So any of you guys into carputers at all?
 

So any of you guys into carputers at all?

I have been reading a lot about different systems and am about to start my project, and was wondering if there were any other guys out there that were interested in a similar system, or already have one going that they would like to share.

Here are some links and pics for those interested.

http://www.digitalww.com/DWW-700M.htm

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/show...t=34696&page=3

http://www.autocan.com/english/image...indash_eng.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~mhaun5/rx7/LCD5.jpg

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...hmentid=100903

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...hmentid=100904

I'm using a EPIA VIA TC10000 mini itx mainboard. 1ghz processor, 512 RAM, Lilliput 7" touchscreen, w/2 80g 2.5" hard drives, 6 USB ports, serial, parrallel ports, lan connection, CF slot, PCMCIA slot and a 12 volt power supply. It has six channels for audio and a Sony CD/CDRW/DVD.

I'm still debating on which OS to use, Linux or XP. I'll probably use both OS's as well as Win98; all in seperate partitions.

Still looking for a GPS receiver.

I was going to use a wireless router and network adabter, but I'm leaning towards hardwireing it to keep hackers out. Some day a hacker will figure out how to stop all the Northstar-like cars while they are driving down the freeway by sending a phone hack to them.

:)

the only thing useful would be gps so i would never get lost, but other than that -- im busy driving.

Wow you got a full system going on there; I am kinda going Elcheapo. I am just going to run a extra laptop and either mold a xenarc into a extra AC double din panel I acquired, or take the plunge and hope for the best with the motorized one that should be coming out soon. It kinda looks like a low quality piece though so I don’t know I will probably wait a couple weeks to see how many of them crumble under the abuse before buying. It seems like that wrought is a better methodology, so it can hide the screen away and protect it from the suns heat and damage. I think I am also going to try and run one of those dvd slot drives off the 1394 port or maybe a usb hub so I will only have 2 things to plug in to completely remove the computer.

Any pics of your system?
Did you do any integration work for the screen in the dash?

Ya I hear you there, but I don’t thing the majority of the people really do get into it so they can honestly watch a dvd while they drive.

It just gives a lot of options and a big leap forward in music management inside a car. For me it is a convenience because I can run mp3s and run engine management through the screen when needed. I can also just customize all the readouts that I want instead of cluttering the dash with bulky gauges that detract from the cars appearance IMO. I can get every different reading that most people pay literally hundreds of or even in some cases thousands of dollars for in a neat little fully customizable package that costs me the price of an extra monitor. Plus it is expandable with all the neat toys that can be very useful in a lot of situations.

Actualy I have a system very similiar in mind if I ever get a FD. I am a computer tech by nature so if you have any hardware/software questions feel free to ask away.

*EDIT*
I have done 3 car systens, a jetta, a 325is, and a civic, custom molding the screen into the dash each time. I have pictures somewhere.... Since your local if you want any help just lmk.

I will probably take you up on that.
Any pics of your installs?

Now you just need to set it up so you touch the Mazda emblem in the middle of the screen to start the car. Since you'll need to log-in first, and the only boot device that you have enabled is the HDD, you'd be more secure than with a key. Gotta know the pass code. Tie it in with an aftermarket EMS, and you could set different maps for different drivers. Hell, run the CE-PC O/S and you could make the carputer your EMS. Can't do it with XP or Linux, neither are quite stable enough for that, but that would definately be slick. Include a set of gauges to display on-demand, with a buttons on the wheel to cycle through them, etc. I know they aren't new ideas, but someday I'll get there.

Ya that would be the day trusting windows to control a rotary. Between the blue screen of death and flying apex seals they couldn’t get them off the dealership lots before they went tits up.

And can you imagine wanting to stop the car….lets see… START!, programs, mazda, STOP engine.:D

There are a couple guys over there doing rx8 installs over there that look promising.

A lot of guys are trying to do stuff with blue tooth through there phones for keyless entry and relays that cut power to the ignition if the device is not within X amount of distance from the receiver. Some of those sound neat, but could be a liability considering how easy it is to cut through much more encrypted technology.

this sounds a lot like the setup im planning, as long as funding allows (ill probably have to sell one of my cars :p: in order to get there) But definitly the lilliput 7" touch screen with the opus 12v power supply.

have you guys checked out www.mp3car.com its a pretty good site and forum for all that stuff, thats where i researched all of my future setup

I don’t know, as much as I have read about the liliput, it seems like a big lop of shit.
Just don’t dissemble it and you might be OK.
They just came out with a new updated model, and supposedly the cable is supposed to be attached much better, so I dont know.

I was all ready to mold a xenarc into my dash with a liliput housing as the donor reveal (it matches the AC plastics perfectly with very little cutting or modding), but the more I think about it the more sense a retractable screen makes. When ever you don’t want it to look busy you can just fold the screen in and not worry about passersby peeking in the car for a quick few dollars, and it protects it very well when it is folded in from the sun and accidents.

if i could use messenger on that thing and chat in yahoo that would rock!!!

My "New" Lilliput monitor had a ghost logo from the Matrix burned into it when I opened the "New" package. It was purchased on ebay as, you guesed it, "New".

Caveat emptor.

I imagine you could.

I got a data cable for my LG6000 to hook up to a laptop so when I need to use a computer in a remote location. Nights and weekends are free minutes, and with a little free software and tutelage on how to set up the phone it works OK when you need it. I have even made post on the forum from sitting in my car at school with it. So I can only imagine it is not only plausible, but I bet people do it.

Ya I have read a lot of stories like that, like the JP splash from the pachinko machines.

So you say new liliput, does this mean it is your second liliput, or simply stressing the fact it was not new? What happened to the first one?

New Lilliput
 

I bought all the parts for my carputer as components and put them together myself. The Lilliput was sold to me as a "new in box never opened" before I got it (so they said). But it was obviously a used device. It is the first and only one I have had.

I've managed to fry one of the 80g hard drives because I put a light source too close to it while I was working on it.

The first mainboard was returned because it wasn't the model I ordered. The second mainboard was defective and sent back last November (I'm still waiting for its replacement). So I purchased a third one because I figured the one sent back last November would take a month or two to be replaced (optomistic me).

So right now I'm using the one and only mini itx as my main computer. This post is being done on it.

This one has a fan on the cpu for cooling, but they make a model that has zero decibles because there is no cooling fan. The drawback of the 'no fan' one is that if you are doing multimedia (dvd, mp3, etc) the cpu gets worked more and it needs to be cooled down with a fan.

This one will eventually go into a hot rod I'm building once the replacement is sent back to me from the manufacture.

I figured it would be better to work the bugs out of it while it is on my desk rather than while it is in the hot rod with all the dust and grime a shop/garage has.

The link that got me started is at Dashwerkshttp://www.dashpc.com

I wanted to use Linux because "free" software appeals more to me than does software that one must buy or license.

I've been a computer programmer/database architech/systems analyst for many many years, so this stuff doesn't scare me; it just takes time.

The most important lesson I can give to you would be to know the difference between wants and needs. And then clearly articulate those needs into your requirements.

Most systems built 'fast', tend to cost more in the long run due to the high cost of maintaining the system over time. And it is much easier (and cheaper) to change something while it is still in the design phase as opposed to changing it once it is built.

:)

peace

Anyone got a good link to a nationwide roaming internet service? :) One that is semi reliable... not to worried about price.

Check out T-Mobile, they have Blackberry which is Wireless. Cingular also has wireless service.

As far as computers go, I'm an IT Systems Specialist for the State and I was originally planning on putting my Toshiba into my car, but the more I thought about it, I may be able to run Engine Management through a PDA, but ultimately it came down to the Power FC by Apex. Can't go wrong with that, it's got a commander unit on it that allows you to tune and display settings.

I built my newest PC last January and am focused on my FD now, but the next PC I build will most definately be 64Bit architecture. Was thinking of running Dual CPUs, but not many programs are designed for Dual CPUs so I couldn't justifiy the cost.

That’s what I intend to do with the datalogit interface. With that I am able to put a digital readout of almost anything I desire on there from oil and water pressure and temp boost air temp WB fuel pressure a myriad of different things when I need to monitor what the car is doing.

Figured I would bump this see if anyone has any new ideas about the subject.

The first real fully motorized TS is now being shipped and I am considering it even though it is ugly as hell, because I would like to get it installed and start exploiting the full potential of my systems with out the cumbersome laptop interface.(its kinda funny what 5 years will do in respect to what is considered cumbersome large and not user friendly now huh!) :D

It is fairly discreet units though (wont look like a very high tech unit if anyone wants to peer inside to see any bling to get their grubby stealing crack head fingers on) lower the profile the better.

This unit has a built in tv and TS, but quality looks to be not all that good. Plus it is UGLY.

Here is a vid for those interested. http://www.mp3car.com/video/MTS12000.wmv

My brother just chipped his Xbox and put a 180 GB hardrive in it. He is going to hook that up to a pop-up 7in screen like in the 1st post. Then all he has to do is use the Ebox controler like a mouse and then hook up a keyboard using the USP Xbow cable input and he has got a keyboard. It is pretty sweet cause Xbox's work great in moving cars.


:bigthumb:

Only thing that would be good for is tuning. Get some tuning software in that and it would be great.

Os X
 

I once saw an article about a guy who put a whole G4 tower in the back of [I think it was a european Mini??], nice little screen, he had a good app for it all too.. *should go find link...*

*points at his icon ;)*
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It seems like a Mac mini would be perfect for this, except you'd have to build some sort of cooling path for it [apparently it overheats if you just cover up the little vents on the back...]

*Grabs water bucket for flames*
.......Yes, you can run linux [I'm a Mac person, but I like Linux for some things too - awesome webserver... Very stable] on it, or Virtual PC if there were something critical that needed windows :P

* grabs the firehose to help out*

I did see a Mac mini in a car. forgot the site though. I am really considering doing this. If the automator and Spotlight work as well as Steve suggests. I think that it would be great for Maps and such. Derek, do you know if Automator will work with voice commands?