In car computer?

[RazMan]

I'm hoping to install an in-car computer when fitting out my kit car and although I can build a suitable computer, I don't have a clue how to integrate all the features (radio, cd, gps and rear view camera) into one seamless package with an in-dash touch screen

Any idea where I can start?

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

RazMan said:

I'm hoping to install an in-car computer when fitting out my kit car and although I can build a suitable computer, I don't have a clue how to integrate all the features (radio, cd, gps and rear view camera) into one seamless package with an in-dash touch screen Any idea where I can start?

www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/index.php?

and read for about a week....

[RazMan]

ThatPhilBrettGuy said:

and read for about a week....

You are not kidding! ........ thanks for the link

[docevi1]

I've thought about that as well, you could do some really funky stuff such as having a Wifi Card attached for easy transfer of files, have something like MS Autoroute installed for maps, a photo manager so you could upload images off your digi camera...

www.carputerclub.com/
www.sweclockers.com/html/artikel/art_040923_carblaster.php?page=2
www.aaroncake.net/projects/mp3player.htm
www.chaos.org.uk/~altman/mp3mobile/
www.bobblick.com/techref/projects/mp3book/mp3book.html
www.ryanspc.com/index.pl?page=carmp3
www.qsl.net/ke5fx/cplayer.html
http://g.webring.com/hub?ring=mp3car
...

[RazMan]

There must be ANOTHER week's reading in there ..... although the Swedish may take me as little longer

[RazMan]

Ok, after looking at ALL of the links (yes really) I have come to the conclusion that the computer is going to take up far too much room to be practical. In a 'normal' car it would not be so much of an issue but in a kit car every cubic inch is precious.

I have therefore decided to go for a Becker CD/MP3/Tuner/GPS head unit and install a separate camera system with a mini LCD screen.

Thanks for all the links guys, they were very helpful

Just got to find a suitable camera setup now ....

[docevi1]

a normal machine will take up too much room, but remember that the box doesn't have to contain everything - for instance you can have the hdd 1.5m from the mobo (which has everything else on). You can also make things streamlined and very small - I've seen PC's built in Windows XP boxes - it can be done all you need is a Mini board...

Then again, I'd look at getting a Java board which is essentially a tiny, tiny PC and then program the software on top...

I'm with you, the reason I haven't done it is space - I don't have enough to do it properly. I don't even have space to put a Radio in sensibly

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

RazMan said:

Ok, after looking at ALL of the links (yes really) I have come to the conclusion that the computer is going to take up far too much room to be practical. In a 'normal' car it would not be so much of an issue but in a kit car every cubic inch is precious.

Ooo you give up easily. Not looked at Mini ITX boards? 170MM square. www.mini-itx.com/

RazMan said:

I have therefore decided to go for a Becker CD/MP3/Tuner/GPS head unit and install a separate camera system with a mini LCD screen. Thanks for all the links guys, they were very helpful Just got to find a suitable camera setup now ....

Don't know much about the Becker stuff, but I don't see hard drive in your spec list. It's a must for me now (got me a Dension DMP3A plugged into a Sony CDX-M9900 at the moment).

Some nice cameras here :-

www.flyonthewall.uk.com/

[docevi1]

oh, and remember laptops - you could modify an old laptop quite easily and they are fairly compact and designed to knocked about a little bit (thats the main problem - the harddrive getting knockec about. You'll need to put it in some sort of suspension cage for safety I would have thought).

[trooper1212]

docevi1 said:

oh, and remember laptops - you could modify an old laptop quite easily and they are fairly compact and designed to knocked about a little bit (thats the main problem - the harddrive getting knockec about. You'll need to put it in some sort of suspension cage for safety I would have thought).

I've got a laptop connected to a touchscreen TFT in my Cerb. It works, but I can't be arsed to use it so i'm taking it out. You need to make sure that whatever system you use it switches on with the ignition, is permanently connected and ready to use within seconds of starting. Otherwise you just won't use it...

[anonymous-user]

There are two articles in this month's Custom PC magazine.

He uses a mini ITX board, an Opus Automobile PSU a Lilliput 7in touch-screen TFT amongst other stuff.

Software wise, MediaCar was used to pull together GPS, WinAMP, phone control, etc.

[KITT]

ThatPhilBrettGuy said:

Don't know much about the Becker stuff, but I don't see hard drive in your spec list. It's a must for me now (got me a Dension DMP3A plugged into a Sony CDX-M9900 at the moment).

How do you find the Sony Phil? More specifically, how quickly does it access mp3s on a CD? I've got an older Pioneer mp3/CD head unit which is very slow at mp3 access and was thinking of upgrading at some stage.

[pmanson]

How about this one.........

www.mini-itx.com/projects/ice-unit/

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

KITT said:

How do you find the Sony Phil? More specifically, how quickly does it access mp3s on a CD? I've got an older Pioneer mp3/CD head unit which is very slow at mp3 access and was thinking of upgrading at some stage.

It's not bad, slower than normal CD track to track and far from seemless, but again not as bad as some. The Dension DMP3A is MUCH quicker but you'd expect that from a harddrive based player.

Plus points :-

Sound quality is really good. Display is great and with a camera to can display live images on it (I'm going to use it as a reversing aid).

Minus points :-

If you change the volume, you can't change track until the volume display 'goes away'. Ok, this is a minor point as it's only about a second or so before it does, but it just niggles me because there's no need.

Cheers

Phil

[RazMan]

trooper1212 said:

I've got a laptop connected to a touchscreen TFT in my Cerb. It works, but I can't be arsed to use it so i'm taking it out. You need to make sure that whatever system you use it switches on with the ignition, is permanently connected and ready to use within seconds of starting. Otherwise you just won't use it...

My thoughts too if I'm honest. I can't see me booting up a pc every time I clamber in to have a blast down to the town - I think a DIN sized unit like the Becker range would suit me better, coz you just turn it on and choose which function you want instantly.

I'm lazy me