I'm not sure if i should put this in tech discussion thread, but...
i want to do a carputer. nothing fancy or a super computer to monitor my cars system or anything. i basically just want a computer, like one youd have in your house, in my car.

i would use a double DIN for this.

basically what i would do is have a small computer hidden or tucked away in the car. and then use a vga chord and run it to a monitor in the dash. very simple.

PROBLEMS....

i have a few problems im running into though.

1. i want the monitor to have a volume control KNOB. i cant do the press-a-button-a-million-times-to-control-volume thing.
2. the monitor has to have a vga input (not to much of a problem because ive seen plenty online that have this for the purpose of using it as a carputer monitor)
3. i want the monitor to still get radio reception

4. this is the big problem. the monitor is of course going to be touchscreen, like most double dins are now. buuuuuut... i absolutely need the touchscreen to control the computer otherwise i would have to get the computer out every time i wanted to change a song or something.

this seems to be the biggest hurdle.

i have some ideas of what i want but i cannot be absolutely sure if some of these things will control the computer with the touchscreen

i like the controls and look of this one

http://www.qualitymobilevideo.com/PTID_6250.aspx

but i like how this one has nothing behind it. its just the screen

http://www.ubbcentral.com/s...ga_160392314084.html

so say i got a mac mini, or whatever those tiny fit in your hand little box computers are. i could fit that thing behind the monitor in the dash PERFECT! but of course it has no volume control and doesnt have a radio receiver.

anyone know of anything like what im looking for?

i know its really specific and im sure i can get whatever i want for $2000. but im obviously not spending that much on a stereo.

any help is super appreciated

thanks

Since I need something like that for KATT later, I would like to see if anyboy have it on the car and how it looks like

Look up any carputer on the internet. Most use the Intel Atom processors in the mini ITX format. I used to have a carputer running XP professional, a 7" touchscreen and it worked perfectly. There are other sites where you can simply download their program and it runs full screen with the audio, video, media buttons on the screen:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Min...&hash=item2558a7f99a

See here for software:
http://www.mediaengine.org/index.php?progshots


Here is a more high-end store:
http://store.mp3car.com/Car...ter_Systems_s/25.htm

[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 08-11-2012).]

Cheapest way is to look for a 12v desktop pc or a laptop. Dell compac make 12v desktops I have seen a few for sale cheap recently with big processor power too.

no thats not the route im looking for. if i just buy a laptop then i have to use it as a laptop, id have to pull it out everytime i wanted to do something.

i want to use the touch screen to control the computer. but i also want a volume knob for quick volume control.

also i dont want a carputer with its own programs. i want the monitor in the dash to be completely independent of the computer. so i could hook up any computer i wanted through a vga or hdmi or whatever. so it doesnt limit me to just some xp or special programming. i could use whatever i have on my computer.

what i really want to do i is this.

have a monitor that takes up this much room (basically just a screen)


so i can put something like this behind it in the dash

http://www.apple.com/macmini/specs.html

but i want controls like this


and the touchscreen controls the computer

It sounds like you are leaning towards an Apple so you'll probably have to install a Mac Mini.

Here is an all in one package but with Windows. The entire system is built together so you simply install it in any double din area. Check the manufacturers website for more details. They also have just the monitor with vga input and volume control.
http://www.carputer-world.c...-2din-car-pc-system/

[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 08-11-2012).]

I used a volume control knob out of a Dell SK-8135 keyboard in my Silverado's carputer. You can remove the keyboard's internal board & it still functions as a usb volume control. I did it back in 2005, if i remember right I unsoldered the rotary knob from the board & extended it with wires to make it fit in a panel above the airbag shutoff switch in the dash. The board also has a separate pair of usb ports, mounted them below the knob to plug in flash drives, etc. I also mounted the IR reciever for a wireless keyboard there. I never used any of the other buttons, just wanted a volume knob.

I found a pic of the board stripped out of the keyboard:



There's a few of them on Ebay now, one under $15 shipped.

You need to go to MP3car.com for info on front ends to run the computer. They control the music, DVD, phones, etc just like factory units.
I'm running XP with an 8" in-dash touch screen & DVD burner, GPS, WIFI, USB FM tuner, rear camera, etc - I can make it do anything I need it to.
It's mostly a bunch of spare parts from home PC's, I've had it running since 2004. The only problems I've had was regular hard drives didn't like cold
weather, fixed that with an SSD drive.

[This message has been edited by AL68 (edited 08-11-2012).]

I would think the best bang for the buck is the AVIC Z3 Pioneer unit. It has a hard drive that copys CD's to a HD while they play, then you'll never need the CD again. GPS maps, DVD, gauges, etc. Install a Bit One Audision unit for an easy knob adjustment and digital control over your system. I can e-mail you how mine looks.

Greg

quote Originally posted by AL68: I used a volume control knob out of a Dell SK-8135 keyboard in my Silverado's carputer. You can remove the keyboard's internal board & it still functions as a usb volume control. I did it back in 2005, if i remember right I unsoldered the rotary knob from the board & extended it with wires to make it fit in a panel above the airbag shutoff switch in the dash. The board also has a separate pair of usb ports, mounted them below the knob to plug in flash drives, etc. I also mounted the IR reciever for a wireless keyboard there. I never used any of the other buttons, just wanted a volume knob. I found a pic of the board stripped out of the keyboard: There's a few of them on Ebay now, one under $15 shipped. You need to go to MP3car.com for info on front ends to run the computer. They control the music, DVD, phones, etc just like factory units. I'm running XP with an 8" in-dash touch screen & DVD burner, GPS, WIFI, USB FM tuner, rear camera, etc - I can make it do anything I need it to. It's mostly a bunch of spare parts from home PC's, I've had it running since 2004. The only problems I've had was regular hard drives didn't like cold weather, fixed that with an SSD drive.

THAT is a GREAT idea... I have three or four of these laying around, and never thought to use the guts for my CarPC... You have given me some very interesting ideas now... I suspect I'll be tearing one of the keyboards apart in the very near future. + for you (if you don't already have one.)

It's not double DIN but it IS pretty cheap for what it is and it is what I was looking at for my own car PC project.

The Neway CL7080. It's a single DIN unit, has the FM hardware built in, amplifier built in, has power controls to the PC built in, card reader and USB ports built in... you just need to provide a PC and it's a working rig. Plus in a Fiero you could install it a bit more discretely as the screen is a foldaway, so any standard single DIN mount for our cars would work.

The unit cost is $220USD each I believe.

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quote Originally posted by 07Hoffmannd: but i like how this one has nothing behind it. its just the screen http://www.ubbcentral.com/s...ga_160392314084.html thanks

Here are some suggestions... the Aopen mini PC, gonna have to the mp945 or higher... I have 2 of the 915s and they are terribly slow. and those are built to the max. 1.7ghz/1gb ram max. I had a carputer in my Blazer, then went to my Aveo. Traded the Aveo for a Sonic Turbo and unfortunately I cant use a carputer in this car without losing some of the features. I will making one of these into a home theater PC, possibly.

One thing, that screen mount is for a Lilliput EBY701 and that screen mount isn't really worth your time or money. Unless you really want to get it and see for yourself. The EBY701 is IMO the best screen to use fitment wise for a DD opening. Just fit the screen with the case right into the DD opening and place your bezel like you normally would.

EDIT TO ADD: the MP915 or the Mini PC series by Aopen are mm's away from being the same dimensions as the Mac Mini. There are Windows compatible versions of the Mac Mini.

[This message has been edited by XgovernmentAgent (edited 08-13-2012).]

quote Originally posted by Carcenomy: It's not double DIN but it IS pretty cheap for what it is and it is what I was looking at for my own car PC project. The Neway CL7080. It's a single DIN unit, has the FM hardware built in, amplifier built in, has power controls to the PC built in, card reader and USB ports built in... you just need to provide a PC and it's a working rig. Plus in a Fiero you could install it a bit more discretely as the screen is a foldaway, so any standard single DIN mount for our cars would work. The unit cost is $220USD each I believe.

yeah ive looked into to the fold out screens. ive never seen one of those with a pc connection before. the reason i didnt want that is because it will hit the gear select in an automatic, which is have, when it folds out. unles youve had another experience.

@ Carcenomy

do you have one of these in a fiero?

can you control the computer with the touch screen with this?

quote Originally posted by 07Hoffmannd: no thats not the route im looking for. if i just buy a laptop then i have to use it as a laptop, id have to pull it out every time i wanted to do something.

That's like saying you would have to take your desktop computer out from under your desk each time you wanted to use it It does not matter where the computer is, it is the screen and the mouse you use to interact with it. In the case of a CarPC, you just swap the mouse for a touchscreen to interact with it.

The main component of a CarPC is of course is the computer hardware. Whether that is a micro ATX computer, Mac-Mini, small factor desktop computer or a laptop. Then hooking the touch screen monitor to it, is how you interact with it, the same way you would use a mouse to interact with a standard PC. There are 2 ways the monitor connects to the PC. Firstly, VGA / DVI which are very old school, or more current HDMI Video + Audio signal. The second connection is a USB cable that connects the touchscreen to the PC. Note: older touch screens used serial instead of USB.

Have a look at MP3Car.com. There is a TON of information there, and a very knowledgeable group of people over there to help with any question on hardware, software, peripherals and so forth. I am a super moderator on that forum, under the same JohnWPB screen name, and have been on there for a good many years.

After hardware, start looking at a front end to control the system. A great front end to start with, is around $120 and called Centrafuse. Another popular front end is RideRunner, which is free, but requires a little bit more to get it set up exactly like you would want.

[This message has been edited by JohnWPB (edited 08-13-2012).]

quote Originally posted by 07Hoffmannd: yeah ive looked into to the fold out screens. ive never seen one of those with a pc connection before. the reason i didnt want that is because it will hit the gear select in an automatic, which is have, when it folds out. unles youve had another experience. @ Carcenomy do you have one of these in a fiero? can you control the computer with the touch screen with this?

I haven't yet, my targatop has been eating every coin I can possibly muster so my Car PC plans are well and truly on hold at the moment. The sales gentleman tells me that it uses fairly standard UPDD touch input so yes, yes you can. You raise a valid point about the shifter, would really depend on the shifter position and length, and how far it pops out.

that centrifuse looks pretty awesome. it only supports windows though. and no volume control on the outside.

i know im being super picky but i dont want to just slap anything in my car. im gonna have to use it everyday so i want it to be the way I want it. not that it has to be the best system in the world but just so it doesnt piss me off whenever i have to use it.

i mainly trying to get ideas so maybe i can piece something together.

thanks for all the help so far. its been real... well... helpful actually. haha.

@johnwpb
thats cool that your a super moderator on that site. ive been there plenty of times. ill take what you say into consideration a little more.

i really would like to use an apple computer in the car. but really i just want to be able to use something like itunes. which runs on anything really.
gps would also be pretty cool. and you know rear cemera setup and stuff like that.

again thanks for the help so far

Apple is great, so not going to get into that age old debate of PC -vs- Mac..... however, that is severely limiting the software you can use. There is very little in the way of front ends and support for Mac's as well as Linux.

As for the volume knob, you can also use a powermate, which is a USB device, that is actually just a big round knob. You can use it for many, many things depending on the way you program it. There are even ones that you can tilt in different directions to move the cursor around, press down to select, and rotate for volume ect.

As for iTunes, I do not recommend it. on a 7" screen, trying to select a song on the screen in iTunes is going to be near impossible to read, more less trying to select it with your finger! That is where the front ends come in. They use iTunes, Winamp, WMP and others behind the scenes to handle the music library, but give you large controls, fonts and lists to interact with.

Here is a skin I created for Ride Runner, just to give you an idea of what the front ends can do, compared to running standard windows desktop software designed for a mouse.

Note: Speech recognition is used heavily in this demo:

[This message has been edited by JohnWPB (edited 08-15-2012).]

I have been looking into rooting a Nook tablet then running it as an Android platform tethered to my Droid. I have heard of people using them as instrument panels with the Torque App. literally mounting them in the dash or console. Pandora interferes with Torque, but you could still use the MP3 player in it. The audio output is lame and has to be ran through a preamp or something. For $250 How could you go wrong?

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Project Genisis Lo Budget 3800SC swap

88 Coupe under construction.

:double post:

[This message has been edited by Austrian Import (edited 08-15-2012).]

The cradle that holds a tablet in the place of the stereo in video above is neat that is what i would like.

quote Originally posted by JohnWPB: As for iTunes, I do not recommend it. on a 7" screen, trying to select a song on the screen in iTunes is going to be near impossible to read, more less trying to select it with your finger!

good point. didnt think about that.

quote Originally posted by JohnWPB: As for the volume knob, you can also use a powermate, which is a USB device, that is actually just a big round knob. You can use it for many, many things depending on the way you program it. There are even ones that you can tilt in different directions to move the cursor around, press down to select, and rotate for volume ect.

didnt know those existed. that sounds pretty cool

also that riderunner skin and voie recognition is awesome. howd you do that?

quote Originally posted by 07Hoffmannd: didnt know those existed. that sounds pretty cool also that riderunner skin and voie recognition is awesome. howd you do that?

Yea, the power mates are pretty powerful. The knob can also be replaced to use a smaller radio style knob, custom one ect. I have seen quite a few people mount them right into a center console.

As for the DFX skin, It is something I have actually worked on, on and off, for the past 5 years or so. You can find where to download it, as well as support HERE. It is all completely free.

I was thinking that you could take a monitor like the one shown and hook it up to a raspberry pi linux board behind it. The Pi is only $25 and it can run linux or Android.

As motherboards have been shrinking since the mid 90's (when I got my car), I've been planning about putting a pc into my Fiero. I had started the following project using the Yahoo Weather API, never got much else done with it.

http://www.dreamincode.net/...rch__1&#entry1095801

i put my motorola zoom in front of my shifter during the summer and the cool days i have mounted a u shaped bracket ubove the radio that the tablet slides in. 10.1" screen size, just right for me to see. it does have gps. my tablet sits in a cover, front and back and i glued a elastic black hair tie to the back.it goes around the center cluster and stops the tablet from moveing around. one day i will learn how to post pictures.

quote Originally posted by jim94: i put my motorola zoom in front of my shifter during the summer and the cool days i have mounted a u shaped bracket ubove the radio that the tablet slides in. 10.1" screen size, just right for me to see. it does have gps. my tablet sits in a cover, front and back and i glued a elastic black hair tie to the back.it goes around the center cluster and stops the tablet from moveing around. one day i will learn how to post pictures.

Please post pics.

Option 1: https://www.fiero.nl/pip.html
Option 2: Photobucket
Option 3: Imgur

video for option 3:

bump. i would like to see that as well ^^

Cool motherboard http://www.dfi-itox.com/pro...etails-cp100-nrm.php
nice case monitor http://www.ebay.com/itm/110966372323

quote Originally posted by jdv: Cool motherboard http://www.dfi-itox.com/pro...etails-cp100-nrm.php nice case monitor http://www.ebay.com/itm/110966372323

The case/monitor is pretty badass but the motherboard isn't so flash. Uses a laptop processor... that limits you quite badly. I'd recommend something more like an ASUS P8H77-I if you really want i5/i7 in that format. Otherwise, I'd be looking at something like the Intel D2700DC. 2.1GHz dualcore and fanless, pow!

I like the idea.. and as the tablets become the replacement for the laptop.. for 60% of people will have more choices..
I think driod tablets, or microsoft..(apple will mostlikely never do this and be cheap enough)
the could build one, with a hifi type audio ,yes it still be compressed music.. but if they come out with something thats a tablet and a mini audio system... as alot of people use their computer/ipod/mp3 as their sound system at home now..
if they did this so it had headunit like controls and output.. (line level) so you didn't need a preamp/eq/amp just an amp..
I can see this being huge.. as it allow a music system that house all your tunes and portable.. and not sound like crap..
I'll wait ,because I know this will happen soon.. tomany people use isuc computerfiles as their music collection for it not to happen...
it'll be the next step from the ipod type addon input to a headunit..
I'm sure there is this type thing now.. but once a company like kenwood deside to come out with one thats music based and does the other things a tablet can 2nd..
it'll be heaven

The ASUS P8H77-I is a nice set up but in the confines of that case with other hardware cooling in a hot dash might be an problem. The cp-100-nrm is an industrial board made for harsh environments. The laptop cpu will use less power and can have a smaller fan so there is more space for other components.The cp-100-nrm list for $330 the ASUS P8H77-I is something I would like to have in my desk top/entertainment center and is a better value.If you look at the case they recommend the raspberry PI witch is a nice little toy.

[This message has been edited by jdv (edited 11-17-2012).]

This monitor I have in my car works with my stereo system and also has AV plug ins and HDMI. Plays DVDS and Blu-Ray with the system.... Not really a computer but an extra screen when I plug in my laptop through the HDMI. I made it to be easily removed if I need it taken out. Maybe this pic will help you with the placement or the look.

I am just starting to look into the carputer. The single (actualy 1.5) DIN thing kinda makes it a bit more difficult. I found a single din carputer but it was like $1800. That is nuts. I can build an insanely powerful desktop for that.

If I went for one of the small remotely mounted versions, what would be the wise choice for a display? I really don't want to cut up my dash so some flip up version would have to be used.

quote Originally posted by 07Hoffmannd: I'm not sure if i should put this in tech discussion thread, but... i want to do a carputer. nothing fancy or a super computer to monitor my cars system or anything. i basically just want a computer, like one youd have in your house, in my car. i would use a double DIN for this. basically what i would do is have a small computer hidden or tucked away in the car. and then use a vga chord and run it to a monitor in the dash. very simple. PROBLEMS.... i have a few problems im running into though. 1. i want the monitor to have a volume control KNOB. i cant do the press-a-button-a-million-times-to-control-volume thing. 2. the monitor has to have a vga input (not to much of a problem because ive seen plenty online that have this for the purpose of using it as a carputer monitor) 3. i want the monitor to still get radio reception 4. this is the big problem. the monitor is of course going to be touchscreen, like most double dins are now. buuuuuut... i absolutely need the touchscreen to control the computer otherwise i would have to get the computer out every time i wanted to change a song or something. this seems to be the biggest hurdle. i have some ideas of what i want but i cannot be absolutely sure if some of these things will control the computer with the touchscreen i like the controls and look of this one http://www.qualitymobilevideo.com/PTID_6250.aspx but i like how this one has nothing behind it. its just the screen http://www.ubbcentral.com/s...ga_160392314084.html so say i got a mac mini, or whatever those tiny fit in your hand little box computers are. i could fit that thing behind the monitor in the dash PERFECT! but of course it has no volume control and doesnt have a radio receiver. anyone know of anything like what im looking for? i know its really specific and im sure i can get whatever i want for $2000. but im obviously not spending that much on a stereo. any help is super appreciated thanks

In order to do this and control sound you would have to keep your stock stereo somewhere to control sound or install and aftermarket amplifier and route a Knob to control your volume. Very easy task from there you can control your volume. This also works for Ipad/Tablet installs. Which If I ever had money I would install in my own car.

Screens can have different viewing angles and readability in the fiero with a sunroof. http://www.mp3car.com/lcd-display/ has some good info on screens but they very in price this http://www.mp3car.com/lcd-d...-for-101-36-s-h.html is a good value for the money.Price varies and so does quality. Johnwpb does some nice work on his skins for the front end.

[This message has been edited by jdv (edited 11-16-2012).]

quote Originally posted by jdv: The ASUS P8H77-I is a nice set up but in the confines of that case with other hardware cooling in a hot dash might be an problem. The cp-100-nrm is an industrial board made for harsh environments. The laptop cpu will use less power and can have a smaller fan so there is more space for other components.The cp-100-nrm list for $330 the ASUS P8H77-I is something I would like to have in my desk top/entertainment center and is a better value.If you look at the care they recommend the raspberry PI witch is a nice little toy.

T-code processors. Likes of the Core i3-2100T or or i5-2390T are 35W, just like the mobile versions... solves the heat issues. Or since our dashboards don't have that much depth, mount the motherboard somewhere that's not inside the dash. Not sure how the Pi would work out though... played with one a little and it didn't seem like it'd be all that snappy in this kind of role.

Use what you have it saves money.

you do realizer you don't need a gaming computer specs in your car.

Of course. Like I said, the Atom would be the way to go. Mobile or not, a Core processor would be entirely wasteful in a car. Was just offering an alternative to the industrial-spec board listed earlier.