In car pc

[1.6 16v]

Im looking to make or have made for me an in car pc. However im not a computer whizz im actually far from it and all the sites ive checked out on the net are geared more towards people with more experience in the field so im looking to you guys for assisance.

Heres what the system must do:

Play dvds, play music, and run a navigation system be touchscreen and ideally run windows as that is what im familair with although if linux is easy to pick up and that much better id go for that. The system should also boot up and shut down when i start it up

Im also thinking about a wireless system which would allow me to send music from the computer to the car although i havent looked into the cost of this or anything so all info would be appreciated.

Ive got about £700 as a budget for this system. Ive also got an stereo which has an audio in so id want the sound running throughthis.

I can get things like the screen from america from a friend of mine and from a quick look i can get a touchscreen for about £230 so the screen wont take up much of the budget. Size isnt important neither as i dont really use my boot.

If anyone can advise me or point me in the direction of someone who can id appreciate the help

 

[BlackClio16v]

aright m8 i just fitted a pc to my clio at the weekend just waiting for a new inverter to power it all.....what i would say is that u dont want the pc to start when u start the car because the power surge may damage the motherboard etc

ull need an inverter prob about 600w one to give u enough power.....u can get a gps dongle for pcs at about 100quid then all u need is software which is easy to get the rest is fairly simple u just need to wire it up...ill post pics of mine when it is finished

the wireless network is a piece o piss aswell all u will need to get is a home wireless network kit put one in ure home pc and the other in the car pc and so long as they are close enough ull be able to communicate

hope this helps pm me for more info

 

[David]

main problems with this idea is the start up and shutdown times i.e.. u will need a quick processor to reduce times. then u have to think about using the pc in the car, u do realise if you go over a harsh bump you co do major damage to the system etc...playing cds will skip and you will have to insert the dvds via the boot. sounds like a lot of hassle to me..and a lot of money. if ur intent on dvd playing, music and games then stick an xbollox ii mean xbox in the rear and have it modded. it will work out cheaper....and wont have the whole boot up issue.

 

[KDF]

Quote: Originally posted by 1.6 16v on 23 March 2004Im looking to make or have made for me an in car pc. However im not a computer whizz im actually far from it and all the sites ive checked out on the net are geared more towards people with more experience in the field so im looking to you guys for assisance.Heres what the system must dolay dvds, play music, and run a navigation system be touchscreen and ideally run windows as that is what im familair with although if linux is easy to pick up and that much better id go for that. The system should also boot up and shut down when i start it upIm also thinking about a wireless system which would allow me to send music from the computer to the car although i havent looked into the cost of this or anything so all info would be appreciated.Ive got about £700 as a budget for this system. Ive also got an stereo which has an audio in so id want the sound running throughthis.I can get things like the screen from america from a friend of mine and from a quick look i can get a touchscreen for about £230 so the screen wont take up much of the budget. Size isnt important neither as i dont really use my boot. If anyone can advise me or point me in the direction of someone who can id appreciate the help


http://www.dashpc.comwww.dashpc.com will answer most of your questions.

For the type of project you are trying to do the learning curve of linux would be VERY steep, you would be best to stick with windows I think, although linux would yeild far better results. Linux for example can be streamlined and the kernel re-compiled to suit your needs exactly meaning you can reduce boot times to < 30 seconds.. depending on how fast the processor is possbily a lot lower.

HDD problems are no-where as bad as people make out but if you are really bothered get a laptop hard drive.

For startup/shutdown see the module for sale on the dashpc site.

 

[BlackClio16v]

u cud make a false floor and stick the motherboard etc underneath thats what i intend to do but davids right about the motion affecting hdd etc

 

[cswclio]

hey mate could help with the gps dongle, they sell one in maplins for £149.99, with clips or window mounts so u can wire it up and stick it wherever suits you.

Also wireless keyboard would be a good idea in the dash on the door on either velcro so when u open it it comes down ready to type.

im thinking of doing along the same lines except not starting ff the ignition, def dont go for that option, would as said send a power surge that may damage the internals of the pc. Cheap dvd player,writers can also be had, but run ya music ideally off ya hu, as the quality will be poor from a pc.



get a 5.1dolby digital surround card in there with a decoder to run front speakers rears and a centre channnel.



any more help just add me to ya msn list at mailto:s.williams43@ntlworld.com">s.williams43@ntlworld.com and we can talk a little more about it, ne pics would be appreciated if anyones done this before.

 

[cswclio]

i say go balls out and fit a motion sensitive system where ballbearings and pulleys tilt the pc so it always keeps level.

bonkers idea uip, my 2p and im back off to do my tech work

 

[1.6 16v]

just found an old post i made on usenet bit it may help some of you. thanks for all the advice too

Im looking to replace my ageing mstation with something a little newer. im
> thinking either car pc or xbox.

if you only want games and music XboX (I assume there is an MP3/DVD
player for the modded XboXers out there?).
> Obviously the xbox will be chipped and have a bigger harddrive.
> What are advatages of having a pc over an xbox?
You can run any piece of PC software you choose on a car PC, so PC
games, GPS/SatNav software, movie/DVD players, games, and office apps
are all reasonable if you so choose.

> Is it sensible to run windows on the pc?
Yes, really the only choice because the software is more available for
windows as opposed to linux, although there have been a couple of MacOSX
based ibook and powerbopok installs with external screens.

> How much are the power converters ill need?
You can get an Opus Solutions (http://www.opussolutions.com/U face=Arial color=#0000cchttp://www.opussolutions.com/U) ATX 150watt
DC-DC PSU for about $190 plus shipping, or you can use a standard
MicroATX PSU and an Inverter, about £60 shoudl be reliable, but you can
add some noise into the system.

> Can anyone envisage any costs or problems i might encounter?
Costs will be arround £500 + whatever screen you choose (please go VGA,
not Composite, windows is so much easier to read) try either digitalww
(http://www.digitalww.com/U face=Arial color=#0000cchttp://www.digitalww.com/U) for good known service, or
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3058220191U face=Arial color=#0000cchttp://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3058220191/U for an
unknown quantity buit several MP3car guys in the UK have bought and used
them.

Try Mediaengine as a front end (http://www.mediaengine.org/U face=Arial color=#0000cchttp://www.mediaengine.org/U)
> Should i use a mouse-a little akward-or get a touchscreen?
Touchscreen, no doubt about it. Or an infra red remote on the serial
port, but still awkward.

> Anyone suggest cheap suplliers of the components i will
> need?

places to look at
http://www.digitalww.com/U face=Arial color=#0000cchttp://www.digitalww.com/U
http://www.dscustoms.com/U face=Arial color=#0000cchttp://www.dscustoms.com/U
Both good screen suppliers who will deliver to the UK.

http://www.mp3car.com/U face=Arial color=#0000cchttp://www.mp3car.com/U (good project and advice site)
http://www.linitx.com/U face=Arial color=#0000cchttp://www.linitx.com/U
http://www.mini-itx.com/U face=Arial color=#551a8bhttp://www.mini-itx.com/U

http://www.ultim8pc.co.uk/U face=Arial color=#0000cchttp://www.ultim8pc.co.uk/U
(they have DC-DC input PSUs but they dont regulate the input 12v so
could burnout a mobo, or HDD, so you need to find/build/buy a 12v
regulator)
http://www.home-electro.com/U face=Arial color=#0000cchttp://www.home-electro.com/U (infra red)
http://www.mediaengine.org/U face=Arial color=#0000cchttp://www.mediaengine.org/U (software)

 

[djpo]

Ive got a pc in mine, all works fine with power invertor BUT the inverter gives a very loud buzzing through the speakers, I tried running the invertor from a seperate battery but still no joy!

 

[Daz]

Inverters arnt suitable for this, really.

They reset comp on engine start, they dont shut it down automatically..

i got a Proper DC-DC PSU.. It used a remote wire to boot it up, shut comp down properly.. it didnt reset on engine start etc.. it was also a lot more efficient.. on the other side, it did cost £170 after I imported it from America.

My PSU on the cube case used 575w input.. thats quite a lot.. and itll love your battery.. heh.

 

[Daz]

Quote: Originally posted by _KDF on 23 March 2004



although linux would yeild far better results.

Windows XP came out of hibernation in 15 seconds. I then could pick from a range of high quality Sat Nav Programs, have PowerDVD running using my Hardware Decoder and everything worked.

I doubt I could have made Linux work any better - Sat Nav for one thing, theres only one commerical program which works with routing, and thats InfoMap.. and even then, it works better in Windows.

 

[Dink]

Quote: Originally posted by Daz on 23 March 2004


My PSU on the cube case used 575w input.. thats quite a lot.. and itll love your battery.. heh.

could you tell me how u measured this??

 

[noel-pilot]

I looked into this recently and gave up cos I didnt want to have a free standing screen! still love the idea tho and may well end up putting my xbox into to add to my new screen which is ...supposedly on its feckin way!

You say a screen will cost you £230 from the states yet there are 8" touch screens on ebay for about £185. Worth having a look.

 

[KDF]

Quote: Originally posted by Daz on 23 March 2004

Quote: Originally posted by _KDF on 23 March 2004



although linux would yeild far better results.

Windows XP came out of hibernation in 15 seconds. I then could pick from a range of high quality Sat Nav Programs, have PowerDVD running using my Hardware Decoder and everything worked.

I doubt I could have made Linux work any better - Sat Nav for one thing, theres only one commerical program which works with routing, and thats InfoMap.. and even then, it works better in Windows.

Daz, as someone who I know uses linux, even you know linux is far more flexible than windows will ever be..

 

[1.6 16v]

yer seen those on ebay but check their feedbacks. Either crap feedback or registered in china e.t.c