a car computer... hmmmm...

SC_Steve

SC_Steve

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ok, I want to make (just for the hell of it) a generic car computer. I'd make it specifically for the mark, but may be selling it soon so....

ok, so what I'll probably do is make a slim case for it that can mount behind the dash board/in the glove box/in the trunk or under the seats. Keep it compact for obvious reasons.

I figure if I run windows XP and use desktop X, I can customize it so it's more user friendly to use from a vehicle instead fo having to go thru menus (so everything is right there in front of you). Then just pick up a small touch screen monitor to use.

Thing is... what can I use for the keyboard and mouse interface? Wont the computer not boot up if it detects no keyboard/mouse? Then I think I could just pick up a tv and radio tuner card and then run the radio and tv thru the screen. And from there (not sure on how pissible it would be with stock wiring) wire the audio from the PC into the cars audio system.

lets hear your thoughts on this...

-Steve
 
Yes - it's possible.

WinXP will boot without kybd. You may want to consider either a wireless kybd/mouse (I use them at home) or an on-screen kybd - some of the newer touch-screens come with them.

You could play dvds, cds, mp3, wma files through the PC

You even add a webcam rear-view camera with it.

The TV / radio reception will not be very good quality - most of these cards assume you will plug a cable (tv cable) into them and not that they will be antenna fed.

Your biggest issue is figuring how to shut it down everytime you shut off the car without 'crashing it' - or leaving it on without draining your battery.....
 
There is a setting in the BIOS to tell the PC to ignore all errors (ie, keyboard, mouse, etc.) Also if you are going to go with the wireless keyboard/mouse idea you should take a look at Gyration.

http://www.gyration.com/ultragt-compact.htm

They're the leader in wireless keyboards and the mouse works on orienteation rather than laser or ball. In other words you can hold the mouse in your hand and use it like a pointer with a pistol grip rather than on a hard surface.

Also this thing has a very reliable 30' + range on it. I tried the MS wireless prior to this. MS claims a 25' range but it's more like 2'

Enjoy
 
I would keep the KB - make it a small one or a wireless one - giving the ability for regular computer usage as well - connect it through a cel you can check your email or the latest LVC posts while going down the Highway - and feed your webcam image LIVE
 
I have a car computer; it's my laptop. It works great. All I have to do is plug it in to the DC power inverter, and I have a line that runs directly to the stereo from the 1/8" audio output on the computer. You could probably get a laptop off of Ebay for as much as you would spend to hook up a dedicated computer, and that is without all of the hassle of getting it all to work exactly like you want it.
 
I'm working on this project also. The info you need is at http://www.mp3car.com at the forums. Here is my setup, I know the filename says "draft" but its pretty final unless something happens that wasn't planned. All the hardware there, w/o audio, will cost almost $1000. Audio hasn't been decided but it will be around $500 total. Wires, adapters, powerblocks, fuses, etc, need to be factored in too. The whole setup pictured will cost about $1600.

At the moment the solutions available for AM/FM/TV are very poor ones. The best is radioSHARK, featuring only AM/FM. A project is under way at mp3car.com to bring us an AM/FM/TV card but no one knows when it will be finished.

As far as inputting data, a keyboard is a must (but not needed at all times) and a touch screen is recommended. 7" (double din) Touch screen ranges from $300-400.

If you have any questions that can't be answered by using the Search feature at the mp3car forums, just ask me.

draft2.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I'm impressed with the drawing. Is that your work?

seanklsc said:
I'm working on this project also. The info you need is at http://www.mp3car.com at the forums. Here is my setup, I know the filename says "draft" but its pretty final unless something happens that wasn't planned. All the hardware there, w/o audio, will cost almost $1000. Audio hasn't been decided but it will be around $500 total. Wires, adapters, powerblocks, fuses, etc, need to be factored in too. The whole setup pictured will cost about $1600.

<SNIP>
Click to expand...
 
Yeah when I posted it on mp3car.com they thought I was crazy. I'm not the kinda guy that jumps into his car, tears his seats out, does some ghetto wiring and starts the car hoping everything works.
 
LOL I was just impressed that there are correct electrical diagram techniques used and most people, without that type of experience, wouldn't have done that. I was just surprised that it wasn't a ghetto drawing.
 
Thats interesting. I'm not an electrician, although I'd love to learn about electricity. Its just coincidental I guess. I used MS Visio 2003 (comes with Office Suite) its kinda like a flow chart program for business presentations, but I used it for my own purposes. Thats why it has those stupid shapes. One rainy day I'll replace the shapes with actual images of the equipment.
 
Now that's even more interesting. It's amazing how cool Visio can make you look. :)

I use Visio frequently for network diagrams. I was bummed out when MS bought it but it seems like it's still as cool as ever.
 
Car PC is possible now.

display.jpg


http://www.sd-omega.com

Car pc is availabel now. It is the smallest pc in the world.


SC_Steve said:
ok, I want to make (just for the hell of it) a generic car computer. I'd make it specifically for the mark, but may be selling it soon so....

ok, so what I'll probably do is make a slim case for it that can mount behind the dash board/in the glove box/in the trunk or under the seats. Keep it compact for obvious reasons.

I figure if I run windows XP and use desktop X, I can customize it so it's more user friendly to use from a vehicle instead fo having to go thru menus (so everything is right there in front of you). Then just pick up a small touch screen monitor to use.

Thing is... what can I use for the keyboard and mouse interface? Wont the computer not boot up if it detects no keyboard/mouse? Then I think I could just pick up a tv and radio tuner card and then run the radio and tv thru the screen. And from there (not sure on how pissible it would be with stock wiring) wire the audio from the PC into the cars audio system.

lets hear your thoughts on this...

-Steve
Click to expand...
 
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