s0ber

iTrader: (7)

Yeah, Im leaning towards the lilliput.

fishpony

iTrader: (2)

ok i got a question, instead of having a carputer and a cd player and turning it on auxilary to get sound, would there be any way to hook the carputer sound directly up to the BOSE amps and not have a cd player at all? Because then i could sell my cd player and put that money into a carputer.

wariow

iTrader: (3)

it's great how we're all doing this snky snky. What are your ideas for mounting like the computer itself, dvd drive, parts? Our double din opening is just freaking perfect for a 7"inch and the slot below is usually where the headunit gets shifted to so we have it pretty easy. Share your thoughts?

Ladzio

iTrader: (8)

Yes, 7" touch screen will go there perfect, though if one decides to go with Lilliput, would you need to sheve the panel in the bottom a little because of its curved design?

I am still trying to decide whether to go with a laptop (I've got old Gateway, P1 266mhz), or a retired desktop (PIII 500mhz). Second choice seems to be more attractive. The major probblem I stumbled at yersterday was how to power it. Opus 90W would be perfect for desktop but it's so freaking expensive, whicle I saw on the mp3car forum regular Radioshack inverters don't perform well at all.

So how you guys want to power up your carputers? With what screen you think to go?

Wariow, most likely I'll go with desktop, where I'll have HD and DVD drive, which will go in the trunk.

wariow

iTrader: (3)

i'm leaning towards the xenarc, A lil pricier but you get what you pay for. I heard bad things about the lilliputs when they were hacked for fitment.

tedo007

iTrader: (6)

im doing it whenever i get my screen. yay

Ladzio

iTrader: (8)

wariow, nan you name some exmples what issues my rise with Lilliput..?

nadir_s

hehe this is a fun project to try. I've been researching for the past 2 years and i'm coming close to finished product.

GPS and Mp3 playback is the goal but with wireless hotspots sprouting everywhere, it's a good idea to integrate it into the project.

the VIA boards are your best option if you're looking for a compact solution... they're coming out with the new NANO boards that I was able to see at the last Embedded conference whre they had it displayed... a full computer within a chassis of a CD-ROM drive! It did have an external power supply brick though. Still, pretty amazing. They haven't released a date when it would be available on the market, but it should be any time now.

As far as power supplies go... depends again on how big you want it to be. If you can spare the space, go for the invertor as it will be pretty cheap ($30-$50). The DC-DC are a good choice, but if you don't get a OPus, you'll have to buy another device like the ITPS which filters the power and outputs a clean 12V along with other features like ignition power-on/off (computer turns on when you turn on car).

Just to hint on my project... i'm using a proprietory motherboard (sponsor) which is slightly bigger than the VIA. But the cool thing about it is it distributes power on-board so I don't need a power supply.. just a clean input of 12V to the board. It also has dual video (both VGA / RCA / DVI / S-video)... so I can run GPS on the front screen and run DVDs on other screens simultaneously. It also outperforms the VIA M10000 processor (also 1ghz).

I intend on using a lilliput touchscreen as well... jsut beacuse there isn't a cheaper solution. I have one and it runs fine... but there are stories out there claiming the lilliput is either a hit or miss.

I haven't really concentrated on the sound -> speaker solution yet... I don't think ill be goin for a headunit replacement but rather an auxilery unit for now... but definately a headunit replacement eventually once I find a good solution (maybe an internal amp).


The idea is to get away with the most compact unit... altho it's not possible for a in-dash (single DIN) unit, but I think with motherboards like the NANO-ITX, it will become very possible.

wariow

iTrader: (3)

the problem when peopel took apart their lilliputs is the touch screen sorta came apart on them and eventually stopped working. You also can't return it also because you obviously oopened voided teh warranty when peopel modded their screens.

Ladzio

iTrader: (8)

I am missing something here..... why would you want to take it apart? You cannot power it up and get a signal through supplied connector?

thisisausername

a 200 mhz pentium 2 processor can play mp3s
I recommend getting a shuttle mini case, those go for pretty cheap.
You get a case, mobo, and sometimes chip in one pack. Then u just buy a vid card, ram, and hd and ur good to go.

Ladzio

iTrader: (8)

bump... if anyone knows....

wariow

iTrader: (3)

you would take it apart the plastic trim to get just the lcd screen and mount it on your car.

Ladzio

iTrader: (8)

Damn, I was hoping it would go in without this. By what means then you mount it in there. Make custom brackets?

Cal0205

Am a moderator over at Hardforum, found a guy who's selling a computer that's perfect for your car. Fits right under the passenger's seat.

Via EPIA M1000 is the way to go

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=811706

panda_1

iTrader: (4)

for whoeever is interested in attending, there is a meet tonight for the south florida maximas at the oakwood plaze off of i 95 and stirling right before boomers.