Car-puter.

**dmwill** · 11-1-06, 23:30

OK, some of you may know what they are, I'm sure one or two of you ahve them from memory.

Getting to my point, I have a fully working Celeron 900mhz system lying around which is about the size of a phone book and runs off a notebook power pack. I never used the thing and just figured that I could use it as a car-puter for MP3's, maybe GPS and such like. Now I understand the basic setup in regards to wiring, stereo input and so on but does anyone here have one, what software and method of interaction do you use? I don't really want to spent hundreds on an in-dash LCD. Voice activation or a simple remote would do me fine, maybe even a small 2 line (text) single colour LCD display.

**Cromax** · 11-2-06, 0:40

NiN does ... drop him a line!

**carcenomy** · 11-2-06, 1:20

Do some searching, there's plenty of websites...

For the screen, you could go with likes of a generic USB VFD like the modder guys use - fully programmable, backlit... some have interface buttons too. For control, you could use a generic PC media remote kit.

Personally, if I ever went the route of an in-car computer, it won't be a PC at all... http://amimpc.world3.net/

Based on the mighty Amiga 1200HD. God bless its '020 soul...

**dmwill** · 11-2-06, 2:19

Yeah...a remote sounds like the go, I saw on ebay today Generic MCE remotes that work with XP Pro and are compatable with other media players such as Winamp for $20-30.

**NiN^_^NiN** · 11-2-06, 6:00

Ok firstoff if you want GPS a text LCD is useless cause all maps aren't 100% perfect it will say turn left but the road is a sharp left according to the map when really your going stright.

Second of all you need a VGA screen a normal composite LCD screen like you get from the JVC headunits or car dvd players is just to blury and you can't see the text

The only thing for a carpc that you should spend money on is a VGA LCD

Now you can get one at Jaycar or a liliput from Ebay which has a touchscreen.

But they aren't built into a DIN sized case that flips out of the dash.

www.digitalww.com has these and i reccomend you get them from him unless u can find one which has a case.

Software i can supply you i can post a cd or upload it to u if needed

Any frontend you want is avalable from www.mp3car.com under the software > Frontends part of the forum best ones to use are Frodoplayer or RR

I was using Neo Car Media centre but the development stoped on it which is a shame now i use frodoplayer which has heaps of skins

This software can be used with a remote but for GPS you need a mouse or touchscreen.

PM me if you want the GPS software and maps we can work otu away for u to get them

If you really don't wanna spend the money on a VGA LCD then you can get a standard LCD with composite in and use a remote but you won't be happy with it trust me you might have a remote to select the songs but u won't be able to read it.

Get a VGA for clearer vision and safety reasons you don't wanna take you eyes off the road to check the GPS with a crappy screen.

If you have any questions just ask i've been running a carputer for 3 years now and have installed afew into others cars

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmwill

OK, some of you may know what they are, I'm sure one or two of you ahve them from memory.

Getting to my point, I have a fully working Celeron 900mhz system lying around which is about the size of a phone book and runs off a notebook power pack. I never used the thing and just figured that I could use it as a car-puter for MP3's, maybe GPS and such like. Now I understand the basic setup in regards to wiring, stereo input and so on but does anyone here have one, what software and method of interaction do you use? I don't really want to spent hundreds on an in-dash LCD. Voice activation or a simple remote would do me fine, maybe even a small 2 line (text) single colour LCD display.

**carcenomy** · 11-2-06, 19:20

How quick do you have the system's reaction time at this point Nin? I'm kinda curious on this, been contemplating one for years but POST speed has always been something that's worried me.

**NiN^_^NiN** · 11-2-06, 21:23

With Carpc's we use hibernation takes me 30seconds but im using a 600mhz fanless Mini-itx

Takes people anywhere from 3 seconds to 10seconds with faster machines or about 1 to 2 seconds if you use standby

Hibernation saves a snapshot of the system and dumps the ram to the HDD when u start back up again it reloads it all

Standby does the same kinda thing but it uses power for the ram instead of dumping it to the hdd so it is very quick cause its almost no load time but it drains power from your battery most people who use this system have dual batteries so once the cars turned off it draws power from the battery in the boot.

There are alot of software tweaks to speedup the system aswell i haven't even done that my system could at probably 15sec max to start up or shutdown.

It all depends hibernations goes fast on some pc's other not so fast no reason for it really

**AusTerror** · 11-2-06, 23:22

The easiest car-puter-gps-music-movie-playing option would be to get a 2nd hand laptop.

Then you can take the laptop in with you and not leave it in the car. But then I don't leave anything in the car because I get paranoid stuff will get stolen.

Did anyone mention inverters yet? Or do people run them off 12v batteries?

**zorb_rules** · 11-3-06, 0:28

you can run inverters or power supplies made by opus that are liek your basic power supply with for a pc but use your cars power see here:
http://www.digitalww.com/opus150.htm

**NiN^_^NiN** · 11-3-06, 5:46

Best option altho hard to come by is getting a laptop with a dead screen

It gives u the small size battery power and simple power supply and you can hook it up to a laptop

Silly ppl think a laptop with a dead / bleading / dead pixel screen sell good ones for next to nothing.

I personally went with the mini itx cause its simple and easy to use plus is very small

**zorb_rules** · 11-3-06, 5:56

ive gone slightly larger than the mini itx have everything now but the screen need to sells eom crap to cover it lol..got gps receiver, harddrive, all cables, inverter etc...and strealign nin_nins software

**NiN^_^NiN** · 11-4-06, 19:38

I don't remember did i give u the GPS software already?

I wanted mini itx for space and weight saving my cars gonna be a beast soon

**tx5turbo** · 11-13-06, 5:40

So Nin, what screen would you recommend which is a touchscreen? (and doesnt cost my arm).

Is there any reason you couldnt use an old toshy laptop that has USB for the GPS reciever?

This screen is $260 Delivered, would it be any good?
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/8-VGA-TFT-LCD...ayphotohosting

**mxchaos** · 11-13-06, 17:13

I assume you had figured out to use that screen you'd have to rebuild most of your dash (custom job type thing) - wouldn't you be better off choosing their 7" in dash din screen if you were going to?

**zorb_rules** · 11-13-06, 18:13

cheapest indash ive seen is this price..this is the oen i will be getting

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/7-In-Dash-VGA...QQcmdZViewItem