Hey Jeff. Winter is approaching and the little time I have I want to finally get off my butt on adding a Carputer to my Nissan Frontier. Its my DD and I hate to continue burning cds, bringing a Laptop to keep JR entertained, also my Palm Pilot is trashed and need a new GPS solution.

Questions:
1. Computer - Did you buy it from mp3car.com?
2. Software - Did you go with windows mobile or full xp version? Did you have to purchase any other software to make your carputer interface with the touchscreen. Seems that some folks have custom interfaces to access Radio, Movies, MP3s, etc...
3. How do you get radio stations? Would I need to add some transmitter?
4. Does it support dual monitors? I would like one on the dash and one in the back between the front seats.
5. Hear of Bluetooth Cell phone support? I am sure there is a utility out there.
6. Audio? How did we get audio to speakers? RCAs to an amp or some special sound card that has line outs for Front and rears? 5.1 sound? or am I wishfull thinking.

Basically I want to have 2 monitors one in front and one in the rear. Front one will run the main functions as well as video. The rear can be only video. WIFI and Bluetooth is a must. As for tools and functions, Radio, GPS, MP3, Video (Avi, Mpegs, etc...) Internet browsing.

My budget is $1000. I have access to an assortment of software and have a bluetooth GPS receiver as well as a few other goodies that I can run via Bluetooth and WIFI. I guess what my budget will be mostly based on is the hardware. I am good with building a PC and setting up software.

Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks George!

 

OK, alot of questions I hope I answer them all:

I built my own computer using the ampie case and a mini ITX board. I bought the stuff separatly, but MP3car is having a good deal right now on a bare bones setup that includes the case, MB and power supply. I would go that route.

I used XP home edition for the operating sytstem. I run Roadrunner software as the front end with the digital FX 2.0 skin.

The touch screen comes with the software for the touch interface. It is controlled via USB. If you get the right MB, it will have a video output as well as the VGA out, so you can easily add another monitor.

There is a program that will control your phone via bluetooth and be totally integrated into the front end. It will alert you of and allow you to make calls right from the computer as well as send text messages and all.

The fornt end also supports FM radio through a USB adapter. I havent used that yet, but I have full integration of XM through mine using a specially made adapter. Works SWEET!

I send my audio directly out of my motherboard to my amplifier. You just get an RCA adapter and plug it in. The carPC power supply has an amp turn on wire so that is all automated as well. The power supply will automatically turn the pc on when you start the car and place it in standby when you shut the car off. Again, it works sweet.

You can probably get just about everything you need for CLOSE to $1000 if you go with a standard Lilliput 7" touch monitor. I used the transflective screen from mp3car which is $700 alone because of the convertible. You should be OK in a hard top car with a regular one.

When it comes time, I will help you get the right stuff and even help you put it all in. If needed, I can mold you a bezel for your screen too. Besides the XP and possibly the phone control software, everything else is freeware so there is no cost there. I recomend getting a USB GPS reciever though instead of the BT one as it will work much better. Let me know if you need anything.

 

Damn Jeff, you're good!

-Mike

 

Thanks, Mike. I have been doing the CarPC hobby for over four years now. It is pretty fun but the only downside is that once you have one that works right, you can never go back to a regular old head unit.

 

Thanks for the insight Jeff. I am going to give myself a xmas present and this is what it'll be. I'll start just doing research right now.

 

I was impressed when I saw your setup Jeff. I like the entire concept. I see that MP3car.com makes it easy to put all the pieces together, all you have to do is install them in your ride. That would be the hardest part for me to do. I hate wireing a car, I make a mess.

 

Well, I will caution that getting the pieces and putting them in is only about 25% of it. Alot of the software has conflicts and sometimes crashes asit does run on XP It is truly a hobby and not just a different kind of car audio system.

Maybe if a few people get the stuff they need, we can have a carPC day!!!!

I think we could get most of the stuff installed in one day, but set up and tweaking takes weeks and months of trying out different stuff and getting it up and running correctly until you get setup and then it's just maintaining it through the occasional crash.

 

Yep, a hobby it is. I love building computers. Including installing software. I do not own any PC's that have a name on them, they are all customs built by me. Even my home network is not the usual, I have 4 pc's, two game players, two wifi palm devices, and three tv boxes all setup on my home network.
My next little project is to change my DVR to a Media DVR so I can record and send to any other tv in the house. I accidently ordered the wrong DVR box, so I want to upgrade.

 

Sounds like you are PERFECT for the carPC hobby!!!