amps speaker-level inputs and just insert it between the stock amp and the speakers? (NOTE: I will have a sub + sub-amp too)
Now the PC:
No CarPC people here? I was thinking I could install a 7" touchscreen on the bottom of the console - over the ash-tray part, in front of the stick, over the pass-air bag light (non-Nav has no CF slot). I could then run a dual-monitor skin that showed PC-Nav on the stock LCDs video-input with PC Audio/Control on the lower touch screen.
I would also like to investigate having the PC emulate an iPOD so I could use the stock controls, and/or replacing the stock LCD with a VGA-input touch-screen while retaining the stock interface on the video-input.
Does anyone have more info on any of this, or will I be pioneering the effort?
03-12-2008 | 09:31 PM
#3
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Two things:
1. I don't know about the non-nav premium sound but with the nav we have 11 speakers. Three on each door, one on the dash, two on the rear deck and two by the rear seats.
2. With my QX4 and my friends Maxima each bose speaker has its own amp. So I had to run new wires from the amp to each speaker. I would be very surprised to hear that this was changed. It makes a big project out of adding after market speakers.
1. I don't know about the non-nav premium sound but with the nav we have 11 speakers. Three on each door, one on the dash, two on the rear deck and two by the rear seats.
2. With my QX4 and my friends Maxima each bose speaker has its own amp. So I had to run new wires from the amp to each speaker. I would be very surprised to hear that this was changed. It makes a big project out of adding after market speakers.
03-15-2008 | 05:54 AM
#6
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I've given up on the speakers for now and will just worry about the Sub and a PC.
I am going to buy a new lower-part of the dash so I can modify it. The curved silver where the dash is recessed comes completely off with 2 screws. Then, I think I can just cut-in the extruding sides to make a slot for a 7" or maybe even an 8" LCD that will sit just in front of the gear shift.
That touch-screen will be for control of the CarPC and media browsing. The stock LCD's video-in will be configured as dual-screen on the PC and will be switchable from Navigation, MilkDrop, Movie File, or anything else I want it to
.
The one thing I haven't figured out is this:
If you are using the A/V input (Aux) and you switch to, say, Fuel Economy on the LCD... Does the music from the A/V input keep playing?
I cannot test as my car is now being shipped cross country which takes 9 days. 8 days left till I get to drive it again
NOTE: I am a member of mp3Car. RoadRunner is the FrontEnd I use. I make my own skins. Once I have the hardware done I will make a skin that looks just like our stock UI (Hopefully, if I can find some hi-res screen shots of it).
I am going to buy a new lower-part of the dash so I can modify it. The curved silver where the dash is recessed comes completely off with 2 screws. Then, I think I can just cut-in the extruding sides to make a slot for a 7" or maybe even an 8" LCD that will sit just in front of the gear shift.
That touch-screen will be for control of the CarPC and media browsing. The stock LCD's video-in will be configured as dual-screen on the PC and will be switchable from Navigation, MilkDrop, Movie File, or anything else I want it to
.The one thing I haven't figured out is this:
If you are using the A/V input (Aux) and you switch to, say, Fuel Economy on the LCD... Does the music from the A/V input keep playing?
I cannot test as my car is now being shipped cross country which takes 9 days. 8 days left till I get to drive it again
NOTE: I am a member of mp3Car. RoadRunner is the FrontEnd I use. I make my own skins. Once I have the hardware done I will make a skin that looks just like our stock UI (Hopefully, if I can find some hi-res screen shots of it).
Last edited by RPMsG37; 03-15-2008 at 05:59 AM.
05-05-2010 | 11:33 AM
#7
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 13
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I've given up on the speakers for now and will just worry about the Sub and a PC.
I am going to buy a new lower-part of the dash so I can modify it. The curved silver where the dash is recessed comes completely off with 2 screws. Then, I think I can just cut-in the extruding sides to make a slot for a 7" or maybe even an 8" LCD that will sit just in front of the gear shift.
That touch-screen will be for control of the CarPC and media browsing. The stock LCD's video-in will be configured as dual-screen on the PC and will be switchable from Navigation, MilkDrop, Movie File, or anything else I want it to.
The one thing I haven't figured out is this:
If you are using the A/V input (Aux) and you switch to, say, Fuel Economy on the LCD... Does the music from the A/V input keep playing?
I cannot test as my car is now being shipped cross country which takes 9 days. 8 days left till I get to drive it again
NOTE: I am a member of mp3Car. RoadRunner is the FrontEnd I use. I make my own skins. Once I have the hardware done I will make a skin that looks just like our stock UI (Hopefully, if I can find some hi-res screen shots of it).
I am going to buy a new lower-part of the dash so I can modify it. The curved silver where the dash is recessed comes completely off with 2 screws. Then, I think I can just cut-in the extruding sides to make a slot for a 7" or maybe even an 8" LCD that will sit just in front of the gear shift.
That touch-screen will be for control of the CarPC and media browsing. The stock LCD's video-in will be configured as dual-screen on the PC and will be switchable from Navigation, MilkDrop, Movie File, or anything else I want it to
.The one thing I haven't figured out is this:
If you are using the A/V input (Aux) and you switch to, say, Fuel Economy on the LCD... Does the music from the A/V input keep playing?
I cannot test as my car is now being shipped cross country which takes 9 days. 8 days left till I get to drive it again
NOTE: I am a member of mp3Car. RoadRunner is the FrontEnd I use. I make my own skins. Once I have the hardware done I will make a skin that looks just like our stock UI (Hopefully, if I can find some hi-res screen shots of it).
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05-05-2010 | 11:59 AM
#8
Car PC
My son recently installed his own carputer in a MazdaSpeed and had a long DIY on their forums. I believe he called it a double DIN and I know it has a 7" screen and a 500 GB hard drive. I can provide the link if there is interest.
Here are the specs:
Carputer
Intel D945GCLF2 /w Intel Atom 1.6 Dual Core CPU
Kingston ValueRAM KVR667D2N5/2G PC2-5300 2GB
Hitachi Deskstar 500GB 2.5IN SATA2 HDD
Lilliput EBY701 7" Touch Screen Monitor
OBD II USB ELM323 Code Reader Interface
Bluetooth Receiver
WiFi Network adapter
Creative Sound Blaster X-FI Xtreme
Pharos iGPS-360 USB dongle
Andrea Super Beam Microphone
Audio
1x JL Audio 500/1 Monoblock Amp
1x JL Audio 300/4 4-Channel Amp
2x JL Audio 10w1v2-4 Sub
6.5" Front Components w/ Crossover & Independent tweeter (don't know which yet)
6" Rear Components w/ Integrated tweeter (don't know which yet)
Dampening
100 Sq./Ft. B-quiet Extreme Sound Dampening (Cabin, Doors, Trunk)
Carpet under liner in cabin
Here are the specs:
Carputer
Intel D945GCLF2 /w Intel Atom 1.6 Dual Core CPU
Kingston ValueRAM KVR667D2N5/2G PC2-5300 2GB
Hitachi Deskstar 500GB 2.5IN SATA2 HDD
Lilliput EBY701 7" Touch Screen Monitor
OBD II USB ELM323 Code Reader Interface
Bluetooth Receiver
WiFi Network adapter
Creative Sound Blaster X-FI Xtreme
Pharos iGPS-360 USB dongle
Andrea Super Beam Microphone
Audio
1x JL Audio 500/1 Monoblock Amp
1x JL Audio 300/4 4-Channel Amp
2x JL Audio 10w1v2-4 Sub
6.5" Front Components w/ Crossover & Independent tweeter (don't know which yet)
6" Rear Components w/ Integrated tweeter (don't know which yet)
Dampening
100 Sq./Ft. B-quiet Extreme Sound Dampening (Cabin, Doors, Trunk)
Carpet under liner in cabin
05-05-2010 | 03:50 PM
#9
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05-05-2010 | 03:53 PM
#10
05-05-2010 | 04:31 PM
#11
good job!
05-05-2010 | 05:38 PM
#13
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 43
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The list is pretty much just one part... a VGA touch-screen that can fit between those 2 pillers. I got this one off ebay for like $140 two years ago. You just need to measure and check the outer dimensions.
The ash-tray part can be easily removed and the wires to the lighter-plug can power the LCD.
I took the back plastic off my LCD so it would squeeze in to the hole better.
While the dash is open you need to do the video-while-driving mod (you cut the tachometer wire plus cut & ground the parking break wire).
Then you simply pop a PC in the trunk that has VGA output for the LCD, USB input (for the touch-screen), and video/audio output for the stock-screen/sound line-in at the center-console. I removed the iPOD jack (since I don't use it) and ran the 3-RCA's for A/V through that hole and under the carpet to the trunk where the PC is. I have a USB hub in the center-console too.
The ash-tray part can be easily removed and the wires to the lighter-plug can power the LCD.
I took the back plastic off my LCD so it would squeeze in to the hole better.
While the dash is open you need to do the video-while-driving mod (you cut the tachometer wire plus cut & ground the parking break wire).
Then you simply pop a PC in the trunk that has VGA output for the LCD, USB input (for the touch-screen), and video/audio output for the stock-screen/sound line-in at the center-console. I removed the iPOD jack (since I don't use it) and ran the 3-RCA's for A/V through that hole and under the carpet to the trunk where the PC is. I have a USB hub in the center-console too.
05-05-2010 | 05:49 PM
#14
Here is a site for some interesting carputer parts:
Mobile Computing Solutions - Innovations in Mini ITX
The cpus get mounted right in the dash and aren't very expensive.
Mobile Computing Solutions - Innovations in Mini ITX
The cpus get mounted right in the dash and aren't very expensive.
05-05-2010 | 05:50 PM
#15
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Joined: Mar 2008
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You can use any PC that you want. It doesn't take much power.
I am running Windows 7 Ultimate using Ride-Runner as my CarPC frontend and Garmin Mobile PC as my GPS Navigation.
The PC is a P4-1.2GHz with 1G RAM.
Built-in Video/Audio (with RCA-video-out)
USB-WiFi / USB-GPS / USB-DiNovo Mini Keyboard
32GB SSD drive (actually a CF Card that it can boot off of).
(I used to just use an old 20GB 2.5" 20GB laptop drive).
USB 64GB Flash Key (plugged in to hub in center console) for holding up to 4000 YouTube HQ Music Videos (free to download all you want).
System auto-connects to internet for live YouTube/Hulu/Pandora Streaming if I plug my phone in to the USB hub in the center console, or if I turn on my phones WiFi-router mode, or if I am within a block of my house/work WiFi. With internet it also does webbrowsing, e-mail, weather, traffic, gas-prices, skype, and navigation through Google Earth.
I am running Windows 7 Ultimate using Ride-Runner as my CarPC frontend and Garmin Mobile PC as my GPS Navigation.
The PC is a P4-1.2GHz with 1G RAM.
Built-in Video/Audio (with RCA-video-out)
USB-WiFi / USB-GPS / USB-DiNovo Mini Keyboard
32GB SSD drive (actually a CF Card that it can boot off of).
(I used to just use an old 20GB 2.5" 20GB laptop drive).
USB 64GB Flash Key (plugged in to hub in center console) for holding up to 4000 YouTube HQ Music Videos (free to download all you want).
System auto-connects to internet for live YouTube/Hulu/Pandora Streaming if I plug my phone in to the USB hub in the center console, or if I turn on my phones WiFi-router mode, or if I am within a block of my house/work WiFi. With internet it also does webbrowsing, e-mail, weather, traffic, gas-prices, skype, and navigation through Google Earth.