nice,
but id hate the idea of a harddrive bouncing around while youre driving

 

I've been carupting for a couple years now and have never had a hard drive failure. To be honest, I have never heard of one on the carputer forum either. I think hard drives have probably come a long way in durability and are not as suceptible as they once were. And, even if I did blow a drive, a new one is so cheap now, it's rediculous. I saw a 200gb drive the other day for like $100. My drive is a cheapo 100gig.

 

Can you list ALL the software you loaded on your carputer?

I can see the GPS software, and the RR front end, but what are you using for MP3 playback, Video Playback, etc? What version of Winders is that?

I am finding TONS of info on what hardware people are running, but I am not able to find a coherent collection of all the software I would need to configure the system.

I also found some info about separate screens. It is not very clear, but seems doable. The problem seems to be with audio output. I can't seem to find a way to discreetly handle multiple "zones" of audio output.

(Sorry if this is a hijack, let me know and I'll back off. )

 

No, no problem at all. I amusung windows XP home, but I have used pro in the past, no difference. Roadrunner uses Winamp running in the background to play all music. you can use any software for video playback, I use WinDVD. Roadrunner is simply a frontend for all these programs and makes them all look the same and function together.

As far as the audio and video zones I am clueless on that. I know the info is there on mp3car.com, but I have no need to look it up since I never went that way. If you go to the Roadrunner forum and check the FAQ, it literlay has everything you will need there in one spot. I spent about a week reading anythign I could get my hands on before I dove into my first project. Now, after a few years doing it, it's pretty simple. I get alot of enjoyment out of this "hobby". I refer to carputing as a hobby because it really is. It's not just an upgrade that you can install and forget about. It constantly gets tweaked and adjusted and upgraded.

 

You covered that thing with felt or something? it looks different. Good, but different from your original. Nevertheless, great job

Perhaps try to find leather that matches the center console better? I think that the color that you got from platic looks a little cheap.

 

I just took the picture with no flash this time. No felt

I am going to work on a version2 bezel with darkknight who knows a lot more than me about fiberglassing. Like I said, it was my first glass job ever.

 

I'm with you there. Just to go even MORE off topic for a sec, I used to have a Pronto touch screen remote. I bought it and spent 3 weeks of ALL my free time to get it to a state where it was BARELY usable with my home theater system. It was 5-6 mos before I had it the way I wanted it.

In the end I got rid of it, because a touch screen remote cannot be used without looking at it, and that got annoying.

I bought a Harmony remote that I setup in 20mins and left alone.

My point is that sometimes the easier solution, is, well easier!

I love your setup, and I plan to continue to investigate the Carputers. If I can make it work, I might just go that route. I appreciate you taking the time to help get me started.

BTW -- I found 3-4 other installs in S2000s on the MP3car site. So you are not alone.

 

Those Pronto units were cool.

As a side note, I am going to make a short video showing the features of the setup and how fast it resumes when you start the car. Hopefuly it will show that the screen is easy to read in sunlight. Now if I can just find my darned camcorder charging wire.

 

Nevertheless, it looks awesome perhaps just wrapping the one you have will do just fine?

 

True, and that is another option, I am just concerned about the added thinkness around the screen edge activating the touchscreen. Maybe there is a way around that like a spacer or something. I will have to see.