Finnally I have found time to continue this project. I plan on using it for mp3s,dvds,divx and eventually to program my aftermarket ecu. Damn to I wish i could do the tII swap right now. Ohh well have to wait for some money to fall into my hands before I can take on that project.

Heres the pics. I will keep updating that page and post a small how-to for those of you who are interested.

http://www.extensiontech.net/rx7.shtml

 

Something I'm interested in doing also. So, keep the updates coming.

Good stuff.

 

Damnit you scott, get to sleep, we have to get up early, and MAKE SURE SOMEONE PICKS ME UP BEFORE YOU IDIOTS LEAVE, you guys need me to configure the router on the spot. Oh, and btw, when are you going to make my LCD screen fit?

 

LOL when you buy my tII engine for me

 

Hmm, I guess we're in for a long wait....

 

I should be doing this next week, I'm just waiting on my LCD screen from a guy on Ebay. Maybe I should document it since I'll be fiberglassing a new stereo trim.

 

Beware of the link!! It opens in an endlees loop!!!

 

I fiberglassed in a LCD monitor in place of the rear-view mirror last year on my vert. I put a rear view camera in the taillights (hidden) and it plays through as a rear-view monitor. I have a video input processor that allows the picture to be overridden by the DVD when I turn the DVD on.

 

Why?

 

Cause I could ....

Actually, I just have a lot of eqipment sitting around, and I got bored. I was an installer for over 10 years.

 

good enough!

 

I don't see any "endless loops..."

Brad

 

When I click on the link it keeps opening screen after creen after screen....adnauseum..

 

There is no endless loop. Check your computer out! I started to make my own surround but my inexperiance with fiberglass made it easier to just modify my own. I wanted to keep the stock look but just add the screen in. Hopefully I will be able to do the final sanding tonight and start painting it in the morning. How much are you paying for that screen on ebay. I do have a few extras.

 

I think you need to step away from the computer, and call the excorcist.

 

You do know that the parts are much cheaper if you get them from Hong Kong, right?
I paid $60 for a high resolution, video+audio, miniture bullet cam (much nicer than anything I've seen available here) for $60, and the LCD screen for $50 (when comparable here was $450).

 

Hong Kong? Try free!! All four of them!! And not only that mine is 13.5 inches!!!

 

Where in did you get this camera and screen in HK?

 

Just tell them that you're a wholeseller and you want a sample of thier product before buying 100's.

 

I can get hd widescreen lcd for dirt cheap. PM me if you are interested.

 

I have the same project in mind for a senior project. I did only do it on paper, but I already selected the components, calculated a budget, and even did diagrams of the control and component layouts.

My design uses a 6.5 inch TFT touch screen (BTW, be sure that the LCD you're installing is sunlight readable), a small 2x20 line VFD in the idiot cluster (which is higher up and displays basic information that the driver can read at a glance), and a custom control panel that uses a piece of software called Girder to control the PC. An IR receiver and a steering wheel remote can also be used. I had considered using voice recognition, and later discounted it, but after speaking with a Volunteer Fireman about the interface, I'd investigate using it (it would be safer, especially at high speeds).

The PC itself is an industrial single board PC made by Inside Technologies called the 786LCD/3.5, which has audio/video outputs, an SIS630 3D chipset, and hardware DVD playback. The OS will be Windows XP Home Edition (you don't need the Pro Edition), but Linux can also work. DVD/CDs/MP3s are through a Pioneer slot-load DVD drive.

It can replace the entire stereo system, and can do what you've described (tuning an aftermarket ECU had also occured to me).

The only other things you need to consider are the startup and shutdown routines, and protection routines for temperature (freezing temperatures can shatter hard disk platters, extreme heat can fry components) and voltage (you do not want to accidentally leave the system on, or damage it by not having correct voltage).

I'm planning to start building mine next spring (just finished college and I'm searching for a job), and my RX7 is going to undergo a major restoration.

Do keep us updated, and good luck!

 

In Mongkok, on the Women's Market Street.

 

Use "Disk-on-modules" in place of your hard drives. They are flash storage devices that are, obviously, more robust and faster than HDD's.

 

Disk on modules

Not enough storage space for what i need. too expensive and easily succeptablee to emi.

Hard drive platers shattering

I have been working on computers for 7 years and have not seen one plater shatter. Im going to be using a laptop drive

LCD is sunlight readable

786LCD/3.5 Too much jamed into a small space, shared memory is nothing but trouble. Sound controller is abosultly terrible for automotive or even home audio. Pretty much all new video chipsets support dvd/mpeg1/mpeg2 decoding but can it due mpeg4/div-x nope and i need it to do that.

I will post what hardware will be in the machine as soon as i get some more time.

 

My design is certainly no where near final. I may end up using completly different components, but I haven't considered the problems caused by shared video memory. Is it some kind of conflict?

I haven't had a platter shatter either, but what I'm saying is that when a platter is frozen for several hours and is immediately used without thawing, it could shatter.

I certainly look foward to seeing what hardware you will use.